2013年大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇
2013年12月英语四级阅读理解题
（一）As she walked round the huge department store,Edith reflected how difficult it was to choose a suitable Christmas present for her father.She wish that he was as easy to please as her mother, who was always delighted with perfume Besides,shoppong at this time of the year was a most disgreeableexperience :people trod on your toes,poked you with their elbows and almost knocked you overin their haste to get to a bargain ahead of you.Partly to have a rest, Edith paused in front of a counter where some attracive ties were on display. "They are real silk," the assistant assured her, trying to tempt her. "Worth double the price." But edit knew from past experience that her choice of ties hardly ever pleased her father.She moved on reluctantly and then quite by chance, stopped where a small crowd of man had gathered round a counter. She found some good quality pipes on sale-----and the prices were very reasonable. Edith did not hesitate for long : although her father only smoked a pipe occasionally, she knew that this was a present which was bund to please him.When she got home,with her small well-chosen present concealed in her handbag, her parents were already at the supper table. Her mother was in an especially cheerful mood, "Your father has at last to decided to stop smoking." She informed her daughter.1.Edith's father _______.a.did not like presentb.never got presentc.preferred tiesd.was difficult to choose a present for2.The assistant spoke to Edith because she seemed_______.a.attractiveb.interested in tiesc.tiredd.in need of comfort3.Edith stopped at the next counter_________.a.puroselyb.suddenlyc.unwillinglyd.accidentally4.Edith's father smoked a pipe_______.a.when he was obligedb.on social occasionsc.from time to timed.when he was delighted5.Shopping was very disagreeable at that time of the year because_______.a.coustomers trod on each other's toesb.coustomers poked each other with their elbowsc.customers knocked each otherd.customers were doing their shopping in a great hurry（二）There are people in Italy who can’t stand soccer. Not all Canadians love hockey.A similar situation exists in America, where there are those individuals you may be one of them who yawn or even frown when somebody mentions baseball. ‘Baseball to them means boring hours watching grown men in funny tight outfits standing around in a field staring away while very little of anything happens.’① They tell you it’s a game better suited to the 19th century, slow, quiet, gentlemanly. These are the same people you may be one of them who love football because there’s the sport that glorifies “the hit”.By contrast, baseball seems abstract, cool, silent, still.On TV the game is fractured into a dozen perspectives, replays, close ups. The geometry of the game, however, is essential to understanding it. You will contemplate the game from one point as a painter does his subject; you may, of course, project yourself into the game. It is in this projection that the game affords so much space and time for involvement. The TV won’t do it for you.Take, for example, the third baseman. You sit behind the third base dugout and you watch him watching home plate. His legs are apart, knees flexed. His arms hang loose. He does a lot of this. The skeptic still cannot think of any other sports so still, so passive. ‘But watch what happens every time the pitcher throws: the third baseman goes up on his toes, flexes his arms or bring the glove to a point in front of him, takes a step right or left, backward or forward, perhaps he glances across the field to check his first baseman’s position.’② Suppose the pitch is a ball. “Nothing happened,” you say. “I could have had my eyes closed.”The skeptic and the innocent must play the game. And this involvement in the stands is no more intellectual than listening to music is. Watch the third baseman. Smooth the dirt in front of you with one foot; smooth the pocket in your glove; watch the eyes of the batter, the speed of the bat, the sound of horsehide on wood. If football is a symphony of movement and theatre, baseball is chamber music, a spacious interlocking of notes, chores and responses.1. The passage is mainly concerned with ______。
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇(20)
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（20）导读：本文大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（20），仅供参考，如果觉得很不错，欢迎点评和分享。
The most interesting architectural phenomenon of the 1970's was the enthusiasm for refurnishing older building. Obviously, this was not an entirely new phenomenon. What is new is the whole scale in reusing the past, in recycling, in adaptive rehabilitation (更新). A few trial efforts, such as Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, proved their financial feasibility in the 1960's, but it was in the 1970's, with strong government support through tax incentives and rapid depreciation (贬值) , as well as growing interest in ecology (生态) issues, that recycling became a major factor on the urban scene. One of the most comprehensive ventures was the restoration and transformation of Boston's eighteenth century Faneuil Hall and the Quincy Market, designed in 1824. This section had fallen on hard times, but beginning with the construction of a new city hall immediately nearby, it has returned to life with the intelligent reuse of these fine old buildings under the design leadership of Benjamin Thompson. He has provided a marvelous setting for dining, shopping, professional office, and simply walking.Butler Square, in Minneapolis, serves as an example of major changes in its complex of offices, commercial space, and public amenities carved out of a massive pile designed in 1906 as a hardware warehouse. The exciting interior timber structure of the building was highlighted by cutting light courts through the interior and adding large skylights.San Antonio, Texas, offers a big object lesson for numerous other cities combating urban decay. Rather than bringing in the bulldozers ( 推土机) , San Antonio's leaders rehabilitated existing structures, while simultaneously cleaning up the San Antonio River, which runs through the business district.26. The main idea of the passage is_______.A. during the 1970's, old building in many cities were recycled for modern useB. recent interest in ecology issues has led to the cleaning up of many riversC. the San Antonio example shows that bulldozers are not the right way to fight urban decayD. strong government support has made adaptive rehabilitation a reality in Boston27. According to the passage, Benjamin Thompson was the designer for a project inA. BostonB. San FranciscoC. MinneapolisD. San Antonio28. The space at Quincy Market is now used as_______.A. Boston's new city hallB. sports and recreational facilitiesC. commercial and industrial warehousesD. restaurants, offices, and stores29. What is the author's opinion of the San Antonio's project?A. It is clearly the best of the projects discussed.B. It is a good project that could be copied by other cities.C. The extensive use of bulldozers made the project unnecessarily costly.D. The work done on the river was more important than work done on thebuildings.30. The passage states that the San Antonio project differed from those in Boston and Minneapolis in that_______.A. it consisted primarily of new buildingsB. it occurred in the business districtC. it involved the environment as well as buildingsD. it was designed to combat urban decay答案：26. A 27. A 28. D 29. C 30. B。
大学英语四级仔细阅读专项练习20篇(附答案)
大学英语四级仔细阅读专项练习20篇（附答案）练习一（2010年12月大学英语四级考试真题）Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.It is pretty much a one-way street. While it may be common for university researchers to try their luck in the commercial world, there is very little traffic in the opposite direction. Pay has always been the biggest deterrent, as people with families often feel they cannot afford the drop in salary when moving to a university job. For some industrial scientists, however, the attractions of academia (学术界) outweigh any financial considerations.Helen Lee took a 70% cut in salary when she moved from a senior post in Abbott Laboratories to a medical department at the University of Cambridge. Her main reason for returning to academia mid-career was to take advantage of the greater freedom to choose research questions. Some areas of inquiry have few prospects of a commercial return, and Lee's is one of them.The impact of a salary cut is probably less severe for a scientist in the early stages of a career. Guy Grant, now a research associate at the Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics at the University of Cambridge, spent two years working for a pharmaceutical (制药的) company before returning to university as a post-doctoral researcher. He took a 30% salary cut but felt it worthwhile for the greater intellectual opportunities.Higher up the ladder, where a pay cut is usually more significant, the demand for scientists with a wealth of experience in industry is forcing universities to make the transition (转换) to academia more attractive, according to Lee. Industrial scientists tend to receive training that academics do not, such as how to build a multidisciplinary team, manage budgets and negotiate contracts. They are also well placed to bring something extra to the teaching side of an academic role that will help students get a job when they graduate, says Lee, perhaps experience in manufacturing practice or product development. “Only a small number of undergraduates willcontinue in an academic career. So someone leaving university who already has the skills needed to work in an industrial lab has far more potential in the job market than someone who has spent all their time on a narrow research project.”57. By “a one-way street” (Line 1, Para. 1), the author means ________.[A] university researchers know little about the commercial world[B] there is little exchange between industry and academia[C] few industrial scientists would quit to work in a university[D] few university professors are willing to do industrial research58. The word “deterrent” (Line 2, Para. 1) most probably refers to something that ________.[A] keeps someone from taking action [C] attracts people's attention[B] helps to move the traffic [D] brings someone a financial burden59. What was Helen Lee's major consideration when she changed her job in the middle of her career?[A] Flexible work hours. [C] Her preference for the lifestyle on campus.[B] Her research interests. [D] Prospects of academic accomplishments.60. Guy Grant chose to work as a researcher at Cambridge in order to ________.[A] do financially more rewarding work[B] raise his status in the academic world[C] enrich his experience in medical research[D] exploit better intellectual opportunities61. What contribution can industrial scientists make when they come to teach in a university?[A] Increase its graduates' competitiveness in the job market.[B] Develop its students' potential in research.[C] Help it to obtain financial support from industry.[D] Gear its research towards practical applications.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man's life and two to a woman's. The effect holds for all causes of death, whether illness, accident or self-harm.Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn't smoke. There's a flip side, however, as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse's death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects.So how does it work? The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner.A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: “People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected.”62. William Farr's study and other studies show that _________.[A] social life provides an effective cure for illness[B] being sociable helps improve one's quality of life[C] women benefit more than men from marriage[D] marriage contributes a great deal to longevity63. Linda Waite's studies support the idea that _________.[A] older men should quit smoking to stay healthy[B] marriage can help make up for ill health[C] the married are happier than the unmarried[D] unmarried people are likely to suffer in later life64. It can be inferred from the context that the “flip side” (Line 4, Para. 2) refers to _________.[A] the disadvantages of being married[B] the emotional problems arising from marriage[C] the responsibility of taking care of one's family[D] the consequence of a broken marriage65. What does the author say about social networks?[A] They have effects similar to those of a marriage.[B] They help develop people's community spirit.[C] They provide timely support for those in need.[D] They help relieve people of their life's burdens.66. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?[A] It's important that we develop a social network when young.[B] To stay healthy, one should have a proper social network.[C] Getting a divorce means risking a reduced life span.[D] We should share our social networks with each other.