大学英语阅读材料
- 格式:docx
- 大小:49.06 KB
- 文档页数:12
大学英语六级阅读理解(集锦3篇)大学英语六级阅读理解(1)"I've never met a human worth cloning," says cloning expert M ark Westhusin from the cramped confines of his lab at Texas A&M University. "It's a stupid endeavor." That's an interesting choice of a djective, coming from a man who has spent millions of dollars tryin g to clone a 13-year-old dog named Missy. So far, he and his team have not succeeded, though they have cloned two calves and expe ct to clone a cat soon. They just might succeed in cloning Missy lat er this year---or perhaps not for another five years. It seems the re productive system of man's best friend is one of the mysteries of modern science.Westhusin's experience with cloning animals leaves him vexed b y all this talk of human cloning. In three years of work on the Miss yplicity project, using hundreds upon hundreds of canine eggs, the A&M team has produced only a dozen or so embryos carrying Miss y's DNA. None have survived the transfer to a surrogate mother. Th e wastage of eggs and the many spontaneously aborted fetuses ma y be acceptable when you're dealing with cats or bulls, he argues, but not with humans. "Cloning is incredibly inefficient, and also dan gerous," he says.Even so, dog cloning is a commercial opportunity, with a nice r esearch payoff. Ever since Dolly the sheep was cloned in, 1997, Wes thusin's phone at A&M College of Veterinary Medicinehas been ringing busily. Cost is no obstacle for customers like Missy's mysterious owner, who wishes m remain unknown to protec t his privacy. He's plopped down $3.7 million so far to fund the research because he wants a twin to carry on Missy;s fine q ualities after she dies. But he knows her clone may not have her te mperament. In a statement of purpose, Missy's owners and the A& M team say they are "both looking forward to studying the ways th at her clone differ from Missy."The fate of the dog samples will depend on Westhusin's work. He knows that even if he gets a dog viably pregnant, the offspring, should they survive,大学英语六级阅读理解(2)1.大纲要求六级考试大纲对阅读理解题的要求为:既能理解个别句子的意义,也能理解上下文的逻辑关系;既能理解字面的意思,也能理解隐含的意思;既能理解事实和细节,也能理解所读材料的主旨和大意;能就文章的内容进行判断,推理和信息转换。
大学英语四级仔细阅读专项练习20篇(附答案)练习一(2010年12月大学英语四级考试真题)Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.It is pretty much a one-way street. While it may be common for university researchers to try their luck in the commercial world, there is very little traffic in the opposite direction. Pay has always been the biggest deterrent, as people with families often feel they cannot afford the drop in salary when moving to a university job. For some industrial scientists, however, the attractions of academia (学术界) outweigh any financial considerations.Helen Lee took a 70% cut in salary when she moved from a senior post in Abbott Laboratories to a medical department at the University of Cambridge. Her main reason for returning to academia mid-career was to take advantage of the greater freedom to choose research questions. Some areas of inquiry have few prospects of a commercial return, and Lee's is one of them.The impact of a salary cut is probably less severe for a scientist in the early stages of a career. Guy Grant, now a research associate at the Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics at the University of Cambridge, spent two years working for a pharmaceutical (制药的) company before returning to university as a post-doctoral researcher. He took a 30% salary cut but felt it worthwhile for the greater intellectual opportunities.Higher up the ladder, where a pay cut is usually more significant, the demand for scientists with a wealth of experience in industry is forcing universities to make the transition (转换) to academia more attractive, according to Lee. Industrial scientists tend to receive training that academics do not, such as how to build a multidisciplinary team, manage budgets and negotiate contracts. They are also well placed to bring something extra to the teaching side of an academic role that will help students get a job when they graduate, says Lee, perhaps experience in manufacturing practice or product development. “Only a small number of undergraduates willcontinue in an academic career. So someone leaving university who already has the skills needed to work in an industrial lab has far more potential in the job market than someone who has spent all their time on a narrow research project.”57. By “a one-way street” (Line 1, Para. 1), the author means ________.[A] university researchers know little about the commercial world[B] there is little exchange between industry and academia[C] few industrial scientists would quit to work in a university[D] few university professors are willing to do industrial research58. The word “deterrent” (Line 2, Para. 1) most probably refers to something that ________.[A] keeps someone from taking action [C] attracts people's attention[B] helps to move the traffic [D] brings someone a financial burden59. What was Helen Lee's major consideration when she changed her job in the middle of her career?[A] Flexible work hours. [C] Her preference for the lifestyle on campus.[B] Her research interests. [D] Prospects of academic accomplishments.60. Guy Grant chose to work as a researcher at Cambridge in order to ________.[A] do financially more rewarding work[B] raise his status in the academic world[C] enrich his experience in medical research[D] exploit better intellectual opportunities61. What contribution can industrial scientists make when they come to teach in a university?[A] Increase its graduates' competitiveness in the job market.[B] Develop its students' potential in research.[C] Help it to obtain financial support from industry.[D] Gear its research towards practical applications.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man's life and two to a woman's. The effect holds for all causes of death, whether illness, accident or self-harm.Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn't smoke. There's a flip side, however, as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse's death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects.So how does it work? The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner.A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: “People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected.”62. William Farr's study and other studies show that _________.[A] social life provides an effective cure for illness[B] being sociable helps improve one's quality of life[C] women benefit more than men from marriage[D] marriage contributes a great deal to longevity63. Linda Waite's studies support the idea that _________.[A] older men should quit smoking to stay healthy[B] marriage can help make up for ill health[C] the married are happier than the unmarried[D] unmarried people are likely to suffer in later life64. It can be inferred from the context that the “flip side” (Line 4, Para. 2) refers to _________.[A] the disadvantages of being married[B] the emotional problems arising from marriage[C] the responsibility of taking care of one's family[D] the consequence of a broken marriage65. What does the author say about social networks?[A] They have effects similar to those of a marriage.[B] They help develop people's community spirit.[C] They provide timely support for those in need.[D] They help relieve people of their life's burdens.66. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?[A] It's important that we develop a social network when young.[B] To stay healthy, one should have a proper social network.[C] Getting a divorce means risking a reduced life span.[D] We should share our social networks with each other.练习二(2010年6月英语四级考试真题)Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.You never see him, but they're with you every time you fly. They record where you are going, how fast you're traveling and whether everything on your airplane is functioning normally. Their ability to withstand almost any disaster makes them seem like something out of a comic book. They're known as the black box.When planes fall from the sky, as a Yemeni airliner did on its way to Comoros Islands in the India Ocean, June 30, 2009, the black box is the best bet for identifying what went wrong. So when a French submarine (潜水艇) detected the device's homing signal five days later, the discovery marked a huge step toward determining the cause of a tragedy in which 152 passengers were killed.In 1958, Australian scientist David Warren developed a flight-memory recorder that would track basic information like altitude and direction. That was the first mode for a black box, which became a requirement on all U.S. commercial flights by 1960. Early models often failed to withstand crashes, however, so in 1965 the device was completely redesigned and moved to the rear of the plane – the area least subject to impact – from its original position in the landing wells (起落架舱). The same year, the Federal Aviation Authority required that the boxes, which were never actually black, be painted orange or yellow to aid visibility.Modern airplanes have two black boxes: a voice recorder, which tracks pilots' conversations, and a flight-data recorder, which monitors fuel levels, engine noises and other operating functions that help investigators reconstruct the aircraft's final moments. Placed in an insulated (隔绝的) case and surrounded by a quarter-inch-thick panels of stainless steel, the boxes can withstand massive force and temperatures up to 2,000℉. When submerged, they're also able to emit signals from depths of 20,000 ft. Experts believe the boxes from Air France Flight 447, which crashed near Brazil on June 