2012年考研英语阅读理解模拟试题及答案

1、2012年考研英语阅读理解模拟试题及答案(一)- Flatfish, such as the flounder, are among the few vertebrates that lack approximate bilateral symmetry (symmetry in which structures to the left and right of the bodys midline are mirror images). Most striking among the many asymmetries evident in an adult flatfish is eye pl

2、acement: before maturity one eye migrates, so that in an adult flatfish both eyes are on the same side of the head. While in most species with asymmetries virtually all adults share the same asymmetry, members of the starry flounder species can be either left-eyed (both eyes on the left side of head

3、) or right-eyed. In the waters between the United States and Japan, the starry flounder populations vary from about 50 percent left-eyed off the United States West Coast, through about 70 percent left-eyed halfway between the United States and Japan, to nearly 100 percent left-eyed off the Japanese

4、coast. Biologists call this kind of gradual variation over a certain geographic range a “cline” and interpret clines as strong indications that the variation is adaptive, a response to environmental differences. For the starry flounder this interpretation implies that a geometric difference (between

5、 fish that are mirror images of one another) is adaptive, that left-eyedness in the Japanese starry flounder has been selected for, which provokes a perplexing question: what is the selective advantage in having both eyes on one side rather than on the other?The ease with which a fish can reverse th

6、e effect of the sidedness of its eye asymmetry simply by turning around has caused biologists to study internal anatomy, especially the optic nerves, for the answer. In all flatfish the optic nerves cross, so that the right optic nerve is joined to the brains left side and vice versa. This crossing

7、introduces an asymmetry, as one optic nerve must cross above or below the other. G. H. Parker reasoned that if, for example, a flatfishs left eye migrated when the right optic nerve was on top, there would be a twisting of nerves, which might be mechanically disadvantageous. For starry flounders, th

8、en, the left-eyed variety would be selected against, since in a starry flounder the left optic nerve is uppermost.The problem with the above explanation is that the Japanese starry flounder population is almost exclusively left-eyed, and natural selection never promotes a purely less advantageous va

9、riation. As other explanations proved equally untenable, biologists concluded that there is no important adaptive difference between left-eyedness and right-eyedness, and that the two characteristics are genetically associated with some other adaptively significant characteristic. This situation is

10、one commonly encountered by evolutionary biologists, who must often decide whether a characteristic is adaptive or selectively neutral. As for the left-eyed and right-eyed flatfish, their difference, however striking, appears to be an evolutionary red herring.1. According to the text, starry flounde

11、r differ form most other species of flatfish in that starry flounderA are not basically bilaterally symmetric.B do not become asymmetric until adulthood.C do not all share the same asymmetry.D have both eyes on the same side of the head.2. Which of the following best describes the organization of th

12、e text as a whole?A A phenomenon is described and an interpretation presented and rejected.B A generalization is made and supporting evidence is supplied and weighed.C A contradiction is noted and a resolution is suggested and then modified.D A series of observations is presented and explained in te

13、rms of the dominant theory.3. The text supplies information for answering which of the following questions?A Why are Japanese starry flounder mostly left-eyed?B Why should the eye-sidedness in starry flounder be considered selectively neutral?C Why have biologists recently become interested in wheth

14、er a characteristic is adaptive or selectively neutral?D How do the eyes in flatfish migrate?4. Which of the following is most clearly similar to a cline as it is described in the second paragraph of the text?A A vegetable market in which the various items are grouped according to place of origin.B

15、A wheat field in which different varieties of wheat are planted to yield a crop that will bring the maximum profit.C A flower stall in which the various species of flowers are arranged according to their price.D A housing development in which the length of the front struts supporting the porch of ea

16、ch house increases as houses are built up the hill.5. Which of the following phrases from the text best expresses the authors conclusion about the meaning of the difference between left-eyed and right-eyed flatfish?A “Most striking” (line 3, paragraph 1)B “variation is adaptive” (line 2, paragraph 2

17、)C “mechanically disadvantageous” (line 7, paragraph 3)D “evolutionary red herring” (line 9, paragraph 4) 答案与考点解析1. 【答案】C【考点解析】这是一道细节推导题。根据本题题干中的“most other species”可以把本题的答案信息来源确定在第一段的第三句，从第三句的主从句中可以归纳推导出本题的正确答案C。本句中的“while”一词的含义是“虽然、尽管”，用来表达事物之间的对照对比。考生在解题时一定要首先学会审题定位的基本功。2. 【答案】A【考点解析】这是一道文章具体写作手法

