1、考博英语模拟试卷 203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 diseases. A large number of once fatal illnesses can now be cured by modern drugs and surgery. It is almost certain that one da
2、y remedies will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has 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 ver
3、sus the motor-car! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousand of people the world over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen. It has been rightly ;aid that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel, his car becomes the extens
4、ion of his personality. There is no doubt that the motor-car often brings out a mans very worst qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind steering, wheels. They swear, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-year-olds and utterl
5、y selfish. All their bidden frustrations, disappointments and jealousies seem to be brought to the surface by the act of driving. The surprising thing is that the society smiles so gently on the motorist and seems to forgive his behavior. Everything is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to
6、 become almost uninhabitable because of heavy traffic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is desecrated by road networks; and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing more than a statistic, to be conveniently forgotten. It is high time a world code were created to reduce this se
7、nseless waste of human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are notoriously lax and even the strictest are not strict 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
8、 that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made far more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to take a test every three years or sol the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put throu
9、gh strict annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can impair a persons driving ability. Present drinking 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 sa
10、fety specifications for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may sound inordinately harsh. But surely nothing should be considered as too severe if it results in reducing the annual toll of human life. After all,
11、 the world is for human beings, not for motor-cars. 1 The main idea of this passage is _. （ A） traffic accidents are mainly caused by motorists （ 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 p
12、revent accidents 2 What does the author think of society toward motorists? （ A） Society criticizes the motorists severely. （ B） Huge car 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 beco
13、mes the extension of his personality“? （ A） Driving can show his real self. （ B） Driving can show the other part of his personality. （ C） Driving can bring out his character. （ D） His car embodies his temper. 4 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way against traffic accidents? （ A） Build mo
14、re highways. （ B） Stricter driving tests. （ C） Test drivers every three years. （ D） Raise age limit and lay down safety specifications. 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
15、Earths atmosphere. If there were a change in the atmosphere-for example, in the relative proportions of atmosphere gases-the climate 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 glo
16、bal temperatures. In contrast, a large increase in water vapor would increase the thickness and extent of the cloud layer, reducing the mount of solar energy reaching the Earth surface. The level of carbon dioxide, CO2 in the atmosphere has important effect on climatic change. Most of the Earths inc
17、oming energy is short-wavelength radiation, which tends to pass through atmospheric CO2 easily. The Earth, however, reradiates much of 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 i
18、n an increase in the surface temperature of a planet. An extreme example of the effect is shown by the Venus, a planet covered by heavy 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. Accord
19、ing to one respectable theory, if the atmospheric CO2 concentration were halved, the Earth would become completely covered with ice. Another equally respectable theory, however, states that a halving of the CO2 concentration would lead only to a reduction in global temperatures of 3 . If, because of
20、 an increase in forest fires or volcanic activity, the CO2 content of the atmosphere increased, a warmer climate would be produced. Plant 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
21、 levels would diminish and the climate, in turn, would become cooler. With reduced temperatures many plants would die; CO2 would thereby 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
22、 of CO2 present in the atmosphere, with regular temperature increase and decrease of a set magnitude. Some climatologists argue that 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 ri
23、se of 1 may in reality be only several regional temperature increase, restricted to areas where there are many meteorological stations and caused simply by shifts in the pattern of atmospheric circulation. Other areas, for example the Southern Hemisphere oceanic zone, may be experiencing an equivale
24、nt temperature decrease that is unrecognized because of the shortage of meteorological recording stations. 6 The passage supplies 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） Wh
25、at are the steps in the process that takes place as CO2 absorbs long-wavelength radiation? （ C） How might our understanding of the 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 th
26、e atmosphere? 7 The author is primarily concentrated on _. （ A） explaining the effects that the burning of fossil fuels might have 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 （
27、D） challenging hypotheses about the effects of water vapor and CO2 on climate 8 The passage suggests that a large decrease in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would result in _. （ A） at least a slight decrease in global temperatures （ B） at the most a slight increase in short-wavelength radiation
28、 reaching the earth （ C） a slight long-term increase in global temperatures （ D） a slight short-term increase in global temperatures 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
29、 other planets but not on the earth （ C） show the extent to which Earths atmosphere differs from that of the Venus （ D） support the 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
30、, it would be _. （ A） easy to measure the exact increase in temperature because of the abundance of temperature recording stations 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
31、vapor in the atmosphere （ D） difficult to measure the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere because of local variations in amount 10 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 operati
32、on. They should also have an understanding of the subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding 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
33、 the scientist. This book is written for the intelligent student or lay person whose acquaintance with science is superficial; for the person who has been presented with science as a musty store-house of dried facts; for the person who has been presented with science as the production of gadgets; an
34、d for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to supplement a course in any science, to accompany any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or, independently of any course-simply to provide a better understanding of science. We
35、hope this book will lead readers to a broader perspective on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who 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
36、science may play in our culture. In addition, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of 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
37、the people who populated it. That population has in recent years come to comprise more and more women. This increasing role of women 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-dominat
38、ed fields and make significant contributions. In discussing these changes and contributions, however, we are faced with a language that 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 usin
39、g plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible and, when absolutely necessary, alternating he and she. This policy is far from being ideal, but it is at least an acknowledgment of the inadequacy of our language in treating half of the human race equally. We have also tried to make the book entertaini
40、ng as well as informative. Our approach is usually informal. We feel, as do many other scientists, that we shouldnt take ourselves too seriously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime rather than as a grim and dreary way to earn a living. 11 According to the passage, “sci
41、entific subculture“ means _. （ A） cultural groups that are formed by scientists （ B） people whose knowledge of science is very limited （ C） the scientific community （ D） people who make good contribution to science 12 We need to know something about the structure and operation of science because _.
42、（ A） it is not easy to understand the things that excite and frustrate science （ B） science affects almost every aspect of our life （ C） scientists 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
43、readers who _. （ A） long for deeper understanding of science （ B） are good at producing various gadgets （ C） work in a storehouse of dried facts （ 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
44、women increasing rapidly （ C） women are making significant contributions to eliminating the inadequacy of our language （ D） male nouns or pronouns 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 boo
45、k （ D） the concluding part of a book 15 Next to Sir Andrew in the club-room sits Captain Sentry, a gentleman of great courage, good understanding, 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
46、 take notice of them. He was some years a captain, and behaved himself with great gallantry in several engagements and at several sieges; but having 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 so
47、mething 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, impudence 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 th
48、e 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 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 accor
49、ding 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 me, 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 fe
