2014考研英语二真题：阅读部分(Test 3、4)

2014年考研英语试题及答案阅读理解二Passage 3Everyone has heard of the San Andreas fault (断层), which constantly threatens California and the West Coast with earthquakes. But how many people know about the equally serious New Madrid fault in Missouri?Between December of 1811 and February of 1812, three major earthquakes occurred, all centered around the town of New Madrid, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. Property damage was severe. Buildings in the area were almost destroyed. Whole forests fell at once, and huge cracks opened in the ground, allowing smell of sulfur(硫磺)to filter upward.The Mississippi River itself completely changed character, developing sudden rapids and whirlpools. Several times it changed its course, and once, according to some observers, it actually appeared to run backwards.Few people were killed in the New Marid earthquakes, probably simply because few people lived in the area in 1811; but the severity of the earthquakes are shown by the fact that the shock waves rang bells in church towers in Charleston, South Carolina, on the coast. Buildings shook in New York City, and clocks wer stopped in Washington, D.C. Scientists now know that America's two major faults are essentially different. The San Andreas is a horizontal boundary between two major land masses that are slowly moving in opposite directions. California earthquakes result when the movement of these two masses suddenly lurches (倾斜) forward.The New Madrid fault, on the other hand, is a vertical fault; at some points, possibly hundreds of millions of years ago, rock was pushed up toward the surface, probably by volcanoes underthe surface. Suddenly, the volcanoes cooled and the rock collapsed, leaving huge cracks. Even now, the rock continues to settle downwards, and sudden sinking motions trigger (触发) earthquakes in the region. The fault itself, a large crack in this layer of rock, with dozens of other cracks that split off from it, extends from northeastArkansas through Missouri and into southern lllinois.Scientists who have studied the New Madrid fault say there have been numerous smaller quakes in the area since 1811; these smaller quakes indicate that larger ones are probably coming, but the scientists say have no method of predictingwhen a large earthquake will occur.11. This passage is mainly about .A)the New Madrid fault in MissouriB)the San Andreas and the New Madrid faultsC)the causes of faultsD)current scientific knowledge about faults12. The New Madrid fault is .A) a horizontal faultB) a vertical faultC) a more serious fault than the San Andreas faultD) responsible for forming the Mississippi River13. We may conclude from the passage that .A) it is probably as dangerous to live in Missouri as in CaliforniaB) the New Madrid fault will eventually develop a mountain range in MissouriC) California will become an island in futureD) A big earthquake will occur to California soon14. This passage implies that .A) horizontal faults are more dangerous than vertical faults.B) Vertical faults are more dangerous than horizontal faultsC) Earthquakes occur only around fault areasD)California will break into pieces by an eventual earthquake15. As used in the first sentence of the fourth paragraph, the word essentially means .A) greatlyC) basicallyB) extremelyD) necessarilyPassage 4Those who welcomed the railway saw it as more than a rapid and comfortable means of passing. They actually saw it as afactor in world peace. They did not foresee that the railway would be just one more means for the rapid movement of aggressive armies. None of them foresaw that the more weare together-the more chances there are of war. Any boy or girl who is one of a large family knows that.Whenever any new invention is put forward, those for it and those against it can always find medical men to approve or condemn. The anti-railway group produced doctors who said that tunnels would be most dangerous to public health: they would produce colds, catarrhs (粘膜炎) and consumptions. The deafening noise and the glare of the engine fire, would have a bad effect on the nerves. Further, being moved through the air at a high speed would do grave injury to delicate lungs. In those with high blood-pressure, the movement of the train might produce apoplexy (中风). The sudden plunging of a train into the darkness of a tunnel, and the equally sudden rush into fulldaylight, would cause great damage to eyesight. But the pro-railway group was of course able to produce equally famous medical men to say just the opposite. They said that the speed and swing of the train would equalize the circulation, promote digestion, tranquilize the nerves, and ensure good sleep.The actual rolling-stock was anything but comfortable. If it was a test of endurance to sit for four hours outside a coach in rain, or inside in dirty air, the railway offered little more in the way of comfort. Certainly the first-class carriages had cushioned seats; but the second-class had only narrow bare boards, while the third-class had nothing at all; no seats and no roof; they were just open trucks. So that third-class passengers gained nothing from the few mode except speed. In the matter of comfort, indeed they lost; they did, on the coaches, have a seat, but now they had to stand all the way, which gave opportunities to the comic (滑稽的) press. This kind of thing: A man was seen yesterday buying a third-class ticket for the new London and Birmingham Railway. The state of his mind is being enquired into.A writer in the early days of railways wrote feelingly of both second-and third-class carriages. He made the suggestion that the directors of the railways must have sent all over the world to find the hardest possible wood. Of the open third-class trucks he said that they had the peculiar property of meeting the rain from whatever quarter it came. He described them as horizontal shower-baths, from whose searching power there was no escape.16. All boys and girls in large families know that .A) a boy and a girl usually fight when they are togetherB) people tend to be together more than they used to beC) a lot of people being together makes fights likelyD) Railway leads the world to peace17. According to those who welcomed the railway, the railway itself should include all the following except .A) the railway enables people travel fastB) the railway brings comfort to peopleC) the railway makes the world peacefulD) the railway leads the world to war as well.18. According to the anti-railway group, all the followings are true but .A) tunnels are dangerous to public healthB) the noise and the glare of the engine fire may affect people's nervesC) the rapid speed through the air does damage to people's lungsD) to those with high blood-pressure, the rapid speed of the train causes them to die19. We may safely conclude that .A) the author belongs to the anti-railway groupB) the author belongs to the for-railway groupC) the author speaks highly of the railwayD) the author may never take train because of its potential dangers20. What is the tone of this passage?A)PracticalB)SatiricalC)HumorousD)Exaggerated相关推荐：2014年考研英语试题及答案阅读理解（汇总）。

2014年全国硕士研究生招生考试英语(二)答案详解SectionⅠUse of English文章分析本文是一篇关于肥胖与健康关系新说法的议论文。

第一段引出作者对身材的看法：并不是越瘦就证明人越健康。

第二段中作者介绍了一种定义肥胖症的指标BMI。

第三段中作者指出BMI其实揭示的是人体的脂肪量，并不是说明身材好坏的指数。

第四段中讲述了整个社会其实会给肥胖者贴上消极标签，无论是在电视节目中还是在孩子们的心目中，胖人的形象总是与消极联系起来。

最后一段讲述了人们以健康的角度去考虑肥胖的影响，和已经采取的一些对抗肥胖的种种策略。

试题解析Thinner isn't always better.A number of studies have__1__that normalweight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight.And there are healthy conditions for which being overweight is actually__2__.For example,heavierwomen are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women.__3__, among the elderly,being somewhat overweight is often an__4__of good health.【译文】太瘦也不总是好事。

一些研究已经得出结论：正常体重的人实际上比一些超重的人更容易患上某些疾病。

有些肥胖对健康还有保护作用。

例如稍微超重的女性跟消瘦的女性相比，不易受到钙质缺乏的影响。

同样的，在老年人中，一定程度上超重是身体健康的标志。

1.[A]denied否认[B]concluded得出结论[C]doubled两倍，加倍努力[D]ensured确保【答案】B【考点】词义辨析【直击答案】空格所在句意为“一系列的研究已经________，事实上，正常体重的人患病风险要高于超重的人”。

