1、考研英语-749 及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Section Use of Eng(总题数：1，分数：10.00)The world religion is derived from the Latin noun religion, which denotes both (1) observance of ritual obligations and an inward spirit of reverence. In modern usage, religion covers a wide spectrum of (2) that reflects the eno
2、rmous variety of ways the term can be (3) . At one extreme, many committed believers (4) only their own tradition as a religion, understanding expressions such as worship and prayer to refer (5) to the practices of their tradition. They may (6) use vague or idealizing terms in defining religion, (7)
3、 , true love of God, or the path of enlightenment. At the other extreme, religion may be equated with (8) , fanaticism, or wishful thinking.By defining religion as a sacred engagement with what is taken to be a spiritual reality, it is possible to consider the importance of religion in human life wi
4、thout making (9) about what is really is or ought to be. Religion is not an object with a single, fixed meaning, or (10) a zone with clear boundaries. It is an aspect of human (11) that may intersect, incorporate, or transcend other aspects of life and society. Such a definition avoid the drawbacks
5、of (12) the investigation of religion to Western or biblical categories (13) monotheism or church structure, which are not (14) .Religion in this understanding includes a complex of activities that cannot be (15) to any single aspect of human experience. It is a part of individual life but also of (
6、16) dynamics. Religion includes not only patterns of language and thought. It is sometimes an (17) part of a culture. Religious experience may be expressed (18) visual symbols, dance and performance, elaborate philosophical systems, legendary and imaginative stories, formal (19) , and detailed rules
7、 of some ways. There are as many forms of religious expression as there are human cultural (20) .（分数：10.00）A.earnestB.clumsyC.naiveD.frivolousA.urgencyB.meaningC.conditionD.senseA.exhibitedB.translatedC.interpretedD.illustratedA.assureB.admitC.indulgeD.recognizeA.excessivelyB.comprehensivelyC.flexib
8、lyD.exclusivelyA.neverthelessB.moreoverC.furthermoreD.accordinglyA.in a senseB.as a resultC.for exampleD.for allA.ignoranceB.awarenessC.aversionD.insistenceA.wishesB.claimsC.attemptsD.pleasA.barelyB.hardlyC.everD.evenA.institutionB.attributeC.distinctionD.experienceA.limitingB.fasteningC.tighteningD
9、.fixingA.such asB.for instanceC.in particularD.as toA.permanentB.apparentC.universalD.exceptionalA.imitatedB.houndC.reducedD.exposedA.strandB.groupC.classD.bandA.dominantB.principalC.prevalentD.integralA.in line withB.in terms ofC.in regard toD.in exchange forA.ceremoniesB.occasionsC.associationsD.f
10、ormalitiesA.outlooksB.circumstancesC.environmentsD.surroundings二、Section Reading Co(总题数：0，分数：0.00)三、Part A(总题数：0，分数：0.00)四、Text 1(总题数：1，分数：10.00)The discovery of life beyond Earth would transform not only our science but also our religions, our belief systems and our entire world-view. For in a sens
11、e, the search for extraterrestrial life is really a search for ourselves-who we are and what our place is in the grand sweep of the cosmos.Contrary to popular belief, speculation that we are not alone in the universe is as old as philosophy itself. The essential steps in the reasoning were based on
12、the atomic theory of the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus. Yet philosophy is one thing, filling in the physical details is another. Although astronomers increasingly suspect that biofriendly planets may be abundant in the universe, the chemical steps leading to life remain largely mysterious.Tra
13、ditionally, biologists believed that life is a freak-the result of a zillion-to-one accidental concatenation of molecules. It follows that the likelihood of its happening again elsewhere in the cosmos is infinitesimal. This viewpoint derives from the second law of thermodynamics, which predicts that
14、 the universe is dying-slowly and inexorably degenerating toward a state of total chaos. And similar reasoning applies to evolution. According to the orthodox view, Darwinian selection is utterly blind. Any impression that the transition from microbes to man represents progress is pure chauvinism of
15、 our part. The path of evolution is merely a random walk through the realm of possibilities.If this is right, there can be no directionality, no innate drive forward; in particular, no push toward consciousness and intelligence. Should Earth be struck by an asteroid, destroying all higher life-forms
16、, intelligent beings would almost certainly not arise next time around. There is, however, a contrary view-one that is gaining strength and directly challenges orthodox biology. It is that complexity can emerge spontaneously through a process of self- organization. If matter and energy have an inbui
