2008年6月北京地区研究生学位英语真题及答案

1、General English Qualifying Test (2008-6)PART II VOCABULARY (10 minutes, 10 points )Section A (0.5 point each)21. Some scientists are trying to eliminate malaria by developing a GM mosquito that cant transmit the disease. A. remove B. fabricate C. enhance D. utilize22. A tall building is usually equi

2、pped with several elevators, so it doesnt matter if one of them is out of order. A. in a mess B. in bad condition C. in short supply D. in a hurry23. As the train service had been suspended, thousands of people had to wait for days at the station. A. elevated slightly B. cancelled completely C. dela

3、yed frequently D. stopped temporarily24. We can learn about the hazards of hunting big game in stories about their ancestors. A. adventures B. pleasures C. dangers D. consequences25. Novel drugs developed through biotechnologies can be expected to deliver a better effect. A. distribute B. produce C.

4、 liberate D. express26. The price of housing varies with demand, and the same rule seems to hold for automobiles. A. contain B. fasten C. grasp D. apply27. Some people are skeptical about the validity of Aristotles argument that man is by nature a political animal. A. efficiency B. soundness C. avai

5、lability D. contribution28. Heart-broken and desperate, she was determined to leave this family for good. A. permanently B. alternatively C. temporarily D. desirably29. It is generally believed that money can always bring happiness, but studies and surveys have proved that this is a myth. A. fairy t

6、ale B. absolute myth C. mistaken idea D. big controversy30. The sight of these soldiers toiling along the expressway was extremely touching to a tender heart. A. sympathetic B. mild C. concerned D. feebleSection B (0.5 point each)31. Students of English are advised to try to _the meaning of a new wo

7、rd from the context. A. turn out B. figure out C. look out D. put out32. The drastic changes that have taken place in China have won worldwide _. A. identification B. realization C. admission D. recognition33. Bill Clinton rose to prominence after he was elected _ of Arkansas at age 32 in 1978. A. p

8、resident B. secretary C. governor D. premier34. The finding of this experiment is _ with what was previously reported. A. consistent B. constant C. coherent D. competent35. However, the nature of online _ is such that we tend to be more honest, more intimate. A. interruptions B. interpretations C. i

9、maginations D. interactions36. Reading extensively can broaden our vision and extend our life into a new _. A. perspective B. hierarchy C. layer D. dimension37. I was quite _ to find my test score well below that of my tablemate. A. fascinated B. dismayed C. amused D. convinced38. An earthquake of 8

10、- _ struck some parts of this province, causing a death toll of over 30,000. A. altitude B. aptitude C. magnitude D. gratitude39. Both linguists and psychologists are eager to learn more about the process of language _. A. acquisition B. attainment C. possession D. fulfillment40. An overseas market

11、with a great growth potential is not easy to _. A. break down B. break up C. break through D. break intoPART III CLOZE TEST (10 minutes, 10 points, 1 point each) According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes are the leading cause of death among children 41

12、 5 and 14 years of age. Says NHTSA: Over 50% of children who die in crashes are 42 by safety devices. 43 , 4 out of 5 children are improperly restrained. The NHTSA offers a number of safety tips and 44 for those who are accompanied by children while driving. Although laws 45 from country to country

13、and even from state to state, these guidelines may 46 food for thought to many parents and guardians of children. Please check your local laws and do 47 you can to keep your precious baby safe. The safest place for all children is in the back seat. Infants should be 48 in a rear-facing safety seat i

14、n the backseat of the car. A child at least a year old and 49 at least 20 pounds may be placed in a forward-facing seat. At 40 pounds, the child can use a booster seat, which is secured by one of the cars lap and shoulder 50 . At approximately 80 pounds and a height of about four feet nine inches, t

15、he child may begin using an adult safety belt. 41. A. at B. between C. for D. about 42. A. bound B. undefined C. unrestrained D. inhibited 43. A. Of course B. On contrary C. Nevertheless D. In addition 44. A. cautions B. forms C. notes D. concepts 45. A. work B. vary C. enforce D. affect 46. A. give

16、 way B. differ from C. serve as D. deal with 47. A. whatever B. whichever C. that D. which 48. A. tied B. stuck C. surrounded D. placed 49. A. weight B. weighted C. weigh D. weighing 50. A. stripes B. belts C. ribbons D. bowsPART IV READING COMPREHENSION (45 minutes, 30 points, 1 point each)Passage

