1、考博英语模拟试卷 13及答案与解析 一、 Reading Comprehension 0 From the health point of view we are living in a marvelous age. We are immunized from birth against many of the most dangerous disease. A large number of once fatal illness can now be found for the most stubborn remaining disease. The expectation of life
2、Ms increased enormously. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the incredible slaughter of them, women and children on the roads Man versus the motor-car! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing Thousand of people the wor
3、ld over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen. It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel, his car becomes the extension of his personality. There is no doubt that the motorcar often brings out a mans very worst
4、 qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind steering wheel. They swear, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-year-olds and utterly selfish. All their hidden frustrations, disappointments and jealousies seem to be brought to th
5、e surface by the act of driving. The surprising thing is that the society smiles so gently on the motorist and seems to forgive his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost uninhabitable because of heavy traffic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is desecrated by road ne
6、tworks;, and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing mere than a statistic, to be conveniently forgotten It is high time a world code were created to reduce this senseless waste of human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are notoriously lax and even the strictest are not str
7、ict enough. A code which was universally accepted could only have a dramatically beneficial effect on the accident rate. Here are a few examples of some of the things that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made for more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to
8、 take a test every three YEARS or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through strict annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can impair a persons driving ability. Present drin
9、king and driving laws (where they exist ) should be made much stricter. Maximum and minimum speed limits should be imposed on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned.
10、 These measures may sound inordinately harsh. But surely nothing should be considered as too severe ff it results in reducing the annual ton of human life. After all, the world is for human beings not for motorcars. 1 The main idea, of this passage is _. （ A） traffic accidents are mainly caused by m
11、otorists （ B） thousands of people the world over are killed each year （ C） the laws of some countries about driving are too lax （ D） only stricter traffic laws, can prevent accidents 2 What does the author think of society toward motorists? （ A） Society criticizes the motorists severely. （ B） Huge c
12、ar parks are built in the cities and towns. （ C） Society overlooks their rude driving. （ D） Victims of accidents are nothing. 3 Why does the author say: “his car becomes the extension of his personality”? （ A） Driving can show his real self. （ B） Driving can show the other part of his personality. （
13、 C） Driving can bring out his character. （ D） His car embodies his temper. 4 Which of the followings is NOT mentioned as a way against traffic accidents? （ A） Build more highways. （ B） Stricter driving tests. （ C） Test drivers every three years. （ D） Raise age limit and lay down safety specification
14、s. 5 The attitude of the author is _. （ A） ironical （ B） critical （ C） appealing （ D） militant 5 Climatic conditions are delicately adjusted to the composition of the Earths atmosphere. If there were a change in the atmosphere for example, in the relative proportions of atmosphere gases the climate
15、would probably change also. A slight increase in water vapor, for instance, would increase the hem-retaining capacity of the atmosphere and would lead to a rise in global temperatures. In contrast, a large increase, in water vapor would increase the thickness and extent of the cloud layer, reducing
16、the mount of solar energy reaching the Earth surface. level of carbon dioxide, CO2, in the atmosphere has important effect on climatic change. Most of the Earth s incoming energy is short-wavelength radiation, which tends to pass through atmospheric CO2 easily. The Earth, however, reradiates much of
17、 the received energy as a long-wavelength radiation, which CO2 absorbs and then remits toward the Earth. This phenomenon, known as the greenhouse effect, can result in an increase in the surface temperature of a planet. An extreme example of the effect is shown by the Venus, a planet covered by heav
18、y clouds composed mostly of CO2, whose surface temperatures have been measured at 430 . If the CO2 content of the atmosphere is reduced, the temperature falls. According to one respectable theory, if the atmospheric CO2 concentration were halved, the Earth would become completely covered with ice. A
19、nother equally respectable theory, however, states that a halving of the C02 concentration would lead only to a reduction in global temperatures of 3 . If, because of au increase in forest fires or volcanic activity, the CO2 content of the atmosphere increased, a warmer climate would be produced. Pl
20、ant growth, which relies on both the warmth and the availability of CO2, would probably increase. As a consequence, plants would use more and more CO2. Eventually CO2 levels would diminish and the climate, in turn, would become cooler. With reduced temperatures many plants would die; CO2 would there
21、by be returned to the atmosphere and gradually the temperatures would rise again. Thus, if this process occurred, there might be a long-term oscillation in the amount of CO2 present in the atmosphere, with regular temperature increases and decreases of a set magnitude. Some climatologists argue that
22、 the burning of fossil fuels has raised the level of CO2 in the atmosphere and has caused a global temperature rise of at least 1 . But a supposed global temperature rise of 1 may in reality be only several regional temperature increases, restricted to areas where there are many meteorological stati
23、ons and caused simply by shifts in the pattern of atmospheric circulation. Other areas, for example the Southern Hemisphere oceanic zone, may be experiencing an equivalent temperature decreases that is unrecognized because of the shortage of meteorological recording stations. 6 The passage supplies
24、information for answering which of the following questions? （ A） Why are projections of the effects of changes in water vapor levels on the climate so inaccurate? （ B） What are the steps in the process that takes place as CO2 absorbs long-wavelength radiation? （ C） How might our understanding of the
25、 greenhouse effect be improved if the burning of fossil fuels were decreased? （ D） What might cause a series of regular increases and decreases in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere? 7 The author is primarily concentrated on _. （ A） explaining the effects that the burning of fossil fuels might have