1,2009, are in water nearly that deep, but statistics say they're still likely to turn up. In the approximately 20 deep-sea crashes over the past 30 years, only one plane's black boxes were never recovered.57. What does the author say about the black box?A) It ensures the normal functioning of an airplane.B) The idea for its design comes from a comic book.C) Its ability to ward off disasters is incredible.D) It is an indispensable device on an airplane.58. What information could be found from the black box on the Yemeni airliner?A) Data for analyzing the cause of the crash.B) The total number of passengers on board.C) The scene of the crash and extent of the damage.D) Homing signals sent by the pilot before the crash.59. Why was the black box redesigned in 1965?A) New materials became available by that time.B) Too much space was needed for its installation.C) The early models often got damaged in the crash.D) The early models didn't provide the needed data.60. Why did the Federal Aviation Authority require the black boxes be painted orange or yellow?A) To distinguish them from the colour of the plane.B) To caution people to handle them with care.C) To make them easily identifiable.D) To conform to international standards.61. What do we know about the black boxes from Air France Flight 447?A) There is still a good chance of their being recovered.B) There is an urgent need for them to be reconstructed.C) They have stopped sending homing signals.D) They were destroyed somewhere near Brazil.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.The $11 billion self-help industry is built on the idea that you should turn negative thoughts like “I never do anything right” into positive ones like “I can succeed.” Butwas positive thinking advocate Norman Vincent Peale right? Is there power in positive thinking?Researchers in Canada just published a study in the journal Psychological Science that says trying to get people to think more positively can actually have the opposite effect: it can simply highlight how unhappy they are.The study's authors, Joanne Wood and John Lee of the University of Waterloo and Elaine Perunovic of the University of New Brunswick, begin by citing older research showing that when people get feedback which they believe is overly positive, they actually feel worse, not better. If you tell your dim friend that he has the potential of an Einstein, you're just underlining his faults. In one 1990s experiment, a team including psychologist Joel Cooper of Princeton asked participants to write essays opposing funding for the disabled. When the essayists were later praised for their sympathy, they felt even worse about what they had written.In this experiment, Wood, Lee and Perunovic measured 68 students' self-esteem. The participants were then asked to write down their thoughts and feelings for four minutes. Every 15 seconds, one group of students heard a bell. When it rang, they were supposed to tell themselves, “I am lovable.”Those with low self-esteem didn't feel better after the forced self-affirmation. In fact, their moods turned significantly darker than those of members of the control group, who weren't urged to think positive thoughts.The paper provides support for newer forms of psychotherapy (心理治疗) that urge people to accept their negative thoughts and feelings rather than fight them. In the fighting, we not only often fail but can make things worse. Meditation (静思) techniques, in contrast, can teach people to put their shortcomings into a larger, more realistic perspective. Call it the power of negative thinking.62. What do we learn from the first paragraph about the self-help industry?A) It is a highly profitable industry.B) It is based on the concept of positive thinking.C) It was established by Norman Vincent Peale.D) It has yielded positive results.63. What is the finding of the Canadian researchers?A) Encouraging positive thinking many do more harm than good.B) There can be no simple therapy for psychological problems.C) Unhappy people cannot think positively.D) The power of positive thinking is limited.64. What does the author mean by “… you're just underlining his faults” (Line 4, Para.3)?A) You are not taking his mistakes seriously enough.B) You are pointing out the errors he has committed.C) You are emphasizing the fact that he is not intelligent.D) You are trying to make him feel better about his faults.65. What do we learn from the experiment of Wood, Lee and Perunovic?A) It is important for people to continually boost their self-esteem.B) Self-affirmation can bring a positive change to one's mood.C) Forcing a person to think positive thoughts may lower their self-esteem.D) People with low self-esteem seldom write down their true feelings.66. What do we learn from the last paragraph?A) The effects of positive thinking vary from person to person.B) Meditation may prove to be a good form of psychotherapy.C) Different people tend to have different ways of thinking.D) People can avoid making mistakes through meditation.练习三(2013年6月大学英语四级考试真题)Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Junk food is everywhere. We're eating too much of it. Most of us know what we're doing and yet we do it anyway.So here's a suggestion offered by two researchers at the Rand Corporation: Why not take a lesson from alcohol control policies and apply them to where food is soldand how it's displayed?“Many policy measures to control obesity(肥胖症)assume that people consciously and rationally choose what and how much they eat and therefore focus on providing information and more access to healthier foods,” note the two researchers.“In contrast,” the researchers continue, “many regulations that don't assume people make rational choices have been successfully applied to control alcohol, a substance — like food — of which immoderate consumption leads to serious health problems.”The research references studies of people's behavior with food and alcohol and results of alcohol restrictions, and then lists five regulations that the researchers think might be promising if applied to junk foods. Among them:Density restrictions: licenses to sell alcohol aren't handed out unplanned to all comers but are allotted(分配)based on the number of places in an area that already sell alcohol. These make alcohol less easy to get and reduce the number of psychological cues to drink.Similarly, the researchers say, being presented with junk food stimulates our desire to eat it. So why not limit the density of food outlets, particularly ones that sell food rich in empty calories? And why not limit sale of food in places that aren't primarily food stores?Display and sales restrictions: California has a rule prohibiting alcohol displays near the cash registers in gas stations, and in most places you can't buy alcohol at drive-through facilities. At supermarkets, food companies pay to have their wares in places where they're easily seen. One could remove junk food to the back of the store and ban them from the shelves at checkout lines. The other measures include restricting portion sizes, taxing and prohibiting special price deals for junk foods, and placing warning labels on the products.57. What does the author say about junk food?A) People should be educated not to eat too much.B) It is widely consumed despite its ill reputation.C) Its temptation is too strong for people to resist.D) It causes more harm than is generally realized.58. What do the Rand researchers think of many of the policy measures to control obesity?A) They should be implemented effectively.B) They provide misleading information.C) They are based on wrong assumptions.D) They help people make rational choices.59. Why do policymakers of alcohol control place density restrictions?A) Few people are able to resist alcohol's temptations.B) There are already too many stores selling alcohol.C) Drinking strong alcohol can cause social problems.D) Easy access leads to customers' over-consumption.60. What is the purpose of California's rule about alcohol display in gas stations?A) To effectively limit the density of alcohol outlets.B) To help drivers to give up the habit of drinking.C) To prevent possible traffic jams in nearby areas.D) To get alcohol out of drivers' immediate sight.61. What is the general guideline the Rand researchers suggest about junk food control?A) Guiding people to make rational choices about food.B) Enhancing people's awareness of their own health.C) Borrowing ideas from alcohol control measures.D) Resorting to economic, legal and psychological means.