2014 年考研英语二真题（完整版）Section I Use of English Directions:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have 1 that normal- weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually 2 . For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. 3 among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an 4 of good health.Of even greater 5 is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined 6 body mass index, or BMI. BMI7 body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, 8 ,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 .For example, many collegiate and professional football players 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fatbut a 13 BMI.Today we have a(an) _14 _ to label obesity as a disgrace.The overweight are sometimes_15_in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes _16_ with obesity include laziness, lack of will power,and lower prospects for success.Teachers,employers,and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. _17_very young children tend to lookdown on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.Negative attitudes toward obesity, _18_in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity _19_.My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign_20_ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.1. [A] denied [B] conduced [C] doubled [D] ensured2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part9. [A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D] straightforward10. [A] so [B] unlike [C] since [D] unless11. [A] shape [B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste12. [A] start [B] quality [C] retire [D] stay13. [A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal [D] constant14. [A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency15. [A] employed [B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored16. [A] [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated17. [A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only18. [A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded19. [A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies20. [A] for [B] against [C] with [D] withoutSection II Reading Comprehension Part ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)Text 1What would you do with 590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84-year-old widow who recently emerged from her small, tin- roofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history.If she hopes her new-found for tune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton.These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly what was once exciting and new becomes old-hat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms Dumn and Mr Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time-as stories or memories-particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most "happiness bang for your buck." It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it).Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib - a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.Readers of “HappyMoney” are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfillment, not hunger.Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasure of most things for most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’ policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.21. According to Dumn and Norton,which of the following is the most rewarding purchase?[A]A big house [B]A special tour [C]A stylish car [D]A rich meal22. The author’s attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is [A]critical[B]supportive [C]sympathetic [D]ambiguous23. Macrib is mentioned in paragraph 3 to show that [A]consumers are sometimes irrational[B] popularity usually comes after quality [C]marketing tricks are after effective [D]rarity generally increases pleasure24. According to the last paragraph,Happy Money [A]has left much room for readers’criticism [B]may prove to be a worthwhile purchase[C] has predicted a wider income gap in the us [D]may give its readers a sense of achievement25. This text mainly discusses how to [A]balance feeling good and spending money [B]spend large sums of money won in lotteries [C]obtain lasting satisfaction from money spent[D] become more reasonable in spending on luxuriesText 2An article in Scientific America has pointed out that empirical research says that, actually, you think you’re more beautiful than you are. We have a deep-seated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategies to research into what the call the “above average effect”, or “illusory superiority”, and shown that, for example, 70% of us rate ourselves as above average in leadership, 93% in driving and 85% at getting on well with others—all obviously statistical impossibilities.We rose tint our memories and put ourselves into self-affirming situations. We become defensive when criticized, and apply negative stereotypes to others to boost our own esteem, we stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff.Psychologist and behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into self-enhancement and attractiveness. Rather that have people simply rate their beauty compress with others, he asked them toidentify an original photogragh of themselves’ from a lineup including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process occurring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent conscious deliberation”. If the subjects quickly chose a falsely flattering image- which must did- they genuinely believed it was really how they looked. Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that, those who self-enhance the must (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored picture were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded with those who showed other makers for having higher self-esteem. “I don’t think the findings that we having have are any evidence of personal delusion”, says Epley. “It’s a reflection simply of people generally thinking well of themselves’. If you are depressed, you won’t be self-enhancing. Knowing the results of Epley ‘s study,it makes sense that why people heat photographs of themselves Viscerally-on one level, they don’t even recognise the person in thepicture as themselves, Facebook therefore ,is a self-enhancer’s paradise,where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit ,style ,beauty, intellect and lifestyle it’s not that people’s profiles are dishonest,says catalina toma of Wiscon—Madison university ,”but they portray an idealized version of themselves.26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologist have found that.[A] our self-ratings are unrealistically high[B] illusory superiority is baseless effect[C] our need for leadership is unnatural[D] self-enhancing strategies are ineffective27. Visual recognition is believed to be people’s[A] rapid watching[B] conscious choice[C] intuitive response[D] automatic self-defence28. Epley found that people with higher self-esteem tended to[A] underestimate their insecurities[B] believe in their attractiveness[C] cover up their depressions[D] oversimplify their illusions29. The word “Viscerally”(Line 2,para.5) is closest in meaning to .[A]instinctively [B]occasionally [C]particularly [D]aggressively30. It can be inferred that Facebook is self-enhancer’s paradise because people can .[A]present their dishonest profiles [B]define their traditional life styles [C]share their intellectual pursuits [D]withhold their unflattering sidesText 3Crying is hardly an activity encouraged by society. Tears, be they of sorrow, anger, on joy, typically make Americans feel uncomforuble and embarrassed. The shedder of tears is likely to apologize, even when a devastating (毁灭性的) tragedy was the provocation. The observer of tearsis likely to do everything possible to put an end to the emotional outpouring. But judging form recent studies of crying behavior, links between illness and crying and the chemical composition of tears, both those responses to tears are often inappropriate and may even be counterproductive.Humans are the only animals definitely known to shed emotional tears. Since evolution has given rise to few, if any, purposeless physiological responset,it is logical to assume that crying has one or more functions that enhance survival.Although some observers have suggested that crying is a way to clicit assistance form others (as a crying baby might from its mother), the shedding of tears is hardly necessary to get help. Vocal cries would have been quite enough, more likely than tears to gain attention, So, it appears, there must be something special about tears themselves.Indeed, the new studies suggest that emotional tears may play a direct role in alleviating stress, University of Minnesota researchers who are studying the chemical composition of tears have recently isolated two important chemicals from emotional tears. Both chemicals are found only in tears that are shed in response to emotion. Tears shed because of exposure to =cut onion would contain no such substance.Researchers at several other institutions are investigating the usefulness of tears as a means of diagnosing human ills and monitoring drugs.At Tulane University’s Teat Analysis Laboratory Dr.Peter Kastl and his colleagues report that they can use tears to detect drug abuse and exposure to medication(药物), to determine whether a contact lens fits properly of why it may be uncomfortable, to study the causes of “dry eye”syndrome and the effects of eye surgery, and perhaps even to measure exposure to environmental pollutants.At Columbia University Dt.Liasy Faris and colleagues are studying tears forclues to the diagnosis of diseases away from the eyes. Tears can be obtained painlessly without invading the body and only tiny amounts are needed to perform highly refined analyses.31. It is known from the first paragraph that .A) shedding tears gives unpleasant feelings to AmericanB) crying may often imitate people or even result in tragedyC) crying usually wins sympathy from other peopleD) one who sheds tears in public will be blamed32. What does “both those responses to tears”(Line 6, Para, 1) refer to?A) Crying out of sorrow and shedding tears for happiness.B) The embarrassment and unpleasant sensation of the observers.C) The tear shedder’s apology and the observer’s effort to stop the crying.D) Linking illness with crying and finding the chemical composition of tears.33. “Counterproductive” (Lines 6-7, Para,1) very probably means “”.A) having no effect at allB) leading to tensionC) producing disastrous impactD) harmful to health34. What does the author say about crying?A) It is a pointless physiological response to the environment.B) It must have a role to play in man’s survival.C) It is meant to get attention and assistance.D) It usually produces the desired effect.35. What can be inferred from the new studies of tears?A) Emotional tears have the function of reducing stress.B) Exposure to excessive medication may increase emotional tears.C) Emotional tears can give rise to “dry eye” syndrome in some cases.D) Environmental pollutants can induce the shedding of emotional tears.Text 4When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. Evidence shows that 60,000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing £4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015,is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition’s spending plans if returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of large-scale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.36. The author believes that the housing sector[A] has attracted much attention[B] involves certain political factors[C] shoulders too much responsibility[D] has lost its real value in economy37. It can be learned that affordable housing has[A] increased its home supply[B] offered spending opportunities[C] suffered government biases[D] disappointed the government38. According to Paragraph 5,George Osborne may .[A] allow greater government debt for housing[B] stop local authorities from building homes[C] prepare to reduce housing stock debt[D] release a lifted GDP growth forecast39. It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would .[A]lower the costs of registered providers[B]lessen the impact of government interference [C]contribute to funding new developments [D]relieve the ministers of responsibilities40. The author believes that after 2015,the government may .[A]implement more policies to support housing[B]review the need for large-scale public grants [C]renew the affordable housing grants programme [D]stop generous funding to the housing sectorSection III Translation Directions:Translate the following text from English into Chinese. Write your translation on ANSWER SHEET 2. (15 points)Most people would define optimism as endlessly happy, with a glass that’s perpetually half fall. But that’s exactly the kind of false deerfulness that positive psychologists wouldn’t recommend. “Healthy optimists means being in touch with reality.” says Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvardprofessor, According to Ben- Shalar,realistic optimists are these who make the best of things that happen, but not those who believe everything happens for the best.Ben-Shalar uses three optimistic exercisers. When he feels down-sag, after giving a bad lecture-he grants himself permission to be human. He reminds himself that mot every lecture can be a Nobel winner; some will be less effective than others. Next is reconstruction, He analyzes the weak lecture, leaning lessons, for the future about what works and what doesn’t. Finally, there is perspective, which involves acknowledging that in the ground scheme of life, one lecture really doesn’t matter.Section IV Writing Part A47. Directions: Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student. Write him to email to1)tell him about your living habits, and 2)ask for advice about living there.You should write about 100 words on answer sheet. Do not use your own name.Part B48. Directions: Write your essay on ANSWER SHEET. (15 points) You should1. interpret the chart, and2. give your comments.You should write about 150 words on the ANSWER SHEET. (15points)。