练习二（2010年6月英语四级考试真题）Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.You never see him, but they're with you every time you fly. They record where you are going, how fast you're traveling and whether everything on your airplane is functioning normally. Their ability to withstand almost any disaster makes them seem like something out of a comic book. They're known as the black box.When planes fall from the sky, as a Yemeni airliner did on its way to Comoros Islands in the India Ocean, June 30, 2009, the black box is the best bet for identifying what went wrong. So when a French submarine (潜水艇) detected the device's homing signal five days later, the discovery marked a huge step toward determining the cause of a tragedy in which 152 passengers were killed.In 1958, Australian scientist David Warren developed a flight-memory recorder that would track basic information like altitude and direction. That was the first mode for a black box, which became a requirement on all U.S. commercial flights by 1960. Early models often failed to withstand crashes, however, so in 1965 the device was completely redesigned and moved to the rear of the plane – the area least subject to impact – from its original position in the landing wells (起落架舱). The same year, the Federal Aviation Authority required that the boxes, which were never actually black, be painted orange or yellow to aid visibility.Modern airplanes have two black boxes: a voice recorder, which tracks pilots' conversations, and a flight-data recorder, which monitors fuel levels, engine noises and other operating functions that help investigators reconstruct the aircraft's final moments. Placed in an insulated (隔绝的) case and surrounded by a quarter-inch-thick panels of stainless steel, the boxes can withstand massive force and temperatures up to 2,000℉. When submerged, they're also able to emit signals from depths of 20,000 ft. Experts believe the boxes from Air France Flight 447, which crashed near Brazil on June 1,2009, are in water nearly that deep, but statistics say they're still likely to turn up. In the approximately 20 deep-sea crashes over the past 30 years, only one plane's black boxes were never recovered.57. What does the author say about the black box?A) It ensures the normal functioning of an airplane.B) The idea for its design comes from a comic book.C) Its ability to ward off disasters is incredible.D) It is an indispensable device on an airplane.58. What information could be found from the black box on the Yemeni airliner?A) Data for analyzing the cause of the crash.B) The total number of passengers on board.C) The scene of the crash and extent of the damage.D) Homing signals sent by the pilot before the crash.59. Why was the black box redesigned in 1965?A) New materials became available by that time.B) Too much space was needed for its installation.C) The early models often got damaged in the crash.D) The early models didn't provide the needed data.60. Why did the Federal Aviation Authority require the black boxes be painted orange or yellow?A) To distinguish them from the colour of the plane.B) To caution people to handle them with care.C) To make them easily identifiable.D) To conform to international standards.61. What do we know about the black boxes from Air France Flight 447?A) There is still a good chance of their being recovered.B) There is an urgent need for them to be reconstructed.C) They have stopped sending homing signals.D) They were destroyed somewhere near Brazil.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.The $11 billion self-help industry is built on the idea that you should turn negative thoughts like “I never do anything right” into positive ones like “I can succeed.” Butwas positive thinking advocate Norman Vincent Peale right? Is there power in positive thinking?Researchers in Canada just published a study in the journal Psychological Science that says trying to get people to think more positively can actually have the opposite effect: it can simply highlight how unhappy they are.The study's authors, Joanne Wood and John Lee of the University of Waterloo and Elaine Perunovic of the University of New Brunswick, begin by citing older research showing that when people get feedback which they believe is overly positive, they actually feel worse, not better. If you tell your dim friend that he has the potential of an Einstein, you're just underlining his faults. In one 1990s experiment, a team including psychologist Joel Cooper of Princeton asked participants to write essays opposing funding for the disabled. When the essayists were later praised for their sympathy, they felt even worse about what they had written.In this experiment, Wood, Lee and Perunovic measured 68 students' self-esteem. The participants were then asked to write down their thoughts and feelings for four minutes. Every 15 seconds, one group of students heard a bell. When it rang, they were supposed to tell themselves, “I am lovable.”Those with low self-esteem didn't feel better after the forced self-affirmation. In fact, their moods turned significantly darker than those of members of the control group, who weren't urged to think positive thoughts.The paper provides support for newer forms of psychotherapy (心理治疗) that urge people to accept their negative thoughts and feelings rather than fight them. In the fighting, we not only often fail but can make things worse. Meditation (静思) techniques, in contrast, can teach people to put their shortcomings into a larger, more realistic perspective. Call it the power of negative thinking.62. What do we learn from the first paragraph about the self-help industry?A) It is a highly profitable industry.B) It is based on the concept of positive thinking.C) It was established by Norman Vincent Peale.D) It has yielded positive results.63. What is the finding of the Canadian researchers?A) Encouraging positive thinking many do more harm than good.B) There can be no simple therapy for psychological problems.C) Unhappy people cannot think positively.D) The power of positive thinking is limited.64. What does the author mean by “… you're just underlining his faults” (Line 4, Para.3)?A) You are not taking his mistakes seriously enough.B) You are pointing out the errors he has committed.C) You are emphasizing the fact that he is not intelligent.D) You are trying to make him feel better about his faults.65. What do we learn from the experiment of Wood, Lee and Perunovic?A) It is important for people to continually boost their self-esteem.B) Self-affirmation can bring a positive change to one's mood.C) Forcing a person to think positive thoughts may lower their self-esteem.D) People with low self-esteem seldom write down their true feelings.66. What do we learn from the last paragraph?A) The effects of positive thinking vary from person to person.B) Meditation may prove to be a good form of psychotherapy.C) Different people tend to have different ways of thinking.D) People can avoid making mistakes through meditation.练习三（2013年6月大学英语四级考试真题）Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Junk food is everywhere. We're eating too much of it. Most of us know what we're doing and yet we do it anyway.So here's a suggestion offered by two researchers at the Rand Corporation: Why not take a lesson from alcohol control policies and apply them to where food is soldand how it's displayed?“Many policy measures to control obesity（肥胖症）assume that people consciously and rationally choose what and how much they eat and therefore focus on providing information and more access to healthier foods,” note the two researchers.“In contrast,” the researchers continue, “many regulations that don't assume people make rational choices have been successfully applied to control alcohol, a substance — like food — of which immoderate consumption leads to serious health problems.”The research references studies of people's behavior with food and alcohol and results of alcohol restrictions, and then lists five regulations that the researchers think might be promising if applied to junk foods. Among them:Density restrictions: licenses to sell alcohol aren't handed out unplanned to all comers but are allotted（分配）based on the number of places in an area that already sell alcohol. These make alcohol less easy to get and reduce the number of psychological cues to drink.Similarly, the researchers say, being presented with junk food stimulates our desire to eat it. So why not limit the density of food outlets, particularly ones that sell food rich in empty calories? And why not limit sale of food in places that aren't primarily food stores?Display and sales restrictions: California has a rule prohibiting alcohol displays near the cash registers in gas stations, and in most places you can't buy alcohol at drive-through facilities. At supermarkets, food companies pay to have their wares in places where they're easily seen. One could remove junk food to the back of the store and ban them from the shelves at checkout lines. The other measures include restricting portion sizes, taxing and prohibiting special price deals for junk foods, and placing warning labels on the products.57. What does the author say about junk food?A) People should be educated not to eat too much.B) It is widely consumed despite its ill reputation.C) Its temptation is too strong for people to resist.D) It causes more harm than is generally realized.58. What do the Rand researchers think of many of the policy measures to control obesity?A) They should be implemented effectively.B) They provide misleading information.C) They are based on wrong assumptions.D) They help people make rational choices.59. Why do policymakers of alcohol control place density restrictions?A) Few people are able to resist alcohol's temptations.B) There are already too many stores selling alcohol.C) Drinking strong alcohol can cause social problems.D) Easy access leads to customers' over-consumption.60. What is the purpose of California's rule about alcohol display in gas stations?A) To effectively limit the density of alcohol outlets.B) To help drivers to give up the habit of drinking.C) To prevent possible traffic jams in nearby areas.D) To get alcohol out of drivers' immediate sight.61. What is the general guideline the Rand researchers suggest about junk food control?A) Guiding people to make rational choices about food.B) Enhancing people's awareness of their own health.C) Borrowing ideas from alcohol control measures.D) Resorting to economic, legal and psychological means.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Kodak's decision to file for bankruptcy（破产）protection is a sad, though not unexpected, turning point for a leading American corporation that pioneered consumer photography and dominated the film market for decades, but ultimatelyfailed to adapt to the digital revolution.Although many attribute Kodak's downfall to “complacency(自满)”, that explanation doesn't acknowledge the lengths to which the company went to reinvent itself. Decades ago, Kodak anticipated that digital photography would overtake film — and in fact, Kodak invented the first digital camera in 1975 — but in a fateful decision, the company chose to shelf its new discovery to focus on its traditional film business.It wasn't that Kodak was blind to the future, said Rebecca Henderson, a professor at Harvard Business School, but rather that it failed to execute on a strategy to confront it. By the time the company realized its mistake, it was too late.Kodak is an example of a firm that was very much aware that they had to adapt, and spent a lot of money trying to do so, but ultimately failed. Large companies have a difficult time switching into new markets because there is a temptation to put existing assets into the new businesses.Although Kodak anticipated the inevitable rise of digital photography, its corporate（企业的）culture was too rooted in the successes of the past for it to make the clean break necessary to fully embrace the future. They were a company stuck in time. Their history was so important to them. Now their history has become a liability.Kodak's downfall over the last several decades was dramatic. In 1976, the company commanded 90% of the market for photographic film and 85% of the market for cameras. But the 1980s brought new competition from Japanese film company Fuji Photo, which undermined Kodak by offering lower prices for film and photo supplies. Kodak's decision not to pursue the role of official film for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was a major miscalculation. The bid went instead to Fuji, which exploited its sponsorship to win a permanent foothold in the marketplace.62. What do we learn about Kodak?A) It went bankrupt all of a sudden.B) It is approaching its downfall.C) It initiated the digital revolution in the film industry.D) It is playing a dominant role in the film market.63. Why does the author mention Kodak's invention of the first digital camera?A) To show its early attempt to reinvent itself.B) To show its effort to overcome complacency.C) To show its quick adaptation to the digital revolution.D) To show its will to compete with Japan's Fuji photo.64. Why do large companies have difficulty switching to new markets?A) They find it costly to give up their existing assets.B) They tend to be slow in confronting new challenges.C) They are unwilling to invest in new technology.D) They are deeply stuck in their glorious past.65. What does the author say Kodak's history has become?A) A burden.B) A mirror.C) A joke.D) A challenge.66. What was Kodak's fatal mistake?A) Its blind faith in traditional photography.B) Its failure to see Fuji photo's emergence.C) Its refusal to sponsor the 1984 Olympics.D) Its overconfidence in its corporate culture.练习四（2014年6月英语四级考试真题）Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60are based on the following passage.The question of whether our government should promote science and technology or the liberal arts in higher education isn't an either/or proposition(命题)，although the current emphasis on preparing young Americans for STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths)----related fields can make it seem that way.The latest congressional report acknowledges the critical importance of technicaltraining, but also asserts that the study of the humanities (人文学科)and social sciences must remain central components of America's educational system at all levels. Both are critical to producing citizens who can participate effectively in our democratic society, become innovative (创新的) leaders, and benefit from the spiritual enrichment that the reflection on the great ideas of mankind over time provides.Parents and students who have invested heavily in higher education worry about graduates' job prospects as technological advances and changes in domestic and global markets transform professions in ways that reduce wages and cut jobs. Under these circumstances, it's natural to look for what may appear to be the most “practical” way out of the problem “Major in a subject designed to get you a job” seems the obvious answer to some, though this ignores the fact that many disciplines in the humanities characterized as “soft” often, in fact, lead to employment and success in the long run. Indeed, according to surveys, employers have expressed a preference for students who have received a broadly-based education that has taught them to write well, think critically, research creatively, and communicate easily.Moreover, students should be prepared not just for their first job, but for their 4th and 5th jobs, as there's little reason to doubt that people entering the workforce today will be called upon to play many different roles over the course of their careers. The ones who will do the best in this new environment will be those whose educations have prepared them to be flexible. The ability to draw upon every available tool and insight----picked up from science, arts, and technology—to solve the problems of the future, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, will be helpful to them and the United States.56. What does the latest congressional report suggest?A) STEM-related subjects help students find jobs in the information society.B) The humanities and STEM subjects should be given equal importance.C) The liberal arts in higher education help enrich students' spiritual life.D) Higher education should be adjusted to the practical needs of society.57. What is the main concern of students when they choose a major?A) Their interest in relevant subjects.B) The academic value of the courses.C) The quality of education to receive.D) Their chances of getting a good job.58. What does the author say about the so called soft subjects?A) They benefit students in their future life.B) They broaden students' range of interests.C) They improve students' communication skills.D) They are essential to students' healthy growth.59. What kind of job applicants do employers look for?A) Those who have a strong sense of responsibility.B) Those who are good at solving practical problems.C) Those who are likely to become innovative leaders.D) Those who have received a well-rounded education.60. What advice does the author give to college students?A) Seize opportunities to tap their potential.B) Try to take a variety of practical courses.C) Prepare themselves for different job options.D) Adopt a flexible approach to solving problems.