17、One Americans are more socially isolated than they were 20 years ago, separated by work, commuting and the single life, researchers reported on Friday. Nearly a quarter of people surveyed said they had zero close friends with whom to discuss personal matters. More than 50 percent named two or fewer

18、confidants, the researchers said. “This is a big social change, and it indicates something thats not good for our society,” said Duke University Professor Lynn Smith-Lovin. Smith-Lovins group used data from a national survey of 1,500 American adults that has been ongoing since 1972. She said it indi

19、cated people had a surprising drop in the number of close friends since 1985. At that time, Americans most commonly said they had three close friends whom they had known for a long time, saw often, and with whom they shared a number of interests. They were almost as likely to name four or five frien

20、ds, and the relationships often sprang from their neighborhoods or communities. Ties to a close network of friends create a social safely net that is good for society. Research has also linked social support and civic participation to a longer life, Smith-Lovin said. The data also show the social is

21、olation trend mirrors other class divides: Non-whites Americans and the highly educated. That means that in daily life, personal emergencies and national disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, those with the lowest resources also have the lowest personal friends to call for advice and assistance. Its

22、one thing to know someone and exchange e-mails with them. Its another thing to say, Will you give me a ride out of town with all of my possessions and pets? And can I stay with you for a couple or three months?” Smith-Lovin said. Worrying about social isolation is not a matter of remembering a warm

23、past. Real things are strongly connected with that, added Harvard University Public Policy Professor Robert Putnam. He suggested flexible work schedules would allow Americans to tend both personal and professional lives.51. One reason for the social isolation of Americans is _. A. frequent relocatio

24、n B. frequent traveling C. living alone D. working flexible hours52. The percentage of people with more than two close friends is about_. A. 25% B. 50% C. 60% D. 75%53. According to the passage, close social ties among people are_. A. a must for social progress B. beneficial for the family C. a sour

25、ce of happiness D. good for peoples health54. It is implied that _ tend to live a more socially isolated life. A. people in the higher social ladder B. people in the lower social ladder C. people with a longer life span D. people with a shorter life span55. According to Robert Putnam, _. A. it is us

26、eless to worrying about social isolation B. social isolation is not necessarily bad for us C. it is time to do something about social isolation D. social isolation does not mean the end of society56. The passage is focused on _. A. the new trend in American social life B. the urban problems in modem

27、 society C. the ways to build a strong social network D. the reasons for close interpersonal relationshipsPassage Two For years, France proudly resisted establishing domestic smoking bans. It held out longer than Britain, Spain and Italy, but on January 2, 2008, it finally forbid cigarettes in bars,

28、 cafes, restaurants and clubs. This was not a decision taken lightly. Magazines ran photo-spreads reminding us that French people look seriously cool with a cigar in their mouth. There were illustrations of Charles de Gaulle, the French president during World War II, Brigitte Bardot the 1950s famous

29、 fashionist, and the famous French philosopher and writer, Jean-Paul Sartre. Even the present President Nicolas Sarkozy, extremely image-conscious, posed for Paris Match magazine with a fat cigar. But now, Frances traditional “cafe-clope” (morning coffee and cigarette) is only possible if people can

30、 bear the freezing temperatures outside. In the latter part of the 20th century, the health risks of second-bend tobacco smoke were made public. Then, in 1975, a modern wave of smoking bans started in Minnesota, the US. Since then, many countries and regions have joined in the movement. Among them,

31、the US has been a pioneer, with California being the first in the world to ban indoor smoking at all public places, including bars and restaurants. Thus some French people call the non-smoking law issued on January 2 a touch too American. However, studies before the ban showed that 70 percent of Fre

32、nch people supported the enforcement. The publics positive response means that the smoking ban will be just one more US trend accepted by French society. Even among strong smokers, no one wants to risk a fine. French barman Jean-Michel, dressed in a leather waistcoat and a cowboy-style shoelace tie,

33、 complained harshly about the ban. Was be anticipating a smokers revolt? No, he said calmly. People will respect it. Ill do what I did at school. Ill smoke in the toilets.” According to the non-smoking law, individuals who smoke in bars, cafes, restaurants or clubs can be fined up to 450 euros. The

34、owners of these places can be fined up to 750 euros if they fail to stop customers from smoking.57. The law of banning smoking in public places was not made easily because _. A. France proudly resists establishing new laws B. French people like their images with a cigar in their mouth C. French peop

35、le have had such a strong habit since World War II D. smoking has become fashionable for Frenchmen lately58. According to the passage, French President Nicolas Sarkozy _. A. pays a great deal of attention to his own public image B. has been a heavy smoker in public eyes C. strongly opposes the law o