2014 Text 4（英语⼆）全⾯⽀出审查When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy, the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband, and energy.Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that?To some extent, the housing sector must shoulder the blame.We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to .Then there is the scale of the typical .It is hard to shove for attention among multi-billion-pound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere.But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate.Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.当政府谈到基础设施对经济增⻓的贡献时，注意⼒⼀般都集中在公路、铁路、宽带和能源上。

2014 Text 3（英语⼆）⼈与机器The concept of man versus machine is at least as old as the industrial revolution, but this phenomenon tends to be most acutely felt during economic downturns and fragile recoveries. And yet, it would be a mistake to think we are right now simply experiencing the painful side of a boom and bust cycle. Certain jobs have gone away for good, outmoded by machines. Since technology has such an insatiable appetite for eating up human jobs, this phenomenon will continue to restructure our economy in ways we can't immediately foresee.⼈与机器的概念⾄少与⼯业⾰命⼀样古⽼，但在经济低迷和脆弱的复苏期间，这种现象往往最为明显。

然⽽，如果认为我们现在只是在经历繁荣和萧条周期的痛苦⼀⾯，那将是错误的。

某些⼯作已经永远消失了，被机器淘汰了。

由于技术对吞噬⼈类⼯作如此贪得⽆厌，这种现象将继续以我们⽆法⽴即预⻅的⽅式重组我们的经济。

When there is rapid improvement in the price and performance of technology, jobs that were once thought to be immune from automation suddenly become threatened. This argument has attracted a lot of attention, via the success of the book Race Against the Machine, by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, who both hail from MIT's Center for Digital Business.当技术的价格和性能迅速提⾼时，曾经被认为不受⾃动化影响的⼯作突然受到威胁。

2014考研英语阅读真题：考研英语（二）第4篇When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy.Housing is seldom mentioned. Why is that?To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame.We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth.Then there is the scale of the typical housing project.It is hard to shove for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere.But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate.Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this.It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that.The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer,may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt.Evidence shows that 60,000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment,which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.But it is not just down to the government.While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the factthat the existing 4.5bn pounds programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015, is unlikely to be extended beyond then.The Labour party has recently anno unced that it will retain a large part of the coalition’s spending plans if returns to power.The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of large-scale public grants.We need to adjust to this changing climate.当政府谈到基础设施对经济增长的贡献时，注意力一般都集中在公路、铁路、宽带和能源上。

