托福-练习三十九

1、托福 - 练习三十九（ 总分： 50.00 ，做题时间： 90 分钟 ）一、BPassage 1/B（总题数： 2，分数： 10.00）1. Pruning is removing dead or living branches of a tree to improve the tree's health and structure. Careful pruning will control the size of a tree and hold the tree within bounds. Tree size is maintained through crown reductio

2、n pruning, the removal of larger branches at the top of the tree to reduce its height. Whendone properly, crown reduction only removes branches immediately above the joint with other branches, leaving no stubs.Pruning invigorates trees and keeps them healthy. In general, a tree will be more vigorous

3、 with a few healthy branches than with many weak ones. Crowded branches never develop to full size. Large branches compete with small branches, and the small ones become targets for disease and breakage. Pruning encourages trees to develop a strong structure, which reduces the likelihood of damage d

4、uring severe weather. Pruning should always be done sparingly; removing too many branches in one season can damage the tree's capability for photosynthesis.The aim of pruning is to enhance the natural shape and beauty of a tree. Most hardwood trees have rounded crowns that lack a strong leader a

5、nd may have several lateral, or side, branches. Branches grow from stems at nodes, and cuts are always made just above the stem- branch node so that the wound heals effectively. Cuts should not be made in the middle of a branch or near the end of a branch. After a mature tree reaches the desirable s

6、hape, pruning should be done only to remove broken or diseased branches and to thin occasionally to avoid overcrowding.Now listen to the recording. When you hear the question, begin your response. You may look at the reading passage dining the writing time.Summarize the points made in the lecture, b

7、eing sure to explain how they contrast with specific points made in the reading passage.（分数： 5.00 ） 正确答案： （Key points: The lecture describes a poor pruning practice known as topping. The lecture states that topping does not keep a tree small; topping increases a tree's growth rate. This contrast

8、s with the point in the reading that careful pruning will control the size of a tree.The lecture states that topping is very stressful for trees. This contrasts with the point inthe reading that pruning invigorates trees and keeps them healthy. The lecture states that topping destroys a tree's n

9、atural shape. This contrasts with the point in the reading that pruning should enhance the natural shape and beauty of a tree.）解析： 解析 Pruning needs to be done wisely because trees that are badly pruned can become a hazard. A good example is the silver maple belonging to one of my clients. This once-

10、 beautiful hardwood was the innocent victim of tree topping- a pruning practice that simply cuts off the tops of major branches. Because of the poor pruning it received, this tree is now dangerous and has to be removed. Tree topping causes several problems. First, it won't keep a tree small. On

11、the contrary, cutting back the tip of a branch will force the development of side branches. The growth rate of a tree speeds up, and within a few years, the tree is close to its original size.My client's tree now has seven long 300-pound branches stretching out over the house and driveway. Any o

12、ne of these could crush a car. Second, topping is very stressful for trees. Such heavy pruning removes too many leaves, the tree's food factories, and so the tree may starve. The shoots that grow back after topping are weak, and they break off easily in the wind. My client's maple tree has s

13、everal small branches that are dead or dying, and there's evidence of insect damage. Finally, topping destroys a tree's natural shape. It turns a beautiful branching tree into an uglyeyesore-not to mention a safety hazard. The silver maple should have one main trunk with threeor four sturdy

14、lateral branches. Instead, it has seven weak branches. Topping destroyed its natural shape and gave it a weak branch structure. The tree should have had an occasional light pruning instead of the chainsaw butchering it got. Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they con

15、trast with specific points made in the reading passage.2. People who are especially talented in solving problems that concern an understanding of space are said to have visual-spatial intelligence, a superior visual sense. People with visual-spatial intelligence are able to perceive patterns. They w

16、ill notice immediately whena building, painting, or face is not symmetrical. They can recognize objects, both when the objects are seen in their original setting and when some part of the original setting has changed. Their ability to perceive patterns enables them to draw whatever object they see,

17、usually after seeing the object for only a short time.Typically, visual-spatial intelligence involves several related capacities, such as the ability to create and transform mental imagery, the ability to mentally rotate complex forms and "see" objects from various angles, and the ability

18、to draw a picture or map of spatial information.Visual-spatial skills are used when an individual works with graphic depictions-two-dimensional or three-dimensional versions of real-world scenes-as well as other symbols, such as maps, diagrams, or geometrical forms.People with visual-spatial intelli

19、gence have a superior visual memory, or visual imagination, but this memory is abstract rather than pictorial-a kind of geometrical memory. A visual imagination involves the ability to predict and plan ahead. People with a visual imagination are skilled at understanding patterns, including patterns