17、lt tendency to amplify and channel organized complexity, the odds against the formation of life and the subsequent evolution of intelligence could be drastically shortened.Historically, Bertrand Russell argued that a universe under a death sentence from the second law of thermodynamics rendered huma
18、n life ultimately futile. All our achievements, all our struggles, “all the noonday brightness of human genius,“ as he put it, would, in the final analysis, count for nothing if the very cosmos itself is doomed. But what if, in spite of the second law of thermodynamics, there can be systematic progr
19、ess alongside decay? For those who hope for a deeper meaning or purpose beneath physical existence, the presence of extraterrestrial life-forms would provide a spectacular boost, implying that we live in a universe that is in some sense getting better and better rather than worse and worse.（分数：10.00
20、）(1).The writer organizes his ideas in the text mainly by（分数：2.00）A.justifying popular beliefs.B.making comparisons.C.looking back on history.D.posing sharp contrasts.(2).On the possibilities of life beyond Earth astronomers and ancient philosophers views are（分数：2.00）A.opposite.B.similar.C.divergent
21、.D.contrary.(3).It is the belief of orthodox biology that Darwinian evolutionism（分数：2.00）A.is fully based on illusions.B.focuses purely on reasoning.C.is utterly entitled to worship.D.comes to account for nothing.(4).Under the law of thermodynamics, the universe is supposed（分数：2.00）A.to push forward
22、 progress.B.to give rise to other life forms.C.to make for a total chaos.D.to improve by wide margins.(5).If there were push to direct organized complexity, chances of intelligence evolution would（分数：2.00）A.be wrecked.B.level off.C.be shortened.D.crop up.五、Text 2(总题数：1，分数：10.00)“My own feelings went
23、 from disbelief to excitement to downright fear,“ says Carl Hergenrother, 23, an Arizona undergraduate who verified a large asteroid barreling toward Earth with a 230cm telescope atop nearby Kitt Peak. “It was scary, because there was the possibility that we were confirming the demise of some city s
24、omewhere, or some state or small country.“Well, not quite. Early last week, his celestial interloper whizzed by Earth, missing the planet by 450620 km-a hairbreadth in astronomical terms. Perhaps half a kilometer across, it was the largest object ever observed to pass that close to Earth.Duncan Stee
25、l, an Australian astronomer, has calculated that if the asteroid had struck Earth, it would have hit at some 93460 km/h. The resulting explosion, scientists estimate, would have been in the 3000-to-12000-megaton range. That, says astronomer Eugene Shoemaker, a pioneer asteroid and comet hunter, “is
26、like taking all of the U. S. and Soviet nuclear weapons, putting them in one pile and blowing them all up.“And what if one them is found to be on a collision course with Earth? Scientists at the national laboratories at Livermore, California, and Los Alamos, New Mexico, have devised a number of inge
27、nious plans that, given enough warning time, could protect Earth from a threatening NEO. Their defensive weapons of choice include long distance missiles with conventional or, more likely, nuclear warheads that could be used either to nudge an asteroid into a safe orbit or blast it to smithereens.Ma
28、ny people including some astronomers-are understandably nervous about putting a standby squadron of nuclear tipped missiles in place. Hence the latest strategy, which in some cases would obviate the need for a nuclear defense: propelling a fusillade of cannonball-size steel spheres at an approaching
29、 asteroid. In a high-velocity encounter with a speeding NEO, explains Gregory Canavan, a senior scientist at Los Alamos, “the kinetic energy of the balls, would change into heat energy and blow the thing apart.“Some astronomers oppose any immediate defensive preparations, citing the high costs and l
30、ow odds of a large objects striking Earth in the coming decades. But at the very least, Shoemaker contends, NEO detection should be accelerated. “Theres this thing called the giggle factor in Congress,“ he says. “people in Congress and also at the top level in NASA still dont take it seriously. But
31、we should move ahead. Its a matter of prudence.“The world, however, still seems largely unconcerned with the danger posed by large bodies hurtling in from space, despite the spectacle two years ago of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 riddling the planet Jupiter with mammoth explosions. It remains to be seen w
32、hether last weeks record near-miss has changed any minds.（分数：10.00）(1).From the first three paragraphs, we learn that（分数：2.00）A.the earth narrowly escaped a catastrophe.B.one asteroid almost destroyed an entire city.C.asteroids are comparable to nuclear weapons.D.the planet earth is vulnerable to da
33、ngers.(2).When mentioning the “the 3000-to-12000-megaton range“ (Para. 3), the writer is talking about（分数：2.00）A.striking spectacles.B.conventional weapons.C.explosive impact.D.defensive strategies.(3).The description of Congresss “giggle factor“ (Para. 6) shows the writers（分数：2.00）A.appreciation.B.