18、题。这是一道比较难的题型，需要考生对文章的叙述结构有深刻的理解。本文第一段介绍了一种现象，第二段和第三段是生物学家对这种现象的解释，第四段是本文作者对生物学家的解释提出否定。可见本题的正确选项是A。考生在解题时一定要注意文章的发展脉络。3. 【答案】B【考点解析】本题是一道审题定位题型。本题的题干没有具体给出寻找答案信息的任何线索。在这种情况下考生一定要牢记原文作者的主要意图。具体来说，本文作者的主要意图是要否定一些生物学家对某种生物现象的解释。相关的内容出现在原文第四段的首句。如果考生能够认识到原文第四段首句在全文中的重要性，就找到了破解本题的方法，再把第三段的尾句和第四段的第二、三句通读并

19、且仔细理解就会找出本题的正确答案B。当然这是一道比较难的题目，需要考生良好的答题素质。希望考生在迷失答题思路的时候，一定要多想一想从原文的中心主旨句和每段的段首句设法破解难题。4. 【答案】D【考点解析】这是一道词汇理解题。根据原文中的“cline”一词可迅速把本题的答案信息确定在第二段第一句。第二段第一句中的“gradual”、“geographic”、“adaptive”和“environmental differences”等词提供了本题的正确答案D。考生在阅读原文回答问题时，一定要学会识读原文中的相关重要词语。5. 【答案】D【考点解析】这是一道审题定位题。根据题干中的“the aut

20、hors conclusion”可将本题的答案信息迅速确定在尾段，确切地说就是尾段的最后一句。考生一定要清楚原文作者的结论一般会出现在全文的尾段。本题的正确答案应该是涉及到尾段的选项D。2012年考研英语阅读理解模拟试题及答案(二)-Until about five years ago, the very idea that peptide hormones might be made anywhere in the brain besides the hypothalamus was astounding. Peptide hormones, scientists thought, were

21、 made by endocrine glands and the hypothalamus was thought to be the brains only endocrine gland. What is more, because peptide hormones cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, researchers believed that they never got to any part of the brain other than the hypothalamus, where they were simply produce

22、d and then released into the bloodstream. But these beliefs about peptide hormones were questioned as laboratory after laboratory found that antiserums to peptide hormones, when injected into the brain, bind in places other than the hypothalamus, indicating that either the hormones or substances tha

23、t cross-react with the antiserums are present. The immunological method of detecting peptide hormones by means of antiserums, however, is imprecise. Cross-reactions are possible and this method cannot determine whether the substances detected by the antiserums really are the hormones, or merely clos

24、e relatives. Furthermore, this method cannot be used to determine the location in the body where the detected substances are actually produced.New techniques of molecular biology, however, provide a way to answer these questions. It is possible to make specific complementary DNAs (c DNAs) that can s

25、erve as molecular probes seek out the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of the peptide hormones. If brain cells are making the hormones, the cells will contain these mRNAs. If the products the brain cells make resemble the hormones but are not identical to them, then the c DNAs should still bind to these mRNAs

26、, but should not bind as tightly as they would to m RNAs for the true hormones. The cells containing these mRNAs can then be isolated and their mRNAs decoded to determine just what their protein products are and how closely the products resemble the true peptide hormones.The molecular approach to de

27、tecting peptide hormones using cDNA probes should also be much faster than the immunological method because it can take years of tedious purifications to isolate peptide hormones and then develop antiserums to them. Roberts, expressing the sentiment of many researchers, states: “I was trained as an

28、endocrinologist. But it became clear to me that the field of endocrinology needed molecular biology input. The process of grinding out protein purifications is just too slow.”If, as the initial tests with cDNA probes suggest, peptide hormones really are made in brain in areas other than the hypothal

29、amus, a theory must be developed that explains their function in the brain. Some have suggested that the hormones are all growth regulators, but Rosens work on rat brains indicates that this cannot be true. A number of other researchers propose that they might be used for intercellular communication

30、 in the brain.1. Which of the following titles best summarizes the text?A Is Molecular Biology the Key to Understanding Intercellular Communication in the Brain?B Molecular Biology: Can Researchers Exploit Its Techniques to Synthesize Peptide Hormones?C The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Immuno

31、logical Approach to Detecting Peptide Hormones.D Peptide Hormones: How Scientists Are Attempting to Solve Problems of Their Detection and to Understand Their Function?2. The text suggests that a substance detected in the brain by use of antiserums to peptide hormones mayA have been stored in the bra

32、in for a long period of time.B play no role in the functioning of the brain.C have been produced in some part of the body other than the brain.D have escaped detection by molecular methods.3. According to the text, confirmation of the belief that peptide hormones are created in the brain in areas ot

