1、考研英语-250 及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、BSection Use o(总题数：1，分数：10.00)Low levels of literacy and numeracy have a damaging impact on almost every aspect of adults, according to a survey published yesterday, which offersU (1) /Uof a developing underclass. Tests andU (2) /Uwith hundreds of people born in
2、 a week in 1958 graphically illustrated fileU (3) /Uof educational underachievement. The effects can be seen in unemployment, familyU (4) /U, low incomes, depression and social inactivity.Those who left school at 16 with poor basic skills had been employed for UP to four years less than good readers
3、U (5) /Uthey reached 37. Professor John Bynner, of City University, who carried the research, said that todaysU (6) /Uteenagers would even encounter greater problems because the supply ofU (7) /Ujobs had shrunk.Almost one fifth of the 1,700 people interviewed for yesterdays report had poor literacy
4、and almost halfU (8) /Uwith innumeracy, a proportionU (9) /Uother surveys for the Basic Skills Agency. Some could not read a childs book, and most found difficultU (10) /Uwritten instruction.Poor readers were twice as likely to be a low wage and four times likely to live in a household where partner
5、s worked. Women in thisU (11) /Uwere five times as likely to beU (12) /Udepressed,U (13) /Uboth tended to feel they had no control over their lives, and to trust othersU (14) /U.Those who had low literacy and numeracy were seldomU (15) /Uin any community organization and less likely than others toU
6、(16) /Uin a general election. There had been noU (17) /Uin the literary level ofU (18) /U.Alan Wells, the agencys director, said: “The results emphasize the dangers of developing an underclass people, who were out of work,U (19) /Udepressed and often labeled themselves asU (20) /U. There is a circle
7、 of marginalization, with the dice against these people and their families.“（分数：10.00）A.proofB.witnessC.testimonyD.evidenceA.investigationsB.interviewsC.conferencesD.communicationsA.defectB.backwardnessC.handicapD.scarcityA.breakdownB.breakoutC.breakawayD.breakinA.the timeB.the instantC.the momentD.
8、the pointA.illiterateB.sufferingC.poorD.unqualifiedA.skilledB.mentalC.manualD.mechanicalA.struggledB.facedC.encounteredD.confrontedA.in light ofB.in line withC.in case ofD.in time ofA.translatingB.complyingC.followingD.obeyingA.postB.conditionC.statusD.positionA.classifiedB.thoughtC.believedD.labele
9、dA.andB.whileC.forD.butA.moreB.muchC.lessD.littleA.revolvedB.dissolvedC.resolvedD.involvedA.claimB.joinC.voteD.winA.improvementB.advancementC.developmentD.increaseA.employeesB.intervieweesC.participantsD.researchersA.hardlyB.seriouslyC.increasinglyD.potentiallyA.failuresB.winnersC.successorsD.patien
10、ts二、BSection Readi(总题数：4，分数：40.00)BText 1/BSome countries are more populous; some have more crime. But in no other country are crime fighters quite so knowledgeable about citizens as in Britain. On January 4th a boastful Home Office detailed the triumphs of the worlds biggest forensic DNA database,
11、which holds samples from more than 5% of the entire population of England and Wales. Recent changes to the rules governing the database mean that it may eventually hold profiles from more than a fifth of all adults.Once a country starts storing DNA samples from criminals it is hard to resist the urg
12、e to expand the collection. When the National DNA Database (NDNAD) was set up, in 1995, samples could only be taken from those charged with “recordable“ offences. If a suspect was not tried, or was freed, the sample had to be destroyed and the profile removed from the database.That law was abandoned
13、 in 2001, after two men who had been convicted of murder and rape had their cases overturned on appeal-the DNA evidence against them related to crimes they had not beep convicted of, and so ought to have been removed from the database. The change has led to the retention of around 200,000 samples th
14、at world previously have been destroyed. Some 7,591 of these were subsequently matched with samples from crime scenes, including those from 88 murders and 116 rapes. And since April 2004, police have been able to take and keep samples from anyone arrested for a recordable offence, even if charges do
15、 not ensue.The main reason the NDNAD is larger than databases in other countries is that Britain was first to start using DNA as an investigative tool. So not only has it had time to collect more DNA samples, but it has also had longer to appreciate the sheer power of a large database“ Every other c
16、ountry that does databasing will get to where Britain is now,“ says Chris Asplen, a consultant to law enforcement agencies and governments on DNA technology.The increased use of DNA evidence has given rise to intriguing new courtroom defences. DNA tests are now so sensitive that they can detect if a