34、disbelief.C.excitement.D.ridicule.(4).According to the text, “nuclear tipped missiles“ and “cannonball-size steel spheres“ (Para. 5)（分数：2.00）A.are different in nature.B.serve similar functions.C.are identical to each other.D.pose real challenges.(5).It seems that the writer is（分数：2.00）A.active to fe
35、nd off invading asteroids.B.largely unconcerned with the danger.C.interested in military initiatives.D.enthusiastic about spotting asteroids.六、Text 3(总题数：1，分数：10.00)AMERICAS central bank sent a clear message this week. For the second consecutive meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee, the centra
36、l banks policy-making committee, left short term interest rates unchanged at 1.75%. But it said that the risks facing the economy had shifted from economic weakness to a balance between weakness and excessive growth. This shift surprised no one. But it has convinced many people that interest rates a
37、re set to rise again-and soon.Judging by prices in futures markets, investors are betting that short-term interest rates could start rising as early as May, and will be 1.25 percentage points higher by the end of the year. That may be excessive. Economists at Goldman Sachs, who long argued that the
38、central bank would do nothing this year, now expect short-term rates to go up only 0.75% this year, starting in June. But virtually everyone reckons some Fed tightening is in the offing.The reason? After an unprecedented 11 rate-cuts in 2001, short term interest rates are abnormally low. As the sign
39、s of robust recovery multiply, analysts expect the Fed to take back some of the rate-cuts it used as an “insurance policy“ after the September 11th terrorist attack. They think there will be a gradual move from the Feds current “accommodative“ monetary stance to a more neutral policy. And a neutral
40、policy, many argue, ultimately implies short term interest rates of around 4 %.Logical enough. But higher rates could still be further off, particularly if the recovery proves less robust than many hope. Certainly, recent economic indicators have been extraordinarily strong: unemployment fell for th
41、e second consecutive month in February and industrial production rose in both January and February. The manufacturing sector is growing after 18 months of decline. The most optimistic Wall Streeters now expect GDP to have expanded by between 5% and 6% on an annual basis in the first quarter.But one
42、strong quarter does not imply a sustainable recovery. In the short term, the bounce-back is being driven by a dramatic restocking of inventories. But it can be sustained only if corporate investment recovers and consumer spending stays buoyant. With plenty of slack capacity around and many firms stu
43、ck with huge debts and lousy profits, it is hard to see where surging investment will come from. And, despite falling unemployment, Americas consumers could disappoint the bulls.These uncertainties alone suggest the central bank will be cautious about raising interest rates. Indeed, given the huge p
44、ressure on corporate profits, the Federal Reserve might be happy to see consumer prices rise slightly. In short, while Wall Street frets about when and how much interest rates will go up. The answer may well be not soon and not much.（分数：10.00）(1).The purpose of the author in writing this text is to（
45、分数：2.00）A.interpret the message from the central bank,B.justify the rise of short term interest rates.C.illustrate what is weakness and undue growth.D.contrast different views on economic indices.(2).How does everyone feel about the message given by Americas central bank?（分数：2.00）A.Encouraged.B.Pani
46、cked.C.Confused.D.Misguided.(3).The phrase “current accommodative monetary stance“ (Para. 3) denotes（分数：2.00）A.“optimal.“B.“excessive.“C.“logical.“D.“prudent.“(4).Despite signs Of strong economic recovery, American companies are still pressed for（分数：2.00）A.tremendous debts.B.considerable profits.C.s
47、oaring investment.D.excessive growth.(5).Which of the following is true according to this text?（分数：2.00）A.Short-term interest rates should be guarded wisely.B.Unemployment no longer constitutes a problem.C.A sustainable recovery depends on corporate profits.D.Too much caution might suspend economic
48、growth.七、Text 4(总题数：1，分数：10.00)Come on, my fellow white folks, we have something to confess. Out with it, friends, the biggest secret known to whites since the invention of powdered rouge: welfare is a white program. The numbers go like this: 61% of the population receiving welfare, listed as “means
49、-tested cash assistance“ by the Census Bureau, is identified as whit e, while only 33% is identified as black. These numbers notwithstanding, the Republican version of “political correctness“ has given us “welfare cheat“ as a new term for African American since the early days of Ronald Reagan.Our confession surely stands: white folks have been gobbling up the welfare budget while blaming someone else. But its worse than that. If we look at Social Security, which is another form of welfare, although it is often mistaken for an individual insurance program, then whi