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Kodak's decision to file for bankruptcy(破产)protection is a sad, though not unexpected, turning point for a leading American corporation that pioneered consumer photography and dominated the film market for decades, but ultimatelyfailed to adapt to the digital revolution.Although many attribute Kodak's downfall to “complacency(自满)”, that explanation doesn't acknowledge the lengths to which the company went to reinvent itself. Decades ago, Kodak anticipated that digital photography would overtake film — and in fact, Kodak invented the first digital camera in 1975 — but in a fateful decision, the company chose to shelf its new discovery to focus on its traditional film business.It wasn't that Kodak was blind to the future, said Rebecca Henderson, a professor at Harvard Business School, but rather that it failed to execute on a strategy to confront it. By the time the company realized its mistake, it was too late.Kodak is an example of a firm that was very much aware that they had to adapt, and spent a lot of money trying to do so, but ultimately failed. Large companies have a difficult time switching into new markets because there is a temptation to put existing assets into the new businesses.Although Kodak anticipated the inevitable rise of digital photography, its corporate(企业的)culture was too rooted in the successes of the past for it to make the clean break necessary to fully embrace the future. They were a company stuck in time. Their history was so important to them. Now their history has become a liability.Kodak's downfall over the last several decades was dramatic. In 1976, the company commanded 90% of the market for photographic film and 85% of the market for cameras. But the 1980s brought new competition from Japanese film company Fuji Photo, which undermined Kodak by offering lower prices for film and photo supplies. Kodak's decision not to pursue the role of official film for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was a major miscalculation. The bid went instead to Fuji, which exploited its sponsorship to win a permanent foothold in the marketplace.62. What do we learn about Kodak?A) It went bankrupt all of a sudden.B) It is approaching its downfall.C) It initiated the digital revolution in the film industry.D) It is playing a dominant role in the film market.63. Why does the author mention Kodak's invention of the first digital camera?A) To show its early attempt to reinvent itself.B) To show its effort to overcome complacency.C) To show its quick adaptation to the digital revolution.D) To show its will to compete with Japan's Fuji photo.64. Why do large companies have difficulty switching to new markets?A) They find it costly to give up their existing assets.B) They tend to be slow in confronting new challenges.C) They are unwilling to invest in new technology.D) They are deeply stuck in their glorious past.65. What does the author say Kodak's history has become?A) A burden.B) A mirror.C) A joke.D) A challenge.66. What was Kodak's fatal mistake?A) Its blind faith in traditional photography.B) Its failure to see Fuji photo's emergence.C) Its refusal to sponsor the 1984 Olympics.D) Its overconfidence in its corporate culture.练习四(2014年6月英语四级考试真题)Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60are based on the following passage.The question of whether our government should promote science and technology or the liberal arts in higher education isn't an either/or proposition(命题),although the current emphasis on preparing young Americans for STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths)----related fields can make it seem that way.The latest congressional report acknowledges the critical importance of technicaltraining, but also asserts that the study of the humanities (人文学科)and social sciences must remain central components of America's educational system at all levels. Both are critical to producing citizens who can participate effectively in our democratic society, become innovative (创新的) leaders, and benefit from the spiritual enrichment that the reflection on the great ideas of mankind over time provides.Parents and students who have invested heavily in higher education worry about graduates' job prospects as technological advances and changes in domestic and global markets transform professions in ways that reduce wages and cut jobs. Under these circumstances, it's natural to look for what may appear to be the most “practical” way out of the problem “Major in a subject designed to get you a job” seems the obvious answer to some, though this ignores the fact that many disciplines in the humanities characterized as “soft” often, in fact, lead to employment and success in the long run. Indeed, according to surveys, employers have expressed a preference for students who have received a broadly-based education that has taught them to write well, think critically, research creatively, and communicate easily.Moreover, students should be prepared not just for their first job, but for their 4th and 5th jobs, as there's little reason to doubt that people entering the workforce today will be called upon to play many different roles over the course of their careers. The ones who will do the best in this new environment will be those whose educations have prepared them to be flexible. The ability to draw upon every available tool and insight----picked up from science, arts, and technology—to solve the problems of the future, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, will be helpful to them and the United States.56. What does the latest congressional report suggest?A) STEM-related subjects help students find jobs in the information society.B) The humanities and STEM subjects should be given equal importance.C) The liberal arts in higher education help enrich students' spiritual life.D) Higher education should be adjusted to the practical needs of society.57. What is the main concern of students when they choose a major?A) Their interest in relevant subjects.B) The academic value of the courses.C) The quality of education to receive.D) Their chances of getting a good job.58. What does the author say about the so called soft subjects?A) They benefit students in their future life.B) They broaden students' range of interests.C) They improve students' communication skills.D) They are essential to students' healthy growth.59. What kind of job applicants do employers look for?A) Those who have a strong sense of responsibility.B) Those who are good at solving practical problems.C) Those who are likely to become innovative leaders.D) Those who have received a well-rounded education.60. What advice does the author give to college students?A) Seize opportunities to tap their potential.B) Try to take a variety of practical courses.C) Prepare themselves for different job options.D) Adopt a flexible approach to solving problems.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Energy independence. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn't it? If you think so, you're not alone, because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession.“Energy independence” and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion “energy security” are, however, slippery concepts that are rarely though through. What is it we want independence from, exactly?Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil. But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.Second, Americans have basically decided that they don't really want to produce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?Third, there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. And although you don't read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices, At the same time, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.61. What does the author say about energy independence for America?A) It sounds very attractive.B) It ensures national security.C) It will bring oil prices downD) It has long been everyone's dream.62. What does the author think of biofuels?A) They keep America's economy running healthily.B) They prove to be a good alternative to petroleum.。
阅读理解:1.【答案】BDCDDHelen Keller was born normal and healthy. But when she was one year old, she had serious illness with a very high fever. After that, Helen was never able to see and hear again.As a child Helen was angry and lonely. But a happy thing happened when she was six years old. Her parents got a teacher for her. They brought a young woman Anne Sullivan to stay at their house and help Helen. After much hard work, Helen began to learn sign language. Anne taught Helen many important things, such as how to behave like other children. Because Helen was so smart, she learned things very quickly. She learned how to read Braile (布莱叶盲文). When she was eight, she became famous. People were amazed at what she could do.When she was 20 years old, she went to college. Helen did so well in college that a magazine paid her to write the story of her life. After college, she decided to earn a living by writing and giving speeches. She traveled all around the world. She worked to get special schools and libraries for the blind and deaf. She wrote many books, including one about her teacher, Anne Sullivan.1. Which of the following statements is true about Helen Keller?A. Helen became deaf and dumb at the age of six.B. Helen was born normal and healthy.C. Helen was born deaf and dumb.D. Helen was able to see and hear at the age of eight.2. Anne Sullivan is Helen’s ______.A. motherB. doctorC. auntD. teacher3. Anne Sullivan was very important in Helen’s life because ______.A. She made Helen famousB. She let people feel amazed at Helen’s progressC. She led Helen back to the life like normal children’sD. She worked very hard4. Braile is ______.A. a system of reading and writing for blind peopleB. a book written by Helen KellerC. a book written by Anne SullivanD. a system of sight language for blind people.5. In addition to writing and making speeches, Helen was also engaged in ______.A. Traveling around the world with Anne SullivanB. Attending classes at collegeC. Working for a magazineD. Setting up special schools and libraries for the blind and deaf2. 