20、of mental reasoning, which enables them to predict actions and their consequences before these actions occur. For this reason, many people with visual-spatial intelligence love to play games.Now listen to the recording. When you hear the question, begin your response. You may look at the reading pas

21、sage during the writing time.Summarize the points madein the lecture, being sure to explain how they illustrate specific points made in the reading passage.(分数： 5.00 )正确答案： (Key points: The lecture illustrates visual-spatial intelligence by explaining its importance in the game of chess. The lecture

22、 states that chess masters can draw a picture of a chessboard they have seen for just a few seconds if the pieces are set in meaningful positions. This illustrates the point in the reading that people with visual-spatial intelligence are able to perceive patterns and draw objects after seeing them f

23、or only a short time. The lecture states that a blindfolded chess player has to remember the movements of the chess pieces and hold a picture of the chessboard in his mind. This illustrates the point in the reading that people with visual-spatial intelligence have the ability to create and transform

24、 mental imagery. The lecture states that chess players remember plans, strategies, and patterns of reasoning of important games they have played. This illustrates the point in the reading that people with visual-spatial intelligence have superior visual memory and the ability to predict and plan ahe

25、ad.) 解析： 解析 The importance of visual-spatial intelligence can be seen in the game of chess. First of all, chess masters have an amazing ability to draw a picture of a chessboard they've seen for just a few seconds-if the pieces on the board are set in meaningful positions, as they are in the mid

26、dle of a real game. But if the chess pieces are randomly located, in no meaningful pattern, the chess master may not be able to reconstruct the board. Second, the chess player has to remember the movements of the chess pieces. In a form of chess called blindfold chess, a person plays several games a

27、t the same time. For example, a blindfolded chess player might be playing ten games against ten different opponents, going from table to table. His opponents can see the chessboard, but the blindfolded player can't. The blindfolded player's only information about the chessboard is from someo

28、ne announcing his opponent's last move. He has to hold a picture of the chessboard in his mind. Furthermore, chess players have strong visual memories of important gamesthey've played in the past. This memory isn't just simple recall. Rather, it's the ability to remember a game's

29、 patterns of reasoning. The chess player remembers plans and strategies-not just a rote list of moves. For most chess players, each game has its own character and shape. As the player recalls a given position, he remembers his reasoning at an earlier time. He remembers a specific move-not all by its

30、elf- but as part of a strategy. He recalls why that move was necessary. Thus, he is able to predict what will happen next in the game. Summarize the points madein the lecture, being sure to explain how they illustrate specific points made in the reading passage.二、BPassage 2/B（总题数： 2，分数： 10.00）3. Mem

31、bers of the city council of a small city are considering a plan to develop a strip of land in the downtown area, between a lake and bay. Currently, the area contains several unoccupied buildings scheduled for demolition, vacant lots between buildings, and a small wooded area on the lakeside. The pla

32、n calls for the construction of several blocks of mixed- use buildings up to six stories in height. All street-level spaces will be for commercial and retail use. The upper stories will be devoted mainly to residential use. City planners have determined that development of the land will beautify and

33、 improve the area, which will motivate people to live and shop downtown. The development will help solve the city's growing need for residential space by providing much-needed housing in the downtown core. The plan includes more than one hundred condominiums, two apartment buildings, and four bl

34、ocks of townhouses. Many of the residential buildings will have the added attraction of rooftop recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and restaurants. The project will rejuvenate the area and turn itinto a desirable placeto live, thereby attracting more people to live downt

35、own.The project will benefit the city economically in several ways. The construction phase will create numerous jobs in the building trades. Upon completion of construction, the area will attract a variety of small businesses, such as restaurants, bookstores, art galleries, clothing boutiques, and s

36、pecialty shops. These businesses will provide hundreds of new jobs, as well as attract residents and tourists to the downtown area. This growth in economic activity will benefit the city through additional revenue from the sales tax.Now listen to the recording. When you hear the question, begin your

37、 response. You may look at the reading passage during the writing time.Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.（分数： 5.00 ） 正确答案： （Key points: The lecture states that the development plan would destroy the view; criti

38、cs want to preserve the land as a park for the entire community to enjoy. This opposes the point in the reading that the development plan will beautify and improve the area and attract people downtown. The lecture states that the proposed new housing would benefit only upper income people. This oppo

39、ses the point in the reading that the project will help solve the city's need for more residential space. The lecture states that the plan would benefit only a few people economically at the expense of the environment. This opposes the point in the reading that the project will benefit the city

