英语四级阅读理解练习题及其解析

英语四级长篇阅读练习题及答案解析四级长篇阅读练习题：Promote Learning and Skills for Young People and AdultsA) This goal places the emphasis on the learning needs of young people and adults in the context of lifelong learning.It calls for fair access to learning programs that are appropriate，and mentions life skills particularly.B)Education is about giving people the opportunity to develop their potential，their personality and their strengths.This does not merely mean learning new knowledge，but also developing abilities to make the most of life.These are called life skills——including the inner capacities and the practical skills we need.C)Many of the inner capacities——often known as psych0—social skills——cannot be taught as subjects.They are not the same as academic or technical learnin9.They must rather be modeled and promoted as part of learning，and in particular by teachers.These skills have to do with the way we behave—towards other people，towards ourselves，towards the challenges and problems of life.They include skills in communicating，in making decisions and solving problems，in negotiating and expressing ourselves，in thinking critically and understanding our feelings.D)More practical life skills are the kinds of manual skills we need for the physical tasks we face.Some would include vocational skills under the heading of life skills——the ability to lay bricks.sew clothes，catch fish or repair a motorbike.These are skills by which people may earn their livelihood and which are often available to young people leaving school.In fact，very often young people learn psycho-social skills as they learn more practical skills.Learning vocational skills can be a strategy for acquiring both practical and psycho-social skills.E)We need to increase our life skills at every stage of life，so learning them may be part of early child—hood education.of primary and secondary education and of adult learning groups.Life skills can be put into the categories that the Jacques Delors report suggested;it spoke of four pillars of education，which correspond to certain kinds of life skills —Learning to know：Thinking abilities：such as problem—solving，critical thinking，decision making，understanding consequences.Learning to be：Personal abilities：such as managing stress and feelings，self-awareness，self-confidence.Learning to live together：Social abilities：such as communication，negotiation，teamwork.Learning to do： Manual skills：practicing know-how required for work and tasks.F)In todays world all these skills are necessary, in order to face rapid change in society.This means that it is important to know how to go on learning as we require new skills for life and work.In addition，we need to know how to cope with the flood of information and turn it in to useful knowledge.We also need to learn how to handle change in society and in our own lives.G)Life skills are both concrete and abstract—practical skills can be learned directly, as a subject.For example, a learner can take a course in laying bricks and learn that skill.Other life skills，such asself-confidence，self-esteem，and skills for relating to others or thinking critically cannot be taught in such direct ways.They should be part of any learning process，where teachers or instructors are concerned that learners should not just learn about subjects，but learn how to cope with life and make the most of their potential.H)So these life skills may be learnt when learning other things.For example：Learning literacy may have a big impact on self-esteem，on critical thinking or on communication skills;Learning practical skills s ach as drivin9，healthcare or tailoring may increase self-confidence，teach problem—solving processes or help in understanding consequences.I) Whether this is true depends on the way of teachin9—what kinds of thinkin9，relationship building and communication the teacher or facilitator models themselves and promotes among the learners.It would require measuring the individual and collective progress in making the most of learning and of life，or assessing how far human potential is being realized，or estimating how well people cope with change.It is easier to measure the development of practical skills，for instance by counting the number of students who register for vocational skills courses.However, this still may not tell us how effectively these skills are being used.J)The psych0.social skills cannot easily be measured by tests and scores，but become visible in Chang behavior.Progress in this area has often been noted by teachers on reports which they make to the parentsof their pupils.The teachers experience of life，of teaching and of what can be expected from education in the broadest sense serve as a standard by which the growth and development of individuals can be assessed to some extent.This kind of assessment is individual and may never appear in international tables and charts.K)The current challenges relate to these difficulties：We need to recognize the importance of life skillsboth practical and psycho-socialas part of education which leads to the full development of human potential and to the development of society.The links between psycho—social skills and practical skills must be more clearly spelled out，so that educators can promote both together and find effective ways to do this.Since life skills are taught as part of a wide range of subjects，teachers need to have training in how to put them across and how to monitor learnersgrowth in these areas.In designing curricula and syllabuses for academic subjects，there must be a balance between content teaching and attention to the accompanying life skills.A more conscious and deliberate effort to promote life skills will enable learners to become more active citizens in the life of society.L) Governments should recognize and actively advocate for the transformational role of education in realizing human potential and in socio—economic development.Ensure that curricula and syllabuses address life skills and give learners the opportunity to make real-life applications of knowledge，skills and attitudes.Show how life skills of all kinds apply in the world of work，for example，negotiating and communication skills，as well practical skills.Through initial andin-service teacher training，increase the use of active and participatory learning/teaching approaches.Examine and adapt the processes and content of education so that there is a balance between academic input and life skills development.Make sure that education inspectors look not only for academic progress through teaching and learning，but also progress in the communication， modeling and application of life skills.Advocate for the links between primary and(early)secondary education because learning life skills needs eight or nine years and recognize that the prospect of effective secondary education is an incentive to children，and their parents，to complete primary education successfully.M)Funding agencies should support research，exchange anddebate.nationally and regionally,on ways of strengthening life skills education.Support innovative(创新的)teacher training in order to combine life skills promotion into subjects across the curriculum and as a fundamental part of what school and education are about.Recognize the links between primary and secondary education in ensuring that children develop strong life skills.Support，therefore，the early years of secondary education as part basic education.N) As support to governments and in cooperation with other international agencies，UNESC0：Works to define life skills better and clarify what it means to teach and learn them.Assists education. policy makers and teachers to develop and use a life skills approach to education.Advocates for the links between a life skills approach to education and broader society and human development.46.The recognition of life skills as part of education will promote the development of human potential and society.47.The abilities to make the most of life consist of the inner capacities and the practical skills.48.The progress in psycho—social skills can be measured by changed behavior.ernments should examine and adapt the processes and content of education so as to balance the academic input and life skills development.50.According to Jacques Delors，four pillars of education include learning to know, learning to be， learning to live together and learning to do.51.The funding agencies should link primary education and secondary education to make sure that children develop strong life skills.52.Learning literacy may exert an influence on self-esteem，critical thinking and communication skills.53.One function of UNESCO is to help educational policy makers and teachers to develop and use a life skills approach to education.54.Learning vocational skills can be an approach to acquiring both practical and psycho—social skills.55.The abilities to manage stress and feelings，self-awareness，self-confidence are personal abilities.答案解析：【解析】J)。

