1、托福-练习二十三及答案解析(总分：35.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Passage 1(总题数：2，分数：10.00)FREEZING FOOD1 The discovery of freezing has changed our eating habits more than any other related invention. Because many foods contain large amounts of water, they freeze solidly at or just below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When we lower the
2、temperature to well below the freezing point and prevent air from penetrating the food, we retard the natural process of decay that causes food to spoil. Freezing preserves the flavor and nutrients of food better than any other preservation method. When properly prepared and packed, foods and vegeta
3、bles can be stored in the freezer for one year.2 Most vegetables and some fruits need blanching before they are frozen, and to avoid this step would be an expensive mistake. The result would be a product largely devoid of vitamins and minerals. Proper blanching curtails the enzyme action, which vege
4、tables require during their growth and ripening but which continues after maturation and will lead to decay unless it is almost entirely stopped by blanching. This process is done in two ways, either by plunging vegetables in a large amount of rapidly boiling water for a few minutes or by steaming t
5、hem. For steam blanching, it is important that timing begin when the water at the bottom of the pot is boiling. Different vegetables require different blanching times, and specified times for each vegetable must be observed. Underblanching is like no blanching at all, and overblanching, while stoppi
6、ng the enzyme action, will produce soggy, discolored vegetables.（分数：4.00）(1).Why does the author mention 32 degrees Fahrenheit?（分数：1.00）A.To suggest the storage temperature for most foodsB.To identify the freezing point of waterC.To state the correct setting for a freezerD.To give the temperature fo
7、r blanching(2).Why does the author use the term expensive mistake in discussing blanching?（分数：1.00）A.To state that blanching is expensive but very effectiveB.To warn that not blanching will harm the foods nutritional valueC.To emphasize the importance of blanching only a few items at a timeD.To show
8、 that many people waste food by blanching improperly(3).What can be inferred about enzyme action in vegetables?（分数：1.00）A.It eventually causes vegetables to spoil.B.It is a necessary step in the blanching process.C.It stops after the vegetables have ripened.D.It preserves the flavor of frozen vegeta
9、bles.(4).It can be inferred that underblanched vegetables would（分数：1.00）A.spoil quicklyB.taste like canned vegetablesC.lack vitamins and mineralsD.be soggy and discoloredEUROPEAN SETTLEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA1 The large-scale settlement of North America by Europeans began in the seventeenth century. F
10、rance took the early lead in the contest for the temperate regions of North America. In 1608, the first permanent French colony was established at Quebec. In 1682, La Salle explored the Mississippi River and claimed the entire river system for France. But despite these early successes, there were ne
11、ver enough French settlers to make French North America a large center of population.2 The Dutch under Henry Hudson explored the eastern coast of the continent and claimed a large area, including the river that was named after him. The Dutch colony of New Netherlands started with a few trading posts
12、 on the Hudson River, where New York City is now located, and expanded into enterprises in New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut. The Dutch settlements suffered a lot of competition from the English, and eventually the Dutch governor was forced to surrender all Dutch lands to the English.3 Englands c
13、ommercial and political growth at home soon gave it the lead in the colonial race, but this success came only after some early losses, such as the failed colony on Roanoke Island. The first success for England was in 1607 at Jamestown. There were also permanent colonies farther north, in the area kn
14、own as New England.4 The colonies of North America grew dramatically beyond the first settlements at Quebec and Jamestown. Population figures for the seventeenth century show that in 1625 there were around 500 settlers in French Canada and 200 in Dutch settlements, but there were 2,000 in the Englis
15、h colonies. Fifty years later, the English had absorbed the Dutch colonies. By 1700, New France had around 20,000 people, but the English colonies had a quarter of a million.5 The European conquest of North America contributed to international conflict. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, t
16、he European powers fought several wars in North America. Most of these conflicts were extensions of wars taking place in Europe at the same time, but some were started by the colonists themselves. The conflicts-especially those between England and France-were mostly over commercial interests and sig
