[考研类试卷]考研英语（阅读）模拟试卷175及答案与解析.doc

1、考研英语（阅读）模拟试卷 175 及答案与解析Part ADirections: Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. (40 points)0 Scientists have begun using satellite-based systems to predict volcanic eruptions. This allows blanket coverage of the entire world. Envisat is the most

2、 advanced craft of this type. It has sensors that, by recognizing the characteristic optical signature of various substances in the atmosphere, can detect the presence of specific gases, such as sulphur dioxide. These may indicate an imminent volcanic eruption.Mike Abrams, a scientist at Americas sp

3、ace agency, NASA, says that the limiting factor on all such satellites is, surprisingly, not technological, but temporal. The orbits in which they are placed allow them to observe the entire earth, but they cannot pass over a particular spot more frequently than once every 15 days or so. Dr. Abrams

4、argues that more satellites are needed to gather sufficient data on the earths volcanoes. Existing satellites, though, do at least serve as an early warning system. If one of them detects something amiss, local volcanologists can then intensify their local monitoring efforts. If necessary, they can

5、even initiate an evacuation.In addition, it is important to predict lahars, flowing mixtures of rock, debris, ash and water, which are often set off when hot lava meets cold snow. Lahars can travel down a mountain as fast as 60 kilometres per hour. In 1985 a lahar set off by the eruption of the Neva

6、da del Ruiz volcano in Colombia killed 25,000 people. With acoustic flow monitors, such as those developed by the USGS in the last five years, such a tragic loss of life might have been averted. The flow monitors are seismometers, which measure vibration, and are sensitive to higher frequencies than

7、 those used to record earthquakes and volcanic activity. This lets them hear lahars from a long way off, creating a valuable extra hour of time that can be used to evacuate. Such systems are now in place all round the world.Volcanic eruptions are dangerous not only to people on the ground, but also

8、to those in the air. According to the USGS, more than 80 commercial aircraft have run into unexpected volcanic ash in the past 15 years, with the resulting damage costing hundreds of millions of dollars. If the optimists are right, the threat from volcanoes could one day become a known one. There is

9、 a problem, though. The work that needs to be done relies on the continual use of satellites and ground monitoring. Volcanologists are now issuing a new warning: that it is particularly hard to get funding for this kind of work. This is something that everybody should be bothered about.1 How can exi

10、sting satellites predict volcanic eruption?（A）They use monitoring systems to detect the presence of specific gases.（B） They use sensors to detect the presence of specific gases.（C） They detect the presence of specific gases by gathering data on the earths volcanoes.（D）Their orbits allow them to obse

11、rve the entire earth and predict volcanic eruptions.2 By saying “more satellites are needed to gather sufficient data on the earths volcanoes“, Dr. Abrams implies that（A）more satellites have already been used to observe the entire earth.（B） the frequency of satellites passing over a particular spot

12、is too low.（C） to predict volcanic eruptions is difficult.（D）satellites used to predict volcanic eruptions are not sufficient.3 The example of a lahar from the Nevada del Ruiz volcano in 1985 is used to show that（A）acoustic flow monitors are effective in predicting lahars.（B） acoustic flow monitors

13、are used all around the world.（C） acoustic flow monitors can completely prevent lahars.（D）acoustic flow monitors are sensitive to higher frequencies.4 What is this passage mainly about?（A）Effective control over volcanic eruptions.（B） Effective prediction about lahars.（C） Damage of volcanic eruptions

14、 to human beings.（D）Perspective of prediction about volcanic eruptions.5 What is the writers attitude toward the prospect of volcanic eruption prediction?（A）Pessimistic.（B） Skeptical.（C） Bothered.（D）Regretful.5 Ruins recently discovered in southern Peru could be the ancient “lost city“ of Paititi, a

15、ccording to claims that are drawing serious but cautious response from experts. The presumptive lost city, described in written records as a stone settlement adorned with gold statues, has long been a grail for explorers as well as a lure for local tourism businesses. A commonly cited legend claims

16、that Paititi was built by the Inca hero, who founded the city of Cusco before retreating into the jungle after Spanish conquerors arrived.On January 10 Perus state news agency reported that “an archaeological fortress“ had been discovered in the district of Kimbiri and that the districts mayor sugge