17、 person has sneezed or sweated near an object. John Swain, a barrister with a background in biochemistry, recently defended a man charged with armed robbery. The defendants DNA was on the gun that was used, but the defence argued that he might just have been near it after he had been to the gym, and
18、 that an errant bead of sweat could account for the presence of his DNA on a weapon he had never handled. He was declared not guilty.（分数：10.00）(1).The text mainly talks about（分数：2.00）A.more populous countries have more crime.B.British citizens are quite knowledgeable about DNA.C.Britains forensic DN
19、A database is the worlds biggest, and growing fast.D.the development of DNA Databases.(2).As the NDNAD was established in 1995,（分数：2.00）A.it was difficult for it to expand the collection.B.it held samples from more than 5% of the entire population.C.many people from England and Wales offended it.D.i
20、t collected samples only from those offences that may lead to jail terms.(3).The case of two men who had been convicted of murder and rape in paragraph 3（分数：2.00）A.proved that the former rule of NDNAD Should be abolished.B.led to the destroy of 200,000 samples in NDNAD.C.resulted in the two men bein
21、g confined in prison.D.showed the importance of the DNA evidence.(4).The NDNAD has more DNA samples than other countries in that（分数：2.00）A.it is holding profiles from more than 20% of all adults.B.police are able to take samples from anyone arrested for a recordable offence.C.Britain is the earliest
22、 to take DNA as an investigative tool.D.other countries are not eager to do databasing.(5).What can we infer from the last paragraph?（分数：2.00）A.DNA evidence should be used more widely.B.John Swain defended the man successfully by DNA technology.C.DNA tests are too sensitive to be reliable.D.The defe
23、ndant left his fingerprint on the weapon of the robbery.BText 2/BOn September 30th students at the University of Massachusetts threw a toga (a ceremonial gown) party. The cops showed up, uninvited. They charged the host, James Connolly, with underage drinking, making too much noise, and having a keg
24、 without a licence. For punishment, he had to put on his toga again and stand in front of the police station for an hour.Dan Markel of Florida State University reckons that such “shaming punishments“ are on the rise. In 2003 a couple of teenagers who defaced a nativity scene in Ohio had to parade th
25、rough town with a donkey.“The punishment must fit the crime,“ explained the judge, Michael Cicconetti. Several cities have aired the names of men caught soliciting prostitutes on “John TV“. In 2004, a federal appeals court agreed that a mail thief could be made to stand outside a California post off
26、ice wearing a sandwich board. “I stole mail,“ it read. “This is my punishment.“ In Virginia, if you fail to pay child support, you may find your car wheel-clamped: pink if you are neglecting a girl, blue for a boy.Many support shaming punishments. Amitai Etzioni of George Washington University has a
27、rgued that they are a good way to express communal values. Fines, in contrast, imply that you can buy a clear conscience. And shame seems to be a powerful deterrent. Mr Cicconetti says he sees few repeat offenders. Cheerful Hobbesian types want everyone to know who the bad guys are, so that decent c
28、itizens can avoid them.Others are doubtful. According to Mr Markel, shaming punishments undermine human dignity. He suggests alternative punishments that omit the public-humiliation factor. A landlord who flouts the health code, for example, could be made to stay in one of his own slums. And it is t
29、rue that there is something unpleasant about the desire to see other people humiliated. Remember the matron who objects to Hester Prynnes scarlet letter: “Why, look you, she may cover it with a brooch, or suchlike heathenish adornment, and so walk the streets as brave as ever!“But voters appear to b
30、e comfortable on the high horse. Ted Poe, a former district judge from Texas, made his reputation by issuing a string of embarrassing sentences. He called this “Poetic justice.“ Once, he sentenced a man who stole pistols from the Lone Ranger to shovel manure in the Houston police stables. In 2004 Mr
31、 Poe was elected to the House of Representatives at his first attempt.（分数：10.00）(1).Which of the following example shows that the penalty is suitable for the crime?（分数：2.00）A.A man involved in sexual services has to parade through city with a donkey.B.A letter thief is forced to stand outside a post
32、 office to admit his wrongdoing.C.A person not paying child support is aired on TV.D.A student drinking alcohol must stand in front of schoolgate for an hour.(2).A lot of people approve “shaming punishments“ because（分数：2.00）A.they are a way to buy a clear conscience instead of fines.B.they can bette
33、r show peoples common values.C.shame is a powerful tool to make criminals surrender.D.they tell others who the bad guys are and help them to correct.(3).Those who suspect “shaming punishments“ argue that（分数：2.00）A.they can impair self-respect of those criminals.B.they may lead to unpleasant outcome.