【答案】BBBBBWhen Beethoven was 28, he began to notice a strange noise in his ears. As it grew worse, he went to see doctors, and was told that he was going deaf. This was too much for any composer to bear. Beethoven became hopeless; he was sure that he was going to die. He went to the countryside where he wrote a long good-bye letter to his brothers, describing how sad and lonely his deafness made him. He longed to die, and said to death, “Come when you will; I shall meet you bravely.”In fact, Beethoven did something braver than dying. He gathered his courage and went on writing music. He wrote the music for which we remember him best after he became deaf. This music was very different from any that had been composed before. Instead of the past artistic music for the rich listeners, Beethoven wrote stormy, exciting music which reminds us of his troubled and courageous life. In time he went completely deaf, but he wrote more creatively than ever, for he could “hear” his music in his mind. His Heroic Symphony and Fifth Symphony both show his courage in struggling with his fate.He was lonely and often unhappy but in spite of this, he often wrote joyful music, such as his last symphony, the Ninth Symphony. Because of his courage and strong will to success, his music has given joy and encouragement to millions of people.1. How did Beethoven’s deafness affect him?A. It drove him mad.B. It helped him create good music.C. It stopped his writing music.D. It killed him2. Which of the following best shows Beethoven’s courage in struggling with his fate?A. Ninth Symphony.B. Heroic Symphony and Fifth Symphony.C. Fifth Symphony and Ninth Symphony.D. Fifth Symphony only.3. Beethoven longed to die because ____________.A. he wouldn’t be able to write music for rich listeners after becoming deafB. he felt his deafness was too much for him to bear as a composerC. he had told death he would meet it bravelyD. he wouldn’t be able to support his family4. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?A. Deafness and ComposerB. Beethoven and His MusicC. Music and MusiciansD. Deafness and Music5. According to the passage, which of the following is true about Beethoven?A. He wrote less and less music after he went deaf.B. He wrote encouraging music creatively in spite of his deafness.C. His music became more and more artistic when he was deaf.D. When he was partly deaf, Beethoven’s music became more and more gentle2.【答案】ABABCDo you still remember the first time we met? It was a Sunday. I was sad because my cat had died.I went to Green Lake to be a part of the busy world to forget it. I wandered aimlessly around the lake. Suddenly I heard a voice. I raised my head and saw your eyes. They were so blue and bright. You asked me whether I could help you take a picture. I did, without the slightest hesitation. After that, you said I looked unhappy. I told you that my cat had died, and you told me about your dog. We talked for a long time that afternoon. Our topics ranged from Shakespeare’s plays to Longfellow’s poetry, from interesting stories to the traditional Chinese customs. I was really glad that you were fond of literature too.Then after answering a phone call, you had to leave in a hurry. Although it was a great pity that I did not know your name and how to get in touch with you, I was in high spirits after talking with you.The following day was the first day of my last term at college. The last two classes that morning were English and American poetry. We sat silently in the classroom to wait for the newteacher. It was a great surprise to see you entering the classroom and saying you were our teacher. I could hardly believe my eyes. It was like a plot from a novel or TV play. You told us your name was Samuel and wrote down your e-mail address and said we could e-mail you at any time.1. Why did the writer go to Green Lake that Sunday?A. To get away from the sadness about her cat’s death.B. To offer help to those who needed.C. To wander aimlessly around the lakeD. To take a picture with the blue-eyed traveler.2. From what they talked about when they first met, it seemed that_______.A. both Shakespeare and Longfellow wrote interesting storiesB. they were both fond of literatureC. both Shakespeare and Longfellow were their familiar friendsD. they were both sad about their dead pats.3. The blue-eyed traveler left the writer in a hurry, _________.A. without telling his name and addressB. in high spiritC. in great sorrowD. after leaving his name and address4. What made the writer greatly surprised on the first day of her last term at college?A. Reading a novel and watching a TV play.B. Seeing the blue-eyed traveler appear in the poetry class as the teacher.C. Having four classes that morning and waiting for a new teacher.D. Getting to know Samuel and his e-mail address.5. What conclusion could you most probably draw about the writer?A. She was eager to meet her new teacher.B. She still well remember her dear cat.C. She was then a senior year student at college.D. She found that Samuel was her old friend.4. 【答案】CDABCHarry’s wife died two years ago. He has to take care of his six-year-old daughter all by himself. Susan was a sweet young woman. She has a successful career as vice president of a toys company. She was too busy to find a boyfriend. Their friends arranged a blind date for them and told them that they would meet at Sunshine Restaurant at 8 p.m. Saturday.Harry and Susan met at the restaurant and they had a very good first impression of each other. After ordering, they began a light conversation. To their surprise, they had much in common. And they even went to the same college.While they were waiting for their food, Harry got a call from his baby-sitter. His daughter was sick. So Harry had to leave and said that he would like to see Susan again. Susan agreed.Susan went home with the food. She started to share the food with her sister Mary. She told Mary her feelings about Harry, and that Harry didn’t get anything to eat because he had to leave. She felt sorry for him. Then there was a knock at the door and Susan opened it. At the door was Harry with flowers in his hands. She was greatly moved. Then the three had a nice meal together. Six months later, Harry and Susan got married. They made a happy family.1. In the beginning of the story, Harry and Susan were arranged to meet by____.A. Sunshine RestaurantB. the friends of Harry’sC. the friends of theirsD. the friends of Susan’s2. Which of the following best describes their first impression?A. Pleasant and annoying.B. Nice and friendly.C. Pleasant and common.D. Nice and surprising.3. What happened to interrupt their dinner together at their first meeting?A. Harry’s daughter was sick.B. Harry’s baby-sitter was sick.C. Harry’s sister felt sick.D. usan’s sister felt sick.4. Where did Susan go with the ordered food for dinner?A. To the hospital.B. To her home.C. To Harry’s home.D. To her sister’s.5. When the story came to the end, we could find that_____.A. They both had a nice meal togetherB. Harry came to Susan with flowers in his handsC. Harry and Susan made a happy coupleD. Susan felt sorry for Harry5. 【答案】CDBDDTeeth have been a part of animals almost from the beginning of animal life. The first animals to have teeth were fish. These sea creatures lived millions of years ago. They had many finely pointed teeth for grabbing food from the water.The teeth of animals help them do certain jobs or eat certain kinds of foods. Elephants have two large teeth, which they use for digging up plants or for fighting. Lions and tigers have long, sharp teeth for tearing apart other animals. Those of horses and cows are short and flat. They are used for grinding plants.People have three main kinds of teeth. They have teeth that cut, teeth that tear, and teeth that grind. When biting into a piece of fruit, people use their cutting teeth. When pulling a piece of meat from a bone, they use their tearing teeth. When nibbling on a fresh carrot, they use their grinding teeth.Every person grows two sets of teeth. The first set often begins to appear when a baby is about six months old. It lasts until the child is about six years old. Then the baby teeth fall out and the second teeth come in. This second set must last for the rest of a person’s life.It is important for people to take care of their teeth. They must eat the right foods. They should brush their teeth properly. Teeth should be checked twice a year by a dentist.1. Fish have many ____teeth for getting food.A. fineB. noticeableC. sharpD. invisible2. Which of the following statements about teeth is true?A. A person’s first set of teeth last about six months.B. Elephants have three large tusks.C. Teeth of horses and cows are short and sharp.D. Sea creatures were the first animals having teeth.3. The word “nibble” in the third paragraph is closest in meaning of______.A. showing slight interest in somethingB. eating with small repeated bitsC. tearing something apartD. taking hold of with a sudden rough movement4. This passage mainly tells us that____.A. all the teeth have the same functionB. we should care our teeth and often have them checked.C. animals don’t try to protect their teethD. teeth are important both for human and animals5. It is a piece of writing about____.A. medical scienceB. teeth diseasesC. sea creaturesD. popular science。
大学英语四级阅读题含答案大学英语四级阅读题:【原文】On average,American kids ages 3 to 12 spent 29 hours a week in school,eight hours more that they did in 1981.They also did more household work and participated in more of such organized activities as soccer and ballet (芭蕾舞)。
