【考研类试卷】英语-阅读理解(九)及答案解析.doc

1、英语-阅读理解(九)及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Reading Comprehensio(总题数：0，分数：0.00)二、Passage 1(总题数：1，分数：20.00)In the 1950s, the pioneers of artificial intelligence (AI) predicted that, by the end of this century, computers would be conversing with us at work and robots would be performing our housework. But

2、as useful as computers are, theyre nowhere close to achieving anything remotely resembling these early aspirations for humanlike behavior. Never mind something as complex as conversation: the most powerful computers struggle to reliably recognize the shape of an object, the most elementary of tasks

3、for a ten-month-old kid.A growing group of AI researchers think they know where the field went wrong. The problem, the scientists say, is that AI has been trying to separate the highest, most abstract levels of thought, like language and mathematics, and to duplicate them with logical, step-by-step

4、programs. A new movement in AI, on the other hand, takes a closer look at the more roundabout way in which nature came up with intelligence. Many of these researchers study evolution and natural adaptation instead of formal logic and conventional computer programs. Rather than digital computers and

5、transistors, some want to work with brain cells and proteins. The results of these early efforts are as promising as they are peculiar, and the new nature-based AI movement is slowly but surely moving to the forefront of the field.Imitating the brains neural (神经的) network is a huge step in the fight

6、 direction, says computer scientist and biophysicist Michael Conrad, but it still misses an important aspect of natural intelligence. “People tend to treat the brain as if it were made up of color-coded transistors,“ he explains. “But its not simply a clever network of switches. There are lots of im

7、portant things going on inside the brain cells themselves.“ Specifically, Conrad believes that many of the brains capabilities stem from the pattern-recognition proficiency of the individual molecules that make up each brain cell. The best way to build an artificially intelligent device, he claims,

8、would be to build it around the same sort of molecular skills.Right now, the notion that conventional computers and software are fundamentally incapable of matching the processes that take place in the brain remains controversial. But if it proves true, then the efforts of Conrad and his fellow AI r

9、ebels could turn out to be the only game in town.（分数：20.00）(1).The author says that the powerful computers of today _.A. are capable of reliably recognizing the shape of an objectB. are close to exhibiting humanlike behaviorC. are not very different in their performance from those of the 1950sD. sti

10、ll cannot communicate with people in a human language（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(2).The new trend in artificial intelligence research stems from _.A. the shift of the focus of study to the recognition of the shapes of objectsB. the belief that human intelligence cannot be duplicated with logical, step-by-step

11、 programsC. the aspirations of scientists to duplicate the intelligence of a ten-month-old childD. the efforts made by scientists in the study of the similarities between transistors and brain cells（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(3).Conrad and his group of AI researchers have been making enormous efforts to _.A.

12、find a roundabout way to design powerful computersB. build a computer using a clever network of switchesC. find out how intelligence developed in natureD. separate the highest and most abstract levels of thought（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(4).Whats the authors opinion about the new AI movement?A. It has create

13、d a sensation among artificial intelligence researchers but will soon die out.B. Its a breakthrough in duplicating human thought processes.C. Its more like a peculiar game rather than a real scientific effort.D. It may prove to be in the right direction though nobody is sure of its futureprospects.（

14、分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(5).Which of the following is closest in meaning to the phrase “the only game in town“?A. The only approach to building an artificially intelligent computer.B. The only way for them to win a prize in artificial intelligence research.C. The only area worth studying in computer science

15、.D. The only game they would like to play in town.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.三、Passage 2(总题数：1，分数：20.00)Cars account for half the oil consumed in the U.S. , about half the urban pollution and one fourth the greenhouse (温室) gases. They take a similar toll of (损耗) resources in other industrial nations and in th

16、e cities of the developing world. As vehicle use continues to increase in the coming decade, the U.S. and other countries will have to deal with these issues or else face unacceptable economic, health-related and political costs. It is unlikely that prices will remain at their current low level or t

17、hat other nations will accept a large and growing U.S. contribution to global climatic change.Policymakers and industry have four options: reduce vehicle use, increase the efficiency and reduce the emissions of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, switch to less harmful fuels, or find less pollut