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Energy independence. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn't it? If you think so, you're not alone, because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession.“Energy independence” and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion “energy security” are, however, slippery concepts that are rarely though through. What is it we want independence from, exactly?Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil. But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is a trickle（涓涓细流）of biofuel（生物燃料）available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.Second, Americans have basically decided that they don't really want to produce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?Third, there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. And although you don't read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices, At the same time, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.61. What does the author say about energy independence for America?A) It sounds very attractive.B) It ensures national security.C) It will bring oil prices downD) It has long been everyone's dream.62. What does the author think of biofuels?A) They keep America's economy running healthily.B) They prove to be a good alternative to petroleum.。
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇When one looks back upon the fifteen hundred years that are the life span of the English language, he should be able to notice a number of significant truths. The history of our language has always been a history of constant change—at times a slow, almost imperceptible change, at other times a violent collision between two languages. Our language has always been a living growing organism, it has never been static. Another significant truth that emerges from such a study is that language at all times has been the possession not of one class or group but of many. 『At one extreme it has been the property of the common, ignorant folk, who have used it in the daily business of their living, much as they have used their animals or the kitchen pots and pans.』①At the other extreme it has been the treasure of those who have respected it as an instrument and a sign of civilization, and who have struggled by writing it down to give it some permanence, order, dignity, and if possible, a little beauty.As we consider our changing language, we should note here two developments that are of special and immediate importance to us. One is that since the time of the Anglo-Saxons there has been an almost complete reversal of the different devices for showing the relationship of words in a sentence. Anglo-Saxon (old English) was a language of many inflections. Modern English has few inflections. We must now depend largely on word order and function words to convey the meanings that the older language did by means of changes in the formsof words. Function words, you should understand, are words such as prepositions, conjunctions, and a few others that are used primarily to show relationships among other words. A few inflections, however, have survived. And when some word inflections come into conflict with word order, there may be trouble for the users of the language, as we shall seelater when we turn our attention to such maters as WHO or WHOM and ME or I. The second fact we must consider is that as language itself changes, our attitudes toward language forms change also. 『The eighteenth century, for example, produced from various sources a tendency to fix the language into patterns not always set in and grew, until at the present time there is a strong tendency to restudy andre-evaluate language practices in terms of the ways in which people speak and write.』②1.In contrast to the earlier linguists, modern linguists tend to .A. attempt to continue the standardization of the languageB. evaluate language practices in terms of current speech rather than standards or proper patternsC. be more concerned about the improvement of the language than its analysis or historyD. be more aware of the rules of the language usage 2.Choose the appropriate meaning for the word “inflection” used in line 4 of paragraph 2.A. Changes in the forms of words.B. Changes in sentence structures.C. Changes in spelling rules.D. Words that have similar meanings.3.Which of the following statements is not mentioned in the passage? A. It is generally believed that the year 1500 can be set as the beginning of the modern English language.B. Some other languages had great influence on the English language at some stages of its development.C. The English language has been and still in a state of relatively constant change.D. Many classes or groups have contributed to the development of the English language.4. The author of these paragraphs is probably a(an) .A. historianB. philosopherC. anthropologistD. linguist5.Which of the following can be best used as the title of the passage? A. The history of the English language.B. Our changing attitude towards the English language.C. Our changing language.D. Some characteristics of modern English.Vocabulary1. span n. 跨度，范围，一段时间，期间。
2013年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题及答案详解(全套)
2013年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题及答案（全套）幸福就好我亦安2013年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题(一)【阅读】Sectio n CDirectio ns : There are 2 passages in this sect ion. Each passage is followed by some questi ons or unfini shed stateme nts. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresp onding letter on An swer Sheet 2 with a sin gle line through the cen tre.Passage OneQuesti ons 56 to 60 are based on the follow ing passage.In recent years, a growing body of research has shown that our appetite and food in take are in flue need by a large nu mber of factors besides our biological n eed forenergy, including our eating environment and our perception of the food in front of us.Studies have show n, for in sta nee, that eati ng in front of the TV (or a similardistract ion) can in crease both hun ger and the amount of food con sumed. Even simplevisual cues, like plate size and light ing, have bee n show n to affect portion size and con sumpti on.A new study suggested that our short-term memoryalso mayplay a role in appetite. Several hours after a meal, people's hunger levels were predicted not by how much they ' d eaten but rather by how much food they'd seen in front of them —in other words, how much they remembered eati ng.This disparity (盖弃) suggests the memory of our previous meal may have a bigger in flue nee on our appetite tha n the actual size of the meal, says Jeffrey M. Brun strom, a professor of experime ntal psychology at the Uni versity of Bristol."Hun ger isn't con trolled solely by the physical characteristics of a recent meal. Wehave identified an independent role for memory for that meal，" Brunstrom says."This shows that the relati on ship betwee n hun ger and food in take is more complex than we thought."These findings echo earlier research that suggests our percepti on of food can sometimes trick our body' s response to the food itself. In a 2011 study, for instanee, people who drank the same3S0-calorie (卡路里)milkshake on two separate occasions produced different levels of hunger-related hormones (荷尔蒙),depending on whetherthe shake' s label said it contained 620 or 140 calories. Moreover, the participants reported feeling more full when they thought they'd consumed a higher-calorie shake.What does this mean for our eat ing habits? Although it hardly seems practical to trick ourselves into eati ng less, the new findings do highlight the ben efits offocus ing on our food and avoidi ng TV and multitask ing while eat ing.The so-called min dful-eat ing strategies can fight distract ions and help us con trol our appetite, Brun strom says.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
大学英语四级阅读理解试题20篇之二(含答案)
资料类别：大学英语四级阅读理解试题20篇之二（含答案）：WORD格式：（）资料下载：十一What is your favourite colour? Do you like yellow , orange ,red? If you do ,you must be an optimist, a leader, an active person who enjoys life, people and excitement. Do you prefer greys and blues? Then you are probably quiet,shy, and you would rather follow than lead. You tend to be a pessimist. At least, this is what psychologists tell us, and they should know,because they have been seriously studying the meaning of colours preference, as well as the effect that colours have on human beings. They tells us, among other facts,that we do not choose our favourite clour as we grow up----we are born with our preference.If you happen to love brown, you did so, as soon as you opened your eyes, or at least as soon as you could see clearly.Colours do influence our moods----there is no doubt about it .A yellow room makes most people feel more cheerful and more relaxed than a dark green one; and a red dress brings warmth and cheer to the saddest winter day. On the other hand ,black is depressing. A black bridge over the Thames River, near London, used to be the scene of more suicides than any other bridge in the area ----until it was repainter green.The number of suicide attempts immediately fell sharply ;perhaps it would have fallen even more if the bridge had been done in pink or baby blue.Light and bright colours make people not only hppier but more active. It is an established fact that factory workers work better,harder ,and have fewer accidents when their machines are painted orange rather than black or grey.1."You would rather follow than red" means_______.a.you don't like to follow othersb.you would be a member rather than a leaderc.you would be afraid of following othersd.you would like to be a leader rather than a follower2.If one enjoys life, one is sure to prefer________.a.red to yellowb.blue to orangec.red to greyd.blue to yellow3."They tell us, among other facts,that we don't choose our favourite colours as we grow up." "Among other facts" means______.a.besides other factsb.in regard to other factsc.not considering other factsd.according to other facts4.Which of the following is facts?a.People's preference of one colour to another is instinctb.People's preference of one colour to another is acquired as they grow up.c.More people happen to love brown because they saw something brown when they were bornd.Colours have little influence on our moods5.Those who committed suicide preferred the bridge over the Thames River near london to others because of _______.a.its shapeb.its structurec.its colourd.its building materials答案：bcaac。
2013年英语四级考试阅读习题及答案解析
2013年英语四级考试阅读习题及答案解析(1)Reading is thought to be a kind of conversation between the reader an d the text. The reader putsquestions, as it were, to the text and gets answers.In the light of these he puts __1__ questions, andso on.For most of the time this “conversation”goeson below the level of consciousness. At times,however, we become __2__ of it. This is usu allywhen we are running into difficulties, when mismatch is occurring between __3__ and meaning.When successful matching is being experienc ed, our question of the text continues at the unconscious level.Different people __4__ with the text differently. Some stay very clos e to the words on thepage, others take off imaginatively from the w ords, interpreting, criticizing, analyzing andexamining. The former repr esents a kind of comprehension which is __5__ in the text. Thelatter represents __6__ levels of comprehension. The balance between theseis important,especially for advanced readers.There is another conversation which from our point of view is __7__ important, and that isto do not with what is read but with how i t is read. We call this a “process”conversation as__8__ to a “c ontent”conversation. It is concerned not with meaning but with the__9__ we employ in reading. If we are an advanced reader our ability hold a process conversation with a text is usually pretty well__10__. Not so our ability to hold a content conversation.A)opposed B)converse C)equally D)writtenE)developed F)strategies G)compared H)awakeI)higher J)expectations K)deal L)absolutelyM)aware N)better O)further参考答案及解析:1. 选O )。
历年英语四级阅读理解真题及答案
