1、托福（阅读）模拟试卷 11及答案与解析 一、 Sections Three： Reading Comprehension 0 “Rising Sea Levels“ Sea level must be expressed as a range of values that are under constant reassessment. During the last century, sea level rose 10-20 cm (4-8 inches), a rate 10 times higher than the average rate during the last 3000 y
2、ears. The 2007 IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) forecast scenarios for global mean sea level rise this century, given regional variations, are - Low forecast: 0.18 m (7.1 in.) - Middle forecast: 0.39 m (15.4 in.) - High forecast: 0.59 m (23.2 in.) Observations since 1961 show the ave
3、rage global ocean temperature increased to depths of 3000 m and the ocean absorbed more than 80% of climate system heating. Such warming causes thermal expansion of seawater, contributing to sea level rise. Mountain glaciers and snow cover declined on average in both hemispheres, contributing to sea
4、 level rise. Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, portions of the South American Andes, and the Himalayas will very likely lose most of their glacial ice within the next two decades, affecting local water resources. Glacial ice continues its retreat in Alaska. Surrounding the margins of Antarctica, and cons
5、tituting about 11% of its surface area, are numerous ice shelves, especially where sheltering inlets or bays exist. Covering many thousands of square kilometers, these ice shelves extend over the sea while still attached to continental ice. The loss of these ice shelves does not significantly raise
6、sea level, for they already displace seawater. The concern is for the possible surge of grounded continental ice that the ice shelves hold back from the sea. Although ice shelves constantly break up to produce icebergs, some large sections have recently broken free. In 1998 an iceberg the size of De
7、laware broke off the Ronne Ice Shelf, southeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. In March 2000 an iceberg tagged B-15 broke off the Ross Ice Shelf (some 90 longitude west of the Antarctic Peninsula), measuring twice the size of Delaware, 300 km by 40 km or 190 mi by 25 mi. Since 1993, six ice shelves hav
8、e disintegrated in Antarctica. About 8000 km (3090 mi) of ice shelf are gone, changing maps, freeing up islands to circumnavigation, and creating thousands of icebergs. A Larsen-A suddenly disintegrated in 1995. B In only 35 days in early 2002, Larsen-B collapsed into icebergs. C Larsen-C, the next
9、segment to the south, is losing mass on its underside. This ice loss is likely a result of the 2.5C (4.5F) temperature increase in the peninsula region in the last 50 years. D In response to the increasing warmth, the Antarctic Peninsula is sporting new vegetation growth, reduced sea ice, and disrup
10、tion of penguin feeding, nesting, and fledging activities. A loss of polar ice mass, augmented by melting of alpine and mountain glaciers (which experienced more than a 30% decrease in overall ice mass during the last century) will affect sea-level rise. The IPCC assessment states that “between one-
11、third to one-half of the existing mountain glacier mass could disappear over the next hundred years.“ Also, “there is conclusive evidence for a worldwide recession of mountain glaciers . This is among the clearest and best evidence for a change in energy balance at the Earths surface since the end o
12、f the 19th century.“ Unfortunately, the new measurements of Greenlands ice loss acceleration did not reach the IPCC in time for its report. Scientists are considering at least a 1.2 m (3.94 ft) high case for estimates of sea-level rise this century as more realistic given Greenlands present losses c
13、oupled with mountain glacial ice losses worldwide. According to Rahmstorf and colleagues, the data now available raise concerns that the climate system, in particular sea level, may be responding more quickly than climate models indicate The rate of sea-level rise for the past 20 years is 25% faster
14、 than the rate of rise in any 20-year period in the preceding 115 years. . . . Since 1990, the observed sea level has been rising faster than the rise projected by models. These increases would continue beyond 2100 even if greenhouse gas concentrations were stabilized. A quick survey of world coastl
15、ines shows that even a moderate rise could bring changes of unparalleled proportions. At stake are the river deltas, lowland coastal farming valleys, and low-lying mainland areas, all contending with high water, high tides, and higher storm surges. Particularly tragic social and economic consequence
16、s will affect small island states which are unable to adjust within their present country boundariesdisruption of biological systems, loss of biodiversity, reduction in water resources, and evacuation of residents among the impacts there. There could be both internal and international migrations of
17、affected human populations, spread over decades, as people move away from coastal flooding from the sea-level rise. 1 The word range in the passage is closest in meaning to （ A） function （ B） scale （ C） version （ D） lack 2 The word likely in the passage is closest in meaning to （ A） suddenly （ B） pr