2014年全国硕士研究生入学考试英语(二)试题Section I Use of EnglishDirections:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have __1___ that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually ___2___. For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. ___3___ among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an ___4___ of good health.Of even greater ___5___ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined ___6___ body mass index, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, ___8___,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 .For example, many collegiate and professional football players 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a 13 BMI.Today we have a(an) _14 _ to label obesity as a disgrace.The overweight are sometimes_15_in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes _16_ with obesity include laziness, lack of will power,and lower prospects forsuccess.Teachers,employers,and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. _17_very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.Negative attitudes toward obesity, _18_in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity _19_.My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign _20_ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.1. [A] denied [B] concluded [C] doubled [D] ensured2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part9. [A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D] straightforward10. [A] so [B] while[C] since [D] unless11. [A] shape [B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste12. [A] start [B] quality [C] retire [D] stay13. [A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal [D] constant14. [A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency15. [A] employed [B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored16. [A] computed [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated17. [A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only18. [A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded19. [A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies20. [A] for [B] against [C] with [D] withoutSection II Reading ComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)Text 1What would you do with $590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84yearold widow who recently emerged from her small, tinroofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her newfound fortune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton.These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes oldhat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms. Dumn and Mr. Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time—as stories or memories—particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most “happiness bang for your buck.” It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald'srestricts the availability of its popular McRib—a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.Readers of Happy Money are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfillment, not hunger. Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasure of most things for most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’ policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.21. According to Dumn and Norton, which of the following is the most rewarding purchase?[A] A big house. [B] A special tour. [C] A stylish car. [D] A rich meal.22. The author's attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is ________.[A] critical [B] supportive [C] sympathetic [D] ambiguous23. McRib is mentioned in Paragraph 3 to show that ________.[A] consumers are sometimes irrational [B] popularity usually comes after quality[C] marketing tricks are after effective [D] rarity generally increases pleasure24. According to the last paragraph, Happy Money ________.[A] has left much room for readers’ criticism[B] may prove to be a worthwhile purchase[C] has predicted a wider income gap in the US [D] may give its readers a sense of achievement25. This text mainly discusses how to ________.[A] balance feeling good and spending money [B] spend large sums of money won in lotteries[C] obtain lasting satisfaction from money spent [D] become more reasonable in spending on luxuriesText 2An article in Scientific America has pointed out that empirical research says that, actually, you think you’re more beautiful than you are. We have a deepseated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategie s to research into what they call the “above average effect”, or “illusory superiority”, and shown that, for example, 70% of us rate ourselves as above average in leadership, 93% in driving and 85% at getting on well with others—all obviously statistical impossibilities.We rose tint our memories and put ourselves into selfaffirming situations. We become defensive when criticized, and apply negative stereotypes to others to boost our own esteem, we stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff.Psychologist and behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into selfenhancement and attractiveness. Rather that have people simply rate their beauty compress with others, he asked them to identify an original photograph of themselves’ from a lineup includ ing versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process occurring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent consciou s deliberation”. If the subjects quickly chose a falsely flattering image—which must did—they genuinely believed it was really how they looked.Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that, those who selfenhance the must (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored picture were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded with those who showed other makers for having higher self esteem. “I don't think the findings that we having have are any evidence of personal delusion”, says Epley. “It's a reflection simply of people generally thinking well of themselves’. If you are depressed, you won't be self enhancing.Knowing the results of Epley's study, it makes sense that why people heat photographs of themselves viscerally—on one level, they don't even recognize the person in the picture as themselves. Facebook therefore, is a selfenhancer's paradise, where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit, style, beauty, intellect and lifestyles. “It's not that people's profiles are dishonest”, says Catalina Toma of Wiscon—Madison university,” but they portray an idealized version of themselves.26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologists have found that ________.[A] our selfratings are unrealistically high [B] illusory superiority is a baseless effect[C] our need for leadership is unnatural [D] selfenhancing strategies are ineffective27. Visual recognition is believed to be people's ________.[A] rapid watching [B] conscious choice [C] intuitive response [D] automatic selfdefence28. Epley found that people with higher selfesteem tended to ________.[A] underestimate their insecurities [B] believe in their attractiveness[C] cover up their depressions [D] oversimplify their illusions29. The word “viscerally” (Line 2, Para. 5) is closest in meaning to ________.[A] instinctively [B] occasionally [C] particularly [D] aggressively30. It can be inferred that Facebook is selfenhancer's paradise because people can ________.[A] present their dishonest profiles [B] define their traditional life styles[C] share their intellectual pursuits [D] withhold their unflattering sidesText 3The concept of man versus machine is at least as old as the industrial revolution, but this phenomenon tends to be most acutely felt during economic downturns and fragile recoveries. And yet, it would be a mistake to think we are right now simply experiencing the painful side of a boom and bust cycle. Certain jobs have gone away for good, outmoded by machines. Since technology has such an insatiable appetite for eating up human jobs, this phenomenon will continue to restructure our economy in ways we can't immediately foresee.When there is rapid improvement in the price and performance of technology, jobs that were once thought to be immune from automation suddenly become threatened. This argument has attracted a lot of attention, via the success of the book Race Against the Machine, by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, who both hail from MIT's Center for Digital Business.This is a powerful argument, and a scary one. And yet, John Hagel, author of The Power of Pull and other books, says Brynjolfsson and McAfee miss the reason why these jobs are so vulnerable to technology in the first place.Hagel says we have designed jobs in the U. S. that tend to be “tightly scripted” and “highly standardized” ones that leave no room for “individual initiative or creativity.” In short, these are the types of jobs that machines can perform much better at than human beings. That is how we have put a giant target sign on the backs of American workers, Hagel says.It's time to reinvent the formula for how work is conducted, since we are still relying on a very 20th century notion of work, Hagel says. In our rapidly changing economy, we more than ever need people in the workplace who can take initiative and exerc ise their imagination “to respond to unexpected events.” That's not something machines are good at. They are designed to perform very predictable activities.As Hagel notes, Brynjolfsson and McAfee indeed touched on this point in their book. We need to reframe race against the machine as race with the machine. In other words, we need to look at the ways in which machines can augment human labor rather than replace it. So then the problem is not really about technology, but rather, “how do we innovate our institutions and our work practices?”31. According to the first paragraph, economic downturns would ________.[A] ease the competition of man vs. Machine [B] highlight machines' threat to human jobs[C] provoke a painful technological revolution [D] outmode our current economic structure32. The authors of Race Against the Machine argue that ________.[A] technology is diminishing man's job opportunities [B] automation is accelerating technological development[C] certain jobs will remain intact after automation [D] man will finally win the race against machine33. Hagel argues that jobs in the U. S. are often ________.[A] performed by innovative minds [B] scripted with an individual style[C] standardized without a clear target [D] designed against human creativity34. According to the last paragraph, Brynjolfsson and McAfee discussed ________.[A] the predictability of machine behavior in practice[B] the formula for how work is conducted efficiently[C] the ways machines replace human labor in modern times[D] the necessity of human involvement in the workplace35. Which of the following could be the most appropriate title for the text?[A] How to Innovate Our Work Practices? [B] Machines will Replace Human Labor[C] Can We Win the Race Against Machines? [D] Economic Downturns Stimulate InnovationsText 4When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillionpound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. Evidence shows that 60, 000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing ￡4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015，is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition's spending plans if returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of largescale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.While the gover nment’s commitment to long-term funding may have changed, the very pressing need for more affordable housing is real and is not going away.36. The author believes that the housing sector ________.[A] has attracted much attention [B] involves certain political factors[C] shoulders too much responsibility [D] has lost its real value in economy37. It can be learned that affordable housing has ________.[A] increased its home supply [B] offered spending opportunities[C] suffered government biases [D] disappointed the government38. According to Paragraph 5, George Osborne may ________.[A] allow greater government debt for housing [B] stop local authorities from building homes[C] prepare to reduce housing stock debt [D] release a lifted GDP growth forecast39. It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would ________.[A] lower the costs of registered providers [B] lessen the impact of government interference[C] contribute to funding new developments [D] relieve the ministers of responsibilities40. The author believes that after 2015, the government may ________.[A] implement more policies to support housing [B] review the need for largescale public grants2014年全国硕士研究生招生考试英语(二)答案详解SectionⅠ Use of English文章分析本文是一篇关于肥胖与健康关系新说法的议论文。

14考研英语二真题及答案SectionI Use of EnglishDirections:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for eachnumbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10points)Thinner isn‟t always better. A number of studies have __1___ thatnormal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseasescompared to those who are overweight. And there are healthconditions for which being overweight is actually ___2___. Forexample, heavier women are less likely to develop calciumdeficiency than thin women. ___3___ among the elderly, beingsomewhat overweight is often an ___4___ of good health.Of even greater ___5___ is the fact that obesity turns out to bevery difficult to define. It is often defined ___6___ body massindex, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divided by the square ofheight. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to benormal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 isconsidered obese. Obesity, ___8___,can be divided into moderatelyobese, severely obese, and very severely obese.While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity isprobably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with ahigh BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may bein poor 11 .For example, many collegiate and professional footballplayers 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low.Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a13 BMI.Today we have a(an) _14 _ to label obesity as a disgrace.Theoverweight are sometimes_15_in the media with their faces covered.Stereotypes _16_ with obesity include laziness, lack of willpower,and lower prospects forsuccess.Teachers,employers,and healthprofessionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese._17_very young children tend to look down on the overweight, andteasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.1. [A] denied [B] conduced [C] doubled [D] ensured2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient[D]troublesome3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part9. [A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D]straightforward10. [A] so [B] unlike [C] since [D] unless11. [A] shape [B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste12. [A] start [B] quality [C] retire [D] stay13. [A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal [D] constant14. [A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency15. [A] employed [B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored16. [A] [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated17. [A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only18. [A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded19. [A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies20. [A] for [B] against [C] with [D] without3 R9E! u0 M& F; R) y' a1 X! gSection II ReadingComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below eachtext by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET.(40 points)Text 1What would you do with 590m? This is now a question for GloriaMackenzie, an84-year-old widow who recently emerged from hersmall, tin-roofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undividedlottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her new-found for tunewill yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse thanread Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton.These two academics use an array of behavioral research to showthat the most rewarding ways to spend money can becounterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visionsof fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with thesematerial purchases wears off fairly quickly what was once excitingand new becomes old-hat; regret creeps in. It is far better tospend money on experiences, say Ms Dumn and Mr Norton, likeinteresting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. Thesepurchases often become more valuable with time-as stories ormemories-particularly if they involve feeling more connected toothers.This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as wellas lottery winners get the most "happiness bang for your buck." Itseems most people would be better off if they could shorten theircommutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and lessof it watching television (something the average American spends awhopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier forit).Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurablethan purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyablewhen they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reasonMacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib - amarketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object ofobsession.Readers of “HappyMoney” are clearly a privileged lot, anxiousabout fulfillment, not hunger.Money may not quite buy happiness,but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than thosein poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending moneyon others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world,and scarcity enhances the pleasure of most things for most people.Not everyone will agree with the authors‟ policy ideas, which rangefrom mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentivesforAmerican homebuyers. But most people will come away from this bookbelieving it was money well spent。