18、ing driving systems. The last of thesein particular the introduction of vehicles powered by electricityis ultimately the only sustainable option. The other alternatives are attractive in theory but in practice are either impractical or offer only marginal improvements. For example, reduced vehicle u

19、se could solve traffic problems and a host of social and environmental problems, but evidence from around the world suggests that it is very difficult to make people give up their cars to any significant extent. In the U.S. , mass-transit ridership and carpooling (合伙用车) have declined since World War

20、 . Even in western Europe, with fuel prices averaging more than 1 a liter (about 4 a gallon) and with easily accessible mass transit and dense populations, cars still account for 80 percent of all passenger travel.Improved energy efficiency is also appealing, but automotive fuel economy has barely m

21、ade any progress in 10 years. Alternative fuels such as natural gas, burned in internal-combustion engines, could be introduced at relatively low cost, but they would lead to only marginal reductions in pollution and greenhouse emissions (especially because oil companies are already spending billion

22、s of dollars every year to develop less polluting types of gasoline).（分数：20.00）(1).From the passage we know that the increased use of cars will _.A. consume half of the oil produced in the worldB. have serious consequences for the well-being of all nationsC. widen the gap between the developed and d

23、eveloping countriesD. impose an intolerable economic burden on residents of large cities（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(2).The U.S. has to deal with the problems arising from vehicle use because _.A. most Americans are reluctant to switch to public transportation systemsB. the present level of oil prices is consi

24、dered unacceptableC. other countries will protest its increasing greenhouse emissionsD. it should take a lead in conserving natural resources（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(3).Which of the following is the best solution to the problems mentioned in the passage?A. The designing of highly efficient car engines.B. A

25、 reduction of vehicle use in cities.C. The development of electric cars.D. The use of less polluting fuels.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(4).Which of the following is practical but only makes a marginal contribution to solving the problem of greenhouse emissions?A. The use of fuels other than gasoline.B. Improve

26、d energy efficiency.C. The introduction of less polluting driving systems.D. Reducing car use by carpooling.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(5).Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?A. The decline of public transportation accounts for increased car use in western Europe.B. Cars are pop

27、ular in western Europe even though fuel prices are fairly high.C. The reduction of vehicle use is the only sustainable option in densely populated western Europe.D. Western European oil companies cannot sustain the cost of developing new-type fuels.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.四、Passage 3(总题数：1，分数：20.00)The yea

28、r 1400 opened with more peacefulness than usual in England. Only a few months before, Richard , weak, wicked, and treacheroushad been deposed, and Henry declared king in his stead. But it was only a seeming peacefulness, lasting for but a little while; for though King Henry proved himself a just and

29、 a merciful manas justice and mercy went with the men of iron of those daysand though he did not care to shed blood needlessly, there were many noble families who had been benefited by King Richard during his reign, and who had lost somewhat of their power and prestige from the coming in of the new

30、king.Among these were a number of great lords who had been degraded from their former titles and estates, from which degradation King Richard had lifted them. They planned to fall upon King Henry and his followers and to massacre them during a great tournament which was being held at Oxford. And the

31、y might have succeeded had not one of their own members betrayed them.But Henry did not appear at the lists, whereupon, knowing that he had been lodging at Windsor with only a few attendants, the conspirators marched there against him. In the meantime, the king had been warned of the plot, so that i

32、nstead of finding him in the royal castle, they discovered through their scouts that he had hurried to London, and that he was marching against them at the head of a considerable army. So nothing was left but fight. One and another, they were all caught and some killed. Those few who found friends f

33、aithful and bold enough to afford them shelter dragged those friends down in their own ruin.（分数：20.00）(1).What does the author seem to think of King Henry?A. He was the best king England had ever had.B. He was unfair and cowardly.C. He was just as evil as King Richard.D. He was a better ruler than K

34、ing Richard.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(2).How did King Henry find out about the plot?A. His scouts discovered it.B. He saw the conspirators coming.C. One of the conspirators told him.D. He found a copy of the conspirators plan.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(3).How did the conspirators find out that Henry was in London?A.

