1、考博英语（阅读理解）模拟试卷 33及答案与解析 一、 Reading Comprehension 0 Habits are a funny thing.We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto-pilot and relaxing into the unconscious comfort of familiar routine.“ Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting herd.“ William Wordsworth said in the 19th century.I
2、n the ever-changing 21st century, even the word “habit“ carries a negative connotation. So it seems antithetical to talk about habits in the same context as creativity and innovation.But brain researchers have discovered that when we consciously develop new habits, we create parallel synaptic paths,
3、 and even entirely new brain cells, that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks. Rather than dismissing ourselves as unchangeable creatures of habit, we can instead direct our own change by consciously developing new habits.In fact, the more new things we try-the more we step out
4、side our comfort zone-the more inherently creative we become, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. But dont bother trying to kill off old habits, once those ruts of procedure are worn into the brain, theyre there to stay.Instead, the new habits we deliberately ingrain into ourselves crea
5、te parallel pathways that can bypass those old roads. “The first thing needed for innovation is a fascination with wonder,“ says Dawna Markova, author of “The Open Mind“.“But we are taught instead to decide, just as our president calls himself the Decider.“ She adds, however, that “to decide is to k
6、ill off all possibilities but one.A good innovational thinker is always exploring the many other possibilities.“ All of us work through problems in ways of which were unaware, she says.Researchers in the late 1960s discovered that humans are born with the capacity to approach challenges in four prim
7、ary ways: analytically, procedurally, relationally (or collaboratively) and innovatively.At the end of adolescence, however, the brain shuts down half of that capacity, preserving only those modes of thought that have seemed most valuable during the first decade or so of life. The current emphasis o
8、n standardized testing highlights analysis and procedure, meaning that few of us inherently use our innovative and collaborative modes of thought.“This breaks the major rule in the American belief system-that anyone can do anything,“ explains M.J.Ryan, author of the 2006 book “This Year I Will.“ and
9、 Ms.Markovas business partner.“Thats a lie that we have perpetuated, and it fosters commonness.Knowing what youre good at and doing even more of it creates excellence.“ This is where developing new habits comes in. 1 In Wordsworths view, “habits“ is characterized being _. （ A） casual （ B） familiar （
10、 C） mechanical （ D） changeable. 2 Brain researchers have discovered that the formation of new habits can be_. （ A） predicted （ B） regulated （ C） traced （ D） guided 3 The word “ruts“(Line 1 , Paragraph 4) is closest in meaning to_. （ A） tracks （ B） series （ C） characteristics （ D） connections 4 Dawna
11、 Markova would most probably agree that_. （ A） ideas are born of a relaxing mind （ B） innovativeness could be taught （ C） decisiveness derives from fantastic ideas （ D） curiosity activates creative minds 5 Ryans comments suggest that the practice of standardized testing_. （ A） prevents new habits fr
12、om being formed （ B） no longer emphasizes commonness （ C） maintains the inherent American thinking mode （ D） complies with the American belief system 5 The Internet can make the news more democratic, giving the public a chance to ask questions and seek out facts behind stories and candidates, accord
13、ing to the head of the largest U.S.online service. “But the greatest potential for public participation is still in the future,“ Steven Case, Chairman of America Online, told a recent meeting on Journalism and the Internet sponsored by the Freedom Forum(论坛 ), However, some other experts often say th
14、e new technology of computers is changing the face of journalism, giving reporters access to more information and their readers a chance to ask questions and turn to different sources. “You dont have to buy a newspaper and be confined to the four corners of that paper any more,“ Sam Meddis, online t
15、echnology editor at USA Today, observed about the variety of information available to computer users. But the experts noted the easy access to the Internet also means anyone can post information for others to see.“Anyone can say anything they want, whether its right or wrong,“ said Case.Readers have
16、 to determine for themselves who to trust.“In a world of almost infinite voices, respected journalists and respected brand names will probably become more important, not less,“ Case said. “The Internet today is about where radio was 80 years ago, or television 50 years ago or cable 25 years ago,“ he
17、 said.But it is growing rapidly because it provides people fast access to news and a chance to comment on it. 6 The main topic of this passage is_. （ A） the development of journalism （ B） the rapid development of the Internet （ C） the effect the Internet has on journalism （ D） the advantages of the