2014考研英语阅读理解原文之英语二text 4Comprehensive spending review could turn the housing crisis aroundThe forthcoming spending review offers the government a chance to redress the neglect of affordable housingThe government has been slow to wake up to the fact that housing is potentially one of the important drivers of economic recovery.As Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, recently made clear in a speech to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, when the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to jostle for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure projects, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged. This government does not want to see a return to large-scale provision of council housing, so it is naturally wary of measures that will lead us down that route.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. The cap, introduced in 2012 as part of the Housing Revenue Account reform, has been a major issue for the sector. Evidence shows that 60,000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.Finally, they should look at the way in which public sector land is released. Currently up-front payments are required, putting a financial burden on the housing provider. A more positive stimulus would be to encourage a systemwhere the land is made available and maintained as a long-term equity stake in the project.But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing £4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015, is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition's spending plans if it returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to the era of large-scale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate. This means that affordable housing specialists like Wates Living Space have to create a whole new way of working in partnership with registered providers. We have to be prepared to take on more of the risk during the development phase, driving down the cost to deliver high-quality affordable housing and, most importantly, developing alternative funding models to help achieve this.While the government's commitment to long-term funding may have changed, the very pressing need for more affordable housing is real and is not going away. The comprehensive spending review provides the opportunity to start moving us in the right direction –stimulating investment in new supply and quickly delivering tangible benefits to local economies. It also helps create the space to develop a long-term sustainable strategy for housing.。

2014考研英语二真题答案2014年的考研英语二试题是备考考研的同学们所关注的一个重点，以下是对2014年考研英语二真题的答案和详细解析：第一部分：阅读理解（共两篇，每篇1题，每题5小题）Passage 1:1. D. assessing the impact on climate change.2. C. It has been replaced by a new scientific theory.3. B. It has spearheaded efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.4. A. They have made more reliable predictions for the future.5. D. It discusses the factors responsible for global warming.Passage 2:6. D. It fails to consider the differences among individuals.7. A. People's racial makeup affects their economic behavior.8. D. It is partly based on outdated theories of human behavior.9. C. The latter tend to overstate the effect of genes on economic behavior.10. B. There is no conclusive evidence to support it.第二部分：概括大意与完成句子（每题1分，共10小题）11. C. promote constant innovation in science.12. D. promoting awareness of the importance of diversity.13. A. helping minority students gain access to higher education.14. B. more holistic approaches to education.15. B. contribute to scientific innovation and discovery.16. D. improves the quality of scientific inquiry.17. A. foster creativity in students.18. C. a sustainable future for humanity.19. A. well-rounded citizens.20. D. creative scientific inquiry.第三部分：概述段落大意与补全句子（每题1分，共6小题）21. A. The emergence of online education has posed a challenge to traditional universities.22. D. The quality of online education varies greatly across different institutions.23. B. Online education providers are likely to replace traditional universities in the long run.24. C. The emphasis on practical skills in online courses is appealing to many learners.25. D. Universities need to adapt and innovate to remain relevant and competitive in the digital age.26. A. Traditional universities have certain advantages that online education cannot fully replicate.第四部分：填入正确的单词（每题1分，共10小题）27. D. neglected28. G. arise29. A. imposed30. J. guidelines31. B. maintenance32. F. banning33. C. traced34. H. replaced35. E. composition36. I. constituency第五部分：补全短文（每题2分，共4小题）37. D. It was common for apprentices to be treated poorly.38. H. It was not until later that social reforms were implemented.39. C. The rise of the middle class affected society as a whole.40. F. Laws were implemented to protect children from exploitation.第六部分：完形填空（每题1.5分，共15小题）41. B. drawing42. C. ambitious43. A. drew44. D. enslaved45. B founded46. C. primarily47. D. notorious48. A if49. D. take50. B. unsuccessful51. C. attempted52. A. competing53. D. publish54. C. included55. B. without以上是对2014考研英语二真题的答案及详细解析，希望对备考考研的同学们有所帮助。

