1、2013年北京师范大学考博英语真题试卷及答案与解析 一、 Reading Comprehension 0 In contrast to rock musicians, jazz players prefer to spend their time with their music and tend to measure success by that single standard, as a trombonist once put it: “ A jazz musician would rather play a good concert for three people than a ba
2、d one for three thousand. “ All the same, with their fellow players, jazzmen are collegiate and gregarious, exchange musical ideas in a spirit of mutual support or friendly competition, uniting in a collaborative effort to raise the level of their art. Even the greatest individuals have benefited fr
3、om the talents of others. In this legendary band, Duke Ellington provided star soloists with the ideal framework for their abilities. At the same time, they inspired him with the rich material of their personal idioms and phrases, which found their way into his compositions. In fact, Ellington was s
4、o adept at recycling what he heard that one of them described him as “ not a composer but a compiler“. Ellingtons creative gifts were genuine and vast, but for much of his life he did receive crucial assistance not only from the involvement of his band, but from an actual day-in, day-out collaborato
5、r. In 1938 he met Billy Strayhorn, a young pianist-composer who was immediately brought into the ducal fold. Strayhorn became Ellingtons altered ego, contributing scores to the band but functioning even more importantly as a silent partner, completing pieces Ellington left unfinished, reworking othe
6、rs and acting as all-purpose composer sometimes credited, more often not. Ellington provided Strayhorn with financial security, artistic respect and the creative medium of the Ellington band. Throughout their partnership which lasted until Strayhorns death in 1967 they never had a contract. Ellingto
7、n simply paid all creative equal and friends, describing him as “ my favorite human being“ , Strayhorn, a homosexual bon vivant, brilliant but self-effacing, let Ellington take both the glory and the strain of stardom, while he relieved some of the artistic pressure with a talent comparable to the l
8、eaders own. Though occasionally there was discord over the matter of official composer credit in their joint works, Ellington always publicly acknowledged his colleagues contributions, and the many Strayhorn originals in Ellingtons book speak for themselves, including the bands famous theme and grea
9、test hit, “ Take the Train“. Thought the young man was adept at imitating the ducal style, his own unique voice, full of subtle impressionist colors, influenced a generation of later jazz composers. 1 According to the article, jazzmen_. （ A） compete fiercely with each other （ B） are not sociable whe
10、n they are with their fellow players （ C） refuse to exchange ideas about music with their fellow players （ D） collaborate a lot with their fellow players to improve the level of their art 2 Which of the following statements is TRUE about Duke Ellington? （ A） He refused to collaborate with but a few
11、talented musicians. （ B） He had little natural talent but rather used others genius for his own purposes. （ C） He entered into a collaborative relationship with Billy Strayhorn that suited both men. （ D） He often utilized material from lesser known musicians without proper acknowledgement. 3 Of the
12、Strayhorn/Ellington relationship, the author believes_. （ A） both men were ultimately dissatisfied with their working arrangement （ B） Strayhorn was respected and well compensated for his contributions to the band （ C） Strayhorn provided the bulk of the creative talent while Ellington received the p
13、ublic recognition for their effort （ D） while their professional relationship was productive, their personalities often clashed, putting a strain on their relationship 4 The author feels jazz musicians_. （ A） strive for commercial success over musical accomplishment （ B） differ from rock musicians i
14、n their ability to raise the level of their music （ C） are traditionally soloists who gain little from cooperative collaboration （ D） gain much through mutual collaboration, although often individualists 5 It is indicated that Billy Strayhorn_. （ A） wrote many famous songs and often attributed to Du
15、ke Ellington （ B） ended his work with Duke Ellington amid tension and frustration （ C） struggled financially as he never received proper credit for his work （ D） was basically known for integrating different jazz themes into a larger compilation 6 The title for this passage would be_. （ A） Jazzmen S
16、trayhorn and Ellington Walk Alone （ B） A Classic Collaborative Effort during Jazzs Finest Hour （ C） Strayhorn and Ellington: an Unequal and Frustration Collaboration （ D） Jazz is Never Played in Group: Ellington and Strayhorn Tell the World 7 What is the possible meaning of the underlined word “hit“
17、 in the last paragraph? （ A） a successful play （ B） striking vigorously （ C） a song that was welcomed by the public （ D） a headline printed prominently to draw the public attention 7 Water is the giver and, at the same time, the taker of life. It covers most of the surface of the planet we live on a
18、nd features large in the development of the human race. On present predictions, it is an cement that is set to assume even greater significance. Throughout history, water has had a huge impact on our lives. Humankind has always had a rather ambiguous relationship with water, on the one hand receivin
19、g enormous benefit from it, not just as a drinking source, but as a provider of food and a means whereby to travel and to trade. But forced to live close to water in order to survive and to develop, the relationship has not always been peaceful or beneficial. In fact, it has been quite the contrary.