17、naled the intense rivalry for control of North American land and resources.（分数：6.00）(1).What can be inferred from paragraph 1 about the French settlement of North America in the seventeenth century?（分数：1.00）A.The French were more successful than any other European nation at the time.B.French settlem
18、ent never extended beyond the original colony at Quebec.C.The French settled North America in order to control international trade.D.The French colonies had fewer people than did other North American colonies.(2).Why does the author use the word race in paragraph 3?（分数：1.00）A.To emphasize the compet
19、ition among European groupsB.To trace the origin of a popular sport in North AmericaC.To show that failure comes more quickly than successD.To describe the ethnic differences among Europeans(3).What can be inferred about England in the seventeenth century?（分数：1.00）A.England had colonies on every con
20、tinent.B.England was a leading European power.C.England had a democratic political system.D.England won every war in which it fought.(4).The author discusses population numbers in paragraph 4 in order to（分数：1.00）A.compare the populations of North America and EuropeB.show how humans influenced the na
21、tural environmentC.explain why Europeans migrated to North AmericaD.illustrate Englands growing power in North America(5).What can be inferred about the relationship between the Dutch and English colonies?（分数：1.00）A.The Dutch and the English were each others largest trading partners.B.The Dutch sett
22、led in areas where the English had failed earlier.C.The Dutch and the English competed for land, and the English prevailed.D.The Dutch joined forces with the French to fight against the Englis(6).According to the passage, why did the European powers fight wars in North America?（分数：1.00）A.The Europea
23、n powers wanted to conquer the native population.B.There was great competition for control of land and resources.C.The French and English armies wanted to test their new weapons.D.The European nations were trying to spread their political systems.二、Passage 2(总题数：3，分数：25.00)THE QUEEN ANNE HOUSE1 The
24、house style that dominated American housing during the 1880s and 1890s was known as Queen Anne, a curious name for an American style. The name was, in fact, a historical accident, originating with fashionable architects in Victorian England who coined it with apparently no reason other than its plea
25、sing sound. The Queen Anne style was loosely based on medieval structures built long before 1702, the beginning year of Queen Annes reign.2 A distinctive characteristic found in most Queen Anne houses is the unusual roof shape- a steeply pitched, hipped central portion with protruding lower front an
26、d side extensions that end in gables. It is often possible to spot these distinctive roof forms from several blocks away. Another feature of this style is the detailing, shown in the wood shingle siding cut into fanciful decorative patterns of scallops, curves, diamonds, or triangles. Queen Anne hou
27、ses are almost always asymmetrical. If you draw an imaginary line down the middle of one, you will see how drastically different the right and left sides are, all the way from ground level to roof peak. A final characteristic is the inviting wraparound porch that includes the front door area and the
28、n extends around to either the right or left side of the house.3 Queen Anne houses faded from fashion early in the twentieth century as the publics taste shifted toward the more modern Prairie and Craftsman style houses. Today, however, Queen Anne houses are favorite symbols of the past, painstaking
29、ly and lovingly restored by old-house buffs and reproduced by builders who give faithful attention to the distinctive shapes and detailing that were first popularized more than one hundred years ago.（分数：6.00）(1).Why does the author use the word curious in describing the name of an American style?（分数
30、1.00）A.The style was invented before Queen Annes reign.B.The name was accidentally misspelled.C.The style was more popular in Victorian England.D.The name did not originate in Americ(2).The word asymmetrical in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to（分数：1.00）A.inefficientB.boldC.strangeD.unbalanced(3)
31、Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic feature of Queen Anne houses?（分数：1.00）A.Decorative windowsB.Wood shingle exterior wallsC.Large porchD.Steeply pitched roof(4).Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 2?（分数：1.00）A.The Queen Anne style combined several other st
32、yles.B.The Queen Anne style had to be built in the city.C.The Queen Anne style was elaborate and ornate.D.The Queen Anne style was not popular.(5).According to the passage, why did Queen Anne houses go out of style?（分数：1.00）A.People came to see them as a symbol of the past.B.People started moving to
33、 the suburbs and the prairies.C.People were more interested in newer house styles.D.People could no longer afford to build such large houses.(6).The word buffs in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to（分数：1.00）A.expertsB.sellersC.criticsD.paintersSPORTS COMMENTARY1 One of the most interesting and dist