英语四级阅读理解精选练习及答案英语四级阅读理解练习一：Personality is , to large extent, inherent --A-type parents usually bring about A-type offspring. But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is improtant to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor lives of their children.One place where children soak up A characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. Too many schools adopt the "win at all costs" moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows. Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences:remember that Pheidippides ,the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying:"Rejoice, we conquer!".By far the worst form of competition in school is the disproportionate emphasis on examinations . It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well.The merits of competition by examination are somewhat questionable, but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.Obviously, it is neither practical nor desirable that all A youngsters change into Bs. The would needs types, and schools have an important dutyto try to fit a childs personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.1. According to the author, what factors contribute to the building of personality?A. inheritanceb. inheritance, competition and environmentc. competitiond. environment2.Which of the following statements is not true according to the author of the passage?A. Schools usually adopt severe competitive policies.B. Students are often divided by competition results.C. School is place where children cultivate their characteristics.D. The stronger desire for winning, the better.3.The phrase "soak up" is closest in meaning to ____.A. pull up b. take up c. take in d. pull in4.What attitude does the author hold toward examinations in schools?A. positive b. negative c. doubtful d. neutral5.what suggestion does the author make concerning the management of schools?A. All students be made into competitive A types.B. A childs personality be considered in regard to his possible future job.C. All students be changed into B characteristics.D. Schools abolish all forms of examinations.答案：bdccb英语四级阅读理解练习二：Nearly everybody buys a used car sooner or later, as a primary vehicle (首要的交通工具) or as a second car. Indeed(当然), three out of four sales today are used cars, and theyre not cheap junkers (废物)either—the average price now is $ 5500, about half what a new car costs. Make the wrong selection and a major investment (投资)can be lost the moment you drive off the lot.There is far less chance of this happening to you if you know: when to buy, where to buy, how to examine (仔细检查) the car, how to conduct (进行) your own road test, and how to bargain over (讲价)the price.When to buyShop during the day. Lighting makes cars gleam (V 闪光)like jewels (宝石)at night. In daylight they look dull (黯淡的), but realistic.Dont shop in the rain. It can mask(掩盖) liquids (液体) that might be leaking (泄漏). If possible, shop in the winter when supplies are high and demand (需求)is low.Where to buyShop the suburbs. In more affluent (富有的)neighborhoods cars are more likely to have been well cared for.A private owner normally sells a car for less than a dealer(商人) does, but almost always "as is," with no guarantee(质量保证). Thats an acceptable risk if what youre looking for is a cheap second car to "drive to the station. "Even though a used-car dealer generally charges more, you can often get some type of limited guarantee. This is often a 50-50 plan, in which you each pay half on repairs for a period (一段时间)that may range from 30 days to a year. Ask the dealer about the availability of an optional(可选择的) service policy.Used-car dealers often claim (声称)to have gone over (仔细查看)the car, and many have. But remember that small dealers often buy cars that are auctioned (拍卖 ) because nobody else wants them.Some experts feel that a new-car dealer is the best place to buy a secondhand car, especially if youre laying out a large sum (一笔金钱) for a late model. Some of these dealers offer extensive (广阔的)guarantees, such as one on the "drive train," which covers any problems with engine (发动机), transmission(变速器) ， drive shaft and differential (差速器 ). Expect to pay for this, as well as for the markup (标高的价格). But if you shop soon after the new models have arrived, when a dealer has a lot of trade-ins tying up his profits, he might deal. The visual examination (视觉上的检查)Youve found your dream car, and can hardly wait to get in and roar away. Wait.First, look for any flaws (瑕疵)or ripples(划痕) in the body that might indicate a past accident (暗示曾经出过事故). To see if a car has been repainted(重新漆过), look under the rubber seals around the door or under the chrome trim. Repainting may mask deep flaws (重新上漆可能隐藏深层的瑕疵).Check the odometer (计程器) for total mileage (英里数), and then compare that figure (数字)with any stickers still attached to door posts. Its illegal to change odometer readings, but it happens. If there are no stickers, be a little suspicious. Check pedals and controls: wear on these parts should agree with the mileage. If they are brand new, be suspicious. If they are worn out, beware.Check that the doors, hood and trunk all open smoothly and close with solid sound. Sight along the sides of the car from 30 feet away to be sure that the rear and front wheels line up.Look under the car for fluid leaks. Except for condensation from a working air conditioner on a hot day, no car should ever drip anything, any time.Now sit in the drivers seat and try the controls. The car should fit you—it should be comfortable. Check seat adjustment, door locks, window-raising mechanisms, horn, lights, directional signals, radio—all accessories.Start the engine. It should turn over quickly and then settle down to a rather fast idle. Give the engine a moment or two before you press the accelerator a bit. Watch for smoke from the rear. Blue smoke mightmean a complete engine overhaul (大修) , black a maladjusted carburetor (化油器). 2White smoke can be. Ignored if the engine is cold, but once it is warmed up, white smoke can mean a leaking head gasket (垫圈) : expensive. Reject this car.After the engine has warmed, shut it off, and then go wipe your finger inside the tailpipe (making sure its not too hot). The residue should be whitish-gay. If you get a black, oily mark, refuse the car—its probably an oil burner.Restart the engine and check the oil in an automatic transmission. It should be clean and clear, with no burned odor. The test drive The salesman may try to convince you that a short drive around the block is enough. Wrong. Make it clear that you plan to road test the car, and if he isnt happy with this look elsewhere.The test route you have mapped out should include dry city streets, a freeway, a hill, a bumpy road and an empty parking lot. All gauges(计量器) should read steady and normal throughout the test, especially oil pressure and engine heat. If not, dont buy the car.Drive to a traffic-free city street on your predetermined route and then accelerate smoothly to about 35 miles per hour. The automatic transmission should shift without jerking and with no noise.Slow to about 7 m. p. h. by gently applying the brakes. There should be no noise, no sharp sound or grinding. The car should slow in a straight line, with no pulling to the right or left.Pick up speed to about 15; then making certain nobody is behind you, hit the brakes hard! The car should come to an immediate stop without making noise or swerving.In an empty, level parking lot, brake to a complete stop. Shift into reverse and back up at about 4 m. p. h. , brake to a halt, shift into forward, etc. Do this four or five times to test the transmission. All shifting should be smooth, with no noise or hesitation.Accelerate up a hill to about 40 m. p. h. The car should not labor. If it does, you could have a rotten transmission. Go back down the hill. Stop halfway, shift into neutral and set the parking brake. The car should remain stationary when you take your foot off the brake pedal.Drive the car over the bumpy road, up a hill, and on the highway. Rarely will a car be perfect. However by now you should have a pretty good idea what needs to be done. How to bargainUse what youve learned from the visual exam, test drive and outside mechanic to get the price down. Have a maximum figure in mind, based on your inspection and on current prices from a used-car guide. Start your bidding lower than that. When you have nearly arrived at a price, get the seller to throw in certain repairs. It may be cheaper for him than further price cuts.1. Following the instructions here will help you make a good selection when buying a used car.2. Winter is a good time for purchasing a car because there is little rain in winter.3. You are more likely to pay less to a private owner for a car of poor quality.4. Refuse the car if you find any signs of a past accident in the visual examination.5. Dont buy the car if there is white smoke coming out of the rear because it is probably an oil burner.6. At certain speeds in the tests, a good car should not make any noise when the driver brakes either hard or gently.7. If you are patient and careful enough, you will certainly find a perfect used car.8. The last step before you make a decision to buy a car is______.9. Besides all gauges, the two very important systems mainly examined in the test drive are______.10. According to some experts, the best place to buy a second-hand car is______.答案：1. Y 2. N 3. Y 4. NG 5. N 6. Y 7. N 8. to bargain over the price 9. brake and transmission 10. a new-car dealer。

