2011年英语考研模拟题3与精析.doc

Section Use of English Directions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s)for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on Answer Sheet 1. (10 points) From childhood to old age, we all use language as a means of broadening our knowledge of ourselves and the world about us. When humans first 1 , they were like newborn children, unable to use this 2 tool. Yet once language developed, the possibilities for human kinds future 3 and cultural growth increased. Many linguists believe that evolution is 4 for our ability to produce and use language. They 5 that our highly evolved brain provides us 6 an innate language ability not found in lower 7 . Proponents of this innateness theory say that our 8 for language is inborn, but that language itself develops gradually, 9 a function of the growth of the brain during childhood. Therefore there are critical 10 times for language development. Current 11 of innateness theory(天生论) are mixed, however, evidence supporting the existence of some innate abilities is undeniable. 12 , more and more schools are discovering that foreign languages are best taught in 13 grades. Young children often can learn several languages by being 14 to them, while adults have a much harder time learning another language once the 15 of their first language have become firmly fixed. 16 some aspects of language are undeniably innate, language does not develop automatically in a vacuum. Children who have been 17 from other human beings do not possess language. This demonstrates that 18 with other human beings is necessary for proper language development. Some linguists believe that this is even more basic to human language 19 than any innate capacities. These theorists view language as imitative, learned behavior. 20, children learn language from their parents by imitating them. Parents gradually shape their childs language skills by positively reinforcing precise imitations and negatively reinforcing imprecise ones. 1. A generated B evolved C born D originated 2. A valuable B appropriate C convenient D favorite 3. A attainments B feasibility C entertainments D evolution 4. A essential B available C reliable D responsible 5. A confirm B inform C claim D convince 6. A for B from C of D with 7. A organizations B organisms C humans D children 8. A potential B performance C preference D passion 9. A as B just as C like D unlike 10. A ideological B biological C social D psychological 11. A reviews B reference C reaction D recommendation 12. A In a word B In a sense C Indeed D In other words 13. A various B different C the higher D the lower 14. A revealed B exposed C engaged D involved 15. A regulations B formations C rules D constitutions 16. A Although B Whether C Since D When 17. A distinguished B different C protected D isolated 18. A exposition B comparison C contrast D interaction 19. A acquisition B appreciation C requirement D alternative 20. A As a result B After all C In other words D Above all Section Reading Comprehension Part A Directions: Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on Answer Sheet 1. (40 points) Text 1 When Howell Raines was made executive editor of the New York Times in 2001, he brought with him a reputation as a fearless and independent newsman. Within days, al-Qaeda (基地组织) struck the World Trade Centre, and the coverage he oversaw turned him into an editorial legend, his army of reporters winning an unprecedented number of Pulitzer prizes. Yet, not a year and a half later, the discovery of fabrication by a young reporter triggered a managerial crisis that destroyed Mr Rainess career and exposed the newspaper to ridicule for being unable to detect a pathological(病态的) liar in its own newsroom. Not long afterwards, another reporter, who was also a favourite of Mr Rainess, departed as questions were being raised as to whether he had actually reported the stories appearing under his name. A year on, many inside the worlds best known paper of record and integrity still worry if its reputation can be restored. Mr Raines got the editorship after pledging to raise the papers competitive metabolism (新陈代谢). The newspapers publisher, Arthur Sulzberger, had had ample opportunities to see his flaws. As bureau chief in Washington, DC, Mr Raines had treated a small group of reporters like pets, earning the dislike of the rest. Similar opinions had been voiced when he ran the newspapers editorial page. But in each place, Mr Raines had made the New York Times noticed. And for Mr Sulzberger, that seemed to be an answer to a problem. Circulation had been stagnant for years, despite attempts to establish the New York Times as Americas national paper. According to Seth Mnookin, a noted columnist, Mr Sulzberger and Mr Raines both felt that the newspaper was badly in need of a change. In Mr Rainess hands, this meant putting enormous pressure on getting the impossible story. The paper had also been making an effort to diversify the racial mix of its employees, a goal that Mr Raines endorsed. Both objectives converged in the career of Jayson Blair, whose talent as a writer was matched by his dishonesty as a reporter. His career was advanced by Mr Raines despite the trail of errors and suspect scoops (独家新闻) that he left. After the Blair disaster, a painful self-examination began at the New York Times which continues today. Among other things, a kind of devils advocate was hired to criticise the papers workings, and to go public about its contradictions. Daniel Okrents column is one of the newspapers more provocative, addressing its left-of-centre world view and its use of outside sources to provide false objectivity for its own conclusions. Perhaps the result of all this will be the change that Mr Sulzberger was seeking. 