Involvement in sports,in particular,rose almost 50% from 1981 to 1997:boys now spendan average of four hours a week playing sports; girls log hall that time. All in all,however,children‘sleisure time dropped from 40% of the day in 1981 to 25%“Children are affected by the same t ime crunch (危机) that affects their parents” says Sandra Hofferth,who headed the recent study of children‘s timetable.A chief reason,she says,is that more mothers are working outside the home.Nevertheless,children in both double-income and “male breadwinner” householdsspent comparable amounts of time interacting with their parents 19 hours and 22 hours respectively.In contrast,children spent only 9 hours with their single mothers.)All work and no play could make for some very messed-upkids.“Play is th e most powerful way a child e某plores the world and learns about himself,” says T. Berry Brazelton,professor at Harvard Medical School Unstructured play encourages independent thinking and allows the young to negotiate their relationships withtheir peers,but kids ages 3 to 12 spent only 12 hours a week engaged in it.The children sampled spent a quarter of their rapidly decreasing “free time” watching television.But that,believe it or not,was one of the findings parents might regard as good news.If they‘respending less time in front of the TV set,however,kids aren’t replacing it with reading.Despite efforts to get kids more interested in books,the children spent just over an hour a week reading.Let‘s face it,who’s got the time?大学英语四级阅读题:【题目】Choose correct answers to the question:1. By mentioning “the same time crunch” (Line 1,Para.2) Sandra Hofferth means ________.A.children have little time to play with their parentsB.children are not taken good care of by their working parentsC.both parents and children suffer from lack of leisure timeD.both parents and children have trouble managing their time2.According to the author,the reason given by Sandra Hofferthfor the time crunch is ________.A.quite convincingB.partially trueC.totally groundlessD.rather confusing3.According to the author a child develops better if ________.A.he has plenty of time reading and studyingB.he is left to play with his peers in his own wayC.he has more time participating in school activitiesD.he is free to interact with his working parents4.The author is concerned about the fact that American kids________.A.are engaged in more and more structured activitiesB.are increasingly neglected by their working mothersC.are spending more and more time watching TVD.are involved less and less in household work5.We can infer from the passage that ________.A.e某tracurricular activities promote children‘s int elligenceB.most children will turn to reading with TV sets switched offC.efforts to get kids interested in reading have been fruitfulD.most parents believe reading to be beneficial to children大学英语四级阅读题:【答案】1.[C] 语义理解题。
Passage One (Clinton Is Right)President Clinton\ decision on Apr.8 to send Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji packing without an agreement on China's entry into the World Trade Organization seemed to be a massive miscalculation. The President took a drubbing from much of the press, which had breathlessly reported that a deal was in the bag. The Cabinet and Whit House still appeared divided, and business leaders were characterized as furious over the lost opportunity. Zhu chiirged (hat Clinton lacked .^thc courage” to reach an accord・ And when Clinton later telephoned the angry Zhu to pledge a renewed effort at negotiations, the gesture was widely portrayed as a flip-flop.In fact Clinton made the right decision in holding out for a better WTO deal. A lot more horse trading is needed before a final agreement can be reached・ And without the Administration^ goal of a "bullet-proof agreement” that business lobbyists can enthusiastically sell to a Republican Congress, the whole process will end up in partisan acrimony that could harm relations with China for years.THE HARD PART. Miiny business lobbyists, while disappointed that the deal was not closed, agree that better terms can still be had. And Treasury Secretary Robert E・Rubin. National Economic Council Director Gene B. Sperling, Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, and top trade negotiator Charlene Barshefsky all advised Clinton that while the Chinese had made a remarkable number of concessions, •Ue're not there yet/ according to senior officials. Negotiating with Zhu over the remaining issues may be the easy part. Although Clinton can signal U.S. approval for China's entry into the WTO himself he needs Congress to grant Beijing permanent most-favored・nalio!)status as part of a broad trade accord・ Andthe temptation for meddling on Capital Hill may prove over-whelming. Zhu had barely landed before Senate Majority Leader Trent Loll (R-Miss) declared himself skeptical that China deserved entry into the WTO. And Senators Jesse A. Helms (R-N.C.) and Emest E Hollings (D-S. C.) promised to intrixluce a bill requiring congressional approval of any deal.The hidden message from these three textile-state Southerners: Get more protection for the U. S. clothing industry. Hoping to smooth the way, the Administration tried, but failed, to budge Zhu on textiles・Also left in the lurch: Wall Street, Hollywood, and Detroit・Zhu refused to open up much of the lucrative Chinese securities market and insisted on ^cultural'' restrictions on American movies and music. He also blocked cflorts to allow U. S. auto makers to provide fleet Gnancing・BIG JOB. Already, business lobbyists are blanketing Capitol Hill to presale any eventual agreement, but what they've heard so far isn't cncouraging. Rq)ublicans, including Lott, say that "the time just isn't right*' for the deal. Translation: We're determined to make it look as if Clinton has capitulated to (he Chinese and is ignoring human, religious, and labor rights violations; the theft of nuclear-weapons technology; and the sale of missile parts to America's enemies・ Beijing's fierce critics within the Democratic Party, such as Senator Paul D. Wellstone of Minnesota and House Minority leader Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, won't help, either. Just how tough the lobbying job on Capitol Hill will be become clear on Apr. 20. when Rubin lectured 19chicf executives on the need to discipline their Republican allies. With business and the White House still trading charges over who is responsible for the defeat of fasbtrack trade negotiating legislation in 1997, working together won't be easy. And Republicans- with a winky that they Mleventually embrace China's entty into the WTO as a favor to Corporate America. Though not long before tliey torture Clinton. But Zhu is out on a limb, and if Congress overdoes the criticism, he may be forced by domestic critics to renege・ Business must make this much dear to both its GOP allies and the Whil House: This historic deal is too important to risk losing lo any more partisan squabbling 1 ・ The main idea of this passage is(A|. The Contradiction between the Democralic Party and the Republican Party.[B]. On China's entry into WTO-[C]. Clinton was right.[D|. Business Lobbyists Control Capitol Hill.2.What does the sentence “Ako left in the lurch: Wall Street, Hollywood. Detroit" convey? |A|. Premier Zhu rejected their requirements.(BJ. The three places overdid criticism.|C]. They wanted more protection.|D].They arc in trouble.3.What was the attitude of the Republican Party toward China^s entry into the WTO?[A]. Contradictory.[BJ.Appnxiadve.(CJ. Disapproving. ;JD]・ Detestftil.4.Who plays the leading part in the deal in America?(AJ. White House •[B]. Republicans.(CJ. The Dcm<x:ratic Party. [D]. Businessmen.5.It can be inferred from the passage that[A]. America will make concessions・[B]・ America will hold out for a better WTO[C]. Clinton has the right to signal U・ S. approval tor China's entry.[DJ. Democratic party approve China's entry into the WTO.17 . blanket 覆盖,妨碍扫兴.扑灭18 . Capitulate 投降,停止抵抗19 . fast track 快速行程(轻车熟路》20 . with a wink 眼睛一眨,很快的21 . out on a limb 孤立无援(尤指争论和J S见匕1. drubbingget/take a drabbing 遭人痛打2. flip・flop=grea( change suddenly 游说,突然改变,突然反方向.3.hold out 维持,保持hold out for sth. 故J S拖延达成协议以谋求••…4. horse trading 糟明的讨价还价5. bullet-proof 防弹的6. lobby 收买,暗中活动7. lobbyist Bt外活动集团成员& partisan 党人.帮派,是党派强硕支持者9. acrimony 语言/态度的刻薄10 . sell to 说服(某人)接受或采用11 . meddle 干預12 . Capitol Hill 类曲国会13 . budge 使稍微移动,改变14 . lucrative 有利可图的,赚钱的15 . block 制止16 . fleet 觌队.船队•车队.机队Vocabulary22 . renege 违约23.squabble丨・President Clinton^ decision on Apr.8 to send Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji packing without an agreement.••[结构分#f 1 send one packing打发人走.[参考译文]克林顿F 4月8 Fl决定不达成中国加入世贸组织的协议便打发中国总理朱容施丄人。
大学英语阅读理解·四级大学英语阅读理解·四级以下是由yjbys店铺给大家准备的英语四级的阅读理解练习以及答案解析,欢迎大家阅读练习!第一篇:Psychologists take opposing views of how external rewards, from warm praise to old cash, affect motivation and creativity. Behaviorists, who study the relation between actions and, argue that rewards can improve performance at work and school. Some other researchers who study various aspects of mental life, maintain those rewards often destroy creativity byencouraging dependence on approval and gifts from others.The latter view has gained many supporters, especially among educators. But the careful use of small monetary rewards sparks in grade-school children suggesting that properly presented inducements indeed aid inventiveness, according to a study in the June Journal Personality and Social Psychology.