四级阅读理解练习与参考答案四级阅读理解练习与参考答案：Directions：There are 2 passages in this section.Each passage isfollowed by some questions or unfinished statements.For each ofthem there are four choices marked A.，B.，C.andD..You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on thefollowingpassage.They say that sticks and stones may break your bones，but words will never hurt you.Yet childhood bullying really can damage your long-term health.Gone are the days when bullying was considered an inevitable and ultimately harmless part of growing up—iust last month we learned that childhood bullying can lead to poorer mental health even into middle age.Now William Copeland at Duke University in Durham，North Carolina，and his colleagues have shown that it can have lingering physiological effects too.They tracked 1420 9-year-olds right through their teens.Each child was seen up to nine times during the study and quizzed about bullying.The team then measured levels of C-reactive protein in theirblood.CRP is a marker of inflammation(炎症)linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease (心血管疾病)and problems like diabetes.“Because we were collecting biological samples throughout，we were able to look at CRP levels in subjects prior to their bullying involvement.”says Copeland.“This really gives us an idea of the changes bullying brings about.”Although CRP levels naturally rise in everyone during adolescence，levels were highest in children who reported being tormented by bullies.Even at the ages of 1 9 and 2 1，children who had once been bullied had CRP levels about 1.4 times higher than peers who were neither perpetrators nor victims.In a cruel twist，the bullies had the lowest levels of all.suggesting they didnt suffer the same health risks. They may even see a benefit from their behavior,though Copeland stresses it doesnt vindicate(辩护)their actions.“The goal would instead be to find other ways to produce this protective effect without it being at someone elses expense，”he says.Andrea Danese at Kings College London has previously shown that maltreatment during childhood can lead to higll levels of inflammation in adult life.“This new study is a helpful addition in showing that these effects extend to another important childhood stressor,”he says.He suggests that care workers could monitor levels of CRP in children having psychotherapy to see if it is helping to soothe the stress of being bullied.56.What do you know about CRP?A.It is a symbol of the inflammation.B.It is a symbol of cardiovascular.C. It relates directly to diabetes.D.It is a symbol of physiological effects caused by bullying.57.What does Copeland mean by saying“prior to their bullying involvement”(Line 2，Para.4)?A.Before the children bullied others.B.Before the children were bullied.C.In preference to the childrens bullying behavior.D.In preference to the childrens being bullied.58.What can be learned from paragraph 5?A. The levels of CRP of the children being bullied are much higher than their peers.B. CRP levels naturally rise along with the increase of age.C.The bullies are not blamed for the health risks of the bullied.D. Copeland intends to defend the benefit of the bulliesactions.59.What does Andrea Danese suggest about childhood maltreatment?A. It has nothing to do with inflammation in adult life.B.Copelands study shows nothing related to it.C.CRP is the marker of childhood abuse.D. It has an influence on Childrens CRP levels.60.What is the main idea of this passage?A.Bullying is harmless to childrens growth.B.CRP levels reflect the risks of poorer health.C.Bullying does harm to a person all through his life.D.Children once bullied have higher CRP levels than peers who are not. 四级阅读理解练习与参考答案：Questions 61 to65 are based on thefollowingpassage.Heres a case study for would-be MBAs to consider：the success of H Mart.an international supermarket chain based in New Jersey(the“H”in H Mart stands for Han Ah Reum.which means“one arm full of groceries”in Korean).Tlle first H Mart opened in Queens，New York in 1982，as a corner shop.Now there are stores in 11 states，Canada and Britain.A new one recently opened in Cambridge.Massachusetts，an affluent city outside Boston.The future looks bright for Asian supermarkets like H Mart.Eamings of Asian-American households outpace the American average.Their spending exceeds all other groups，too，according to Geoscape，a consultancy.And they spend more of their money on groceries than the average America household.But Asian delicacies can be hard to come by：few Americans are likely to see durian or bamboo shoots in their local shop.Some specialty ingredients are only to be found at a premium(高价)in up-market grocery stores，or miles away,in ethnic markets in older Asian neighborhpods.Americans have developed greater appetite for cooking and eating Asian foods，t00.In 2012 non.restaurant sales of Asian foods topped $1.5billion，according to Mintel Group.a market.research firm.Though Latin foods are a bigger market，the popularity of Asian foods is growing faster.Once strange.seeming imports like seaweed and sashimi are now fashionable eats.Though the rate of growth is expected to fall，sales are likely to keep rising.Yet most Asian grocers have not made efforts to reach new customers，says Jeffrey Cohen，an analyst at IBIS World,an industries watcher.Many shops are located in minority enclaves，and do little to market themselves to other Americans.Cramped car parks and dingy interiors fend off customers used to the bright fluorescence(荧光)of mainstream supermarkets.Ingredients labeled with poorly-translated English Can leave shoppers bamed.A few Asian grocery chains have caught on，opening stores in more diverse suburbs，paying attention to cosmetic niceties(细节)and marketing more widely.Other than H Mart，there are Califomian chains such as 99 Ranch Market and Shun Fat Supermarket，which have been expanding to the American southwest.The former was even featured in a humorous YouTube music vide —“Asians Eat Weird Things”—which has attracted more than 900，000 hits.Those weird things may not seem so weird after all.61.What makes the future ofAsian supermarkets so bright?A.High income and spending ofAsian-AmeriCalls.B. High income ofAsians and unreachable Asian foods in local American shops.C.High expenditures of Asians on grocery.D.Low earnings of the other groups.62.What are the benefits ofAmericansgrowing appetite for Asian foods?A. The increasing sales and popularity ofAsian foods.B.The expansion of Latin food market.C.The growing fondness of cooking.D.The AmeriCansgood cooking skills ofAsian foods.63.Whhat are the reasons for the unreachability ofAsian groceries to Americans?A. AmeriCansdislike to Asian foods.B. Asiansunwillingness to do business with AmeriCans.C. The poor shopping environment and confusing English introduction of the goods.D. Americansdislike to the English introduction of the goods.64.What do Asian do to develop their groceries?A. Open stores in suburbs and improve shopping environment.B. Market shops to more AmeriCans.C. Make use of the mass media.D.All ofthe above.65.What call be inferred fiom this passage?n supermarkets will become more and more popular.B. Latin foods are less popular than Asian foods.C.Americansincomes are lower than the Asians.D.H Mart is all American international supermarket chain.。