21. Jason Blair was hired by the New York Times, because he . A he proved to be a good reporter in getting some hot stories B he was a long time favorite reporter of Mr Raines C he promised to boost the circulation of the newspaper D he was talented and racially correct at the right time 22. Mr Raines career was destroyed because he . A failed to notify his publisher of the change of the editorial policy B was held responsible for allowing unfounded stories to be published C supported a young reporter in making up unfounded stories D took no action when the reputation of the newspaper was questioned 23. Mr Raines was made executive editor of the newspaper because . A he promised to enhance the competiveness of the newspaper B he had run the bureau in DC and the editorial section of the newspaper C Mr Sulzerberger believed that he could reshape the newspaper D he knew how to spur his reporters and get hot stories done 24. The author thinks Daniel Okrent . A never hesitates to expose the contradictions of the newspaper B always supports his conclusions with his own investigations C is critical of the management of the newspaper D fails to offer a balanced view on the subject he addresses 25. The expression the impossible story (Line 4, Para. 4) most probably means .A a news report of unusual proportionsB an unfounded news report C a report completed with difficulty D a news story aiming at making a stir Text 2 For the generation that grew up during the feminist revolution and the rapid social change of the 1960s and 1970s, it at first seemed achievement enough just to make it in a mans world. But coupled with their ambition, todays women have developed a fierce determination to find new options for being both parent and professional without sacrificing too much to either role or burning themselves out beyond redemption. Women have done all of the accommodating in terms of time, energy, and personal sacrifice that is humanly possible, and still they have not reached true integration in the workplace. For a complicated set of reasons-many beyond their control-they feel conflict between their careers and their children. All but a rare few quickly dispel the myth that superwomen ever existed. For many women, profession and family are pitted against one another on a high-stakes collision course. Womens values are stacked against the traditions of their professions. In the home, men and women struggle to figure out how dual-career marriages should work. Role conflict for women reaches far beyond the fundamental work/family dilemma to encompass a whole constellation of fiercely competing priorities. Women today find themselves in an intense battle with a society that cannot let go of a narrowly defined work ethic that is supported by a family structure that has not existed for decades. The unspoken assumption persists that there is still a woman at home to raise the children and manage the household. But the economic reality is that most people, whether in two-parent or single-parent families, need to work throughout their adult lives. As a consequence, the majority of todays mothers are in the labor market. The first full-fledged generation of women in the professions did not talk about their overbooked agenda or the toll it took on them and their families. They knew that their position in the office was shaky at best. With virtually no choice in the matter, they bought into the traditional notion of success in the workplace-usually attained at the high cost of giving up an involved family life. If they suffered self-doubt or frustration about how hollow professional success felt without complementary rewards from the home, they blamed themselves-either for expecting too much or for doing too little. And they asked themselves questions that held no easy answers: Am I expecting too much? Is it me? Am I alone in this dilemma? Do other women truly have it all? 26. According to the passage, todays women . A want to achieve a balance between her loyalties to work and family B are stronger advocates of gender equality than the older generation C do not want to sacrifice anything at all for the desired liberation D are getting no nearer to achieving their ambition in life 27. What is the myth held by some superwomen?A Personal careers can be reconciled with parental responsibilities. B The devotion to career weighs more than the regard for children. C They can resist the temptation of ambition to make great achievements D The conflicts between careers and children can be resolved. 28. In what way do women today find themselves in an intense battle with the society? A The society regards women as less able to perform social tasks. B Women do too much about their career and too little about their families. C The society still holds the traditional image about a family. D Women no longer regard the family as a basic unit of the society. 