2013年12月大学英语四级考试真题（一）In recent years, a growing body of research has shown that our appetite and food intake are influenced by a large number of factors besides our biological need for energy, including our eating environment and our perception of the food in front of us.Studies have shown, for instance, that eating in front of the TV (or a similar distraction) can increase both hunger and the amount of food consumed. Even simple visual cues, like plate size and lighting, have been shown to affect portion size and consumption.A new study suggested that our short-term memory also may play a role in appetite. Several hours after a meal, people's hunger levels were predicted not by how much they’d eaten but rather by how much food they'd seen in front of them—in other words, how much they remembered eating.This disparity (盖弃）suggests the memory of our previous meal may have a bigger influence on our appetite than the actual size of the meal, says Jeffrey M. Brunstrom, a professor of experimental psychology at the University of Bristol."Hunger isn't controlled solely by the physical characteristics of a recent meal. We have identified an independent role for memory for that meal，" Brunstrom says. "This shows that the relationship between hunger and food intake is more complex than we thought."These findings echo earlier research that suggests our perception of food can sometimes trick our body’s response to the food itself. In a 2011 study, for instance, people who drank the same 3S0-calorie (卡路里）milkshake on two separate occasions produced different levels of hunger-related hormones （荷尔蒙），depending on whether the shake’s label said it contained 620 or 140 calories. Moreover, the participants reported feeling more full when they thought they'd consumed a higher-calorie shake.What does this mean for our eating habits? Although it hardly seems practical to trick ourselves into eating less, the new findings do highlight the benefits of focusing on our food and avoiding TV and multitasking while eating.The so-called mindful-eating strategies can fight distractions and help us control our appetite, Brunstrom says.56. What is said to be a factor affecting our appetite and food intake?A) How we perceive the food we eat. C) When we eat our meals.B) What ingredients the food contains. D) How fast we eat our meals.57. What would happen at meal time if you remembered eating a lot in the previous meal?A) You would probably be more picky about food.B) You would not feel like eating the same food.C) You would have a good appetite.D) You would not feel so hungry.58. What do we learn from the 2011 study?A) Food labels may mislead consumers in their purchases.B) Food labels may influence our body’s response to food.C) Hunger levels depend on one's consumption of calories.D) People tend to take in a lot more calories than necessary.59. What does Brunstrom suggest we do to control our appetite?A) Trick ourselves into eating less. C) Concentrate on food while eating.B) Choose food with fewer calories. D) Pick dishes of the right size.60. What is the main idea of the passage?A) Eating distractions often affect our food digestion.B) Psychological factors influence our hunger levels.C) Our food intake is determined by our biological needs.D) Good eating habits will contribute to our health.56. A 57.D 58. B 59.C 60. BAs a society we might want to rethink the time and money spent on education, so that these resources can benefit a greater percentage of the population. Ideally, both high schools and colleges can prepare individuals for the ever-changing roles that are likely to be expected of them.High school degrees offer far less in the way of preparation for work than they might, or than many other nations currently offer, creating a growing skills gap in our economy. We encourage students to go on to college whether they are prepared or not, or have a clear sense of purpose or interest, and now have the highest college dropout rate in the world.We might look to other countries for models of how high schools can offer better training, as well as the development of a work ethic (勤奋工作的美德）and the intellectual skills needed for continued learning and development. I recommend Harvard's 2011 "Pathways to Prosperity" report for more attention to the "forgotten half" (those who do not go on to college) and ideas about how to address this issue.Simultaneously, the liberal arts become more important than ever. In a knowledge economy where professional roles change rapidly and many college students are preparing for positions that may not even exist yet, the skill set needed is one that prepares them for change and continued learning.Learning to express ideas well in both writing and speech, knowing how to find information, and knowing how to do research are all-solid background skills for a wide variety of roles, and such training is more important than any particular major in a liberal arts college. We need to continue to value broad preparation in thinking skills ihat will serve for a lifetime.Students also need to learn to work independently and to make responsible decisions. The lengthening path to adulthood appears exacerbated (惡化）by parental involvement in the college years. Given the rising investment in college education, parental concern is not surprising, but learning where and when to intervene (干预）will help students take more ownership of the outcomes of these increasingly costly educations.61. What kind of education does the author think is ideal?A) It benefits the great majority of the general population.B) It prepares students to meet the future needs of society.C) It encourages students to learn throughout their lives.D) It ensures that students' expectations are successfully fulfilled.62. What does the author say is the problem with present high school education?A) Ignoring the needs of those who don't go to college.B) Teaching skills to be used right after graduation only.C) Giving little attention to those having difficulty learning.D) Creating the highest dropout rate in the developed world.63. What characterizes a knowledge economy according to the passage?A) People have to receive higher education to qualify for a professional position.B) Students majoring in liberal arts usually have difficulty securing a job.C) New positions are constantly created that require people to keep learning.D) Colleges find it hard to teach students how to cope with the changing economy.64. What does the author think a liberal arts college should focus on?A) Solid background knowledge in a particular field.B) Practical skills urgently needed in current society.C) Basic skills needed for change and lifelong learning.D) Useful thinking skills for advanced academic research.65. What suggestion docs the author offer to parents?A) Rethinking the value of higher education.B) Investing wisely in their children's education.C) Helping their children lo bring their talent into full play.D) Avoiding too much intervention in their children’s education.答案详解61. B 62. D 63. C 64. C 65 D2013年6月全国大学英语四级考试真题According to a report, around 30,000 pupils started secondary school last year with the math skills of a seven-year-old. MPs (国会议员) warned that many young people would need “expensive” remedial lessons in later life to get a job —posing major problems for the economy. The findings came just months after Ofsted(教育标准办公室)claimed almost half of math lessons in English schools were not good enough. It said many teachers relied on textbooks and mundane exercises to make sure pupils passed exams at the expense of a proper understanding of the subject. MPs backed the conclusions, saying too many pupils found lessons “boring”. They insisted improvements had been made under Labor but achievement had “leveled off” in recent years.In 2008, 79 percent of pupils met the Government’s expected standard at the end of primary school, well short of the 85 percent target set for 2006. Around five percent moved to secondary school with the math skills of a seven- year-old, said the committee. In 2006, ￡2.3 billion was spent teaching the subject. It equates to around a quarter of the ￡10 billion total budget for primary teaching and support staff.The report said the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) needed to “radically rethink its strategy for improving pupil attainment; otherwise we seriously doubt that the department will meet its 2011 target”. The target demands that 84.5 percent of pupils will make the necessary progress between 7 and 11.Last year, the DCSF published a major review of math education in England to boost standards. It called for a math specialist in every primary school within 10 years and more emphasis on mathematical “play” in nursery schools. Mr. Leigh said,“The department’s 10-year program to train 13,000 specialist math teachers will not benefit some primary schools for another decade. That’s far too long; the department needs to look for ways to accelerate the program.” Sarah McCarthy Fry, the Schools Minister, said, “We have already accepted the main recommendation from a recent independent review of primary math that every school should have a specialist math teacher and have pledged ￡24 million over the next three years for a training program for teachers.”Nick Gibb, the Tory shadow schools secretary, said, “The Government is not getting value for the money they have piled into education and the country is falling behind in international league tables as a result. The Government has failed to replace methods of teaching which have failed with tried and tested methods used in countries that have much higher levels of math achievement.”57. What do we learn from the first paragraph?A) 30,000 pupils started secondary school with poor math skills.B) MPs insist more improvements should be made under Labor.C) Young people need medical lessons to get a job.D) Half of English schools were not good enough.58. According to the passage, what happened in 2006?A) 21% of pupils didn’t meet the Government’s expected standard.B) The target set for 2006 was 87 percent.C) ￡2.3 billion was spent on math teaching.D) The total budget for primary teaching and support staff was ￡5 billion in 2006.59. What will people probably do to improve math education in England?A) Spend money on training specialist math teachers.B) Hire a math specialist for every primary school.C) Allow pupils to have more mathematical “play”.D) Spend more time on math education.60. What do Nick Gibb’s words mean?A) The British government should put more money into math education.B) Britain is falling behind in the international knowledge competition.C) The British government should learn from other countries’ failures.D) The British government should change their teaching methods every few years.61. What’s the passage mainl y talking about?A) There aren’t enough math teachers in British primary schools.B) The British government didn’t spend enough money on math education.C) British pupils are not good at math.D) Math lessons in British primary schools need to be improved.Conservationists call them hot spots — habitats that cover just 1.4 percent of the earth’s land surface but are so rich in biological diversity that preserving them could keep an astonishing number of plant and animal species off the endangered list.Since 1988, when Dr. Norman Myers and his colleagues began describing these hot spots in a series of scientific papers and arguing for their protection, they have become a focus of worldwide conservation efforts. Private organizations and government agencies, including the World Bank, have made preserving 25 such ecological arks a top priority for financing and protective legislation. But a growing chorus of scientists is warning that directing conservation funds to hot spots maybe a recipe for major losses in the future. Of species that live on land, nearly half of all plants and more than a third of all animals are found only in the hot spots. But they do not include many rare species and major animal groups that live in less biologically rich reg ions (“cold spots”). And the hot-spot concept does not factor in the importance of some ecosystems to human beings, the scientists argue.This debate has been simmering quietly among biologists for years; however, it is coming to a boil now with the publication of an article in the current issue of American Scientist arguing that “calls to direct conservation funding to the world’s biodiversity hot spots may be bad investment advice.” “The hot-spot concept has grown so popular in recent years within the larger conservation community that it now risks eclipsing all other approaches,” write the authors of the paper. “The officers and directors of all too many foundations, non-governmental organizations and international agencies have been seduced by the simplicity of the hot spot idea,” they go on. “We worry that the initially appealing idea of getting the most species per unit area is, in fact, a thoroughly misleading strategy.”But hot spots have their ardent defenders, notably Dr. Norman Myers and Dr. Russell Mittermeier. Dr. Myers says hot spots have been successful at attracting attention and financing for conservation in tropical countries. “And that has been good,” he said. “No one is suggesting that one invest solely in hot spots, but if you want to avoid extinctions, you have to invest in them.”62. The best title for this passage would be ________.A) A Debate on Preserving Hot Spots B) An Introduction to Hot SpotsC) Hot Spots vs. Cold Spots D) How to Finance Hot Spots63. Hot spots occupy a small percentage of the earth’s land surface with_____________.A) a third of all plantsB) many major animal groups living in cold spotsC) rich biological diversityD) many rare species living in cold spots64. Critics of hot spots hold the opinion that ________.A) hot spots are always as important as cold spotsB) it is unwise to invest largely in hot spotsC) governments should choose the best time to invest in hot spotsD) the hot-spot approach is a misleading strategy from the very beginning65. According to Dr. Norman Myers, _________.A) protecting and investing in hot spots can save species from extinctionB) conservation efforts should not center on hot spotsC) governments should invest most in cold spotsD) the hot-spot approach now is not as good as it was in the past66. What is the writer’s attitude towards the hot-spot approach?A) Critical. B) Neutral. C) Supportive. D) Doubtful.2012年6月英语四级Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.In times of economic crisis. Americans turn to their families for support. If the Great Depression is any guide, we may see a drop in our skyhigh divorce rate. But this won't necessarily represent. an increase in happy marriages. In the long run, the Depression weakened American families, and the current crisis will probably do the same.We tend to think of the Depression as a time when families pulled together to survive huge job losses, By 1932. when nearly one-quarter of the workforce was unemployed, the divorce rate had declined by around 25% from 1929 But this doesn't mean people were suddenly happier with their marriages. Rather, with incomes decreasing and insecure jobs, unhappy couples often couldn't afford to divorce. They feared neither spouse could manage alone.Today, given the job losses of the past year, fewer unhappy couples will risk starting separate households, Furthermore, the housing market meltdown will make it more difficult for them to finance their separations by selling their homes.After financial disasters family members also tend to do whatever they can to help each other and their communities, A 1940 book. The Unemployed Man and His Family, described a family in which the husband initially reacted to losing his job "with tireless search for work."He was always active, looking for odd jobs to do.The problem is that such an impulse is hard to sustain Across the country, many similar families were unable to maintain the initial boost in morale(士气). For some, the hardships of life without steady work eventually overwhelmed their attempts to keep their families together. The divorce rate rose again during the rest of the decade as the recovery took hold.Millions of American families may now be in the initial stage of their responses to the current crisis, working together and supporting one another through the early months of unemployment.Today's economic crisis could well generate a similar number of couples whose relationships have been irreparably(无法弥补地)ruined. So it's only when the economy is healthy again that we'll begin to see just how many broken families have been created.57．