17、sted it was the lost city. Mayor Torres described the ruins as a 40, 000-square-meter fortress near an area known as Lobo. Few other details about the site were offered, but initial reports described elaborately carved stone structures forming the base of a set of walls. The state media report quote

18、s Torres as saying the area will be “immediately declared“ a cultural tourism site. Officials from the Peruvian governments Cusco-based National Institute of Culture(INC)met with Torres on Tuesday. “It is far too early to make any definitive judgments,“ Francisco told National Geographic Nexus. “We

19、are going to dispatch a team to investigate. Officials expect more details to emerge in the coming days.Paititi is believed to have been located somewhere east of the Andes Mountains in the rain forest of southeastern Peru, southwestern Brazil, or northern Bolivia. In 1600 a missionary reported seei

20、ng a large “city of gold“ in the region where Paititi is believed to have been built, according to archival records discovered by an Italian archaeologist in 2001. However, the location of the newfound site falls counter to where historical records indicate Paititi should be. Officials were nonethel

21、ess intrigued by the possibilities.The first task will be to determine if the newfound ruins are the work of the Inca or pre-Inca ethnic groups. Gregory, a U. S. -based psychologist and explorer who has led many expeditions to investigate the Paititi legend,said many people in the tourism-rich regio

22、n of Cusco have embraced the legend as a business promotion. But he said the claims could hold water, as there are still many important sites to be found. Gade, professor in geography, cautioned about jumping to conclusions. “Paititi is frequently the first thing people mention when something like t

23、his is found,“ Gade said, adding that there are many ruins in the jungle regions of the area.6 What is this text mainly about?（A）The history of Paititi.（B） A report of a newfound ancient site.（C） The location of Paititi.（D）An introduction of a new site.7 According to the text, which of the following

24、 is true?（A）The newly discovered site is the ancient “lost city“ of Paititi.（B） Paititi has been attracting many explorers since it is an excellent tourist resort.（C） The newfound site will be proposed as a place of interest.（D）The location of the site is exactly in accord with the historical record

25、s.8 According to Francisco, the Peruvian government officials will（A）have a press conference.（B） go to the newly built site.（C） find where the ancient city is.（D）send a group of people to probe the ruins.9 The authors attitude toward the new discovery is（A）optimistic.（B） pessimistic.（C） objective.（D

26、）excited.10 We can infer from the passage that（A）no definite conclusion has been reached yet.（B） the author is very certain about the location of the site.（C） Paititi is the first site they have found in Peru.（D）Paititi was built by the Inca.10 Getting laid off affects not only ones economic well-be

27、ing, it also curtails ones involvement in community and social activities, a new study found. The study, by researchers at the University of California and the University of Michigan, found that workers who had experienced even one involuntary job loss were 35 percent less likely to be involved in t

28、heir communities than those who had never been out of work because of layoff, restructuring or a business closing or relocating.The break from community involvement whether it meant dropping out from a book club or no longer participating in the PTA continued for the remainder of the workers lives,

29、not just for the period of unemployment, according to the study.“Social engagement often involves an element of social trust and a sense that things are reciprocal that you give some support if you get some support, and you benefit from society if society benefits from you,“ study lead author Jennie

30、 Brand, a UCLA sociologist, said in a university news release, “When workers are displaced, the tendency is to feel as though the social contract has been violated, and we found that they are less likely to reciprocate. “The findings, which examined the long-term impact of job displacement on social

31、 participation, were published in the September issue of the journal Social Forces. The research was based on information from a study that tracked 4,373 Wisconsin high school graduates(class of 1957)for more than 45 years. Displaced workers were most likely to withdraw from participating in youth a

32、nd community groups, followed by church and church groups, charitable organizations and leisurely activities, such as country club attendance. Professional organizations were the least likely to be affected by a disruption of employment.The social withdrawal occurred most with those displaced during

33、 their peak earning years between 35 and 53 years of age. Employees who lost jobs near the end of their careers were less likely to withdraw than workers who were displaced earlier in their careers.“Being laid off doesnt appear to be as socially damaging for older workers as younger ones, “ Brand sa