34、inctive of all uses of language is commentary. An oral reporting of ongoing activity, commentary is used in such public arenas as political ceremonies, parades, funerals, fashion shows, and cooking demonstrations. The most frequently occurring type of commentary may be that connected with sports and
35、 games. In sports there are two kinds of commentary, and both are often used for the same sporting event. “Play-by-play“ commentary narrates the sports event, while “color-adding“ or “color“ commentary provides the audience with pre-event background, during-event interpretation, and post-event evalu
36、ation. Color commentary is usually conversational in style and can be a dialogue with two or more commentators.2 Play-by-play commentary is of interest to linguists because it is unlike other kinds of narrative, which are typically reported in past tense. Play-by-play commentary is reported in prese
37、nt tense. Some examples are “he takes the lead by four“ and “shes in position.“ One linguist characterizes radio play-by-play commentary as “a monologue directed at an unknown, unseen mass audience who voluntarily choose to listen, and provide no feedback to the speaker.“ It is these characteristics
38、 that make this kind of commentary unlike any other type of speech situation.3 The chief feature of play-by-play commentary is a highly formulaic style of presentation. There is distinctive grammar not only in the use of the present tense but also in the omission of certain elements of sentence stru
39、cture. For example, “Smith in close“ eliminates the verb, as some newspaper headlines do. Another example is inverted word order, as in “over at third is Johnson.“ Play-by-play commentary is very fluent, keeping up with the pace of the action. The rate is steady and there is little silence. The stru
40、cture of the commentary is cyclical, reflecting the way most games consist of recurring sequences of short activities-as in tennis and baseball-or a limited number of activity options-as in the various kinds of football. In racing, the structure is even simpler, with the commentator informing the li
41、stener of the varying order of the competitors in a “state of play“ summary, which is crucial for listeners or viewers who have just tuned in.（分数：9.00）(1).The word arenas in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to（分数：1.00）A.settingsB.holidaysC.propertiesD.journals(2).The word background in paragraph 1
42、is closest in meaning to（分数：1.00）A.artworkB.amusementC.nowledgeD.criticism(3).Which of the following statements is true of color commentary?（分数：1.00）A.It narrates the action of the event in real time, using the present tense.B.It is a monologue given to an audience that does not respond to the speak
43、er.C.It is steady and fluent because it must keep up with the action of the event.D.It gives background on the event, and interprets and evaluates the event.(4).How is play-by-play commentary distinct from other types of narrative?（分数：1.00）A.It is not published in magazines.B.It is not spoken in pas
44、t tense.C.It involves only one reporter.D.It takes place after the event.(5).Why does the author quote a linguist in paragraph 2?（分数：1.00）A.To describe the uniqueness of radio play-by-playB.To show how technical sports commentary isC.To give examples of play-by-play commentaryD.To criticize past tre
45、nds in sports commentary(6).All of the following are examples of play-by-play commentary EXCEPT:（分数：1.00）A.“He pitched for Chicago.“B.“Junior out of bounds.“C.“Straight away its Owens.“D.“He cant make the shot.“(7).The word pace in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to（分数：1.00）A.planB.scoreC.causeD.s
46、peed(8).The word crucial in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to（分数：1.00）A.ascinatingB.importantC.confusingD.generous(9).It can be inferred from the passage that the author most likely agrees with which of the following statements about sports commentary?（分数：1.00）A.Color commentary is more important
47、 than play-by-play commentary.B.Sports commentators do not need special knowledge of the sport.C.Commentary enhances the excitement and enjoyment of sports.D.Sports commentators should study to improve their grammar.THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM OF TREES1 Inside the trees protective outer bark is the circu
48、latory system, consisting of two cellular pipelines that transport water, mineral nutrients, and other organic substances to all living tissues of the tree. One pipeline, called the xylem-or sapwood-transports water and nutrients up from the roots to the leaves. The other, the phloem-or inner bark-c
49、arries the downward flow of foodstuffs from the leaves to the branches, trunk, and roots. Between these two pipelines is the vascular cambium, a single-cell layer too thin to be seen by the naked eye. This is the trees major growth organ, responsible for the outward widening of the trunk, branches, twigs, and roots. During each growing season, the vascular cambium produces new phloem cells on its outer surface and new xylem cells on its inner surface.2 Xylem cells in the roots draw water molecules into the tree, taking in hydrogen and oxygen and also carrying chemical