In the initial stage, the current economic crisis is likely to __________.A)tear many troubled families apartB)contribute to enduring family tiesC)bring about a drop in the divorce rateD)cause a lot of conflicts in the family58.In the Great Depression many unhappy couples close to stick together becauseA)starting a new family would be hardB)they expected things would turn betterC)they wanted to better protect their kidsD)living separately would be too costly59.In addition to job losses. What stands in the way of unhappy couples getting a divorce?A)Mounting family debtsB)A sense of insecurityC)Difficulty in getting a loanD)Falling housing prices60.What will the current economic crisis eventually do to some married couples?A)It will force them to pull their efforts togetherB)It will undermine their mutual understandingC)It will help strengthen their emotional bondsD)It will irreparably damage their relationship61.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?A)The economic recovery will see a higher divorce rateB)Few couples can stand the test of economic hardshipsC)A stable family is the best protection against poverty.D)Money is the foundation of many a happy marriage57. B. 58. C. 59. D. 60. C. 61. D.People are being lured (引诱)onto Facebook with the promise of a fun, free service without realizing they're paying for it by giving up toads of personal information. Facebook then attempts to make money by selling their data to advertisers that want to send targeted messages.Most Facebook users don't realize this is happening. Even if they know what the company is up to, they still have no idea what they're paying for Face book because people don't really know what their personal data is worth.The biggest problem, however, is that the company keeps changing the rules Early on you keep everything private. That was the great thing about facebook you could create own little private network. Last year. The company changed its privacy rules so that many things you city. Your photo, your friends' names-were set, by default (默认)to be shared with every one on the Internet.According to Facebook's vice-president Elliot Schrage, the company is simply making changes to improve its service, and if people don't share information They have a "less satisfying experience".Some critics think this is more about Facebook looking to make more money. In original business model, which involved selling ads and putting then At the side of the pages totally Who wants to took at ads when they're online connecting with their friends?The privacy issue has already landed Facebook in hot water in Washington. In April. Senator Charles Schumer called on Facebook to change its privacy policy. He also urged the Federal Trade Commission to set guidelines for social-networking sites."I think the senator rightly communicated that we had not been clear about what the new products were and how people could choose to use them or not to use them," Schrage admits.I suspect that whatever Facebook has done so far to invade our privacy, it's only the beginning. Which is why I'm considering deactivating(撤销)my account. Facebook is a handy site, but I'm upset by the idea that my information is in the hands of people I don't That's too high a price to pay.62.What do we learn about Facebook from the first paragraph?A)It is a website that sends messages to targeted users.B)It makes money by putting on advertisements.C)It profits by selling its users' personal data.D)It provides loads of information to its users.63.What does the author say about most Facebook users?A)They are reluctant to give up their personal information.B)They don't know their personal data enriches Facebook.C)They don't identify themselves when using the website.D)They care very little about their personal information.64.Why does Facebook make changes to its rules according to Elliot Schrage?A)To render better service to its users.B)To conform to the Federal guidelines.C)To improve its users' connectivity.D)To expand its scope of business.65.Why does Senator Charles Schumer advocate?A)Setting guidelines for advertising on websites.B)Banning the sharing of users' personal information.C)Formulating regulations for social-networking sites.D)Removing ads from all social-networking sites.66.Why does the author plan to cancel his Facebook account?A)He is dissatisfied with its current service.B)He finds many of its users untrustworthy.C)He doesn't want his personal data abused.D)He is upset by its frequent rule changes.62. D) 63. C) 64. C) 65. B) 66. C)2011年12月全国大学英语四级考试试题Boys' schools are the perfect place to teach young men to express their emotions and involve them in activities such as art, dance and music.Far from the traditional image of a culture of aggressive masculinity (阳刚), the absence of girls gives boys the chance to develop without pressure to conform to a stereotype. a US study says.Boys at single-sex schools were said to be more likely to get involved in cultural and artistic activities that helped develop their emotional expressiveness, rather than feeling they had to conform to the "boy code" of hiding their emotions to be a "real man".The findings of the study so against received wisdom that boys do better when taught alongside girls.Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, warned that boys were being faded by the British education system because it had become too focused on girls. He criticized teachers for failing to recognize that boys are actually more emotional than girls.The research argued that boys often perform badly in mixed schools because they become discouraged when their female peers do better earlier in speaking and reading skills.But in single-sex schools teachers can tailor lessons to boys' learning style, letting them move around the classroom and getting them to compete in teams to prevent boredom, wrote the study's author, Abigail James, of the University of Virginia.Teachers could encourage boys to enjoy reading and writing with "boy-focused" approaches such as themes and characters that appeal to them. Because boys generally have more acute vision learn best through touch, and are physically more active, they need to be given "hands-on" lessons where they are allowed to walk around. "Boys in mixed schools view classical music as feminine (女性的) and prefer the modem genre (类型) in which violence and sexism are major themes, "James wrote.Single-sex education also made it less likely that boys would feel they had to conform to a stereotype that men should be "masterful and in charge" in relationships. "In mixed schools boys feel compelled to act like men before theyunderstand themselves well enough to know what that means, " the study reported.57. The author believes that a single-sex school would ____ .A) force boys to hide their emotions to be "real men"B) help to cultivate masculine aggressiveness in boysC) encourage boys to express their emotions more freelyD) naturally reinforce in boys the traditional image of a man58. It is commonly believed that in a mixed school boys _____ .A) Perform relatively better C) behave more responsiblyB) grow up more healthily D) receive a better education59. What does Tony Little say about the British education system?A) It fails more boys than girls academically.B) It focuses more on mixed school education.C) It fails to give boys the attention they need.D) It places more pressure on boys than on girls.60. According to Abigail James, one of the advantages of single-sex schools is ______.A) teaching can be tailored to suit the characteristics of boysB) boys can focus on their lessons without being distractedC) boys can choose to learn whatever they are interested inD) teaching can be designed to promote boys' team spirit61. Which of the following is characteristic of boys according to Abigail James' report?A) They enjoy being in charge. C) They have sharper vision.B) They conform to stereotypes. D) They are violent and sexist.57—61 CACACIt's an annual argument. Do we or do we not go on holiday? My partner says no because the boiler could go, or the roof fall off and we have no savings to save us. I say you only live once and we work hard and what's the point if you can't go on holiday. The joy of a recession means no argument next year - we just won't go.Since money is known to be one of the things most likely to bring a relationship to its knees, we should be grateful. For many families the recession means more than not booking a holiday A YouGov poll of 2, 000 people found 22% said they were arguing more with their partners because of concerns about money. What's less clear is whether divorce and separation rates rise in a recession - financial pressures mean couples argue more but make splitting up less affordable. A recent research shows arguments about money were especially damaging to couples. Disputes were characterized by intense verbal ( 言语上的) aggression, tended to be repeated and not resolved and made men, more than women, extremely angry.Kim Stephenson, an occupational psychologist, believes money is such a big deal because of what it symbolizes, which may be different things to men and women. "People can say the same things about money but have different ideas of what it's for." he explains. "They'll say it's to save to spend, for security, for freedom, to show someone you love them." He says men are more likely to see money as a way of buying status and of showing their parents that they've achieved something."The biggest problem is that couples assume each other know what's going onwith their finances, but they don't. There seems to be more of a taboo (禁忌) about talking about money than about death. But you both need to know what you're doing, who's paying what into the joint account and how much you keep separately. In a healthy relationship, you don't have to agree about money, but you have to talk about it."62. What does the author say about vacationing?A) People enjoy it all the more during a recession.B) Few people can afford it without working hard.C) It makes all the hard work worthwhile.D) It is the chief cause of family disputes.63. What does the author mean by saying "money is known ... to bring a relationship to its knees"(Line 1, Para. 2)?A) Money is considered to be the root of all evils.B) Some people sacrifice their dignity for money.C) Few people can resist the temptation of money.D) Disputes over money may rain a relationship.64. The YouGov poll of 2, 000 people indicates that in a recession ______ .A) conflicts between couples tend to riseB) it is more expensive for couples to split upC) couples show more concern for each otherD) divorce and separation rates increase65. What does Kim Stephenson believe?A) Money is often a symbol of a person's status.B) Money means a great deal to both and women.C) Men and women spend money on different things.D) Men and women view money in different ways.66. The author suggests at the end of the passage that couples should ______ .A) put their money together instead of keeping it separatelyB) make efforts to reach agreement on their family budgetsC) discuss money matters to maintain a healthy relationshipD) avoid arguing about money matters to remain romantic62—66 CDADC2011年6月大学英语四级真题Several recent studies have found that being randomly (随机地) assigned to a roommate of another race can lead to increased tolerance but also to a greater likelihood (可能性)of conflict.Recent reports found that lodging with a student of a different race may decrease prejudice and compel students to engage in more ethnically diverse friendships.An Ohio State University study also found that black students living with a white roommate saw higher academic success throughout their college careers. Researchers believe this may be caused by social pressure.In a New York Times article, Sam Boakye –the only black student on his freshman。
2013年英语专业四级阅读理解真题及答案