34、id, “The shame factor of downsizing your lifestyle just isnt there because your peers may be downsizing as well and you can play off your displacement as an early retirement even though it may be forced retirement. “ The findings have considerable influences not just for society, but also for the in

35、dividuals attempt to find new work, Brand contended. Brand said charities and community groups might want to work harder at reaching out to displaced workers for the good of the organization and for the workers own good.11 According to the study of the effects of getting laid-off, we can learn that（

36、A）unemployment can damage economic growth.（B） the laid-off workers are usually forced to quit their jobs.（C） 35% of laid-off workers are not willing to be engaged in social activities.（D）workers who were forced to lose jobs might refrain from social activities in their future life.12 The word “recip

37、rocal“(Line 2, Paragraph 3)is closest in meaning to（A）contrary.（B） reverse.（C） complementary.（D）complimentary.13 According to Paragraphs 4 and 5, which of the following statements is true about the study?（A）The study was a long-term observation on 4,373 subjects.（B） The layoff offers people more tim

38、e participating in such social activities as community groups.（C） A laid-off worker may also lose his membership in a professional organization.（D）Young people are more likely to lose their jobs than people in their senior years.14 According to Brand, older workers suffered less than young laid-off

39、workers because（A）young workers feel more humiliated at being laid off than older people.（B） older workers want to retire earlier to enjoy their life.（C） young workers cannot get used to the life after being laid off.（D）older workers do not worry about their retirement life after being laid off.15 W

40、hich of the following serves as the best title for this text?（A）Causes of Unemployment（B） A Study on Unemployment（C） A Study on Social Involvement（D）Impact of Unemployment on Social Participation15 Environmental movement is stronger than ever but seems to be fighting a losing battle. Despite a recor

41、d flow of financial resources, the planets most serious challengesglobal warming, loss of biodiversity, marine depletionremain as intractable as ever, making environmentalists vulnerable to charges that green groups have prospered while the earth has not. Of course, the issues are complicated and co

42、uld require decades and trillions of dollars to resolve. Part of the problem is that its easier to protest, to hurl venom at practices you dont like, than to find new ways to do business and create change. So its time to look at the past tactics of many green groups and identify lessons to be learne

43、d.Environmentalists who have been bashing “evil“ corporations for years have found themselves with plenty of allies. But the planet needs profitable, innovative businesses even more than it needs environmentalists. After all it is companies, not advocacy groups, that will create the technologies nee

44、ded to save the environment. When conservation purity is the only acceptable option, the biggest polluters will have no incentive to clean up their acts. Says Dwight Evans, executive vice president of Southern Co., a major U.S. energy producer, “If tomorrow we announced we were shutting down 25% of

45、our plants to put in new high-tech devices, the headline would be, WHY NOT THE OTHER 75%? We dont get credit for what weve done, or for what were going to do. “ So how to turn corporations into partners in preservation? For starters, when companies make efforts to turn green, environmentalists shoul

46、dnt jump down their throats the minute they see any backsliding.When environmentalists and some industries are involved in a war, a simple truism applies: It is better to negotiate a surrender with industries than to fight to the death for a losing cause. Though environmentalists may be loath to adm

47、it it, this is their choice in the battle over genetically modified foods. Despite the best attempts by European activists to seal off the Continent from such foods, the new science of farming is here to stay. What could be better for the environment than a cheap, simple way for farmers to double or

48、 triple their output while using fewer pesticides on less land? Of course its possible that some genetically modified foods may carry health risks to humans, and its unclear whether agricultural companies will be able to control where their altered-gene products end up. But whats needed now are not

49、crop tramplers and lab burners but powerful lobbyists able to negotiate for more effective safeguards and a greater humanitarian use of the technology.16 What is the passage mainly about?（A）The problematic tactics of environmentalists.（B） The conflicts between environmentalists and “evil“ corporations.（C） The advantage and disavantage of traditional green groups.（D）The complication of environmental protection.17 We can infer from the first paragraph that（A）there hasnt been progress since environmental movement began.（B） money doesnt play an important rol