29. When women fail to achieve a balance between work and children, they . A let things go their own coursesB admit that they are not superwomen C usually choose to give up their workD often blame themselves for it 30. The authors attitude towards women dilemma seems to be one of . A suspicion B indifference C irony D sympathy Text 3 The entrepreneur, according to French economist J. B. Say, is a person who shifts economic resources out of an area of lower and into an area of higher productivity and yield. But Says definition does not tell us who this entrepreneur is. Some define the entrepreneur simply as one who starts his or her own new and small business. For our purposes, we will define the entrepreneur as a person who takes the necessary risks to organize and manage a business and receives the financial profits and non-monetary rewards. The man who opens a small pizza restaurant is in business, but is he an entrepreneur? He took a risk and did something, but did he shift resources or start the business? If the answer is yes, then he is considered an entrepreneur. Ray Kroc is an example of an entrepreneur because he founded and established McDonalds. His hamburgers were not a new idea, but he applied new techniques, resource allocations, and organizational methods in his venture. Ray Kroc upgraded the productivity and yield from the resources applied to create his fast-food chain. This is what entrepreneurs do; this is what entrepreneurship means. Many of the sharp, black-and-white contrasts between the entrepreneur and the professional have faced to a gray color. Formerly, professionals such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, and accountants were not supposed to be entrepreneurial, aggressive, or market oriented. They were above the market-driven world. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, were the independent individuals of society. They were risk-takers who aggressively sought to make something happen. Long hours were about all the two worlds had in common. However, increased competition, saturated markets, and a more price-conscious public have changed the world of the professionals. Today they need to market their skills, talents, and competencies; Lawyers advertise their services. Doctors specialize in one form of surgery. Accounting firms join with other businesses (e. g. consulting and law) to serve clients. Entrepreneurs exhibit many different behaviors. Searching for a specific personality pattern is very difficult. Some entrepreneurs are quiet, introverted, and analytical. On the other hand, some are brash, extroverted, and very emotional. Many of them share some qualities. Viewing change as the norm, entrepreneurs usually search for it, respond to it, and treat it as an opportunity. An entrepreneur such as Ray Kroc of McDonalds is able to take resources and shift them to meet a need. Making the decision to shift resources works better if a person is creative, experienced, and confident. 31. According to the passage, who can be regarded as an entrepreneur? A A person knowing how to run his business. B The owner of a profitable restaurant. C An innovative business starter. D A person who disregards business risks. 32. Long hours were about all the two worlds had in common probably means .A there wasnt much difference between entrepreneurs and professionals B entrepreneurs in the past seemed to were live in an isolated world C both entrepreneurs and professionals were workaholic in the past D entrepreneurs were those professionals conscious of risks 33. From the passage, we learn that . A an entrepreneur always has the courage to take risks B an entrepreneur understand the market is fluctuating C opportunities never favor those who dont understand the market D an entrepreneur is sensitive and responsive to the market 34. The purpose of the author in writing the passage is to . A complete the definition of entrepreneur B explain the main characteristics of entrepreneurs C show what kind of people can become entrepreneurs D illustrate why Ray Kroc can become an entrepreneur 35. What will most possibly follow the text? A An example of how an entrepreneur operates. B Another theory about entrepreneurship. C The bad effects of entrepreneurs. D The good effects of entrepreneurs. Text 4 If there is one thing scientists have to hear, it is that the game is over. Raised on the belief of an endless voyage of discovery, they recoil (畏缩) from the suggestion that most of the best things have already been located. If they have, todays scientists can hope to contribute no more than a few grace notes to the symphony of science. A book to be published in Britain this week, The End of Science, argues persuasively that this is the case. Its author, John Horgan, is a senior writer for Scientific American magazine, who has interviewed many of todays leading scientists and science philosophers. The shock of realizing that science might be over came to him, he says, when he was talking to Oxford mathematician and physicist Sir Roger Penrose. The End of Science provoked a wave of denunciation in the United States last year. The reaction has been one of complete shock and disbelief, Mr. Horgan says. The real question is whether any remaining unsolved problems, of which there are plenty, lend themselves to universal solutions. If they do not, then the focus of scientific discovery is already narrowing. Since the triumphs of the 1960s-the genetic code, plate tectonics (板块构造说), and the microwave background radiation that went a long way towards proving the Big Bang-genuine scientific revolutions have been scarce. More scientists are now alive, spending more money on research than ever. Yet most of the great discoveries of the 19th and 20th centuries were made before the appearance of state sponsorship, when the scientific enterprise was a fraction of its present size. Were the scientists who made these discoveries brighter than todays? That seems unlikely. A far more reasonable explanation is that fundamental science has already entered a period of diminished returns. Look, dont get me wrong, says Mr. Horgan. There are lots of important things still to study, and applied science and engineering can go on for ever. I hope we get a cure for cancer, and for mental disease, though there are few real signs of progress. 36. By saying th