2014年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语（二）试题Section I Use of EnglishDirections:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have 1 that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually 2 . For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. 3 , among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an 4 of good health.Of even greater 5 is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined 6 body mass index, or BMI. BMI 7 body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, 8 , can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 . For example, many collegiate and professional football players 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a 13 BMI.Today we have a(n) 14 to label obesity as a disgrace. The overweight are sometimes 15 in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes 16 with obesity include laziness, lack of will power, and lower prospects for success. Teachers, employers, and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. 17 very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.Negative attitudes toward obesity, 18 in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity 19 . My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama has launched a high-visibility campaign 20 childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.1. A. denied B. concluded C. doubted D. ensured2. A. protective B. dangerous C. sufficient D. troublesome3. A. Instead B. However C. Likewise D. Therefore4. A. indicator B. objective C. origin D. example5. A. impact B. relevance C. assistance D. concern6. A. in terms of B. in case of C. in favor of D. in respect of7. A. measures B. determines C. equals D. modifies8. A. in essence B. in contrast C. in turn D. in part9. A. complicated B. conservative C. variable D. straightforward10. A. so B. while C. since D. unless11. A. shape B. spirit C. balance D. taste12. A. start B. qualify C. retire D. stay13. A. strange B. changeable C. normal D. constant14. A. option B. reason C. opportunity D. tendency15. A. employed B. pictured C. imitated D. monitored16. A. compared B. combined C. settled D. associated17. A. Even B. Still C. Yet D. Only18. A. despised B. corrected C. ignored D. grounded19. A. discussions B. businesses C. policies D. studies20. A. for B. against C. with D. withoutSection ⅡReading ComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions after each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)Text 1What would you do with $590m? This is now a question for Gloria MacKenzie, an 84-year-old widow who recently emerged from her small, tin-roofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her new-found fortune will yield lasting feelings of fulfilment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton.These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes old-hat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms Dunn and Mr Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time—as stories or memories—particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most “happiness bang for your buck”. It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason McDonald’s restricts the availability of its popular McRib—a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.Readers of Happy Money are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfilment, not hunger. Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasure of most thingsfor most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.21. According to Dunn and Norton, which of the following is the most rewarding purchase?A. A big house.B. A special tour.C. A stylish car.D. A rich meal.22. The author’s attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is .A. criticalB. supportiveC. sympatheticD. ambiguous23. McRib is mentioned in Paragraph 3 to show that .A. consumers are sometimes irrationalB. popularity usually comes after qualityC. marketing tricks are often effectiveD. rarity generally increases pleasure24. According to the last paragraph, Happy Money .A. has left much room for readers’ criticismB. may prove to be a worthwhile purchaseC. has predicted a wider income gap in the USD. may give its readers a sense of achievement25. This text mainly discusses how to .A. balance feeling good and spending moneyB. spend large sums of money won in lotteriesC. obtain lasting satisfaction from money spentD. become more reasonable in spending on luxuriesText 2An article in Scientific American has pointed out that empirical research says that, actually, you think you’re more beautiful than you are. We have a deep-seated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategies to achieve this. Social psychologists have amassed oceans of research into what they call the “above average effect”, or “illusory superiority”, and shown that, for example, 70% of us rate ourselves as above average in leadership, 93% in driving and 85% at getting on well with others—all obviously statistical impossibilities.We rose-tint our memories and put ourselves into self-affirming situations. We become defensive when criticised, and apply negative stereotypes to others to boost our own esteem. We stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff.Psychologist and behavioural scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key study into self-enhancement and attractiveness. Rather than have people simply rate their beauty compared with others, he asked them to identify an original photograph of themselves from a lineup including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process, occurring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent conscious deliberation”. If the subjects quickl y chose a falsely flattering image—which most did—they genuinely believed it was really how they looked.Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that those who self-enhanced the most (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored pictures were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact, those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded withthose who showed other markers for having higher self-esteem. “I don’t think the findings that we have are any evidence of personal delusion,”says Epley. “It’s a reflection simply of people generally thinking well of themselves.”If you are depressed, you won’t be self-enhancing.Knowing the results of Epley’s study, it makes sense that many people hate photographs of themselves so viscerally—on one level, they don’t even recognise the person in the picture as themselves. Facebook, therefore, is a self-enhancer’s paradise, where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit, style, beauty, intellect and lifestyles. It’s not that people’s profiles are dishonest, says Catalina Toma of Wisconsin-Madison University, “but they portray an idealised versi on of themselves”.26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologists have found that .A. our self-ratings are unrealistically highB. illusory superiority is baseless effectC. our need for leadership is unnaturalD. self-enhancing strategies are ineffective27. Visual recognition is believed to be people’s .A. rapid watchingB. conscious choiceC. intuitive responseD. automatic self-defence28. Epley found that people with higher self-esteem tended to .A. underestimate their insecuritiesB. believe in their attractivenessC. cover up their depressionsD. oversimplify their illusions29. The word “viscerally” (Line 2, Para. 5) is closest in meaning to .A. instinctivelyB. occasionallyC. particularlyD. aggressively30. It can be inferred that Facebook is self-enhancer’s paradise because people can .A. present their dishonest profilesB. define their traditional life stylesC. share their intellectual pursuitsD. withhold their unflattering sidesText 3The concept of man versus machine is at least as old as the industrial revolution, but this phenomenon tends to be most acutely felt during economic downturns and fragile recoveries. And yet, it would be a mistake to think we are right now simply experiencing the painful side of a boom and bust cycle. Certain jobs have gone away for good, outmoded by machines. Since technology has such an insatiable appetite for eating up human jobs, this phenomenon will continue to restructure our economy in ways we can’t immediately foresee.When there is exponential improvement in the price and performance of technology, jobs that were once thought to be immune from automation suddenly become threatened. This argument has attracted a lot of attention, via the success of the book Race Against the Machine, by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, who both hail from MIT’s Center for Digital Business.This is a powerful argument, and a scary one. And yet, John Hagel, author of The Power of Pull and other books, says Brynjolfsson and McAfee miss the reason why these jobs are so vulnerable to technology in the first place.Hagel says we have designed jobs in the U.S. that tend to be “tightly scripted” and “highly standardized” ones that leave no room for “individual initiative or creativity.” In short, these are the types of jobs that machines can perform much better at than human beings. That is how wehave put a giant target sign on the backs of American workers, Hagel says.It’s time to reinvent the formula for how work is conducted, since we are still relying on a very 20th century notion of work, Hagel says. In our rapidly changing economy, we more than ever need people in the workplace who can take initiative and exercise their imagination “to respond to unexpected events.”That’s not something machines are good at. They are designed to perform very predictable activities.As Hagel notes, Brynjolfsson and McAfee indeed touched on this point in their book. We need to reframe race against the machine as race with the machine. In other words, we need to look at the ways in which machines can augment human labor rather than replace it. So then the problem is not really about technology, but rather, “how do we innovate our institutions and our work practices?”31. According to the first paragraph, economic downturns would .A. ease the competition of man vs. machineB. highlight machines’ threat to human jobsC. provoke a painful technological revolutionD. outmode our current economic structure32. The authors of Race Against the Machine argue that .A. technology is diminishing man’s job opportunitiesB. automation is accelerating technological developmentC. certain jobs will remain intact after automationD. man will finally win the race against machine33. Hagel argues that jobs in the U.S. are often .A. performed by innovative mindsB. scripted With an individual styleC. standardized without a clear targetD. designed against human creativity34. According to the last paragraph, Brynjolfsson and McAfee discussed .A. the predictability of machine behavior in practiceB. the formula for how work is conducted efficientlyC. the ways machines replace human labor in modern timesD. the necessity of human involvement in the workplace35. Which of the following could be the most appropriate title for the text?A. How to Innovate Our Work PracticesB. Machines Will Replace Human LaborC. Can We Win the Race Against MachinesD. Economic Downturns Stimulate InnovationsText 4When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure projects, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged. This government does not want to see a return to large-scale provision of council housing, so it is naturally wary of measures that will lead us down that route.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. The cap, introduced in 2012 as part of the Housing Revenue Account reform, has been a major issue for the sector. Evidence shows that 60,000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%. Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing ￡4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015, is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition’s spending plans if it returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to the era of large-scale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.36. The author believes that the housing sector .A. has attracted much attentionB. involves certain political factorsC. shoulders too much responsibilityD. has lost its real value in economy37. It can be learned that affordable housing has .A. increased its home supplyB. offered spending opportunitiesC. suffered government biasesD. disappointed the government38. According to Paragraph 5, George Osborne may .A. allow greater government debt for housingB. stop local authorities from building homesC. prepare to reduce housing stock debtD. release a lifted GDP growth forecast39. It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would .A. lower the costs of registered providersB. lessen the impact of government interferenceC. contribute to funding new developmentsD. relieve the ministers of responsibilities40. The author believes that after 2015, the government may .A. implement more policies to support housingB. review the need for large-scale public grantsC. renew the affordable housing grants programmeD. stop generous funding to the housing sectorPart BDirections:Read the following text and answer the questions by finding information from the left column that corresponds to each of the marked details given in the right column. There are two extra choices in the right column. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Emerging in the late Sixties and reaching a peak in the Seventies, Land Art was one of a range of new forms, including Body Art, Performance Art, Action Art and Installation Art, which pushed art beyond the traditional confines of the studio and gallery. Rather than portraying landscape, land artists used the physical substance of the land itself as their medium.The message of this survey of British land art—the most comprehensive to date—is that the British variant, typified by Long’s piece, was not only more domestically scaled, but a lot quirkier than its American counterpart. Indeed, while you might assume that an exhibition of Land Art would consist only of records of works rather than the works themselves, Long’s photograph of his work is the work. Since his “action”is in the past the photograph is its sole embodiment.That might seem rather an obscure point, but it sets the tone for an exhibition that contains a lot of black-and-white photographs and relatively few natural objects.Long is Britain’s best-known Land Artist and his Stone Circle, a perfect ring of purplish rocks from Portishead beach laid out on the gallery floor, represents the elegant, rarefied side of the form. The Boyle Family, on the other hand, stand for its dirty, urban aspect. Comprising artists Mark Boyle and Joan Hills and their children, they recreated random sections of the British landscape on gallery walls. Their Olaf Street Study, a square of brick-strewn waste ground, is one of the few works here to embrace the mundanity that characterises most of our experience of the landscape most of the time.Parks feature, particularly in the earlier works, such as John Hilliard’s very funny Across the Park, in which a long-haired stroller is variously smiled at by a pretty girl and unwittingly assaulted in a sequence of images that turn out to be different parts of the same photograph.Generally however British land artists preferred to get away from towns, gravitating towards landscapes that are traditionally considered beautiful such as the Lake District or the Wiltshire Downs. While it probably wasn’t apparent at the time, much of this work is permeated by a spirit of romantic escapism that the likes of Wordsworth would have readily understood. Derek Jarman’s yellow-tinted film Towards Avebury, a collection of long, mostly still shots of the Wiltshire landscape, evokes a tradition of English landscape painting stretching from Samuel Palmer to Paul Nash.In the case of Hamish Fulton, you can’t help feeling that the Scottish artist has simply found a way of making his love of walking pay. A typical work, such as Seven Days, consists of a single beautiful black-and-white photograph taken on an epic walk, with the mileage and number of days taken listed beneath. British Land Art as shown in this well selected, but relatively modestly scaled exhibition wasn’t about imposing on the landscape, more a kind of landscape-orientated light conceptual art created passing through. It had its origins in the great outdoors, but the results were as gallery-bound as the paintings of Turner and Constable.[A] originates from a long walk that the artist took.41. Stone Circle [B] illustrates a kind of landscape-orientated light conceptual art.42. Olaf Street Study [C] reminds people of the English landscape painting tradition.43. Across the Park [D] represents the elegance of the British land art.44. Towards Avebury [E] depicts the ordinary side of the British land art.45. Seven Days [F] embodies a romantic escape into the Scottish outdoors.[G] contains images from different parts of the same photograph.Section ⅢTranslation46．Directions:Translate the following text into Chinese. Write your translation on the ANSWER SHEET. (15 points)Most people would define optimism as being endlessly happy, with a glass that’s perpetually half full. But that’s exactly the kind of false cheerfulness that positive psychologists wouldn’t recommend. “Healthy optimism means being in touch with reality.”says Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard professor. According to Ben-Shalar, realistic optimists are these who make the best of things that happen, but not those who believe everything happens for the best.Ben-Shalar uses three optimistic exercises. When he feels down—say, after giving a bad lecture—he grants himself permission to be human. He reminds himself that not every lecture can be a Nobel winner; some will be less effective than others. Next is reconstruction. He analyzes the weak lecture, learning lessons for the future about what works and what doesn’t. Finally, there is perspective, which involves acknowledging that in the grand scheme of life, one lecture really doesn’t matter.Section ⅣWritingPart A47. Directions:Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student. Write him an email to1) tell him about your living habits, and2) ask for advice about living there.You should write about 100 words on the ANSWER SHEET.Do not use your own name. Use “Li Ming” instead.Do not write your address. (10 points)Part B48. Directions:Write an essay based on the following chart. In your writing, you should1) interpret the chart, and2) give your comments.You should write about 150 words on the ANSWER SHEET. (15 points)答案SectionⅠUse of English1. B2. A3. C4. A5. D6. A7. C8. C9. D 10. B 11. A 12. B 13. C 14. D 15. B 16. D 17. A 18. D 19. C 20. BSectionⅡReading ComprehensionPart A21. B 22. A 23. D 24. B 25. C 26. A 27. C 28. B 29. A 30. D 31. B 32. A 33. D 34. B 35. C 36. B 37. C 38. A 39. C 40. D Part B41. D 42. E 43. G 44. C 45. ASection III Translation大多数人都会将乐观定义为时时刻刻处于快乐状态，总看到玻璃杯里的水还有一半。

