1、考博英语（阅读理解）模拟试卷 53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.
2、 In 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 pat
3、hs, 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
4、outside 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
5、create 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
6、 to kill 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 fo
7、ur primary 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 emph
8、asis on 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 Wil
9、l.“ and 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） f
10、amiliar （ 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
11、 4 Dawna 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 h
12、abits from 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
13、, according 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 oft
14、en say the 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,
15、 online technology 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. R
16、eaders have 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 ye
17、ars ago,“ he 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 advan
18、tages of the 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 o
19、n the Internet 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）
20、Only respected 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 i
21、s a range of 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
22、work and shopping 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 con
23、sideration than 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 move
24、ment of effective 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
25、, is not very suitable 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 smal
26、l changes in design. 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 gen
27、eral body musculature, as 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 v
28、igorous. 10 The main idea 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 transpor
29、t because it is_. （ A） a 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
30、 weather （ D） prevent it 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
31、Telecommuting substituting 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 hi
32、gh performers on board, minimizes 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
33、telecommuting programs in order 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 seduc
34、ed by rosy illusions of life as 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
35、 her sick child; she hooks up her 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
36、the same time. Before a certain age, 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 pai
37、d a great deal of attention to telecommuting, 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 guidel
38、ines remains small. 14 What is the main 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 potential
39、ly solved by telecommuting? （ A） Employees lateness 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
40、 children cannot understand the boundaries 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 follow
41、ing is an example of telecommuting as described 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 com
42、puter-assisted learning in a private school. 考博英语（阅读理解）模拟试卷 53答案与解析 一、 Reading Comprehension 【知识模块】 阅读理解 1 【正确答案】 C 【试题解析】 此题题意：按照华兹 华斯的观点，习惯是 本段第三句提到华兹华斯的观点：这并非选择，而是习惯控制那些不动脑思考的人。这种观点揭示了我们无意识下习惯的一些作为使得大脑 “自动保存其模式 ”，通常做事不需要思考。所以此种习惯应该是机械的，而非随意、熟悉或可换的。故选 C。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 2 【正确答案】 D 【试题解析】 本题对研究者的发现内容进行
43、考查。第二段第二句：脑研究者发现，有意识地培养新习惯可以促进创新思维的发展。第三段首句：我们可以通过有意识地培养新习惯来改变。据此分析，选项中的 “引导的 ”与 “进行有意 识培养 ”的含义最为接近，所以答案是 D。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 3 【正确答案】 A 【试题解析】 此题对文章所出现词语的词义进行考查。第四段首句句意为不要白费力气地试图扼杀旧习惯，因为一旦这些惯有程序融入于大脑之中后，它们就停留在脑中而挥之不去了。第二句却为大家提供了一种解决方案：在大脑中绕过那些旧路线而生成相应的新路线。据此分析， ruts与下文的 pathways和 (those)roads的意思相近。故 A项正
44、确。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 4 【正确答案】 D 【试题解析】 本题首先利用 “Dawna Markova”定位到第五段，首句 The first thing needed forinnovation is a fascination with wonder“革新所需要的第一样东西，就是一种对于好奇的着迷。 ”此句便可得出答案，且随后接着讲到 “做了一个决定意味着扼杀了其他所有的可能性，优秀的具有革新精神的思想家总是探寻许多可能性的。 ”这些都可以推出 D为答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 5 【正确答案】 A 【试题解析】 本题考查考生推理引申的能力。通过第七段内容可知，标准化测试的推行对思
45、维方式的创新是一种打击，阻碍了新习惯的形成。因此，答案是 A。第七段第二、三句， (标准化测试的推行 )违背了美国人信仰体系中的重要准则；任何人都能做任何事。据此判断，可将 B、 D两项排除。第一句表明，标准化测试使很少人会本能地使用创新和协作的思维方式。据此判断， C项也予以排除。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 【知识模块】 阅读理解 6 【正确答案】 C 【试题解析】 综观全文，这篇文章主要是讲互联网对新闻的影响， 因此 C项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 7 【正确答案】 D 【试题解析】 本题的依据句是文章的第 4段 “Anyone can say anything they want
46、， whether itsright or wrong， ”said Case Readers have to determine for themselves who to trust从中可知 D项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 8 【正确答案】 B 【试题解析】 本题可参照文章的最后一段，从中可 知正确的次序是 B项。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 9 【正确答案】 B 【试题解析】 本题可参照文章的第 4段，从中可知 B项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 【知识模块】 阅读理解 10 【正确答案】 D 【试题解析】 本题的依据句是第 1段的最后一句话 The use of cars
47、capable of carrying fivepeople at 80 mph for satisfying these needs is wasteful of space and most productive ofdisturbance to other road users从中可知， A、 B、 C三项都不能完整地表达第 1段的中心思想，只有 D项涵盖了前三项的意思，因此是正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 11 【正确答案】 A 【试题解析】 本题的依据句是文章第 2段的第 2句话 The bicycle itself is a remarkably efficient and s
48、imple device for using human muscular energy for transportation从中可知 A项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 12 【正确答案】 D 【试题解析】 本题的依据句是文章第 3段的 The whole machine could be enclosed in a plasticbubble which would provide some protection in case of accidents从中可知 D项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 13 【正确答案】 D 【试题解析】 本题可参照文章的第 2段。第 2段介绍了如
49、何通过改造来克服自行车的缺点，因此 D项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 【知识模块】 阅读理解 14 【正确答案】 C 【试题解析】 综观全文，本文主要讲的是利用计算机在家里工作的利和弊。因此C项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 15 【正确答案】 D 【试题解析】 本题可参照文章的第 1段。从中可知，只有 D项未被提及，因此 D项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 16 【正确答案】 A 【试题解析】 本题的依据句是文章第 3段的 Before a certain age， young children cannotrecognize， much less respect， the necessary boundaries between work and family从中可知，小孩子分不清工作和家庭的界限。因此 A项为正确答案。 【知识模块】 阅读理解 17 【正确答案】 B 【试题解析】 本题的依据句是文章第 2段中间的 A computer programmer from New York Citymoves to the quiet Adirondack Mountai