18、obably （ C） hopefully （ D） actually 3 Why does the author mention the state of Delaware in paragraph 4? （ A） To include the North American continent in the discussion （ B） To impress the reader with the size of the icebergs （ C） To emphasize the problems of coastal regions （ D） To solicit support fr
19、om residents in the United States 4 According to paragraph 4, why is there more new plant life in Antarctica recently? （ A） the mountain glaciers have melted （ B） the land masses have split into islands （ C） the icebergs have broken into smaller pieces （ D） the temperature has risen by a few degrees
20、 5 It may be inferred from this passage that icebergs are formed （ A） by a drop in ocean temperatures （ B） when an ice shelf breaks free （ C） from intensely cold islands （ D） if mountain glaciers melt 6 In paragraph 5, the author explains the loss of polar and glacial ice by （ A） stating an educated
21、 opinion （ B） referring to data in a study （ C） comparing sea levels worldwide （ D） presenting his research 7 The word conclusive in the passage is closest in meaning to （ A） definite （ B） independent （ C） unique （ D） valuable 8 Which of the sentences below best expresses the information in the high
22、lighted statement in the passage? The other choices change the meaning or leave out important information. （ A） The IPCC did not have the data about ice loss in Greenland before the report was published. （ B） This year, the report from Greenland did not measure the new ice loss for the IPCC. （ C） Th
23、e new measurements by the IPCC did not include Greenlands ice loss this time. （ D） Greenlands recent ice loss had not accelerated enough to be reported to the IPCC. 9 According to paragraph 7, why will people move away from the coastlines in the future? （ A） It will be too warm for them to live ther
24、e. （ B） The coastlines will have too much vegetation. （ C） Flooding will destroy the coastal areas. （ D） No agricultural crops will be grown on the coasts. 10 Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the authors opinion about rising sea levels? （ A） Sea levels would rise without gl
25、obal warming. （ B） Rising sea levels can be reversed. （ C） The results of rising sea levels will be serious. （ D） Sea levels are rising because of new glaciers. 11 The word there in the passage refers to （ A） resources （ B） systems （ C） boundaries （ D） states 12 Look at the four squares that show wh
26、ere the following sentence could be inserted in the passage. The Larsen Ice Shelf, along the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, has been retreating slowly for years. Where could the sentence best be added? Click on a square to insert the sentence in the passage. 13 An introduction for a short su
27、mmary of the passage appears below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that mention the most important points in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not included in the passage or are minor points from the passage. This
28、 question is worth 2 points. Global warming is causing a rise in sea levels, with accompanying changes in coastal boundaries as well as social and economic ramifications. - - - Answer Choices A The ice shelf called Larsen-A suddenly disintegrated in 1995. B Even an average rise in sea levels will ca
29、use serious social and economic changes. C Continental ice shelves and grounded ice sheets from Antarctica to the Polar cap are melting into the oceans. D It is predicted that many human migrations inland will occur along flooded coastal regions. E The melting of glacial ice on high mountain ranges
30、will affect regional water resources worldwide. F Scientists at NASA have concluded that the ice sheet in Greenland is melting at a rate of about 1 meter every year. 13 “Organic Architecture“ One of the most striking personalities in the development of early-twentieth-century architecture was Frank
31、Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). Wright moved to Chicago, where he eventually joined the firm headed by Louis Sullivan. Wright set out to create “architecture of democracy.“ Always a believer in architecture as “natural“ and “organic,“ Wright saw it as serving free individuals who have the right to move wi
32、thin a “free“ space, envisioned as a nonsymmetrical design interacting spatially with its natural surroundings. He sought to develop an organic unity of planning, structure, materials, and site. Wright identified the unity: “Classic architecture was all fixation. . Now why not let walls, ceilings, f
33、loors become seen as component parts of each other? . This ideal, profound in its architectural implications . I called . continuity.“ Wright manifested his vigorous originality early, and by 1900 he had arrived at a style entirely his own. In his work during the first decade of the twentieth centur