四级英语阅读训练附参考答案四级英语阅读训练原文：Despite these alarming statistics, the scale of the threat that smoking causes to womens health has received surprisingly little attention. Smoking is still seen by many as a mainly male problem, perhaps because men were the first to take up the habit and therefore the first to suffer the ill-effects. This is no longer the case. Women who smoke like men will die like men. WHO estimates that, in industrialized countries, smoking rates amongst men and women are very similar, at around 30 per cent; in a large number of developed countries, smoking is now more common among teenage girls than boys.As women took up smoking later than men, the full impact of smoking on their health has yet to be seen. But it is clear from countries where women have smoked longest, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, that smoking causes the same diseases in women as in men and the gap between their death rates is narrowing. On current trends, some 20 to 25 per cent of women who smoke will die from their habit. One in three of these deaths will be among women under 65 year of age. The US Surgeon General has estimated that, amongst these women, smoking is responsible for around 40 per cent heart disease deaths, 55 per cent of lethal strokes and, among women of all ages, 80 per cent of lung cancer deaths and 30 per cent of all cancer deaths. Over the last 20 years, death rates in women from lung cancer have more than doubled in Japan, Norway, Poland, Sweden and theUnited Kingdom; have increased by more than 200 per cent in Australia, Denmark and New Zealand; and have increased by more than 300 per cent in Canada and the United States.四级英语阅读训练题目：21. The effect of smoking on women has not been paid enough attention because______.A. men suffer more from smokingB. men would like women to smokeC. men are considered the main sufferers of smokingD. there are alarming statistics of death caused by smoking22. "This is no longer the case. " The word "this" refers to______.A. that men used to suffer the ill-effectsB. that there were alarming statisticsC. that the scale of threat become largerD. that women suffered from smoking as greatly as men23. From the fact that in some developed countries smoking is now more common among teenage girls than boys, we can predict that in the days to come, ______.A. women will have the same diseases as menB. more women may suffer from smoking than menC. the smoking rates among men and women will dropD. the teenage girls today may give up smoking when they are grown-ups24. All of the following statements are the effects of smoking on women EXCEPT thatA. the death rates of the women and men who are smoking are in similar proportionB. smoking causes the same diseases in women as in menC. in the past 20 years, death rates in women from lung cancer have more than doubledD. smoking is responsible for 30 percent of all cancer deaths among women25. In the phrase "lethal stroke", the word "lethal" most probably means______.A. causing deathB. causing discomfortC. causing poor healthD. causing anxiety四级英语阅读训练答案：21. C 22. A 23. B 24. C 25. A。

英语四级考试阅读精选题及答案讲解英语四级考试阅读精选题(一)Some houses are designed to be smart. Others have smart designs. An e某ample of the secondtype of house won an Award of E某cellence from the American Institute of Architects.Located on the shore of Sullivan’s Island off the coast of South Carolina, the award-winningcube-shaped beach house was built to replace one smashed to pieces by Hurricane (飓风) Hugo10 years ago. In September1989, Hugo struck South Carolina, killing 18 people and damagingor destroying 36,000 homes in the state.Before Hugo, many new houses built along South Carolina’s shoreline were poorly constructed,and enforcement of building codes wasn’t strict, according to architect Ray Huff, who createdthe cleverly-designed beach house. In Hugo’s wake, all new shoreline houses are required tomeet stricter, better-enforced codes.The new beach house on Sullivan’s Island should be able towithstand a Category 3 hurricane with peak winds of 179 to 209 kilometers per hour.At first sight, the house on Sullivan’s Island looks anything but hurricane-proof. Its redwoodshell makes it resemble “a large party lantern (灯笼)” at night, according to one observer. Butlooks can be deceiving. The house’s wooden frame is reinforced with long steel rods to give ite某tra strength.To further protect the house from hurricane damage, Huff raised it 2.7 meters off the groundon timber pilings—long, slender columns of wood anchored deep in the sand. Pilings mightappear insecure, but they arestrong enough to support the weight of the house. They alsoelevate the house above storm surges. The pilings allow thesurges to run under the houseinstead of running into it. “These swells of water come ashore at tremendous speeds and causemost of the damage done to beach-front buildings,” said Huff.Huff designed the timber pilings to be partially concealed by the house’s ground-to-roofshell. “ The shell masks the pilings so that the house doesn’t look like it’s standing with itspant legs pulled up,” said Huff. In the event of a storm surge, the shell should break apart andlet the waves rush under the house, the architect e某plained.练习题：Choose correct answers to the question:1. After the tragedy caused by Hurricane Hugo, new houses built along SouthCarolina’s shore line are required ________.A. to be easily reinforcedB. to look smarter in designC. to meet stricter building standardsD. to be designed in the shape of cubes2. The award-winning beach house is quite strong because________.A. it is strengthened by steel rodsB. it is made of redwoodC. it is in the shape of a shellD. it is built with timber and concrete3. Huff raised the house 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilings in order to________.A. withstand peak winds of about 200 km/hrB. anchor stronger pilings deep in the sandC. break huge sea waves into smaller onesD. prevent water from rushing into the house4. The main function of the shell is ________.A. to strengthen the pilings of the houseB. to give the house a better appearanceC. to protect the wooden frame of the houseD. to slow down the speed of the swelling water5. It can be inferred from the passage that the shell should be ________.A. fancy-lookingB. waterproofC. easily breakableD. e某tremely strong英语四级考试阅读精选题答案1.[C] 根据题目中的专有名词Hugo查找到文中第3段第2句。