35、 They saw him leave Windsor. B. Henrys attendants told them.C. They saw him at the tournament. D. Their scouts told them.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(4).Why did the nobles wish to kill Henry?A. Henry had taken away power given to them by Richard.B. Henry was weak, wicked, and treacherous.C. Henry had needlessl

36、y killed members of their families.D. Henry had killed King Richard.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(5).It can be inferred that Richard s reign was _A. peaceful B. corrupt C. democratic D. illegal（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.五、Passage 4(总题数：1，分数：20.00)A nine-year-old schoolgirl single-handedly cooks up a science-fair experime

37、nt that ends up debunking (揭穿的真相) a widely practiced medical treatment. Emily Rosas target was a practice known as therapeutic (治疗的) touch (TT for short), whose advocates manipulate patients “energy field“ to make them feel better and even, say some, to cure them of various illness. Yet Emilys test

38、shows that these energy fields cant be detected, even by trained TT practitioners (行医者). Obviously mindful of the publicity value of the situation, journal editor George Lundberg appeared on TV to declare, “Age doesnt matter. Its good science that matters, and this is good science.“Emilys mother Lin

39、da Rosa, a registered nurse, has been campaigning against TT for nearly a decade. Linda first thought about TT in the late 1980s, when she learned it was on the approved list for continuing nursing education in Colorado. Its 100,000 trained practitioners (48,000 in the U.S. ) dont even touch their p

40、atients. Instead, they waved their hands a few inches from the patients body, pushing energy fields around until theyre in “balance.“ TT advocates say these manipulations can help heal wounds, relieve pain and reduce fever. The claims are taken seriously enough that TT therapists are frequently hire

41、d by leading hospitals, at up to 70 an hour, to smooth patients energy, sometimes during surgery.Yet Rosa could not find any evidence that it works. To provide such proof, TT therapists would have to sit down for independent testingsomething they havent been eager to do, even though James Randi has

42、offered more than 1 million to anyone who can demonstrate the existence of a human energy field. (Hes had one taker so far. She failed.) A skeptic might conclude that TT practitioners are afraid to lay their beliefs on the line. But who could turn down an innocent fourth-grader? Says Emily, “I think

43、 they didnt take me very seriously because Im a kid.“The experiment was straightforward: 21 TT therapists stuck their hands, palms up, through a screen. Emily held her own hand over one of theirsleft or rightand the practitioners had to say which hand it was. When the results were recorded, theyd do

44、ne no better than they would have by simply guessing. If there was an energy field, they couldnt feel it.（分数：20.00）(1).Which of the following is evidence that TT is widely practiced?A. TT has been in existence for decades.B. Many patients were cured by therapeutic touch.C. TT therapists are often em

45、ployed by leading hospitals.D. More than 100,000 people are undergoing TT treatment.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(2).Very few TT practitioners responded to the 1 million offer because _.A. they didnt take the offer seriouslyB. they didnt want to risk their careerC. they were unwilling to reveal their secretD. t

46、hey thought it was not in line with their practice（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(3).The purpose of Emily Rosas experiment was _.A. to see why TT could work the way it didB. to find out how TT cured patients illnessesC. to test whether she could sense the human energy fieldD. to test whether a human energy field

47、really existed（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(4).Why did some TT practitioners agree to be the subjects of Emilys experiment?A. It involved nothing more than mere guessing.B. They thought it was going to be a lot of fun.C. It was more straightforward than other experiments.D. They sensed no harm in a little girls

48、 experiment.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.(5).What can we learn from the passage?A. Some widely accepted beliefs can be deceiving.B. Solid evidence weighs more than pure theories.C. Little children can be as clever as trained TT practitioners.D. The principle of TT is too profound to understand.（分数：4.00）A.B.C.D.

49、六、Passage 5(总题数：1，分数：20.00)What might driving on an automated highway be like? The answer depends on what kind of system is ultimately adopted. Two distinct types are on the drawing board. The first is a special purpose lane system, in which certain lanes are reserved for automated vehicles. The second is a mixed traffic system: fully automated vehicles would share the road with partially automated or manually driven cars. A special-purpose lane system would require more extensive physical modificati