36、f banning smoking D. is a model in the hearts of French people59. Which of the following is the first place in the world to ban indoor smoking at all public places? A. Minnesota. B. California. C. France. D. Britain.60. It is implied in the passage that _. A. French people usually resist American tr

37、ends B. French people oppose the non-smoking law because it is too American C. French people often follow American suits D. French people respect the non-smoking law because it is from the US61. By saying I11 do what I did at school, Jean-Michel means that _. A. he did not smoke when he was a school

38、 student B. he had to smoke in the toilets when he was at school C. he olden anticipated revolts when he was at school D. smoking was not allowed in the toilets when he was at school62. What is the main idea of tiffs passage? A. It is difficult to establish new laws in France. B. How the non-smoking

39、 law was established? C. Non-smoking law is another American trend. D. France finally accepts smoking ban.Passage Three It is the worlds fourth-most-important food crop, after maize, wheat and rice. It provides more calories, more quickly, using less land and in a wider range of climates than any ot

40、her plant. It is, of course, the potato. The United Nations has declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato. It hopes that greater awareness of the merits of potatoes will contribute to the achievement of its Millennium Development Goals, by helping to reduce poverty and promote economic deve

41、lopment. It is always the international year of this or month of that. But the potatos unusual history means it is well worth celebrating. Unlikely though it seems, the potato promoted economic development by supporting the Industrial Revolution in England in the 19th century. It provided a cheap so

42、urce of calories and was easy to cultivate, so it liberated workers from the land. Potatoes became popular in the north of England, as people there specialized in livestock farming and domestic industry, while farmers in the south concentrated on wheat production. By a happy accident, the concentrat

43、ed industrial activity in the regions where coal was readily available, and a potato-driven population boom provided ample workers for the new factories. Friedrich Engels even declared that the potato was the equal of iron for its historically revolutionary role. In the form of French fries, served

44、alongside burgers and Coca-Cola, potatoes are now a symbol of globalization. This is quite a change given the skepticism which first greeted them on their arrival in the Old World in the 16th century. They were variously thought to be fit only for animals, to be associated with the devil or to be po

45、isonous. They took hold in 18th-century Europe only when war and famine meant there was nothing else to eat; people then realized just how useful and reliable they were. As Adam Smith, one of the potatos many admirers, observed at the time, The very general use which is made of potatoes in these kin

46、gdoms as food for man is a convincing proof that the prejudices of a nation, with regard to diet, however deeply rooted, are by no means unconquerable. Mashed, fried, boiled and roast, a humble potato changed the world, and people everywhere should celebrate it.63. By making 2008 the Year of the Pot

47、ato, the United Nations hopes that the potato could _. A. enrich peoples daily food supply B. be used to replace other food crops C. help deal with environmental issues D. he a solution to some economic problems64. Paragraph 3 mainly describes _. A. why the potato became popular in the north of Engl

48、and B. why the potato was important in Englands population growth C. how the potato contributed to Englands industrial development D. how the potato helped improve Englands working conditions65. Friedrich Engelss words show that he _. A. thought highly of the potato B. took the potato too seriously

49、C. underestimated the role of the potato D. lacked the basic knowledge of the potato66. Europeans began to eat potatoes in the 18th century because _. A. there was a serious food shortage B. they realized that potatoes tasted good C. food safety had been greatly improved D. eating potatoes had becom

50、e fashionable 67. What Adam Smith said could be used to demonstrate the potatos _. A. general use B. main features C. success story D. bright future 68. The best title for the passage is _. A. 2008- the Potatos New Mission B. In Praise of the Potato C. The History of the Potato D. The Potato and Glo

51、balization Passage Four You need a new vacuum cleaner. Several are on displaydifferent featuresbut there are no clerks to be found. Finally a guy in a store vest slips past. You begin to ask questions, but he knows even less about vacuum cleaners than you do. Robert Odom, shopping at the Southcenter

52、 Mall near Seattle, finds “its harder to get waited on now. many stores have one person covering a tremendous area. Youve got to go looking to find a clerk.” Retailing is big business in the United States. Every day, billions of transactions take place in the nations 1.4 million stores. Inventive te

53、chnology speeds a staggering $2.5-trillion-a-year flow of purchases. But why do those bad encounters with salespeople continue to bother us so? When Yankelovich Partners asked 2500 shoppers what was most important to you regarding customer service, people ranked courtesy, knowledgeability and friendliness at the top. Almost two out of three sai