“If they know they're working for a reward and can focus on a relatively challenging task, they show the most creativity,” says Robert Esenberger of the University of Delaware in Newark. “But it's easy to kill creativity by giving rewards for poor performance or creating too much anticipation for rewards.”A teacher who continually draws attention to rewards or who hands out high grades for ordinary achievement ends up with uninspired students, Esenberger holds. As an example of the latter point, he notes growing efforts at major universities to tighten grading standards and restore falling grades.In earlier grades, the use of so-called token economics, in which students handle challenging problems and receiveperformance-based points toward valued rewards, shows promise in raising effort and creativity, the Delaware psychologist claims.1. Psychologists are divided with regard to their attitudes toward ____.A) the choice between spiritual encouragement and monetary rewardsB) the appropriate amount of external rewardsC) the study of relationship between actions andD) the effects of external rewards on students' performance2. What is the view held by many educators concerning external rewards for students?A) They approve of external rewards.B) They don't think external rewards.C) They have doubts about external rewards.D) They believe external rewards can motivate small children, but not college students.3. According to the result of the study mentioned in the passage, what should educators do to stimulate motivation and creativity?A) Give rewards for performances which deserve them.B) Always promise rewards.C) Assign tasks which are not very challenging.D) Be more lenient to students when mistakes are made.4. It can be inferred from the passage that major universities are trying to tighten their grading standards because they believe ____.A) rewarding poor performance may kill the creativity of students’B) punishment is more effective than rewardingC) failing uninspired students helps improve their overall academic standardsD) discouraging the students anticipation for easy rewards is matter of urgency5.Which of the following facts about “token economics” is not correct?A) Students are assigned challenging tasks.B) Rewards are given for good performances.C) Students are evaluated according to the effort they put into the task.D) With token economics, students’ creativity can be enhanced.。
大学英语四六级阅读第46篇:未来汽车Some pessimistic experts feel that the automobile is bound to fall into disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all autos will be abandoned and allowed to rust. Other authorities, however, thinkthe auto is here to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of urban travel in the foreseeable future.The motorcar will undoubtedly change significantly over the next 30 years. It should become smaller, safer,and more economical, and should not be powered by the gasoline engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free than present types.Regardless of its power source, the auto in the future will still be the main problem in urban traffic congestion (拥挤). One proposed solution to this problem is the automated highway system.When the auto enters the highway system, a retractable (可伸缩的) arm will drop from the auto and make contact with a rail, which is similar to those powering subway trains electrically. Once attached to the rail,the car will become electrically powered from the system, and control of the vehicle will pass to a central computer. The computer will then monitor all of the car’s movements.The driver will use a telephone to dial instructions about his destination into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and reserve space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. The driver will then be free to relax and wait for the buzzer (蜂鸣器) that will warn him of his coming exit. It is estimated that an automated highway will be able to handle 10,000 vehicles per hour, compared with the 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles that can be carried by a present-day highway.练习题:Choose correct answers to the question:1. One significant improvement in the future car willprobably be ________.A. its power sourceB. its driving systemC. its monitoring systemD. its seating capacity2. What is the author’s main concern?A. How to render automobiles pollution-free.B. How to make smaller and safer automobiles.C. How to solve the problem of traffic jams.D. How to develop an automated subway system.3. What provides autos with electric power in an automated highway system?A. A rail.B. An engine.C. A retractable arm.D. A computer controller.4. In an automated highway system, all the driver needs to do is ________.A. keep in the right laneB. wait to arrive at his destinationC. keep in constant touch with the computer centerD. inform the system of his destination by phone5. What is the author’s attitude toward the future of autos?A. Enthusiastic.B. Pessimistic.C. Optimistic.D. Cautious.1.[A] 推断题。
大学英语四级阅读习题及答案大学英语四级阅读习题(一)1、A2、D3、C4、C5、B大学英语四级阅读习题答案Acculturation, which begins at birth, is the process of teaching new generations of children the customs and values of the parents culture. How people treat newborns, for example, can be indicative of cultural values. In the United States it is not uncommon for parents to put a newborn in a separate room that belongs only to the child. This helps to preserve parents privacy and allows the child to get used to having his or her own room, which is seen as a first step toward personal independence. Americans traditionally have held independence and a closely related value, individualism, in high esteem. Parents try to instill these prevailing values in their children. American English expresses these value preferences: children should "cut the (umbilical) cord" and are encouraged not to be "tied to their mothers apron strings." In the process of their socialization children learn to "look out for number one" and to "stand on their own two feet".Many children are taught at a very early age to make decisions and be responsible for their actions. Often children work for money outside the home as a first step to establishing autonomy. Nine-or ten-year-old children may deliver newspapers in their neighborhoods and save or spend their earnings. Teenagers (13 to 18 years) may baby-sit neighbors homes in order to earn a few dollar a week. Receiving a weekly allowance at an early age teaches children to budget their money, preparing them for future financial independence. Many parents believe that managing money helps children learn responsibility as well as appreciate the value of money.21. According to this passage, the way people treat newborns _____.A) is a sign of their customsB) is an indication of their level of knowledgeC) symbolizes their social systemD) varies from culture to culture22. The expression, "to cut the cord", is used to show that _____.A) children dont like their parentsB) parents dont feel close to their childrenC) parents would not like to live together with their childrenD) independence from ones family is an important personal goal in USA23. Children who are "tied to the apron strings" _____.A) are caught in their mothers apronsB) must always wear an apron when they eatC) are very dependent on their mothersD) are independent from their parents24. American people often let their children work for money outside the home at a very early age because _____.A) children have to earn money to help the familyB) they need more moneyC) they want them to begin establishing autonomyD) children have to save money for future use25. It can be inferred from this passage that _____.A) Americans are money loversB) Americans admire independenceC) Americans are good at decision-makingD) Americans are all responsible大学英语四级阅读习题(二)Long after the 1998 World Cup was won, disappointed fans were still cursing the disputed refereeing (裁判) decisions that denied victory to their team. A researcher was appointed to study the performance of some top referees.The researcher organized an experimental tournament (锦标赛) involving four youth teams. Each match lasted an hour, divided into three periods of 20 minutes during which different referees were in charge.Observers noted down the referees errors, of which there were 61 over the tournament. Converted to a standard match of 90 minutes, each referee made almost 23 mistakes, a remarkably high number.The researcher then studied the videotapes to analyse the matches in detail. Surprisingly, he found that errors were more likely when the referees were close to the incident. When the officials got it right, they were, on average, 17 meters away from the action. The average distance in the case of errors was 12 meters. The research shows the optimum (最佳的) distance is about 20 meters.There also seemed to be an optimum speed. Correct decisions came when the referees were moving at a speed of about 2 meters per second. The average speed for errors was 4 meters per second.If FIFA, footballs international ruling body, wants to improve the standard of refereeing at the next World Cup, it should encourage referees to keep their eyes on the action from a distance, rather than rushing to keep up with the ball, the researcher argues.He also says that FIFAs insistence that referees should retire at age 45 may be misguided. If keeping up with the action is not so important, their physical condition is less critical.21. The experiment conducted by the researcher was meant to ________.A) review the decisions of referees at the 1998 World CupB) analyse the causes of errors made by football refereesC) set a standard for football refereeingD) reexamine the rules for football refereeing22. The number of refereeing errors in the experimental matches was ________.A) slightly above averageB) higher than in the 1998 World CupC) quite unexpectedD) as high as in a standard match23. The findings of the experiment show that ________.A) errors are more likely when a referee keeps close to the ballB) the farther the referee is from the incident, the fewer the errorsC) the more slowly the referee runs, the more likely will errors occurD) errors are less likely when a referee stays in one spot24. The word “officials” (Line 2, Para. 4) most probably refers to ________.A) the researchers involved in the experimentB) the inspectors of the football tournamentC) the referees of the football tournamentD) the observers at the site of the experiment25. What is one of the possible conclusions of the experiment?A) The ideal retirement age for an experienced football referee is45.B) Age should not be the chief consideration in choosing a football referee.C) A football referee should be as young and energetic as possible.D) An experienced football referee can do well even when in poor physical condition.。