英语四级阅读题库含答案解析1.Passage OneGlobal warming may or may not be the great environmental crisis of the 21st century, but regardless of whether it is or isn’t –we won’t do much about it. We will argue over it and may even, as a nation, make some fairly solemn-sounding commitments to avoidit. But the more dramatic and meaningful these commitments seem, the less likely theyare to be observed.Al Gore calls global warming an “inconvenient truth,”as if merely recognizing it could put us on a path to a solution. But the real truth is that we don’t know enough to relieve global warming, and –without major technological breakthroughs—we can’t do much about it.From 2003 to 2050, the world’s population is projected to grow from 6.4 billion to 9.1 billion, a 42% increase. If energy use per person and technology remain the same, totalenergy use and greenhouse gas emissions (mainly, CO2) will be 42% higher in 2050. butthat’s too low, because societies that grow richer use more energy. We need economicgrowth unless we condemn the world’s poor to their present poverty and freeze everyone else‘s living standards. With modest growth, energy use and greenhouse emissions more than double by 2050.No government will adopt rigid restrictions on economic growth and personal freedom (limits on electricity usage, driving and travel) that might cut back global warming. Still, politicians want to show they’re “doing something.”Consider the Kyoto Protocol (京都议定书). It allowed countries that joined to punish those that didn’t. But it hasn’t reduced CO2 emissions (up about 25% since 1990), and many signatories (签字国) didn’t adopt tough enough policies to hit their 2008-2012 targets.The practical conclusion is that if global warming is a potential disaster, the only solution is new technology. Only an aggressive research and development program might find ways of breaking dependence on fossil fuels or dealing with it.The trouble with the global warming debate is that it has become a moral problem whenit’s really an engineering one. The inconvenient truth is that if we don’t solve the engineering problem, we’re helpless.57. What is said about global warming in the first paragraph?A) It may not prove an environmental crisis at all. B) It is an issue requiring world wide commitments.C) Serious steps have been taken to avoid or stop it. D) Very little will be done to bring it under control.58. According to the author’s understanding, what is Al Gore’s view on global warming?A) It is a reality both people and politicians are unaware of.B) It is a phenomenon that causes us many inconveniences.C) It is a problem that can be solved once it is recognized.D) It is an area we actually have little knowledge about.59. Green house emissions will more than double by 2050 because of _______.A) economic growthB) the widening gap between the rich and poor C) wasteful use of energyD) the rapid advances of science and technology60. The author believes that, since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, ________.A) politicians have started to do something to better the situationB) few nations have adopted real tough measures to limit energy useC) reductions in energy consumption have greatly cut back global warmingD) international cooperation has contributed to solving environmental problems61. What is the message the author intends to convey?A) Global warming is more of a moral issue than a practical one.B) The ultimate solution to global warming lies in new technologyC) The debate over global warming will lead to technological breakthroughs.D) People have to give up certain material comforts to stop global warming.Passage TwoSomeday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Websites you’ve visited. Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your creditcard purchase or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who wouldwatch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girlfriend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you neverintended to be seen —the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked.Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it’s important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times. But few boundaries remain. Thedigital bread crumbs(碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simpleGoogle search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a worldwhere you simple cannot keep a secret.The key question is: Does that matter?When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned aboutlosing it. A survey found an overwhelming pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny fraction of Americans changeany behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount attollbooths(收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessandro Acquisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personalinformation like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-offcoupon (优惠券).But privacy does matter –at least sometimes. It’s like health: When you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.62. What does the author mean by saying “the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked ”(Lines 3-4, Para.2)?A) People’s personal information is easily accessed without their knowledge.B) In the 21st century people try every means to look into others’secrets.C) People tend to be more frank with each other in the information age.D) Criminals are easily caught on the spot with advanced technology.63. What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?A) Friends should open their hearts to each other.B) Friends should always be faithful to each other. C) There should be a distance even between friends.D) There should be fewer disputes between friends.64. Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simple cannot keep a secret”(Line 5, Para.3)?A) Modern society has finally evolved into an open society.B) People leave traces around when using modern technology.C) There are always people who are curious about others’affairs.D) Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities.65. What do most Americans do with regard to privacy protection?A) They change behaviors that might disclose their identity.B) They use various loyalty cards for business transactions.C) They rely more and more on electronic devices. D) They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it.66. According to the passage, privacy is like health in that ________.A) people will make every effort to keep itB) its importance is rarely understoodC) it is something that can easily be lostD) people don’t cherish it until they lose it2.Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.If you are a male and you are readingthis ,congratulations: you are a survivor .According to statistics .you are more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman ,and nine times more likely to die of AIDS. Assuming youmake it to the end of your natural term, about 78 years for men in Australia, you will die on average five years before a woman.There are many reasons for this-typically, men take more risks than woman and are more likely to drink and smoke but perhaps more importantly, men don’t go to the doctor.“Men aren’t seeing doctors as oftenas they should, ”says Dr. Gullotta, “This is particularly so for the over-40s,when diseases tend to strike.”Gullotta says a healthy man should visit the doctor every year or two. For those over 45,it should be at least once a year.Two months ago Gullotta saw a 50-year-old ma who had delayed doing anything about his smoker’s cough for a year.“When I finally saw him it had alreadyspread and he has since died from lung cancer”he says, “Earlier detection and treatment may not have cured him, but itwould have prolonged this life”According to a recent survey, 95%of women aged between 15 and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70% of men in the same age group.“A lot of men think they are invincible（不可战胜的）”Gullotta says “They only come in when a friend drops dead on thegolf course and they think”Geez, if it could happen to him.Then there is the ostrich approach,”some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know, ”says Dr. Ross Cartmill.“Most men get their cars serviced more regularly than they service their bodies,”Cartmill says .He believes most diseases that commonly affect men couldbe addressed by preventive check-ups.Regular check-ups for men would inevitably place strain on the public purse, Cartmill says.”But prevention is cheaperin the long run than having to treat the diseases. Besides, the ultimate cost is far greater: it is called premature death.”57.Why does the author congratulate his male readers at the beginning of the passage?A. They are more likely to survive serious diseases today.B. Their average life span has been considerably extended.C. They have lived long enough to read this article.D. They are sure to enjoy a longer and happier live.58.What does the author state is the most important reason men die five years earlier on average than women?A. men drink and smoke much more than womenB. men don’t seek medical care as oftenas womenC. men aren’t as cautions as women in face of dangerD. men are more likely to suffer from fatal diseases59. Which of the following best completesthe sentence “Geez, if it could happen to him…’(line2,para,8)?A. it could happen to me, tooB. I should avoid playing golfC. I should consider myself luckyD. it would be a big misfortune60what does Dr. Ross Cartmill mean by “the ostrich approach”(line q para.9)A. a casual attitude towards one’s health conditionsB. a new therapy for certain psychological problemsC. refusal to get medical treatment for fearof the pain involvedD. unwillingness to find out about one’s disease because of fear61. What does Cartmill say about regularcheck-ups for men?A.They may increase public expensesB.They will save money in the long runC.They may cause psychological strains on menD.They will enable men to live as long as womenPassage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.High-quality customer service is preached(宣扬) by many ,but actually keeping customers happy is easier said than doneShoppers seldom complain to the manager or owner of a retail store, but instead will alert their friends, relatives, co-workers, strangers-and anyone who will listen.Store managers are often the last tohear complaints, and often find out only when their regular customers decide t frequent their competitors, according to astudy jointly conducted by Verde group and Wharton school“Storytelling hurts retailers and entertains consumers,”said Paula Courtney, President of the Verde group.”the store loses the customer, but the shopper must also find a replacement.”On average, every unhappy customerwill complain to at least four other, and will no longer visit the specific store for every dissatisfied customer, a store will lose up to three more due to negative reviews. The resulting “snowball effect”can be disastrous to retailers.According to the research, shoppers who purchased clothing encountered themost problems. ranked second and third were grocery and electronics customers.The most common complaints include filled parking lots, cluttered (塞满了的) shelves, overloaded racks, out-of-stock items, long check-out lines, and rude salespeople.During peak shopping hours, some retailers solved the parking problems by getting moonlighting（业余兼职的）local police to work as parking attendants. Some hired flag wavers to direct customers to empty parking spaces. This guidance eliminated the need for customers to circle the parking lot endlessly, and avoided confrontation between those eyeing the same parking space.Retailers can relieve the headaches by redesigning store layouts, pre-stocking sales items, hiring speedy and experienced cashiers, and having sales representatives on hand to answer questions.Most importantly, salespeople shouldbe diplomatic and polite with angry customers.“Retailers who’re responsive and friendly are more likely to smooth over issues than those who aren’t so friendly.”said Professor Stephen Hoch. “Maybe something as simple as a greeter at the store entrance would help.”Customers can also improve future shopping experiences by filing complaintsto the retailer, instead of complaining to the rest of the world. Retailers are hard-pressed to improve when they haveno idea what is wrong.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答62. Why are store managers often the lastto hear complaints?A Most customers won’t bother to complain even if they have had unhappy experiences.B Customers would rather relate their unhappy experiences to people around them.C Few customers believe the service will be improved.D Customers have no easy access to store managers.63. What does Paula Courtney imply by saying “…the shopper must also find a replacement”(Line 2, Para. 4)?A New customers are bound to replace old ones.B It is not likely the shopper can find thesame products in other stores.C Most stores provide the sameD Not complaining to the manager causesthe shopper some trouble too.64. Shop owners often hire moonlightingpolice as parking attendants so that shoppers_____A can stay longer browsing in the storeB won’t have trouble parking their carsC won’t have any worries about securityD can find their cars easily after shopping65. What contributes most to smoothing over issues with customers?A Manners of the salespeopleB Hiring of efficient employeesC Huge supply of goods for saleD Design of the store layout.66. To achieve better shopping experiences, customers are advised to _________.A exert pressure on stores to improve their serviceB settle their disputes with stores in a diplomatic wayC voice their dissatisfaction to store managers directlyD shop around and make comparisons between stores3. The January fashion show, called Future Fashion , exemplified howfar green design has come. Organized by the New York-based nonprofitEarth Pledge, the show inspired many top designers to work with sustainable fabrics for the first time. Several have since made pledges toinclude organic fabrics in their lines.The designers who undertake green fashion still face many challenges. Scott Hahn, cofounder with Gregory of Rogan and Loomstate,which uses all-organic cotton, says high-quality sustainable materials canstill be tough to fine . “Most designers with existing labels are findingthere aren’t comparable fabrics that can just replace what you’re doing and shat your customers are used to,”he says. For example, organic cotton and non-organic cotton are virtually indistinguishable once woven into a dress. But some popular synthetics, like stretch nylon, stillhave few eco-friendly equivalents.Those who do make the switch are finding they have more support.Last year the influential trade show Designers & Agents stopped charging its participation fee for young green entrepreneurs(企业家) who attend its two springtime shows in Los Angeles and New York and gavespecial recognition to designers whose collections are at least 25% sustainable . It now counts more than 50 green designers, up from fewerthan a dozen two years ago. This week Wal-Mart is set to announce amajor initiative aimed at helping cotton farmers go organic: it will buytransitional(过渡型的) cotton at higher prices , thus helping to expand thesupply of a key sustainable material . “Mainstream is about to occur,”says Hahn.Some analysts(分析师) are less sure . Among consumers, only 18%are even aware that ecofashion exists, up from 6% four years ago.Natalie Hormilla, a fashion writer, is an example of the unconverted consumer, when asked if she owned any sustainable clothes, she replied:“Not that I’m aware of.”Like most consumers, she finds little time to shop, and when she does, she’s on the hunt for “cute stuff that isn’t too expensive.”By her own admission, green just isn’t yet on her mind. But–thanks to the combined efforts of designers, retailers and suppliers –one day it will be.57. What is said about Future Fashion?A) It inspired many leading designers to start going green.B) It showed that designers using organic fabrics would go far.C) It served as an example of how fashion shows should be organized.D) It convinced the public that fashionable clothes should be madedurable.58. According to Scott Hahn, one big challenge to designers who will goorganic is that .A) much more time is needed to finish a dress using sustainablematerials .B) they have to create new brands for clothes made of organicmaterials .C) customers have difficulty telling organic from non-organicmaterials .D) quality organic replacements for synthetics are not readilyavailable .59. We learn from Paragraph 3 that designers who undertake greenfashion .A) can attend various trade shows free .B) are readily recognized by the fashion worldC) can buy organic cotton at favorable prices .D) are gaining more and more support .60. What is Natalie Hormilla’s attitude toward ecofashion?A) She doesn’t seem to care about it. C) She is doubtful of itspractical value.B) She doesn’t think it is sustainable D) She is very muchopposed to the idea61. What does the author think of green fashion?A) Green products will soon go mainstream.B) It has a very promising future.C) Consumers have the final say.D) It will appeal more to young people.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Scientists have devised a way to determine roughly where a personhas lived using a strand(缕) of hair , a technique that could help track the movements of criminal suspects or unidentified murder victims .The method relies on measuring how chemical variations in drinkingwater show up in people’s hair.“You’re what you eat and drink, and that’s recorded in you hair,”said Thure Cerling, a geologist at the University of Utah.While U.S diet is relatively identical, water supplies vary. The differences result from weather patterns. The chemical composition of rainfall changes slightly as raid clouds move.Most hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water are stable , but traces ofboth elements are also present as heavier isotopes (同位素) . The heaviest raid falls first .As a result, storms that form over the Pacific deliver heavierwater to California than to Utah.Similar patterns exist throughout the U.S. By measuring the proportion of heavier hydrogen and oxygen isotopes along a strand ofhair, scientists can construct a geographic timeline. Each inch of hair corresponds to about two months.Cerling’s team collected tap water samples from 600 cities and constructed a mop of the regional differences. They checked the accuracy of the map by testing 200 hair samples collected from 65 barber shops.They were able to accurately place the hair samples in broad regionsroughly corresponding to the movement of raid systems.“It’s not good for pinpointing (精确定位),”Cerling said . “It’s good for eliminating many possibilities.”Todd Park, a local detective, said the method has helped him learnmore about an unidentified woman whose skeleton was found near Great Salt Lake.The woman was 5 feet tall. Police recovered 26 bones, a T-shirt andseveral strands of hair.When Park heard about the research, he gave the hair samples to the researchers. Chemical testing showed that over the two years before herdeath, she moved about every two months.She stayed in the Northwest, although the test could not be morespecific than somewhere between eastern Oregon and western Wyoming.“It’s still a substantial area,”Park said “But it narrows it way down for me.”62. What is the scientists’new discovery?A) One’s hair growth has to do with the amount of water they drink.B) A person’s hair may reveal where they have lived.C) Hair analysis accurately identifies criminal suspects.D) The chemical composition of hair varies from person to person.63. What does the author mean by “You’re what you eat and drink”(Line 1, Para.3)?A) Food and drink affect one’s personality development.B) Food and drink preferences vary with individuals.C) Food and drink leave traces in one’s body tissues.D) Food and drink are indispensable to one’s existence.64. What is said about the rainfall in America’s West?A) There is much more rainfall in California than in Utah.B) The water it delivers becomes lighter when it moves inland.C) Its chemical composition is less stable than in other areas.D) It gathers more light isotopes as it moves eastward.65. What did Cerling’s team produce in their research?A) A map showing the regional differences of tap water.B) A collection of hair samples from various barber shops.C) A method to measure the amount of water in human hair.D) A chart illustrating the movement of the rain system.66. What is the practical value of Cerling’s research?A) It helps analyze the quality of water in different regions.B) It helps the police determine where a crime is committed.C) It helps the police narrow down possibilities in detective work.D) It helps identify the drinking habits of the person under investigation.4.Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the presidential candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so, but selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle Obama and what she might beable to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-Americanwoman. As the potential First Lady, she would have the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get upclose and personal with the type of African-American woman they so rarely see.Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The prevailing theory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype of being eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic (酗酒的) mothers.These images have helped define the way all women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit toa cause, charity or foundation as First Lady, her most urgent and perhapsmost complicated duty may be simple to be herself.It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications have donein-depth features on regular African-American women, little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis.For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all.Just as she will have her critics, she will also have millions of fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady. Many African-American blogshave written about what they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House—mainly showing the world that a black woman can support herman and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone—an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise (沉着), confidence and intelligence will goa long way in changing an image that’s been around for far too long.57. Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?A) She serves as a role model for African women.B) She possesses many admirable qualities becoming a First Lady.C) She will present to the world a new image of African-American women.D) She will pay closer attention to the interests of African-Americanwomen.58. What is the common stereotype of African-American women according to the author?A) They are victims of violence. B) They are of an inferior violence.C) They use quite a lot of body language. D) They live on charity andsocial welfare.59. What do many African-Americans write about in their blogs?A) Whether Michelle can live up to the high expectations of her fans.B) How Michelle should behave as a public figure.C) How proud they are to have a black woman in the White House.D) What Michelle should do as wife and mother in the White House.60. What does the author say about Michelle Obama as a First Lady?A) However many fans she has, she should remain modest,B) She shouldn’t disappoint the African-American community.C) However hard she tries, she can’t expect to please everybody.D) She will give priority to African-American women’s concerns.61. What do many African-American women hope Michelle Obamawill do?A) Help change the prevailing view about black women.B) Help her husband in the task of changing America.C) Outshine previous First Lady.D) Fully display her fine qualities.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.When next year’s crop of high-school graduates arrive at Oxford University in the fall of 2009, they’ll be joined by a new face; Andrew Hamilton, the 55-year-old provost (教务长) of Yale, who’ll become Oxford’s vice-chancellor—a position equivalent to university presidentin America.Hamilton isn’t the only educator crossing the Atlantic. Schools in France, Egypt, Singapore, etc, have also recently made top-level hires from abroad. Higher education has become a big and competitive business nowadays, and like so many businesses, it’s gone global. Yet the talent flow isn’t universal. High-level personnel tend to head in onlyone direction: outward from America.The chief reason is that American schools don’t tend to seriously consider looking abroad. For example, when the board of the Universityof Colorado searched for a new president, it wanted a leader familiar with the state government, a major source of the university’s budget. “We didn’t do any global consideration,”says Patricia Hayes, the board’s chair. The board ultimately picked Bruce Benson, a 69-year-old Colorado businessman and political activist (活动家) who is likely to do well in the main task of modern university presidents: fund-raising. Fund-raising is a distinctively American thing, since U.S. schools rely heavily on donations. The fund-raising ability is largely a product of experience and necessity.Many European universities, meanwhile, are still mostly dependenton government funding. But government support has failed to keep pace with rising student number. The decline in government support hasmade funding-raising an increasing necessary ability among administrators and has hiring committees hungry for Americans.In the past few years, prominent schools around the world have joined the trend. In 2003, when Cambridge University appointed AlisonRichard, another former Yale provost, as its vice-chancellor, the universitypublicly stressed that in her previous job she had overseen “a major strengthening of Yale’s financial position.”Of course, fund-raising isn’t the only skill outsiders offer. The globalization of education means more universities will be seeking headswith international experience of some kind of promote international programs and attract a global student body. Foreigners can offer a fresh perspective on established practices.62. What is the current trend in higher education discussed in the passage?A) Institutions worldwide are hiring administrators from the U.S.B) A lot of political activists are being recruited as administrators.C) American universities are enrolling more international students.D) University presidents are paying more attention to funding-raising.63. What is the chief consideration of American universities when hiring top-level administrators?A) The political correctness. B) Their ability to raise funds.C) Their fame in academic circles. D) Their administrative experience.64. What do we learn about European universities from the passage?。