34、y, his cross-axial plan and his fabric of continuous roof planes and screens defined a new domestic architecture. Wright fully expressed these elements and concepts in Robie House, built between 1907 and 1909. Like other buildings in the Chicago area he designed at about the same time, he called thi
35、s home a “prairie house.“ Wright conceived the long, sweeping ground-hugging lines, unconfined by abrupt wall limits, as reaching out toward and capturing the expansiveness of the Midwests great flatlands. Abandoning all symmetry, the architect eliminated a facade, extended the roofs far beyond the
36、walls, and all but concealed the entrance. Wright filled the “wandering“ plan of the Robie House with intricately joined spaces (some large and open, others closed), grouped freely around a great central fireplace. A (He believed strongly in the hearths age-old domestic significance.) Wright designe
37、d enclosed patios, overhanging roofs, and strip windows to provide unexpected light sources and glimpses of the outdoors as people move through the interior space. B These elements, together with the open ground plan, create a sense of space-in-motion inside and out. C The flow of interior space det
38、ermined the sharp, angular placement of exterior walls. D The Robie House is a good example of Wrights “naturalism,“ his adjusting of a building to its site. In this particular case, however, the confines of the city lot constrained the building-to-site relationship more than did the sites of some o
39、f Wrights more expansive suburban and country homes. The Kaufmann House, nicknamed “Fallingwater“ and designed as a weekend retreat at Bear Run near Pittsburgh, is a prime example of the latter. Perched on a rocky hillside over a small waterfall, this structure extends the Robie Houses blocky masses
40、 in all four directions. Since the completion of this residence, architects and the public alike have marveled at the fluid interplay between interior and exterior. In designing Fallingwater, Wright, in keeping with his commitment to an “architecture of democracy,“ sought to incorporate the structur
41、e more fully into the site, thereby ensuring a fluid, dynamic exchange between the interior of the house and the natural environment outside. Rather than build a house overlooking or next to the waterfall, Wright decided to build it over the waterfall, because he believed that the inhabitants would
42、become desensitized to the waterfalls presence and power if they merely overlooked it. To take advantage of the location, Wright designed a series of terraces on three levels from a central core structure. The contrast in textures between concrete, painted metal, and natural stones in its walls enli
43、ven its shapes, as does Wrights use of full-length strip windows to create a stunning interweaving of interior and exterior space. The implied message of Wrights new architecture was space, not mass a space designed to fit the patrons life and enclosed and divided as required. Wright took special pa
44、ins to meet his clients requirements, often designing all the accessories of a house. In the late 1930s, he acted on a cherished dream to provide good architectural design for less prosperous people by adapting the ideas of his prairie house to plans for smaller, less expensive dwellings. The public
45、ation of Wrights plans brought him a measure of fame in Europe, especially in Holland and Germany. The issuance in Berlin in 1910 of a portfolio of his work and an exhibition of his designs the following year stimulated younger architects to adopt some of his ideas about open plans. Some forty years
46、 before his career ended, his work was already of revolutionary significance. 14 The main idea of this passage is （ A） the design of Robie House （ B） twentieth-century architecture （ C） Frank Lloyd Wrights work （ D） residences of the Midwest 15 What did Wright mean by the term “organic“ in paragraph
47、 1 ? （ A） Fixation （ B） Ideal （ C） Continuity （ D） Classic 16 The phrase his own in the passage refers to （ A） style （ B） originality （ C） work （ D） plan 17 The word conceived in the passage is closest in meaning to （ A） utilized （ B） noticed （ C） created （ D） examined 18 The word Abandoning in the
48、passage is closest in meaning to （ A） Influencing （ B） Modifying （ C） Perfecting （ D） Discontinuing 19 It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that the author gives details for the design of the Robie House because （ A） the design included both indoor and outdoor plans （ B） Robie House included many of
49、Wrights original ideas （ C） all of the accessories of the house were included in the design （ D） Wright lived in Robie House between 1907 and 1909 20 The word prime in the passage is closest in meaning to （ A） most important （ B） most numerous （ C） most common （ D） most accepted 21 How was “Fallingwater“ different from the “Robie House“? （ A） Fallingwater was an earlier example of naturalism than “Robie House.“ （ B） Fallingwater was much smaller than “Robie House“ because it was a retreat. （ C） Fallingwater was better suited to the site with views t