20、 What has essentially been a necessity for survival was turned out in many instances to have a very destructive and life-threatening side. Through the ages, great floods alternated with long periods of drought have assaulted people and their environment, hampering their fragile fight for survival. T
21、he dramatic changes to the environment that are now a feature of our daily news are not exactly new: fields that were once lush and fertile are now barren; lakes and rivers that were once teeming with life are now long gone; savannah has been turned to desert. What perhaps is new is our native wonde
22、r when faced with the forces of nature. Today, we are more aware of climatic changes around the world. Floods in far-flung places are instant news for the whole world. Perhaps these events make us feel better as we face the destruction of our own property by floods and other natural disasters. In 20
23、02, many parts of Europe suffered severe flood damage running into billions of euros. Properties across the continent collapsed into the sea as waves pounded the coastline wreaking havoc with sea defenses. But it was not just the seas. Rivers swollen by heavy rains and by the effects of deforestatio
24、n carried large volumes of water that wrecked many communities. Building stronger and more sophisticated river defenses against flooding is the expensive short-term answer. There are simpler ways. Planting trees in highland areas, not just in Europe but in places like the Ganges Delta, is a cheaper
25、and more attractive solution. Progress is already being made in convincing countries that the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is causing considerable damage to the environment. But more effort is needed in this direction. And the future? If we are to believe the forecasts, it i
26、s predicted that two thirds of the world population will be without fresh water by 2025. But for a growing number of regions of the world the future is already with us. While some areas are devastated by flooding, scarcity of water in many other places is causing conflict. The state of Texas in the
27、United States of America is suffering a shortage of water with the Rio Grande failing to reach the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in 50 years in the spring of 2002, pitting region against region as they vie for water sources. With many parts of the globe running dry through drought and increased
28、water consumption, there is now talk of water being the new oil. Other doom-laden estimates suggest that, while tropical areas will become drier and uninhabitable, coastal regions and some low-lying islands will in all probability be submerged by the sea as the polar ice caps melt. Popular exotic de
29、stinations now visited by countless tourists will become no-go areas. Todays holiday hotspots of southern Europe and elsewhere will literally become hotspots too hot to live in or visit. With the current erratic behavior of the weather, it is difficult not to subscribe to such despair. Some might sa
30、y that this despondency is ill-founded, but we have had ample proof that there is something not quite right with the climate. Many parts of the world have experienced devastating flooding. As the seasons revolve, the focus of the destruction moves from one continent to another. The impact on the env
31、ironment is alarming and the cost to life depressing. It is a picture to which we will need to become accustomed. 8 The writer believes that water_. （ A） is gradually becoming of greater importance （ B） will have little impact on our lives in future （ C） is something we will need more than anything
32、else （ D） will have even greater importance in our lives in future 9 Humankinds relationship with water has been_. （ A） two-sided （ B） one-side （ C） purely one of great benefit （ D） fairly frightening 10 The writer suggests that_. （ A） we are in awe of the news we read and see on TV every day （ B） c
33、hange to the environment leaves us speechless （ C） we should not be in awe of the news we read and see on TV every day （ D） our surprise at the environmental change brought about by nature is something new 11 According to the passage, planting trees_. （ A） has to be coordinated internationally （ B）
34、is more expensive than building sea and river defenses （ C） is a less expensive answer to flooding in all regions （ D） is not an answer to the problem of flooding in all regions 12 By 2025, it is projected that_. （ A） at least half the world population will have fresh water （ B） one-third of the wor