18、Internet 7 It can be inferred from this passage that the fact that_may NOT be regarded as an advantage of the Internet. （ A） the news can be made more democratic （ B） the public can turn to different sources （ C） the public can get a chance to ask questions （ D） anything can be posted on the Interne
19、t for others to see 8 The correct order for the appearance of the four technologies is_. （ A） Internet-cable-television-radio （ B） radio-television-cable-Internet （ C） radio-cable-television-Internet （ D） television-radio-cable-Internet 9 Which of the following statements is true? （ A） Only respecte
20、d journalists can post information on the Internet for others to see. （ B） Respected journalists will probably become more important than before. （ C） Everyone is using the Internet now. （ D） The greatest potential of public participation of the Internet is in the near future. 9 There is a range of
21、activities which require movements of about one to four or five miles.These might be leisure activities, such as moving from home to swimming pool, tennis club, the theater or other cultural centers, or to a secondary or more advanced school, or they might be movements associated with work and shopp
22、ing in the central areas of cities.The use of cars capable of carrying five people at 80 mph for satisfying these needs is wasteful of space and most productive of disturbance to other road users. The use of the bicycle, or some more modern derivative of it, is probably worth more consideration than
23、 has recently been given to it.The bicycle itself is a remarkably efficient and simple device for using human muscular energy for transportation.In pure energy terms, it is four to five times as efficient as walking, even though human walking itself is twice as efficient as the movement of effective
24、 animals such as dogs or gulls.It is still widely used, not only in some developing countries where bicycles are major means of people and goods, but in a few richer towns such as Amsterdam in Holland and Cambridge in England. It usually gives inadequate protection from the weather, is not very suit
25、able for carrying goods, and demands considerable muscular work to make progress against wind or uphill.It also offers its rider no protection against collisions with other vehicles.All these difficulties could, however, be greatly eliminated, if not removed, with relatively small changes in design.
26、The whole machine could be enclosed in a plastic bubble which would provide some protection in case of accidents.It would be easy to add a small petrol or electric motor.A wide variety of designs would be possible.As in rowing, we might employ the power of the arms or the general body musculature, a
27、s well as those of the legs; more muscular exercise would be good for the health of many people in cities, and a wide use of bicycle like muscle-powered vehicles would be a useful way to ensure this.It could also provide ample opportunities for showing off by the young and vigorous. 10 The main idea
28、 of the first paragraph is that the car_. （ A） can satisfy the demand for speed （ B） causes waste of space （ C） produces disturbance to other road users （ D） is far from perfect for short range movements 11 More attention should be given to the bicycle as a means of transport because it is_. （ A） a
29、very efficient and simple device （ B） much cheaper than a car （ C） widely used in Amsterdam and Cambridge （ D） still used by rich people 12 Enclosing the bicycle in a plastic bubble would_. （ A） make it easier to use （ B） save muscular energy （ C） provide protection from the weather （ D） prevent it
30、from colliding with other vehicles 13 Which of these is untrue for the present bicycle? （ A） It is far more efficient than the movement of animals. （ B） It offers its rider no protection. （ C） It is not very suitable for carrying goods. （ D） It can hardly be improved on. 13 Telecommuting substitutin
31、g the computer for the trip to the job has been hailed as a solution to all kinds of problems related to office work.For workers it promises freedom from the office, less time wasted in traffic, and help with child-care conflicts.For management, telecommuting helps keep high performers on board, min
32、imizes lateness and absenteeism by eliminating commuters, allows periods of solitude for high-concentration tasks, and provides scheduling flexibility.In some areas, such as Southern California and Seattle, Washington, local governments are encouraging companies to start telecommuting programs in or
33、der to reduce rush-hour traffic and improve air quality. But these benefits do not come easily.Making a telecommuting program work requires careful planning and an understanding of the differences between telecommuting realities and popular images.Many workers are seduced by rosy illusions of life a