40、economically in several ways.）解析： 解析 You all know about the city planners' proposal to develop the land between the lake and the bay. Well, I'm pa of a citizens group that's organizing to protest the proposal. There are a number of reasons to oppose the plan. One reason is that the devel

41、opment would destroy the view from across the lake to the bay. We propose an alternative plan that calls for convertingthe land into a park and commonspace for the entire community to enjoy. Webelieve the land belongs to everyone, not just the developers, and a park will preserve the area's natu

42、ral beauty, which is our most valuable resource for attracting people downtown. Another reason to oppose this development is, the proposed housing is all upscale condominiums and apartments, which would be too expensive for most people. None of the housing is geared toward middle- and low-income peo

43、ple. It's just crazy-not to mention unfair-thatmost of the workers in the new shops and restaurantswon't be able to afford to live in the neighborhood. Finally, it's important to know that the plan is heavily backed by the construction industry. Building contractors, developers, and real

44、 estate companies would make a lot of money, but what about everyone else? More importantly, at what expense to the environment? The land in question borders the lake. The economic success of a few people shoutd not be balanced against the environment. Developmentwould mean that all thetrees near th

45、e lake would be cut, meaning the loss of habitat for urban wildlife. And most of us agree that the city needs more green space, not less. Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.4. Psychology is a natural science tha

46、t describes and explains the physiological and sensory aspects of human behavior. It studies the causes, conditions, and immediate consequences of sensations and emotions. Psychologists view the human mind as a function of the brain. Thought is a result of chemical and mechanical laws that govern br

47、ain action. All human cognition is the result of physiological processes that can be observed and measured. A variety of computational models provide tools for studying the functional organization of the mind.Because psychology is a natural science, it is based on objectively verified facts and the

48、application of the scientific method. Psychologists conduct controlled experiments in a laboratory in order to support their basic assumptions and develop theories. Experimenters use several types of measurements, such as rate of response, reaction time, and level of neural activity in various areas

49、 of the brain. Psychologists use inductive methods to derive general principles from specific facts. They aim to acquire a body of facts and laws about the human mind. Psychology has a number of related subfields, all of which are primarily concerned with the biological bases of behavior and mental

50、states. For example, behavioral neuroscientists use animal models, typically rats, to develop theories about the neural and cellular mechanisms of human behavior. Cognitive neuroscientists study the neural aspects of psychological processes in humans. Neuropsychologists study specific aspects of men

51、tal impairment caused by brain damage or disease. Now listen to the recording. When you hear the question, begin your response. You may look at the reading passage during the writing time.Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they contrast with specific points made in t

52、he reading passage.（分数： 5.00 ）正确答案： （Key points: The lecture states that psychology is a social science. This contrasts with the point in the reading that psychology is a natural science. The lecture states that psychology studies the overall processes of mental activity, including how these process

53、es influence human behavior and society. This contrasts with the point in the reading that psychology focuses on the physiological and sensory aspects of human behavior. The lecture states that psychology is based on the subjective interpretation of phenomenaand on knowledge by description. This con

54、trasts with the point in the reading that psychology is based on objectively verified facts and the application of the scientific method. The lecture states that all subfields of psychology study the interaction of mental processes and social behavior. This contrasts withthe point in the reading tha

55、tall subfields of psychologystudy the biological bases of behaviorand mental states.） 解析： 解析 Psychology is a social science.How do we know this? Well, firstof all, psychologystudies the relationship between the human mind and social behavior. Psychology studies the overall processes of mental activi

56、ty-notjust the physiological processes but how these processesinfluence human behavior and society. Psychology assumes that any given behavior or mental process affects and is affected by interrelated biological, psychological, and social factors.Psychologists seek to understand how humans come to p

57、erceive, understand, and interact with their environment. They work to develop generalizations about human consciousness and social interaction. Second, as a social science, psychology is based on the subjective interpretation of phenomena and on knowledge by description. Everything is subject to in

58、terpretation, so it's impossible for psychologists to derive objective facts about the human mind. Psychologists use both quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as both inductive and deductive reasoning in describing human behavior. They structure experiments to gather data and then exami

59、ne this data for patterns that lead them to develop new theories. Third, all subfields of psychology study the interaction of mental processes and social behavior. Somesubfields are purely social science, such as social psychology and organizational psychology. Other subfields, such as cognitive psychology and developmental psychology, have a natural science base and a social science application. The common thread in all of these subfields is the integration of mental processes and human behavior. Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to exp