2013年英语专业四级阅读理解真题及答案PART V READING COMPREHENSION [25 XXX]In this section there are four passages XXX, each with four suggested answers marked A, B, Cand D. Choose the one that you think is the best answer.XXX XXX.TEXT AThe art of public XXX 2,000 yearsago. Now, twitter, instant messaging, e-mail, blogs and XXX—but none can replace the role of agreat speech.The spoken word XXX: persuading orinspiring, informing, paying tribute, entertaining, or XXX.Over the past year, the human voice has helped guide us over the upsand downs of what was XXX.XXX 2009,XXX.XXX are close to people''XXX wars, XXX.A XXX us. The information must be clear, accurate, XXX interesting way. When the H1N1 pandemic(流行病)wasannounced,the idea of “swine flu”(猪流感)XXX to keep their panic under control so they could take XXX.Sad events are never easy to deal with but a XXX''s speech about Michael Jackson, after his death,XXX to live on through his music.It''s not only in world XXX role. It can also be surprisingly helpful in the course of our ownlives.If you‟re taking part in a debate you need to persuade the listeners ofthe soundness of your argument. In sports, athletes know the importanceof a pep talk(鼓舞士气的讲话)before a match to XXX may be asked to do a XXX.On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and needcomforting. Or you might be asked to XXX wedding, where your language will be XXX.Great XXX is not something we''re born with. EvenBarack Obama works hard to perfect every XXX,there are rules that you can put to good use. To learn those rules you XXX.81. The author thinks the spoken word is still irreplaceable becauseA. it has always been used to XXX.B. it has a big role to play in the XXX.C. it plays XXX.D. it is of great use in everyday-XXX.82. Which of the following XXX public speaking?A. XXX.B. XXX.C. XXX'' speeches.D. Speeches paying tribute to the dead can comfort the mourners.83. Public speaking can play all the following XXXA. XXX.XXX.XXX at work.D. XXX XXX.84. According to the passage, which of the following best XXX''s view on “great speaking ability”?A. It XXX.B. It XXX.C. It XXX.D. It comes from learning and practice.85. What is the main idea of the passage?A. Public XXX.B. The many uses of public speaking.C. Public XXX.D. The rules of public speaking.TEXT BEvery business needs two XXX, XXX CEO 2001, XXX''d sold twosnowboarding businesses, and he was XXX: He wanted to make a new kind of headphone.“I kept seeing people missing their cell phone XXX,” XXX I''m in a chairlift(索道), I''vegot my headphones on, and I realize my phone is ringing. As 1 take mygloves off and reach for my phone, I think, “It can''XXX plugs, one for music and one for your cell phone.”Alden described what he wanted to a designer, perfected a prototype, andoutsourced(外包)manufacturing overseas.XXX, backpacks -anywhere that would make it easy to listen to music while XXX''t a big research effort,” heexplains. “Those were the only guys I knew!”Alden didn‟t want to be a manufacturer. And by outsourcing, he''dhoped he could get the business off the ground without debt. But he waswrong. So he asked his wife, “Can I put a mortgage(典质存款) on thehouse? She said, …What is the XXX can happen? XXX, we sell our cars, and we start all over again.‟ I XXX!”For the next two years, XXX get paid,” he says. “But it takes four or five months toget amortgage company so upset that they knock on your door. So we XXX.”Gradually, non-XXXXXX. In 2006, the company XXX 1,400 FYE (ForYour Entertainment) stores. “XXX that store would be learning about Skullcandy for the first time. Whywould they look at brands they knew and take home a new brand instead?We had agreed to buy back anything we didn‟t sell, but we were dealingwith huge numbers. It‟d kill us to take back all the products.”Ald en‟s XXX XXX to $120 million in one year.His key XXX“In the beginning,” he says, “that little white wire that said youhad an iPod—that was cool. But now wearing the white bud meansyou‟re just like everyone else. Headphones occupy this critical piece ofcran ial real XXX.”Today, XXX America''s second-XXX,after Sony. With 79 employees, the company is bigger than XXX everimagined.86. Alden came up with the idea of a new kind of headphonebecause heA. XXX.B. had no other business opportunities.C. was very fond of modern music.D. XXX.87. XXXA. snowboarders.B. motorcyclists.C. mountain hikers.D. XXX.88. Did Alden solve the money problem?A. He sold his house and his cars.B. Factories could ship products before being paid.XXX.D. XXX his wife''s family.89. What did Alden do to promote sales in FYE stores?A. XXX advertising.B. He promised to buy back products not sold.XXX.D. XXX design of the product.90. Alden XXXA. a sign of self-confidence.XXX.C. part of fashion.D. a kind of device.TEXT CI was XXX.“Sit down,” she said.I XXX she was going to tell me she had just gotten the haircutfrom hell. I laughed and said, “It can''t be that bad.”But it was. Before the phone call, I had 30 years of retirement savingin a “safe” XXX(金融大亨).When I putdown the phone, my savings were gone. I felt as if I had died and, forsome unknown reason, was still breathing.XXX running a $65 millionPonzi scheme, I‟ve read many articles about how we XXX known what was going on. I wish Icould say I had reservationsabout Mad off before “the Call”, but I did not.On New Year‟s Eve, three weeks after we lost our savings, six of XXX''s house for dinner. As we were sittingaround the table, someone asked, “If you could have your money backright now, but it would mean giving up what you have learned by losingit, would you take the money or would you take what losing the moneyhas given you?”XXX was still in financial shock. He said, “I just want XXX.”I wasn''t XXX me wide open. I‟d been walking around like what theBuddhists call a hungry ghost: always focused on the bite that was yet tocome, not the one in my mouth. No matter how much I ate or had orexperienced, it didn‟t satisfy me, because I wasn‟t really taking it in,wasn''t absorbing it. Now I was forced to pay attention. Still, I couldn''thonestly say that if someone had offered me the money back, I wouldturn it down.But the other four all said that what they were XXX incalculable, and they didn‟t think it would have becomeapparent without the ground of financial XXX.My friend Michael said, “I‟d XXX(萎缩). Now they‟re awake,alive—and I don‟t want to go back.”These weren‟t just empty words. Michael and his wife XXX''t sure where or how they were XXX.91. What did the author learn from Taj‟s call?A. had got an awful haircut.B. They had lost their retirement savings.C. Taj had just retired from work.D. They were going to meet for XXX.92. How did the author feel in the following weeks?A. Angry.B. Disappointed.C. Indifferent.D. XXX.93. According to the passage, to which was she “XXX”?A. Her friends.B. Her husband.C. Her lost savings.D. Her experience.94. Which of the following XXX herfriends?A. XXX.B. Her friends XXX the same as she did.C. XXX.D Her friends XXX.95. What is the message of the passage?A. XXX for money is human nature.B. One has to be decisive during crises.C. Understanding gained is XXX.D. It is natural to XXX financial crises.TEXT DIn the 19th century, there used to be a model of how to be a goodperson. There are all these XXX, as captain of your soul, is to erect dams to keep these passions incheck. Your job is to just say no to laziness, lust, greed, XXX.These days that model is out of fashion. You usually can‟t XXX to do something. Knowing what to dois not the same as being able to do it. Your willpower is not like a damthat can block the torrent of self-indulgence. It''s more like a muscle,XXX, you''re a social being. If everybody aroundyou is overeating, you‟ll probably do so, too.The 19th-century character model was based on an understanding offree will. Today, we know that free will is bounded. People can changetheir lives, but ordering change is not simple because many things, XXX, are beyond our direct control.Much of our behaviour, for example, is XXX more than 40percent of XXX, XXX have also come to understand the structure of habits—cue,routine, reward.You can change your own personal habits. If you leave runningshorts on the floor at night, that''ll be a cue to go running in the morning.Don‟t try XXX a snack, insert another routi ne. Take a walk.Their research thus implies a different character model, which XXX(神经体系的)networks inside.To be an effective person, under this model, you are XXX unconscious habits, and the XXX, XXX''re XXX.This is a bit disturbing, XXX, nor can they be XXX, XXX.If you think you can change your life in a clever way, the way anadvertiser can get you to buy an air freshener, you‟re XXX, if you want to change your life, don‟t just XXX.96. Which of the following is a key element in the 19th-centurycharacter model?A. Passion.B. Action.XXX.D. XXX.97. The 19th-century model supposedly does not work becauseA. there were many other XXX''s control.B. it has XXX most of the time.C. the comparison of free will to a dam is groundless.D. what one wishes to do should be XXX.98. What is the main XXX of the research at Duke University?A. XXX is key to one''XXX.B. One‟s XXX.C. Both habit and will power are important.D. XXX.99. According to the new character model, personal XXXA. cues to stop all the former unconscious habits.B. XXX.XXX.D. XXX.100. We learn from the passage that the new character modelA. stresses the XXX.B. XXX''s life like what advertisers do.C. has been used to change XXX.D. deals better with emotional aspects of behaviour.2013年专四阅读理解答案XXX81—85 CACDB 86—90 DACBC 91—95 BDDAC。
大学英语四级阅读理解试题20篇之一（含答案）
There are three kinds of goals: short-term,medium-range and long-term goals. Short-range goals are those that usually deal with current activities,which we can apply on a daily basis.Such goals can be achieved in a week or less,or two weeks,or possible months.It should be remembered that just as a building is no stronger than its foundation ,out long-term goals cannot amount to very munch without the achievement of solid short-term goals.Upon completing our short-term goals,we should date the occasion and then add new short-term goals that will build on those that have been completed. The intermediate goals bukld on the foundation of the short-range goals.They might deal with just one term of school or the entire school year,or they could even extend for several years.Any time you move a step at a time,you should never allow yourself to become discouraged or overwhelmed. As you complete each step,you will enforce the belief in your ability to grow adn succeed.And as your list of completion dates grow,your motivation and desire will increase. Long-range goals may be related to our dreams of the future. They might cover five years or more. Life is not a static thing.We should never allow a long-term goal to limit us or our course of action. 1.Our long-term goals mean a lot__. a.if we complete our short-range goals b.if we cannot reach solid short-term goals c.if we write down the dates d.if we put forward some plans 2.New short-term goals are bulid upon__. a.two years b.long-term goals c.current activities d.the goals that have been completed 3.When we complete each step of our goals ,__. a.we will win final success b.we are overwhelmed c.we should build up confidence of success d.we should strong desire for setting new goals 4.Once our goals are drawn up,__. a.we should stick to them until we complete them b.we may change our goals as we have new ideas and opportunities c.we had better wait for the exciting news of success d.we have made great decision 5.It is implied but not stated in the passage that ___. a.those who habe long-term goals will succeed b.writing down the dates may discourage you c.the goal is only a guide for us to reach our desination d.every should have a goal 答案：adcbc。
2013年12月大学英语四级阅读理解(附答案解析)
2014年6月大学英语四级阅读理解新题型匹配练习题练习1Part ⅢReading Comprehension （40 minutes)Section B（原快速阅读理解调整为长篇阅读理解，篇章长度和难度不变。
篇章后附有10个句子，每句一题。
每句所含的信息出自篇章的某一段落，要求考生找出与每句所含信息相匹配的段落.)Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it。
Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs。
Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter。
Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.How to Make Peace with Your Workload[A] Swamped (忙碌的）,under the gun， just struggling to stay above water...; whatever office cliche you employ to depict it，we”ve all been in that situation where we feel like we might be swallowed up by our workload. Nonetheless many a way may be used to manage your to—do list to prevent feeling overwhelmed。
四级考试阅读理解练习20篇(9)
四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（9）导读：本文四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（9），仅供参考，如果觉得很不错，欢迎点评和分享。
工人阶级的家庭起居室的基本要素Directions: In this passage there are ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 1 to 10 are based on the following passage.Looking back on years of living in a working-class home in the North of England, I should say that a good living room must 11 three principal things: homeliness, warmth and plenty of good food. The living-room is the warm heart of the family and 12 often slightly stuffy to a middle-class visitor. It is not a social centre but a family center; little entertaining goes on there or in the front room, if there 13 to be one; you do not entertain in anything approaching the middle-class 14 The wife's social life outside her 15 family is found over the washing-line, at the little shop on the corner, visiting relatives at a moderate 16 occasionally, and perhaps now and again a visit with her husband to his pub or club. Apart from these two places, he has just his work and his football matches. They will have, each of them, friends at all these places, who may well not know what the inside of their house is like, havingnever "stepped across the threshold," as the old 17 phrase has it. The family hearth is 18 for the family itself, and those who are "something to us"(another favorite formula) and who look in for a talk or just to sit. Much of the free time of a man and his wife will 19 be passed at that hearth. Just staying in is still one of the most common leisure-time 20A. happensB. professionsC. senseD. neverthelessE. fashionedF. distanceG. immediateH. usuallyI. occupations J. preserved K. imitate L. provideM. therefore N reserved 0. contribute答案：11. L 12. M 13. A 14. C 15. G 16. F 17. E 18. N 19. H 20. I。
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇(8)
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（8）导读：本文大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（8），仅供参考，如果觉得很不错，欢迎点评和分享。