英语四级阅读理解练习题及解析(1)【阅读练习】What is it about Americans and food? We love to eat,but we feel 1 about it afterward. We say we want only the bes t, but we strangely enjoy junkfood.We’re 2 with health an d weight loss but face an unprecedented epidemic of obesity(肥胖). Perhaps the 3 to this ambivalence(矛盾情结) lies in our history. The first Europeans cameto this con tinent searching for new spices but went in vain. The first cash crop经(济作物)wasn’t eaten but smoked. Then there was Prohibition, i ntended to prohibit drinking butactually encouraging more 4 ways of doing it.The immigrant experience, too, has been one of inharmony.Do as Romans do meanseating what ―real Americans‖ e at, but our nation’s food has come to be 5 by import—s piz za,say, or hot dogs. And some of thecountry’s most treas ured cooking comes from people whoarrived here in shack les.Perhaps it should come as no surprise then that food has been a medium for the nation’sdefining struggles, whether at the Boston Tea Party or the sit?ins at southern lunch c ounters.It is integral to our concepts of health and even m orality whether one refrains from alcohol forreligious reaso ns or evades meat for political 6But strong opinions have not brought 7 . Americans are a mbivalent about what they putin their mouths. We have b ecome 8 of our foods, especially as we learn more about what theycontain.The 9 in food is still prosperous in the American conscious ness. It’s no coincidence, then,that the first Thanksgiving holds the American imagination in such bondage( 束缚). It’s whatwe eat—and how we 10 it with friends, famil y, and strangers—that help define America as acommunity today.A.answer I. creativeB.result J. beliefC.share K. suspiciousD.guilty L. certaintyE.constant M. obsessedF.defined N. identifyG.vanish O. idealsH.adapted【答案及详解】1. D feel 是一个系动词，可以判断此处应填入一个形容词，通过上下文意思，以及后面介词about, 可以确定选项为D 项guilty, 短语feel guilty about sth. 对……感到有愧‖。