35、ld population will have fresh water （ C） the majority of the world population will have fresh water （ D） fresh water will only be available to half of the world population 13 According to the passage, in the future low-lying islands_. （ A） will still be habitable （ B） will not be under water （ C） ar
36、e likely to be under water （ D） will probably not be under water 14 According to the writer, _. （ A） people do not need to get used to environmental damage （ B） people will need to get used to climate changes that cause environmental damage （ C） people are now more used to environmental damage than
37、they have been in the past （ D） the general despondency about environmental changes is ill-founded 14 The legend of Paul Reveres midnight ride through the Massachusetts countryside in 1775 is known to most Americans, young and old. As the story goes, Paul Revere was a silversmith in Boston at the ti
38、me of the American Revolution. When he learned that the British army planned to attack the towns and villages of Middlesex County, farmhouse and village hall, to warn the local revolutionary soldiers of the planned attack. Because of his warning(according to legend)the struggling American colonies w
39、ere able to defeat the British in an important battle. One reason for the popularity of the legend may be the publicity it has received through Henry Wadsworth Longfellows commemorative poem, Paul Reveres Ride. Longfellow wrote the poem in 1861 and it has since then become one of the most well-known
40、 and well-loved poems in the country. The poem certainly captures the sense of danger and excitement, met with courage and ingenuity which many Americans associate with the American Revolution. It is easy to understand why the poem evokes such a large audience. However, Longfellows poem contains a n
41、umber of historical errors. According to Longfellows poem, Paul Revere instructed a friend to watch the movement of the British troops and determine whether they marched inland or towards their boats. The friend was then to hang lanterns in the tower of the Old Church in Boston: one lantern if the B
42、ritish marched by land and two lanterns if they marched by sea. The expression “one if by land and two if by sea,“ taken from Longfellows poem, has become very popular and is often quoted. But this idea contains two inaccuracies. First, the lanterns were hung in the tower of the Old Christ Church, n
43、ot the Old North Church, which is in a completely different part of Boston and would not have been visible from Paul Reveres lookout point. Second, Longfellow confused the meaning of the number of lanterns to be hung: the actual arrangement was “two if by land and one if by sea. “ Not all of Longfel
44、lows historical mistakes are so minor. It seems as though Longfellow chose to emphasize the idea of one lone hero struggling against many opposing forces, with only his own abilities to rely on. But actually, Paul Revere was only one of three riders delegated to warn the Revolutionary soldiers about
45、 the coming attack. Some people feel that Longfellows errors are insignificant, and that the ideals of courage and cunning are the important features of both the poem and the historical events which inspired it. But others feel that, while it probably makes little difference how many lanterns were h
46、ung from which church tower, the poems emphasis on the solitary hero runs counter to the most valuable idea in the poem: the idea of unity and cooperation in the face of danger. Critics of the poem raise an important question: Longfellows poem tells a famous story, and tells it powerfully but is it
47、the right story? 15 According to the article, which of the following statements about Paul Revere is TRUE? （ A） Paul Revere was a silversmith in Boston. （ B） Paul Revere rode on horseback all alone in Massachusetts. （ C） Paul Revere was instructed to watch closely the movements of the British troops
48、. （ D） Paul Revere was instructed to watch closely the movements of the British people. 16 Paul Revere RODE THROUGH Middlesex County because he wanted to warn the local townspeople that_. （ A） the British were going to steal their silver （ B） the British army was going to attack them （ C） the Britis
49、h were going to plunder the town （ D） they should escape from the British soldiers by sea instead of running away over land 17 According to the article, what is one of the factors that contribute to the popularity of the story of Paul Revere? （ A） Longfellows poem “Paul Reveres Ride“. （ B） Paul Reveres courage and bravery. （ C） The important event of the American Revolution. （ D） An important question raised by critics of the poem. 18 According to the article, what the opponents of Longfel