如何选购二手汽车Directions: In this passage, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passagequickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1.For questions 1-7, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information givenin the passage; N ({for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.How to Buy a Used CarNearly everybody buys a used car sooner or later, as a primary vehicle (首要的交通工具) or as a second car. Indeed(当然), three out of four sales today are used cars, and they're not cheap junkers (废物)either—the average price now is $ 5500, about half what a new car costs. Make the wrong selection and a major investment (投资)can be lost the moment you drive off the lot.There is far less chance of this happening to you if you know: when to buy, where to buy, how to examine (仔细检查) the car, how to conduct (进行) your own road test, and how to bargain over (讲价)the price.When to buyShop during the day. Lighting makes cars gleam (V 闪光)like jewels (宝石)atnight. In daylight they look dull (黯淡的), but realistic.Don't shop in the rain. It can mask(掩盖) liquids (液体) that might be leaking (泄漏). If possible, shop in the winter when supplies are high and demand (需求)is low.Where to buyShop the suburbs. In more affluent (富有的)neighborhoods cars are more likely to have been well cared for.A private owner normally sells a car for less than a dealer(商人) does, but almost always "as is," with no guarantee(质量保证). That's an acceptable risk if what you're looking for is a cheap second car to "drive to the station. "Even though a used-car dealer generally charges more, you can often get some type of limited guarantee. This is often a 50-50 plan, in which you each pay half on repairs for a period (一段时间)that may range from 30 days to a year. Ask the dealer about the availability of an optional(可选择的) service policy.Used-car dealers often claim (声称)to have gone over (仔细查看)the car, and many have. But remember that small dealers often buy cars that are auctioned (拍卖) because nobody else wants them.Some experts feel that a new-car dealer is the best place to buy a secondhand car, especially if you're laying out a large sum (一笔金钱) for a late model. Some of these dealers offer extensive (广阔的)guarantees, such as one on the "drive train," which covers any problems with engine (发动机), transmission(变速器) ，drive shaft and differential (差速器). Expect to pay for this, as well as for the markup (标高的价格). But if you shop soon after the new models have arrived, when a dealer has a lotof trade-ins tying up his profits, he might deal. The visual examination (视觉上的检查)You've found your dream car, and can hardly wait to get in and roar away. Wait.First, look for any flaws (瑕疵)or ripples(划痕) in the body that might indicate a past accident (暗示曾经出过事故). To see if a car has been repainted(重新漆过), look under the rubber seals around the door or under the chrome trim. Repainting may mask deep flaws (重新上漆可能隐藏深层的瑕疵).Check the odometer (计程器) for total mileage (英里数), and then compare that figure (数字)with any stickers still attached to door posts. It's illegal to change odometer readings, but it happens. If there are no stickers, be a little suspicious. Check pedals and controls: wear on these parts should agree with the mileage. If they are brand new, be suspicious. If they are worn out, beware.Check that the doors, hood and trunk all open smoothly and close with solid sound. Sight along the sides of the car from 30 feet away to be sure that the rear and front wheels line up.Look under the car for fluid leaks. Except for condensation from a working air conditioner on a hot day, no car should ever drip anything, any time.Now sit in the driver's seat and try the controls. The car should fit you—it should be comfortable. Check seat adjustment, door locks, window-raising mechanisms, horn, lights, directional signals, radio—all accessories.Start the engine. It should turn over quickly and then settle down to a rather fast idle. Give the engine a moment or two before you press the accelerator a bit. Watch for smoke from the rear. Blue smoke might mean a complete engine overhaul (大修) ,black a maladjusted carburetor (化油器). •2 •White smoke can be. Ignored if the engine is cold, but once it is warmed up, white smoke can mean a leaking head gasket (垫圈) : expensive. Reject this car.After the engine has warmed, shut it off, and then go wipe your finger inside the tailpipe (making sure it's not too hot). The residue should be whitish-gay. If you get a black, oily mark, refuse the car—it's probably an oil burner.Restart the engine and check the oil in an automatic transmission. It should be clean and clear, with no burned odor. The test driveThe salesman may try to convince you that a short drive around the block is enough. Wrong. Make it clear that you plan to road test the car, and if he isn't happy with this look elsewhere.The test route you have mapped out should include dry city streets, a freeway, a hill, a bumpy road and an empty parking lot. All gauges(计量器) should read steady and normal throughout the test, especially oil pressure and engine heat. If not, don't buy the car.Drive to a traffic-free city street on your predetermined route and then accelerate smoothly to about 35 miles per hour. The automatic transmission should shift without jerking and with no noise.Slow to about 7 m. p. h. by gently applying the brakes. There should be no noise, no sharp sound or grinding. The car should slow in a straight line, with no pulling to the right or left.Pick up speed to about 15; then making certain nobody is behind you, hit the brakes hard! The car should come to an immediate stop without making noise orswerving.In an empty, level parking lot, brake to a complete stop. Shift into reverse and back up at about 4 m. p. h. , brake to a halt, shift into forward, etc. Do this four or five times to test the transmission. All shifting should be smooth, with no noise or hesitation.Accelerate up a hill to about 40 m. p. h. The car should not labor. If it does, you could have a rotten transmission. Go back down the hill. Stop halfway, shift into neutral and set the parking brake. The car should remain stationary when you take your foot off the brake pedal.Drive the car over the bumpy road, up a hill, and on the highway. Rarely will a car be perfect. However by now you should have a pretty good idea what needs to be done. How to bargainUse what you've learned from the visual exam, test drive and outside mechanic to get the price down. Have a maximum figure in mind, based on your inspection and on current prices from a used-car guide. Start your bidding lower than that. When you have nearly arrived at a price, get the seller to throw in certain repairs. It may be cheaper for him than further price cuts.1. Following the instructions here will help you make a good selection when buying a used car.2. Winter is a good time for purchasing a car because there is little rain in winter.3. You are more likely to pay less to a private owner for a car of poor quality.4. Refuse the car if you find any signs of a past accident in the visual examination.5. Don't buy the car if there is white smoke coming out of the rear because it is probably an oil burner.6. At certain speeds in the tests, a good car should not make any noise when the driver brakes either hard or gently.7. If you are patient and careful enough, you will certainly find a perfect used car.8. The last step before you make a decision to buy a car is______.9. Besides all gauges, the two very important systems mainly examined in the test drive are______.10. According to some experts, the best place to buy a second-hand car is______.答案：1. Y 2. N 3. Y 4. NG 5. N 6. Y 7. N 8. to bargain over the price 9. brake and transmission 10. a new-car dealer。
四级英语阅读理解20篇(带答案)
北大曹其军老师英语阅读理解20篇阅读理解单项练习Passage1In 1939 two brothers, Mac and Dick McDonald, started a drive-in restaurant in San Bernadino, California. They carefully chose a busy corner for their location. They had run their own businesses for years, first a theater, then a barbecue（烤肉）restaurant., then another drive-in. But in their new operation, they offered a new, shortened menu: French fries, hamburgers, and sodas. To this small selection they added one new concept: quick service, no waiters or waitresses, and no tips. Their hamburgers sold for fifteen cents. Cheese was another four cents. Their French fries and hamburgers had a remarkable uniformity, for the brothers had developed a strict routine for the preparation of their food, and they insisted on their cooks’ sticking to their routine. Their new drive-in became incredibly popular, particularly for lunch. People drove up by the hundreds during the busy noontime. The self-service restaurant was so popular that the brothers had allowed ten copies of their restaurant to be opened. They were content with this modest success until they met Ray Kroc.Kroc was a salesman who met the McDonald brothers in 1954, when he was selling milkshake-mixing machines. He quickly saw the unique appeal of the brothers’ fast-food restaurants and bought the right to franchise（特许经营）other copies of their restaurants. The agreement struck included the right to duplicate the menu. The equipment, even their red and white buildings with the golden arches（拱门）.Today McDonald’s is really a household name. Its names for its sandwiches have come to mean hamburger in the decades since the day Ray Kroc watched people rush up to order fifteen-cent hamburgers. In 1976, McDonald’s had over $ 1 billion in total sales. Its first twenty-two years is one of the most incredible success stories in modern American business history.1. This passage mainly talks abort.A)the development of fast food servicesB)how McDonald’s became a billion-dollar business C)the business careers of Mac and Dick McDonaldD)Ray Kroc’s business talent2. Mac and Dick managed all of the following businesses except.A) a drive-in B) a cinema C) a theater D) a barbecue restaurant3. We may infer from this passage that.A)Mac and Dick McDonald never became wealthy for they sold their idea to KrocB)The location the McDonalds chose was the only source of the great popularity of their drive-inC)Forty years ago there were numerous fast-food restaurantsD)Ray Kroc was a good businessman4. The passage suggests that.A)creativity is an important element of business successB)Ray Kroc was the close partner of the McDonald brothersC)Mac and Dick McDonald became broken after they sold their ideas to Ray KrocD)California is the best place to go into business5. As used in the second sentence of the third paragraph, the word ”unique” means.A) special B) attractive C) financial D) peculiarPassage2You’re busy filling out the application form for a position you really need; let’s assume you once actually completed a couple of years of college work or even that you completed your degree. Isn’t it tempting to lie just a little, to claim on the form that your diploma represents a Harvard degree? Or that you finished an extra couple of years back at State University?More and more people are turning to utter deception like this to land their job or to move ahead in their careers, for personnel officers, like most Americans, value degrees from famous schools. A job applicant may have a good education anyway, but he or she assumes that chances of being hired are better with a diploma from a well-known university. Registrars at most well-known colleges say they deal with deceitful claims like these at the rate of about one per week.Personnel officers do check up on degrees listed on application forms, then . If it turns out that an applicant is lying, most colleges are reluctant to accuse the applicant directly. One Ivy League school calls them “impostors 骗子”; another refers to them as “special cases.” one well-known West Coast school, in perhaps the most delicate phrase of all, says that these claims are made by “no such people.”To avoid outright (彻底的) lies, some job-seekers claim that they “attended” or “were associated with” a college or university. After carefully checking, a personnel officer may discover that “attending” means being dismissed after one semester. It may be that “being associated with” a college means that the job –seeker visited his younger brother for a football weekend. One school that keeps records of false claims says that the practice dates back at least to the turn of the century –that’s when they began keeping records, anyhow.If you don’t want to lie or even stretc h the truth, there are co MPA nies that will sell you a phony （假的）diploma. One co MPA ny, with offices in New York and on the West Coast, will put your name on a diploma from any number of nonexistent colleges. The price begins at around twenty dollars for a diploma from “Smoot State University.” The prices increase rapidly for a degree from the “University of Purdue.” As there is no Smoot State and the real school in Indiana is properly called Purdue University, the prices seem rather high for one sheet of paper.6. The main idea of this passage is that.A)employers are checking more closely on applicants nowB)lying about college degrees has become a widespread problemC)college degrees can now be purchased easilyD)employers are no longer interested in college degrees7. According to the passage, “special cases” refers to cases where.A)students attend a school only part-timeB)students never attended a school they listed on their application C)students purchase false degrees from commercial filmsD)students attended a famous school8. We can infer from the passage that.A)performance is a better judge of ability that a college degreeB)experience is the best teacherC)past work histories influence personnel officers more than degrees doD) a degree from a famous school enables an applicant to gain advantage over others in job competition9. This passage implies that.A)buying a false degree is not moralB)personnel officers only consider applicants from famous schools C)most people lie on applications because they were dismissed from schoolD)society should be greatly responsible for lying on applications10. As used in the first. Line of the second paragraph, the word “utter” means.A) address B) ultimate C) thorough D) decisivePassage 3Everyone has heard of the San Andreas fault (断层), which constantly threatens California and the West Coast with earthquakes. But how many people know about the equally serious New Madrid fault in Missouri?Between December of 1811 and February of 1812, three major earthquakes occurred, all centered around the town of New Madrid, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. Property damage was severe. Buildings in the area were almost destroyed. Whole forests fell at once, and huge cracks opened in the ground, allowing smell of sulfur （硫磺）to filter upward.The Mississippi River itself completely changed character, developing