34、C.they are not enough penalty for those criminals.D.they will encourage people to commit further crime.(4).Mr. Poe became the House of Representatives mainly because（分数：2.00）A.he can make voters live a comfortable life.B.he is a famous district judge for writing great poems.C.he set a series of cour
35、t judgement to shame criminals.D.he punished a thief by forcing him to shovel manure.(5).The best title for the text is（分数：2.00）A.Poetic justice.B.A vogue for shaming wrongdoers.C.Doubtful punishments.D.Criminals should be shamed.BText 3/BIn a world where bad news has become everyday news, people ar
36、e turning to an ancient technique to deal with stress: meditation. At meditation centers, prayer groups and yoga studios around the United States, more and more are finding peace of mind by being quiet. Some use meditation to help deal with life changes; others, to process the painful reality of pol
37、itical and social unrest around the world of the type that has been experienced more recently. Stress from the September 11 terrorist attacks is probably “about 70 percent“ of the reason one Chicago man started meditating and practicing yoga with his new wife. He became so emotionally affected that
38、he realized he needed help in managing his stress. The yoga classes he takes begin and end with meditation. This “quiet time“ helps him feel a lot more relaxed and gives him more breath control. The fact is, though, that he is not alone.Across the country, many are turning to more meditative exercis
39、e as they seek both psychological and physiological relief. In addition to helping people work out their stress, these classes bring people together, in the same way that religious Services or other community activities have done in the past. Different schools of meditation teach particular techniqu
40、es, but they share a common basis-focusing attention on something your mind can return to if you are distracted. This may be the rhythm of breathing, an object such as a candle flame, or a repetitive movement, as in walking or taiji.Regardless of the specific technique or mode that is followed, medi
41、tation has well-documented benefits. Medical research indicates that it causes a sharp decrease in metabolic activity, reduced muscle tension, slower breathing, and a shift from faster brainwaves to slower waves, it also reduces high blood pressure. Practitioners are convinced that meditation is goo
42、d for health because it relaxes the body.For ages, meditation has been a core practice of many groups meeting in their communal or religious centers. However, lets not forget that this is the twenty-first century. So, for those people who are too shy or busy to go to the nearest meditation center, t
43、here are Internet sites that offer online guided meditation. One has a variety of meditations from various religious traditions. At another, Jesuit priests post meditations and readings from the Scriptures everyday, and at still another, Buddhist and Hindu practitioners include music and visuals to
44、accompany their offerings. These websites allow anyone with a computer access to meditation at any time. The fact is that whether online, at yoga classes, or at local spiritual centers, more people are turning to the practice of meditation.（分数：10.00）(1).The increasing popularity of meditation result
45、s from peoples need for（分数：2.00）A.coping with growing stresses.B.seeking refuge from social unrest.C.escaping painful experiences.D.maintaining emotional health.(2).The Chicago man is introduced to show（分数：2.00）A.the psychological benefits of yoga exercises.B.the serious impact of terrorism on U.S.
46、people.C.the immediate effect of yoga and meditation.D.the physical advantage of meditative practice.(3).Various meditative techniques all requires（分数：2.00）A.modes identical to religious services.B.restless repetition of a certain prayer.C.continuous movements of taiji.D.a great deal of mental conce
47、ntration.(4).From the passage, we know that meditation（分数：2.00）A.will be used in the practice of taiji.B.has been identified by official department.C.may change the speed of brainwaves.D.can cure high blood pressure better than medicines.(5).In this new era, meditation is characterized by（分数：2.00）A.
48、lots of prayer gatherings.B.availability of online resources.C.a wide variety of its procedures.D.forceful evidence of its benefits.BText 4/BWe have to realize how old, how very old, we are. Nations are classified as “aged“ when they have 7 percent or more of their people aged 65 or above, and by ab
49、out 1970 every one of the advanced countries had become like this. Of the really ancient societies, with over 13 percent above 65, all are in Northwestern Europe. We know that we are getting even older, and that the nearer a society approximates to zero population growth, the older its population is likely to be-at least, for any future that concerns us now.To these now familia