英语四级阅读练习+答案精讲+译文Aldous Huxley was a most unfortunate man.When he died in 1963 he must have expired in the confident belief that the event would be given wide coverage in the press the next day.After all,his career had not been without distinction.Where he made his big mistake was in dying on the same day that John F.Kennedy was assassinated.As a result Huxley got about three column inches at the bottom of page 27.In the same way the death of Victor Farris has gone widely unnoticed because he foolishly shuffled off this mortal coil at the same time as Mr.Konstantin Chernenko.Now,as you all know,Victor Farris was the chap who invented the paper clip.The paper milk carton too.And paper clips and milk cartons will be in use long after everyone has forgotten the name of the comrade who came between Andropov and whatever this new bloke is called.『The same goes for the inventor of the supermarket trolley who died in Switzerland a few months ago.』①Fell off his trolley,so to speak.『For all I know,he may be a household name in his own canton and they are putting up a statue of home wheeling his trolley,and are going to commemorate him on one of those ever-so-tasteful Swiss postage stamps we used to collect when we were younger and wiser,』②but I doubt if his name will be remembered outside the borders of his small country.Personally I forgot it within minutes of reading of his decease.Not that it matters.Somehow it is hard to imagine things like paper clips and supermarket trolleys having had a n amed inventor.It’s like discovering that at a particular moment of history a particular person invented the spoon,or the chair, or socks.One assumes that these everyday objects just happened,or evolved through natural selection.It isn’t necessarily so.I read only the other day that Richard Ⅱ invented the handkerchief.Almost everything else was invented either by Leonardo daVinci(scissors,bicycles,helicopters,and probably spoons,socks and the Rubik cube aswell)or by Benjamin Franklin(lightning-conductor,rocking-chair,bifocals)or else by Joseph Stalin(television).It’s quite possible that Leonardo or Benjamin Franklin or Stalin also invented the supermarket trolley.Certainly it has been invented more than once.Hardly was Herr Edelweiss(or whatever the Swiss chap was called)in his grave,than news came of the death of Sylvan N.Goodman at the age of 86.Sylvan also invented the supermarket trolley or,as the Los Angeles Times report calls it,the shopping cart.Be that as it may,Herr Edelweiss or Sylvan Goodman,or both,did a grand job and made supermarket shopping far less hellish than it would otherwise be.The next step will be to get the trolleys out of the shops and into the streets.You could put an engine in the front and call it a car.Or give it big wheels and a canopy and call it a pram.The possibilities are endless.1.It can be inferred from the passage that Herr Edelweiss.A.was remembered by the people all over worldB.made a lot of money from his inventionC.was not very famousD.was a business partner of Sylvan Goodman2.The author writes this article in order to illustrate that.A.the names of the people who invented the most useful things are usually forgottenB.everyday objects are invented and evolve through natural selectionC.many everyday objects are invented more than onceD.many famous people have passed away without being noticed3.Who probably invented spoons?A.Leonardo da Vinci.B.Benjamin Franklin.C.Victor Farris.D.A person unknown.4. By stating that Leonardo da Vinci invented helicopters, the author means .A. he really did itB. he is a military scientistC. he painted in one of his masterpieces a helicoptersD. people turn to ascribe inventions to him but they are wrong5.What can be inferred about Aldous Huxley?A.His death was not reported by the press.B.He was a famous inventor.C.He made a very big mistake in his late years.D.He died on the same day as John F.Kenneddy.Vocabulary1.canopy n. 天篷2.pram n. 婴儿车长难句解析①【解析】“the same goes”解析为同样的事情也发生，例:The same goes for our classmates.同样的事情也发生在我的同学身上。