33、her than the hypothalamus would force scientists toA reject the theory that peptide hormones are made by endocrine glands.B revise their beliefs about the ability of antiserums to detect peptide hormones.C invent techniques that would allow them to locate accurately brain cells that produce peptide

34、hormones.D develop a theory that account for the role played by peptide hormones in the brain. 4. Which of the following is mentioned in the text as a drawback of the immunological method of detecting peptide hormones?A It cannot be used to detect the presence of growth regulators in the brain.B It

35、cannot distinguish between the peptide hormones and substances that are very similar to them.C It uses antiserums that are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier.D It involves a purification process that requires extensive training in endocrinology.5. The idea that the field of endocrinology can ga

36、in from developments in molecular biology is regarded by Roberts withA incredulity.B derision.C indifference.D enthusiasm.答案与考点解析1. 【答案】D【考点解析】这是一道中心主旨题。全文从头至尾讨论的是“peptide hormones”在人体内产生的部位，所以有关全文中心主旨内容的答案应该包含“peptide hormones”。从各段的主题句进行分析，第一至四段主要讲如何“detect”(探测)肽激素(peptide hormones)所产生的位置，第五段主要讲有关肽

37、激素的“function”。可见本题的正确选项应该是D。考生在解题时一定要搞清楚原文所涉及的对象并且抓住每段的主题句以及它们之间的相互关系。2. 【答案】C【考点解析】这是一道审题定位题。根据题干中的“a substance detected”可把本题的正确选项迅速确定在第二段的尾句。该句所涉及的核心问题是“where”，所以本题的正确选项应该是C。考生在解题时一定要迅速而准确地进行审题定位。3. 【答案】D【考点解析】本题是一道细节推导题。通过本题题干中的“peptide hormones are created in the brain in areas other than the hy

38、pothalamus”可将本题的答案信息来源迅速确定在尾段的第一句。尾段第一句主要就肽激素的“function”进行论述，可见本题的正确选项应该是D，选项D中的“role”就等于原文中的“function”。考生在解题时一定要善于抓住主句中的重要信息。4. 【答案】B【考点解析】这是一道句间关系题。根据本题题干中的“the immunological method”可将本题的答案信息来源迅速确定在第二段的第二句，而本题的确切答题点在第二段的第三句的后半部分。从第二段第三句的后半部分可以推导出本题的正确答案是B。考生在解题时一定要注意一般概括句和具体陈述句之间的相互关系。5. 【答案】D【考点解

39、析】本题是一道细节推导题。根据本题题干中的人名“Roberts”可将本题的答案迅速确定在倒数第二段引号部分的第二句话，即“But”一词引导的句子。从该句中的“needed”一词可以看出本题的正确选项应该是D。考生在解题时一定要学会深入理解原文的字面含义。2012年考研英语阅读理解模拟试题及答案(三) 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

40、 structure and operation. 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 tha

41、t excite and frustrate 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 storehouse of dried facts； for the person who sees the chief objective of science as the

42、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, to accompany any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or - independently of any course - simply to provide a better u

43、nderstanding 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 scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an awareness and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and a

44、n appreciation of the roles 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 t

45、he scientific community and the people who populate 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

46、 traditionally male-dominated fields and make significant contributions. In discussing these changes and contribution, 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

47、adopted the policy of using plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible and, when absolutely necessary, alternating he and she. This policy is far form 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 t

48、o make the book entertaining 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. 1.Accor

49、ding 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 scientific community. D people who make good contribution to science. 2.We need to know something about the structure and operation of science

50、because A it is not easy to understand the things that excite and frustrate scientists. B Science affects almost every aspect of our life. C Scientists live in a specific subculture. D It is easier to understand general characteristics of science. 3.The book mentioned in this passage is written for

51、readers who A are intelligent college students and lay person who do not know much about science. B are good at producing various gadgets. C work in a storehouse of dried facts.D want to have a superficial understanding of science. 4.According to this passage, A English is a sexist language. B only

52、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 pronouns should not be used to refer to scientists. 5.This passage most probably is A a book review. B the preface of a book. C the postscript of a book. D the concluding part of a book.答案与考点解析 1. 【答案】A【考点解析】本题是一道标点符号题。通过本题题干中的“solitary”一词可将本题的答案信息中心确定在第一段第十行即第一段第四句话，通过仔细阅读和理解本句话以及本句前后的两句话，可以得出本题的正确选项A。其实美国的女权主义运动者并不“孤单”(solitary)，因为她们的思想和行动是和欧洲大陆的女权主义者有着千丝万缕的联系，是