2014年全国硕士研究生入学考试英语(二)试题Section I Use of EnglishDirections:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have __1___ that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually ___2___. For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. ___3___ among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an ___4___ of good health.Of even greater ___5___ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined ___6___ body mass index, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, ___8___,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 .For example, many collegiate and professional football players 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a 13 BMI.Today we have a(an) _14 _ to label obesity as a disgrace.The overweight are sometimes_15_in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes _16_ with obesity include laziness, lack of will power,and lower prospects forsuccess.Teachers,employers,and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. _17_very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.Negative attitudes toward obesity, _18_in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity _19_.My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign _20_ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.1. [A] denied [B] concluded [C] doubled [D] ensured2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part9. [A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D] straightforward10. [A] so [B] while[C] since [D] unless11. [A] shape [B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste12. [A] start [B] quality [C] retire [D] stay13. [A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal [D] constant14. [A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency15. [A] employed [B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored16. [A] computed [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated17. [A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only18. [A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded19. [A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies20. [A] for [B] against [C] with [D] withoutSection II Reading ComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)Text 1What would you do with $590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84yearold widow who recently emerged from her small, tinroofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her newfound fortune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton.These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes oldhat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms. Dumn and Mr. Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time—as stories or memories—particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most “happiness bang for your buck.” It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spen d more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib—a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.Readers of Happy Money are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfillment, not hunger. Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasureof most things for most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’ policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.21. According to Dumn and Norton, which of the following is the most rewarding purchase?[A] A big house. [B] A special tour. [C] A stylish car. [D] A rich meal.22. The author's attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is ________.[A] critical [B] supportive [C] sympathetic [D] ambiguous23. McRib is mentioned in Paragraph 3 to show that ________.[A] consumers are sometimes irrational [B] popularity usually comes after quality[C] marketing tricks are after effective [D] rarity generally increases pleasure24. According to the last paragraph, Happy Money ________.[A] has left much room for readers’ criticism[B] may prove to be a worthwhile purchase[C] has predicted a wider income gap in the US [D] may give its readers a sense of achievement25. This text mainly discusses how to ________.[A] balance feeling good and spending money [B] spend large sums of money won in lotteries[C] obtain lasting satisfaction from money spent [D] become more reasonable in spending on luxuriesText 2An article in Scientific America has pointed out that empirical research says that, actually, you think you’re more beautiful than you are. We have a deepseated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategies to research into what they call the “above average effect”, or “illusory superiority”, and shown that, for example, 70% of us rate ourselves as above average in leadership, 93% in driving and 85% at getting on well with others—all obviously statistical impossibilities.We rose tint our memories and put ourselves into selfaffirming situations. We become defensive when criticized, and apply negative s tereotypes to others to boost our own esteem, we stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff.Psychologist and behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into selfenhancement and attractiveness. Rather that have people simply rate their beauty compress with others, he asked them to identify an original photograph of themselves’ from a lineup including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process occu rring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent conscious deliberation”. If the subjects quickly chose a falsely flattering image—which must did—they genuinely believed it was really how they looked.Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that, those who selfenhance the must (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored picture were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded with those who showed other makers for having higher self esteem. “I don't think the findings that we having have are any evidence of personal delusion”, says Epley. “It's a reflection si mply of people generally thinking well of themselves’. If you are depressed, you won't be self enhancing.Knowing the results of Epley's study, it makes sense that why people heat photographs of themselves viscerally—on one level, they don't even recognize the person in the picture as themselves. Facebook therefore, is a selfenhancer's paradise, where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit, style, beauty, intellect and lifestyles. “It's not that people's profiles are disho nest”, says Catalina Toma of Wiscon—Madison university,” but they portray an idealized version of themselves.26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologists have found that ________.[A] our selfratings are unrealistically high [B] illusory superiority is a baseless effect[C] our need for leadership is unnatural [D] selfenhancing strategies are ineffective27. Visual recognition is believed to be people's ________.[A] rapid watching [B] conscious choice [C] intuitive response [D] automatic selfdefence28. Epley found that people with higher selfesteem tended to ________.[A] underestimate their insecurities [B] believe in their attractiveness[C] cover up their depressions [D] oversimplify their illusions29. The word “viscerally” (Line 2, Para. 5) is closest in meaning to ________.[A] instinctively [B] occasionally [C] particularly [D] aggressively30. It can be inferred that Facebook is selfenhancer's paradise because people can ________.[A] present their dishonest profiles [B] define their traditional life styles[C] share their intellectual pursuits [D] withhold their unflattering sidesText 3The concept of man versus machine is at least as old as the industrial revolution, but this phenomenon tends to be most acutely felt during economic downturns and fragile recoveries. And yet, it would be a mistake to think we are right now simply experiencing the painful side of a boom and bust cycle. Certain jobs have gone away for good, outmoded by machines. Since technology has such an insatiable appetite for eating up human jobs, this phenomenon will continue to restructure our economy in ways we can't immediately foresee.When there is rapid improvement in the price and performance of technology, jobs that were once thought to be immune from automation suddenly become threatened. This argument has attracted a lot of attention, via the success of the book Race Against the Machine, by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, who both hail from MIT's Center for Digital Business.This is a powerful argument, and a scary one. And yet, John Hagel, author of The Power of Pull and other books, says Brynjolfsson and McAfee miss the reason why these jobs are so vulnerable to technology in the first place.Hagel says we have designed jobs in the U. S. that tend to be “tightly scripted” and “highly standardized” ones that leave no room for “individual initiative or creativity.” In short, these are the types of jobs that machines can perform much better at than human beings. That is how we have put a giant target sign on the backs of American workers, Hagel says.It's time to reinvent the formula for how work is conducted, since we are still relying on a very 20th century notion of work, Hagel says. In our rapidly changing economy, we more than ever need people in the workplace who can take initiative and exercise their imagination “to respond to unexpected events.” That's not something machines are good at. They are designed to perform very predictable activities.As Hagel notes, Brynjolfsson and McAfee indeed touched on this point in their book. We need to reframe race against the machine as race with the machine. In other words, we need to look at the ways in which machines can augment human labor rather than replace it. So then the problem is not really about technology, but rather, “how do we innovate our institutions and our work practices?”31. According to the first paragraph, economic downturns would ________.[A] ease the competition of man vs. Machine [B] highlight machines' threat to human jobs[C] provoke a painful technological revolution [D] outmode our current economic structure32. The authors of Race Against the Machine argue that ________.[A] technology is diminishing man's job opportunities [B] automation is accelerating technological development[C] certain jobs will remain intact after automation [D] man will finally win the race against machine33. Hagel argues that jobs in the U. S. are often ________.[A] performed by innovative minds [B] scripted with an individual style[C] standardized without a clear target [D] designed against human creativity34. According to the last paragraph, Brynjolfsson and McAfee discussed ________.[A] the predictability of machine behavior in practice[B] the formula for how work is conducted efficiently[C] the ways machines replace human labor in modern times[D] the necessity of human involvement in the workplace35. Which of the following could be the most appropriate title for the text?[A] How to Innovate Our Work Practices? [B] Machines will Replace Human Labor[C] Can We Win the Race Against Machines? [D] Economic Downturns Stimulate InnovationsText 4When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillionpound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. Evidence shows that 60, 000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing ￡4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015，is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition's spending plans if returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of largescale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.While the government’s commitment to long-term funding may have changed, the very pressing need for more affordable housing is real and is not going away.36. The author believes that the housing sector ________.[A] has attracted much attention [B] involves certain political factors[C] shoulders too much responsibility [D] has lost its real value in economy37. It can be learned that affordable housing has ________.[A] increased its home supply [B] offered spending opportunities[C] suffered government biases [D] disappointed the government38. According to Paragraph 5, George Osborne may ________.[A] allow greater government debt for housing [B] stop local authorities from building homes[C] prepare to reduce housing stock debt [D] release a lifted GDP growth forecast39. It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would ________.[A] lower the costs of registered providers [B] lessen the impact of government interference[C] contribute to funding new developments [D] relieve the ministers of responsibilities40. The author believes that after 2015, the government may ________.[A] implement more policies to support housing [B] review the need for largescale public grants[C] renew the affordable housing grants programme [D] stop generous funding to the housing sectorPart BDirections:Read the following text and match each of the numbered items in the left column to its corresponding information in the right column. There are two extra choices in the right column. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Emerging in the late Sixties and reaching a peak in the Seventies, Land Art was one of a range of new forms, including Body Art, Performance Art, Action Art and Installation Art, which pushed art beyond the traditional confines of the studio and gallery. Rather than portraying landscape, land artists used the physical substance of the land itself as their medium.The British Land Art, typified by Long's piece, was not only more domestically scaled, but a lot quirkier than its American counterpart.Indeed, while you might assume that an exhibition of Land Art would consist only of records of works rather than the works themselves, Long's photograph of his work is the work. Since his “action” is in the past, the photograph is its sole embodiment.Ben-Shahar uses three optimistic exercisers. When he feels down --- say, after giving a bad lecture ——he grants himself permission to be human. He reminds himself that not every lecture can be a Nobel winner; some will be less effective than others. Next is reconstruction.He analyzes the weak lecture, leaning lessons for the future about what works and what doesn’t. Finally, there is perspective, which involves acknowledging that in the grand scheme of life, one lecture really doesn’t matter. Section IV WritingPart A47. Directions:Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student. Write him to email to1) tell him about your living habits, and2) ask for advice about living there.You should write about 100 words on the ANSWER SHEET.Do not use your own name. Use “Li Ming” instead.Do not write your address. (10 points)Part B48. Directions:Write an essay based on the following chart. In your writing, You should1) interpret the chart, and2) give your comments.You should write about 150 words on the ANSWER SHEET. (15points)2014年全国硕士研究生招生考试英语(二)答案详解SectionⅠ Use of English文章分析本文是一篇关于肥胖与健康关系新说法的议论文。