1. Care for Our Mother Earth(Dr. McKinley of Awareness Magazine interviews a group of experts on environmental issues.) Dr. McKinley: What do you think is the biggest 1. _________ to the environment today?Aman Motwane: The biggest threat to our environment today is the way we, as human beings, see our environment. How we see our environment 2.________ our whole world.Most of us see everything as independent from one another. But the 3. ________ is that everything is part of one interconnected, interrelated whole. For example, a tree may appear 4. ________, but in fact it affects and is affected by everything in its environment — sunshine, rain, wind, birds, minerals, other plants and trees, you, me. The tree shapes the wind that blows around it; it is also shaped by that wind. Look at the 5. __________ between the tree and its environment and you will see the future of the tree.Most of us are blind to this interconnectedness of everything. This is why we don't see the 6.__________ of our actions. It is time for each of us to open our eyes and see the world as it 7. ________ is — one complete whole where every cause has an8.________.Dr. McKinley: Hello Dr. Semkiw. In your research, what environmental issues do you find most pressing?Walter Semkiw: 9____________________________________________________________________. Mankind has now cut down half of the trees that existed 10,000 years ago. The loss of trees upsets the ecosystem as trees are necessary to build topsoil, maintain rainfall in dry climates, purify underground water and to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. 10. ___________________________________________________________________________. The evaporated water then returns as rain, which is vital to areas that are naturally dry. Areas downwind of deforested lands lose this source of rainfall and transform into deserts.11.__________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses then resulting in the trap heat, resulting in warming of our atmosphere.Dr. McKinley: Mr. Nacson, thanks for participating all the way from Australia! What do you suggest the readers of Awareness Magazine can do to help the environmental problem?Leon Nacson: The simplest way to help the environment is not to impact on it. Tread as lightly as you can, taking as little as possible, and putting back as much as you can.Dr. McKinley: What is your specific area of concern regarding the current and future state of the environment?Leon Nacson: Air and water pollution are our Number One priorities. It is hard to understand that we are polluting the air we breathe and the water we drink. These are two elements that are not inexhaustible, and we must realize that once we reach the point of no return, there will be nothing left for future generations.Dr. McKinley: Mr. Desai, what an honor it is to have this opportunity to interview you. Can you please share your wisdom with our readers and tell us where you see the environmental crisis heading?Amrit Desai: We are not separate from the problem. We are the problem. We live divided lives. On one hand, we ask industries to support our greed for more and more conveniences, comfort and possessions. We have become addicted consumers, which causes industrial waste. At the same time, we ignore our connection between our demands and the exploitation of Mother Earth. Whenwe are greedy for more than what we need for our well being, we always abuse the resources of our body and the earth.We are nurtured by the healthy condition of Mother Earth. In humans, if the mother is ailing, the child suffers. We are the cause of the ailing planet and we are the victims.Dr. McKinley: In closing, I thank all of the participants. I have learned a great deal about what I can do as an individual to help the environment.I hope these interviews encourage the readers of Awareness Magazine to take action and develop your own strategy. Too many of us just sit back and say "I'll let the experts deal with it." Meanwhile, we are killing the planet. My aim of this interview is to show how one person can make a difference. Thanks to all for offering your wisdom. (731 words)I. Choose the best answer to each question based on the information you obtain from the passage.1. It can be concluded from the passage that ______.A) fossils fuel are the only cause of global warmingB) trees play an important role in avoiding global warmingC) the interview is held in AustraliaD) experts do not have a solution to the environmental crisis2. By saying that "the biggest threat to our environment today is the way we see our environment" (line 2-3), Aman Motwane implies that ______.A) everything in the ecosystem is part of one complete wholeB) most people hold a wrong view on the environmentC) everything affects and is affected by its environmentD) people are indifferent to the environment protection3. In Leon Nacson's view, air and water pollution are our Number One priorities because ______.A) he cannot understand why people are polluting air and waterB) there will be nothing left for future generationsC) we would run out of air and water if we didn't stop polluting themD) air and water pollution are the current and future state of the environment4. TWhich of the following best explains Amrit Desai's words "we live divided lives"?A) We pollute Mother Earth in pursuing a better life, which, consequently, hurts ourselves.B) We are never satisfied with what we have, and we do not make good use of natural resources.C) If Mother Earth is ill, we, as her children, only enjoy part of our life.D) Though we have created the environmental problem, we try to separate ourselves from it.5. According to Dr. McKinley, what is the root cause of the environmental problem?A) Deforesting and global warming.B) The abuse of natural resources.C) Air and water pollution.D) The attitude of human beings.II. Translate the following sentences into English.1. 这场给人类带来巨大灾难的战争对这样一个诗人产生了什么影响呢?(impact on)2. 做母亲的有时候不能察觉她们所宠爱的孩子们的过错,这样做的结果会使孩子们再次犯同样的过错。
If you think a high-factor -sunscree(防晒霜)keeps you safe from harmful rays, you may be wrong.如果你认为防晒指数高的防晒霜能够使你免遭有害射线的辐射,那你可能就错了。
Research in this week’s Natureshows that while factor 50 reduces the number of melanomas(黑瘤)and delays their occurrence, it can’t prevent them.本周《自然》杂志的一项研究显示,尽管防晒指数为50的防晒霜能够减少黑瘤的数量,并延缓其出现,但是并不能阻止其产生。
Melanomas are the most aggressive skin cancers.黑瘤是最具侵犯性的皮肤癌。
You have a higher risk if you have red or blond hair, fair skin, blue or green eyes, or sunburn easily, or if a close relative has had one.如果你拥有红发或金发,浅色皮肤,蓝色或绿色眼睛,或者容易晒伤,又或者有近亲患此疾病,那么你患此病的风险就会相对较高。
Melanomas are more common if you have periodic intense exposure to the sun. Other skin cancers are increasingly likely with long term exposure.如果你周期性高强度地暴露于太阳下,黑瘤则会更为常见。
长期暴露于太阳下,患其他皮肤癌的可能性也会逐渐增加。
There is continuing debate as to how effective sunscreen is in reducing melanomas—the evidence is weaker than it is for preventing other typesof skin cancer.关于防晒霜在减少黑瘤方面的有效性的争论一直不断,相比防晒霜对于其他种类皮肤癌的预防作用,其对黑瘤的预防作用不太显著。
大学英语阅读材料Document serial number【NL89WT-NY98YT-NC8CB-NNUUT-NUT108】Read the two passages and do the True and False exercises.Paasage ISilver LiningJulia Cartwright uncrossed her legs and set her teacup on the breakfast table. Life didn’t always turn out the way?she wanted it to. Drawing her sheer housedress around her shoulders, she stood and strolled to the bay window that overlooked the train station and Greta’s bakery. The glow from the street’s light po sts dimmed as dawn gave way to the morning. Passengers milled about, some clinging to love ones, while others stood in line for a taste of Greta’s scrumptious pastries. If nothing else, she would miss the endearing scene below. Lowering her eyes, wet lashes rested against her cheeks. So many wonderful memories now tainted by the stabbing death of Mrs. Monroe.A shudder raced through her as she turned from the window and surveyed the cardboard boxes lined along the brick wall.Considering her neighbor’s horr ific fate two nights before, her unemployment and move to a smaller place?paled in comparison.What weighed most on her mind was doing something for the old woman’s family, even if it was just to sit and comfort them. Maybe she could purchase something from the bakery and take it to the family this afternoon. Yes, that’s what she would do.“Excuse me, Julia. Do you have a moment?”The baritone voice brought her out of her reverie. Julia looked up to see the detective assigned to Mrs. Monroe’s case in the doorway. “Sure, come in.” When his dark gaze moved down her chiffon, silk gown, her stomach fluttered, as it did whenever he was near. Instinctively, she drew the satin sash tighter.He cleared his throat. “Your sister let me in, but I can always come back later.”Julia’s warm cheeks matched her tinted hair. “No, please make yourself comfortable whil e I change.” She?hurried from the room. Her sister had stayed over to help with her move, and she planned to strangle her as soon as he left. How dare she allow him to come back while she was indecent? Having met the detective on two previous occasions, she couldn’t deny her attraction to him. His jet black hair and inquisitive eyes left her nearly breathless. Fanning herself, she browsed through her closet several minutes before deciding on a soft, blue cotton dress. She changed and returned to the sunroom.