26、 on climate （ B） illustrating the effects of CO2 on atmospheric radiation （ C） discussing effects that changes in the CO2 level in the atmosphere might have on climate. （ D） challenging hypotheses about the effects of water vapor and CO2 on climate 8 The passage suggests that a large decrease in the
27、 amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would result in _. （ A） at least a slight decrease in global temperatures （ B） at the most a slight increases in short-wavelength radiation reaching the earth （ C） a slight long-term increase in global temperatures （ D） a slight short-term increase in global temperat
28、ures 9 The author refers to the Venus primarily in order to _. （ A） show the inherent weakness of the greenhouse effect theory （ B） show that the greenhouse effect works on other planets but not on the earth （ C） show the extent to which Earths atmosphere differs from that of the Venus （ D） supper t
29、he argument that the CO2 level in the atmosphere has a significant effect on climate 10 The passage suggests that if there were a slight global warming at the present time, it would be _. （ A） easy to measure the exact increase in temperature because of the abundances of temperature recording statio
30、ns throughout the world （ B） difficult to prove that the warming was caused by the burning of fossil fuels （ C） easy to demonstrate the effects of the warming on the water vapor in the atmosphere （ D） difficult to measure the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere because of local variations in amount 10
31、 Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet of our life, educated people need at least some acquaintance with its structure and operation. They should also have an understanding of the subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An under
32、standing of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific concepts is easier to attain if one knows something about the things that excite and frustrate the scientist. This book is written for the intelligent student of lay person whose acquaintance with science is superficial; f
33、or the person who has been presented with science as a musty storehouse of dried facts; for the person who has been presented with science as the production of gadgets; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to supplement a course in any science, t
34、o accompany any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modem world, or independently of any coursesimply to provide a better understanding of science. We hope this book will lead readers to a broader perspective on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who
35、scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an awareness and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. In addition, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific hews. and some of
36、the values and philosophies that are pervasive in our culture. We have tried: to present in this book an accurate and up-to-date picture of the scientific community and the people who populated it. That population has in recent years come to comprise more and more women. This increasing role of wome
37、n in the scientific subculture is not an unique incident but, rather, part of the trend evident in all segments of society as more women enter traditionally male-dominated fields and make significant contributions. In discussing these changes and contribution, however, we are faced with a language t
38、hat is implicitly sexist, one that uses male nouns or pronouns in referring to unspecified individuals. To offset this built-in bias, we have adopted the policy of using plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible and, when absolutely necessary, alternating he and she. This policy is far from being
39、ideal, but it is at least an acknowledgment of the inadequacy of our language in treating half of the human equally. We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative, Our approach is usually informal. We feel, as do many other scientists, that we shouldnt take ourelves too ser
40、iously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime than as a grim and dreary way to earn a living. 11 According to the passage, “scientific subculture “means _. （ A） cultural groups that are formed by scientists （ B） people whose knowledge of science is very limited （ C） the s
41、cientific community （ D） people who make good contribution to science 12 We need to know something about the structure and operation of science because _. （ A） it is not easy to understand the things that excite and frustrate science （ B） science affects almost every aspect of our life （ C） scientis
42、ts live in a specific substructure （ D） it is easier to understand general characteristics of science 13 The book mentioned in this passage is written for readers who _. （ A） long for deeper understanding of science （ B） are good at producing various gadgets （ C） work in a storehouse of dried facts
43、（ D） are interested in popular science 14 According to this passage, _. （ A） English is a sexist language （ B） only in the scientific world is the role of women increasing rapidly （ C） women are making significant contributions to eliminating the inadequacy of our language （ D） male nouns or pronoun
44、s should not be used to refer to scientists 15 This passage most probably is _. （ A） a book review （ B） the preface of a book （ C） the post script of a book （ D） the conc4uding part of a book 15 Next to Sir Andrew in the club-room sits Captain Sentry, a gentleman of great courage, good understanding
45、, but invincible modesty. He is one of those that deserve very well, but are very awkward at putting their talents within the observation of such as should take notice of them. He was some years a captain, and behaved himself with great gallantry in several engagements and at several sieges; but hav
46、ing a small estate of his own, and being next heir to Sir Roger, he has quitted a way of life in which no man can rise suitably to his merit, who is not something of a courtier as well as a soldier. I have heard him often lament that in a profession where merit is placed in so conspicuous a view, im
47、pudence should get the better of modesty. When he had talked to this purpose; I never heard him make a sour expression, but frankly confess that he left the world because he was not fit for it. A strict honesty, and an even regular behavior, are in themselves obstacles to him that must press through
48、 crowds, who endeavour at the same end with himself, the favor of a commander. He will, however, in his way of talk excuse generals for not disposing according to mens desert, or inquiring into it; for, says he, that the great man who has a mind to help me, has as many, to break through to come at m
49、e, as I have to come at him: therefore he will conclude that the man who would make a figure, especially in a military way, must get over all false modesty, and assist his patron against the importunity of other pretenders, by a proper assurance in his own vindication. He says it is a civil cowardice to be backward in asserting what you ought to expect, as it is a military fear to be slow in attacking when it is your duty, With this candour does the gentleman speak of himself and others. The same frankness runs through