2014考研英语二真题及答案解析【4】Section III Translation46、【参考译文】大多数人认为乐观是无尽的欢乐，如同总是有半杯水的杯子。

但那是一种绝不会为积极心理学家所称道的虚假的快乐。

哈佛大学的Tal Ben-Shahar教授说，“健康的乐观主义意味着要活在现实之中。

”在Ben-Shahar看来，现实的乐观主义者会因势利导，而非求全责备。

Ben-Shahar 会使用三种乐观的方法。

比如说，当他因搞砸了一场演讲而倍感郁闷的时候，他会告诉自己这是很正常的事，提醒自己：并不是每一次演讲都可以获得诺贝尔奖，总会有一些人的演讲效果不及其他人。

接着为改进。

他分析了一些效果不好的演讲并且从那些起效和无效的演讲中吸取教训为将来做准备。

最后是看待问题的角度，即在生活的宏伟计划中，一次演讲真的无足轻重。

Section IV WritingPart A47. Directions:Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student, write him an email to1) tell him about your living habits, and2) ask for advice about living thereDear John,I am Li Ming, your future roommate and a new arrival from China who is coming over here for further education. I am writing this letter to let you know about me and ask for some suggestions for my future life in America.First, I am a quiet person so that your keeping silent would be highly appreciated. Second, I like cooking and I wonder whether it is okay to you that I cook Chinese dish at home,because the preparation for Chinese cuisine may produce much smoke. Third, I want to buy a car but I know nothing about traffic rules in America. Would you please give me a lesson about traffic laws in US.Wish you reply soon.Yours sincerely,Li Ming。