“Can I get you coffee or tea, detective?” Julie asked, not missing his appreciative glimpse at her dress.“No, I’m good. Please call me Will.”She sat in a chair across from him, noticing for the first time the dry rose which fell from her fireplace mantel, now lay in the center of the table.It was a gift she’d bought herself last Valentine’s Day. She chose to ignore it. “Okay, Will, how can I help you?”With pen and pad before him, his expression turned serious. “I wanted to go over this again. You said you heard a scream at two o’clock, Tuesday morning. Is that correct?”“Yes, that’s correct.” With his head inclined, he scribbled notes. Her gaze followed the movement of his strong hand.“How can you be sure of the time?”“My favorite television show?came on?when the scream rang out.”He?cast a curious glance in her direction. “And what show is this?”How embarrassing. At twenty-five, she not only bought herself roses but carried on a romance with the television. “The Dating Game.”His?full lips tilted at the corners. After a few unspoken moments, he continued. “I know you called the police. What did you do after that?”“Just as I’ve told you on two other occasions, I ran to the window, and that’s when I saw the guy on the fire escape.”“You were adama nt about him being a black male. How can you be sure when it’s night?”She wrapped her slender fingers around the teacup she’d left on the table earlier. Lifting it to her lips, she sipped the lukewarm liquid and set the cup back on the saucer. “The area w as well-lit, and he wasn’t wearing a face mask. You’ve asked me most of these questions before. Are you hoping I’ll change my story?”He closed the notepad and folded his hands on the table, drawing her attention to his well-defined forearms.“You’re the only witness who has come forward, so I’m trying to get as much information as possible.” He smiled, showing even, white teeth. Warmth swept through her lower abdomen. What was it about him that affected her this way? Looking away, she sipped her tea.“Julia.”The sound slid over her skin like oil. She looked up into his midnight eyes. “Yes?”A sigh resonated throughout the room as he leaned back against the chair. “I have to be honest about why I’m really here. I remembered that your movers were coming today, and I wanted to see you before you left. I would like to stay in touch.”Trying to steady her hands so he wouldn’t hear the cup clinking against the saucer, she let him continue.“I would like to take you out. Is that possible?”“Won’t this compromise the case?”“Absolutely not. You’re not a suspect.” His gaze still held hers. “Maybe I’m moving too fast, but I’m totally taken by you.”Since fainting was not an option, Julia took a much needed breath. “I would like very much to see you again.”“Is the offer still good for a cup of coffee?” Will asked.“Yes, I’ll be right back.” She stood and turned to leave.“Before you go. Is there a story behind this rose?” He twirled it between his fingers.“Not one you’re going to hear from me, detective.”Julia could hear his laughter behind her as she went into the kitchen. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her waist. Although she’d lost her sweet neighbor and job, better days were ahead. From now on, she would focus on the positive and look for the silver lining.Passage 11.Julia Cartright was more concerned about her unemployment and move to a smallerplace than her neighbor’s death.2.Julia seemed to be swept off her feet by the detective assigned to her neighbor’scase though she had got her valentine.3.Julia felt embarrassed to reveal her secret love of a dating program on TV.4.The detective came to question Julia for the third time because she might havecommitted the murder of her neighbor.5.With the detective’s offer to ask Julia out, she will focus m ore on the positiveside of life and be more optimistic in the future.Paasage IIHome Is Where the Heart Is“I’ll see you Thursday night, Jess,” Jack Maguire said to his wife. He wiped a smudge of baby food from her cheek before pressing his lips to hers.It was their usual Sunday night routine. Saying goodbye.Their youngest, baby Ella, bounced in her mother’s arms until her dad leaned over and planted a raspberry on her cheek eliciting squeals of delight.Jessica’s lips curled despite the heaviness in he r heart.As a pharmaceutical sales person, travel was a part of Jack’s job description that she’d grown to accept. But it didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.After smothering their other two kids in hugs and kisses, Jack hopped into the waiting hired car with a wave and a smile. Jessica’s stomach clenched as she thought about how exciting his life on the road must be—business meetings with doctors, dinner at new restaurants every evening, nights spent in luxurious hotels.After their oldest, Connor, was born, Jessica made the decision to quit her job as a nurse and stay home full time. Now with three kids under five, she still loved every moment of her time at home. But that was her. Whenever she said goodbye to Jack she couldn’t help wondering if he found their home life dull compared to his travels.Did he look forward to getting back on the road?Jessica felt a tug on her pant leg pulling her back from her worries.“Can I have a drink?” asked three year old Zo?.“Of course, Sweetie,” Jessica replied as she patted the girl’s curly blonde head. She grabbed three plastic cups from the cupboard, and as she poured a round of apple juice for the masses her concerns about Jack were quickly forgotten.On Monday night, the phone rang at precisely six o’clock. Jessica’s heart pounded with anticipation. Whenever he traveled, Jack always managed to sneak away and call home at the same time. No matter what. When she picked up the phone, Jessica could barely hear him over the raised voices and clinking of silverware on dishes. He was at dinner with clients.The kids jumped at her legs anxious to talk to Daddy. After each had their turn, Connor passed her the phone. “It’s your turn, Mommy.”But as soon as she raised it to her ear, she heard Jack say, “Sorry, hun. Gotta go.”? He was practically shouting to be heard. “Dr. Watts is about to leave, and I haven’t gotten a commitment from him yet. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”She let out a heavy breath but told herself she could wait until tomorrow to tell him about Zoe’s attempt to dress the cat in a princess gown and tiara.But on Tuesday evening, Jessica returned home at six-ten following what was supposed to be a quick stop at the grocery store—an impossibility with three kids in tow—to find a message from Jack.“I won’t be able to call back tonight,” his voice rang out. “The only time Dr. Bryson can meet with me is this evening. Kisses and hugs to everyone.” He sounded distracted, as though he was in a hurry to get off the phone.Her heart sunk.The tiara story really isn’t that exciting anyway.On Wednesday evening, six o’clock came and went with no phone call. Even though she knew he was due home the next night, disappointment weighed heavy in her chest. Her first instinct was to worry. He’d never missed a call before. Had something happened?Calm down. He’s probably busy with a client, her common sense told her. But then that meant he’d gotten too busy or just forgot to call.Either option caused her heart to tighten uncomfortably. But she tried to ignore the sensation as she joined in the kids’ lively dinnertime conversation.A few hours after the kids were asleep Jessica heard a noise at the front door. Her heart thu dded in her chest. Who could it be? She wasn’t expecting anyone.Wiping her dish soapy hands on a towel, she walked cautiously to the front window to check it out.But before she reached the foyer, the door swung open and Jack walked into the house. Jessic a’s breath caught in her throat, and she rushed to her husband throwing her arms around his neck.“You’re early!” she mumbled into his shoulder. Her heart sped like crazy—partly from surprise but mostly due to the thrill of seeing Jack.“I couldn’t stand t he thought of being away for another night, so I squeezed all of my appointments into three days. That’s why I’ve been so busy.”And he couldn’t call tonight because he’d been on a plane, she realized. A pang of guilt gripped her stomach. How could she have doubted him?He dropped his small suitcase and returned her embrace with both arms. “I’ve had enough stuffy business dinners and lonely hotel stays to last a life time.”“I thought you liked traveling,” she said tentatively.Jack pulled back and looked i nto her eyes. “The only part I like about being away is coming home to you and the kids.”A wave of relief washed over her leaving a warm glow in its wake. Feeling closer to Jack than ever before, Jessica leaned in and pressed her lips to his.When she pul led away, she couldn’t help smiling. “Do you want to hear what Zo? did to the cat on Monday?” she asked.And as they cuddled up on the couch together, the sparkle she saw in Jack’s blue eyes as she talked about their life, their children left no doubt in her mind.Home really is where his heart is.Passage 21.Parting from her husband on Sunday night is a family routine which Jessica hasgrown to accept and felt at ease with.2.With three kids under five to take care of, Jessica sometimes found home life dulland stressful.3.Whenever Jack traveled, he always managed to make a call home at the same time.4.There was no call from Jack on Wednesday because he was busy with clients.5.J ack’s surprising return brought Jessica to the awareness that her husband hadalways been loving the family.。