34、s a telecommuter.A computer programmer from New York City moves to the quiet Adirondack Mountains and stays in contact with her office via computer.A manager comes in to his office three days a week and works at home the other two.An accountant stays home to care for her sick child; she hooks up her
35、 telephone modem connections and does office work between calls to the doctor. These are powerful images, but they are a limited reflection of reality.Telecommuting workers soon learn that it is almost impossible to concentrate on work and care for a young child at the same time.Before a certain age
36、, young children cannot recognize, much less respect, the necessary boundaries between work and family.Additional child support is necessary if the parent is to get any work done.Management, too, must separate the myth from the reality.Although the media has paid a great deal of attention to telecom
37、muting, in most cases it is the employees situation, not the availability of technology, that precipitates a telecommuting arrangement. That is partly why, despite the widespread press coverage, the number of companies with work-at-home programs of policy guidelines remains small. 14 What is the mai
38、n subject of the passage? （ A） Business management policies. （ B） Driving to work. （ C） Extending the workplace by means of computers. （ D） Computers for child-care purposes. 15 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a problem for employers that is potentially solved by telecommuting? （ A） Emplo
39、yeeslateness for work. （ B） Employees absence from work. （ C） Employees need for time alone to work intensively. （ D） Employees conflicts with second jobs. 16 Which of the following does the author mention as a possible disadvantage of telecommuting? （ A） Small children cannot understand the boundar
40、ies of work and play. （ B） Computer technology is never advanced enough to accommodate the needs of every situation. （ C） Electrical malfunctions can destroy a project. （ D） The worker often does not have all the needed resources at home. 17 Which of the following is an example of telecommuting as d
41、escribed in the passage? （ A） A scientist in a laboratory developing plans for a space station. （ B） A technical writer sending via computer documents created at home. （ C） A computer technician repairing an office computer network. （ D） A teacher directing computer-assisted learning in a private sc
42、hool. 17 The payroll register constitutes the treasurer departments authority to pay the employees.Payment is usually made in the form of a check drawn on the companys regular bank account.Pre-numbered payroll checks should be used, and there should be independent verification of the agreement of th
43、e checks with the payroll register in detail and in total. Payroll checks should be distributed directly to employees, on proper identification, by treasurers department personnel.The checks should not be returned to payroll for distribution since the payroll department would then have control over
44、both preparing and paying the payroll.Alternatively, payroll checks may be deposited directly in the employees checking account. Payment of employees in cash is the exception rather than the rule.This form of payment is more easily influenced by errors, irregularities, and robbery than payment by ch
45、eck.Following payment, check numbers are entered on the register, the preparation and payment of the payroll are programmed on a computer. A termination notice should be issued by the personnel department on the completion of an individuals employment with the company.Copies of the termination autho
46、rization should be sent to the employees supervisor and to payroll, and a copy should be filed in the employees personnel record.The proper execution of this function is vital in preventing terminated employees from continuing on the payroll.The subsequent diversion of such payroll checks to an unau
47、thorized individual has been responsible for many payroll cheat through the years. Every company is expected to fulfill the legal requirements relevant to the filing of payroll tax returns and the payment of the resulting taxes.Ordinarily, the payroll department prepares the tax returns and a check
48、is issued through the guarantor system in payment of the taxes.The responsibility for the filing of returns before due dates should be assigned to a payroll department supervisor.Furthermore, there should be independent verification within that department of the accuracy and completeness of the retu
49、rn.Effective control over tax returns is necessary to avoid penalties for late or incorrect filings. 18 According to the passage employees should be paid_. （ A） monthly in cash （ B） weekly by bank （ C） regularly by check （ D） properly in time 19 Payroll checks should be_. （ A） identified by treasurers department personnel （ B） distributed to employees by the companys bank （ C） sent to employees directly and responsibly by post （ D） deposited regularly in the employees account 20 Which of t