英语四级阅读练习及答案解析ANSWER:1.选J)。

此处应填副词。

可选项有totally和alone，由前一句中just可推出，外表上的细节仅仅能告诉我们这个人的健康状况，平时的营养状况以及他所从事的工作而不能看出他所处的阶级，故排除totally而选alone“惟一”。

2.选D)。

此处应填形容词。

因此此句和前一句是在将以前的工人阶级和上层阶级的身体状况进行对比，故此处应填与small“矮的”意思相反的词，选项中只有tall符合题意。

而full“丰满的”不能用来修饰sporting types,故排除。

3.选G)。

此处应填名词。

现在的生活和工作条件改善了，情况已经不同了。

而such指代的是上文中对一百年以前工人阶级和上层阶级的身体状况的身体状况的描述，故descriptions“描述”符合题意。

4.选B)。

此处应填名词。

根据句意“衣服可以提供...方面的信息”，选项中有background和hobby，选background“人的背景，社会阶层”，符合*主题。

5.选I)。

由as well可知，此处应填名词且与本段首句中的informaiton 的意思相近，选项中只有clues“线索”符合题意。

6.选K)。

此处应填动词的原形。

选项中有appear和consider,appear可直接接不定式;而consider带不定式的复合结构，用于主动语态时，consider后面得接宾语，故选appear。

7选F)。

这句中this指代bright colour，句子主干是any opportunity is...。

可选项有taken和fetched,take“抓住”则可以与opportunity搭配，但fetch“拿来”不能与 opportunity构成动宾搭配，故排除fetched而选taken。

8.选A)。

此处应填形容词。

句子意思是“衣服的价钱......，大多数人都买得起。

”选项中只有available“可以接受的”符合题意。

.英语四级阅读理解练习题及解析(1)【阅读练习】What is it about Americans and food? We love toeat ,but we feel 1 about it afterward. We say we want only the best, but we strangely enjoy junkfood.We’re 2 with health and weight loss but face an unprecedented epidemic of obesity(肥胖 ). Perhaps the 3 to this ambivalence(矛盾情结) lies in our history. The first Europeans cametothis continent searching for new spices but went in vain. The first cash crop(经济作物)wasn’t eaten but smoked. Then there was Prohibition, intended to prohibit drinking butactually encouraging more 4 ways of doing it.The immigrant experience, too, has been one of inharmony. Do as Romans do meanseating what“real Amer icans ” eat, but our nation ’s food has come to be5 by imports—pizza,say, or hot dogs. And some of the country ’s most treasured cooking comes from peo ple whoarrived here in shackles.Perhaps it should come as no surprise then that food has been a medium for the nation ’sdefining strug gles, whether at the Boston Tea Party or the sit?ins at southern lunch counters.It is integral to ourconcepts of health and even morality whether onere frains from alcohol forreligious reasons or evadesmeat for political 6But strong opinions have not brought 7 . Americansare ambivalent about what they putin their mouths.We have become 8 of our foods, especially as welea rn more about what theycontain.The 9 in food is still prosperous in the American c onsciousness. It ’s no coincidence, then,that the f irst Thanksgiving holds the American imagination in such bondage( 束缚 ). It ’s whatwe eat—and how we 10 it with friends, family, and strangers—that help define Americaas acommunity today.A. answer I. creativeB. result J. beliefC. share K. suspiciousD. guilty L. certaintyE. constant M. obsessedF. defined N. identifyG. vanish O. idealsH. adapted【答案及解】1.D feel 是一个系，可以判断此填入一个形容，通上下文意思，以及后面介about, 可以确定D guilty,短feel guilty about sth.“ ⋯⋯感到有愧”。