sudden rapids and whirlpools. Several times it changed its course, and once, according to some observers, it actually appeared to run backwards. Few people were killed in the New Madrid earthquakes, probably simply because few people lived in the area in 1811; but the severity of the earthquakes are shown by the fact that the shock waves rang bells in church towersin Charleston, South Carolina, on the coast. Buildings shook in New York City, and clocks were stopped in Washington, D.C.Scientists now know that America’s two major faults are essentially different. The San Andreas is a horizontal boundary between two major land masses that are slowly moving in opposite directions. California earthquakes result when the movement of these two masses suddenly lurches (倾斜) forward.The New Madrid fault, on the other hand, is a vertical fault; a some point, possibly hundreds of millions of years ago, rock was pushed up toward the surface, probably by volcanoes under the surface. Suddenly, the volcanoes cooled and the rock collapsed, leaving huge cracks. Even now, the rock continues to settle downwards, and sudden sinking motions trigger (触发) earthquakes in the region. The fault itself, a large crack in this layer of rock, with dozens of other cracks that split off from it, extends from northeast Arkansas through Missouri and into southern lllinois.Scientists who have studied the New Madrid fault say there have been numerous smaller quakes in the area since 1811; these smaller quakes indicate that larger ones are probably coming, but the scientists say have no method of predicting when a large earthquake will occur.11. This passage is mainly about.A)the New Madrid fault in MissouriB)the San Andreas and the New Madrid faults C)the causes of faultsD)current scientific knowledge about faults12. The New Madrid fault is.A)a horizontal faultB) a vertical fault C) a more serious fault than the San Andreas faultD)responsible for forming the Mississippi River13. We may conclude from the passage that.A)it is probably as dangerous to live in Missouri as in CaliforniaB)the New Madrid fault will eventually develop a mountain range in MissouriC)California will become an island in futureD) A big earthquake will occur to California soon14. This passage implies that.A)horizontal faults are more dangerous than vertical faults.B)Vertical faults are more dangerous than horizontal faultsC)Earthquakes occur only around fault areasD)California will break into pieces by an eventual earthquake15. As used in the first sentence of the fourth paragraph, the word “essentially” means.A) greatly C) basicallyB) extremely D) necessarilyPassage 4Those who welcomed the railway saw it as more than a rapid and comfortable means of passing. They actually saw it as a factor in world peace. They did not foresee that the railway would be just one more means for the rapid movement of aggressive armies. None of them foresaw that the more we are together-the more chances there are of war. Any boy or girl who is one of a large family knows that.Whenever any new invention is put forward, those for it and those against it can always find medical men to approve or condemn. The anti-railway group produced doctors who said that tunnels would be most dangerous to public health: they would produce colds, catarrhs (粘膜炎) and consumptions. The deafening noise and the glare of the engine fire, would have a bad effect on the nerves. Further, being moved through the air at a high speed would do grave injury to delicate lungs. In those with high blood-pressure, the movement of the train might produce apoplexy (中风). The sudden plunging of a train into the darkness of a tunnel, and the equally sudden rush into full daylight, would cause great damage to eyesight. But the pro-railway group was of course able to produce equally famous medical men to say just the opposite. They said that the speed and swing of the train would equalize the circulation, promote digestion, tranquilize the nerves, and ensure good sleep.The actual rolling-stock was anything but comfortable. If it was a test of endurance to sit for four hours outside a coach in rain, or inside in dirty air, the railway offered little more in the way of comfort. Certainly the first-class carriages had cushioned seats; but the second-class had only narrow bare boards, while the third-class had nothing at all; no seats and no roof; they were just open trucks. So that third-class passengers gained nothing from the few mode except speed. In the matter of comfort, indeed they lost; they did, on the coaches, have a seat, but now they had to stand all the way, which gave opportunities to the comic (滑稽的) press. This kind of thing: ‘A man was seen yesterday buying a third-class ticket for the new London and Birmingham Railway. The state of his mind is being enquired into.’A writer in the early days of railways wrote feelingly of both second-and third-class carriages. He made the suggestion that the directors of the railways must have sent all over the world to find the hardest possible wood. Of the open third-class trucks he said that they had the peculiar property of meeting the rain from whatever quarter it came. He described them as horizontal shower-baths, from whose searching power there was no escape.16. All boys and girls in large families know that.A)a boy and a girl usually fight when they are togetherB)people tend to be together more than they used to be C) a lot of people being together makes fights likelyD)Railway leads the world to peace17. According to those who welcomed the railway, the railway itself should include all the following except.A)the railway enables people travel fastB)the railway brings comfort to people C)the railway makes the world peacefulD)the railway leads the world to war as well.18. According to the anti-railway group, all the followings are true but.A)tunnels are dangerous to public healthB)the noise and the glare of the engine fire may affect people’s nervesC)the rapid speed through the air does damage to people’s lungsD)to those with high blood-pressure, the rapid speed of the train causes them to die19. We may safely conclude that.A)the author belongs to the anti-railway groupB)the author belongs to the for-railway group C)the author speaks highly of the railwayD)the author may never take train because of its potential dangers20. What is the tone of this passage?A) Practical C) SatiricalB) Humorous.D) ExaggeratedPassage 5In 1960-1961, Chad (乍得) harvested 9800 tons of cotton seed for the first time in its history, and put out the flag a little too soon. The efforts of the authorities to get the peasants ‘back’ to work, as they had slacked off (松懈) a great deal the previous year during independence celebrations, largely contributed to it. Also, rains were well spaced, and continued through the whole month of October. If the 1961-1962 total is back to the region of 45000 tons, it is mostly because efforts slackened again and sowing was started too late.The average date of sowing is about July 1st. If this date is simply moved up fifteen or twenty days, 30000 to 60000 tons of cotton are gained, depending on the year. The peasant in Chad sows his millet (小米) first, and it is hard to criticize this instinct ive priority given to his ‘daily bread’ . An essential reason for his lateness with sowing cotton is that at the time when he should leave to prepare the fields he has just barely sold the cotton of the previous season. The work required to sow, in great h eat, is psychologically far more difficult if one’s pockets are full of money. The date of cotton sales should therefore be moved forward as much as possible, and purchases of equipment and draught animals encouraged.Peasants should also be encouraged to save money, to help them through the difficult period between harvests. If necessary they should be forced to do so, by having the payments for cotton given to them in installments (分期付款). The last payment would be made after proof that the peasant has planted before the deadline, the date being advanced to the end of June. Those who have done so would receive extra money whereas the last planters would not receive their last payment until later.Only the first steps are hard, because once work has started the peasants continue willingly on their way. Educational ca MPA igns among the peasants will play an essential role in this basic advance, early sowing, on which all the others depend. It is not a matter of controlling the peasants. Each peasant will remain master of his fields. One could, however, suggest the need for the time being of kind but firm rule, which, as long as it cannot be realized ‘by the people’ , should at least be ‘for the people.’21. In 1960-1961, Chad had a good harvest of cotton because.A)the government greatly encouraged peasantsB)rains favored the growth of cotton C)Chad gained independence in the previous yearD)Both A) and B)22. We learn from the passage that the date of sowing cotton is usually.A) on June 15th C) on July 1stB) on July 15th D) on July 20th23. As used in the third sentence of the second paragraph, “ daily bread” refers to.A) breakfast C) riceB) bread and butter D) millet24. In order to help them through the difficult time between harvests the peasants have to.A)sell cotton in advanceB)be encouraged to save money C)sow cotton in timeD)plant millet first25. Which of the following is NOT true?A)Educational ca MPA igns are very important to early sowing.B)Of all the advances that the writer hopes for, early sowing is the most important.C)Peasants should remain the masters of their fields.D)Government might as well make good and firm rule for peasants.Passage 6We can make mistakes at any age. Some mistakes we make are about money. But most mistakes are about people. “Did Jerry really care when I broke up with Helen?” “When I got that great job, did Jim really feel goodabout it, as a friend? Or did he envy my luck?” “And Paul-why didn’t pick up that he was friendly just because 1 had a car?” When we look back, doubts like these can make us feel bad. But when we look back, It’s too late.Why do we go wrong about our friends – or our enemies? Sometimes what people say hides their real meaning. And if we don’t really listen we miss the feeling behind the words. Suppose someone tells you, “You’re a lucky dog .” that’s being friendly. But “lucky dog”? There’s a bit of envy in those words. Maybe he doesn’t see it himself. But bringing in the “dog” bit puts you down a little. What he may be saying is that the doesn’t think you deserve your luck.“Just think of all the things you have to be thankful for ” is another noise that says one thing and means another. It could mean that the speaker is trying to get you to see your problem as part of your life as a whole. But is he? Wrapped up in this phrase is the thought that your problem isn’t important. It’s telling you to think of a all the starving people in the world when you haven’t got a date for Saturday night.How can you tell the real meaning behind someone’s words? One way is to take a good look at the person talking. Do his words fit the way he looks? Does what he says agree with the tone of voice? His posture (姿态)? The look in his eyes? Stop and think. The minute you spend thinking about the real meaning of what people to you may save another mistake.26. This passage is mainly about.A)how to interpret what people sayB)what to do when you listen to others talking C)how to avoid mistakes when you communicate with peopleD)Why we go wrong with people sometimes27. According to the author, the reason why we go wrong about our friends is that.A)We fail to listen carefully when they talkB)People tend to be annoyed when we check what they say C)People usually state one thing but means anotherD)We tend to doubt what our friends say28. In the sentence “Maybe he doesn’t see it himself.” In the second paragraph, the pronoun “it “refers to.A) being friendly C) lucky dogB) a bit of envy D) your luck29. When we listen to a person talking, the most important thing for us to do is.A)notice the way the person is talkingB)take a good look at the person talkingC)mind his tone, his posture and the look in his eyesD)examine the real meaning of what he says based on his manner, his tone and his posture30. The author most probably is a.A) teacher B) psychologist C) philosopher D) doctorPassage 7A moment’s drilling by the dentist may make us nervous and upset. Many of us cannot stand pain. To avoid the pain of a drilling that may last perhaps a minute or two, we demand the “needle”- a shot of novocaine (奴佛卡因)－that deadens the nerves around the tooth.Now it’s true that the human body has developed its millions of nerves to be highly aware of what goes on both inside and outside of it. This helps us adjust to the world. Without our nerves - and our brain, which is a bundle of nerves - we wouldn’t know what’s happening. But we pay for our sensitivity. We can feel pain when the slightest thing is wrong with any part of our body. The history of torture is based on the human body being open to pain.But there is a way to handle pain. Look at the Indian fakir(行僧) who sits on a bed of nails. Fakirs can put a needle right through an arm, and feel no pain. This ability that some humans have developed to handle pain should give us ideas about how the mind can deal with pain.The big thing in withstanding pain is our attitude toward it. if the dentist says, “This will hurt a little,” it helps us to accept the pain. By staying relaxed, and by treating the pain as an interesting sensation (感觉), we can handle the pain without falling apart. After all, although pain is an unpleasant sensation, it is still a sensation, and sensations are the stuff of life.31. The passage is mainly about.A) how to suffer painB) how to avoid pain C) how to handle painD) how to stop pain32. The sentence “But we pay for our sensitivity.” in the second paragraph implies that.A) we should pay a debt for our feelingB) we have to be hurt when we feel something C) our pain is worth feelingD) when we feel pain, we are suffering it33. When the author mentions the Indian fakir, he suggests that.A) Indians are not at all afraid of painB) people may be senseless of pain C) some people are able to handle painD) fakirs have magic to put needles right through their arms34. the most important thing to handle pain is.A) how we look at pain B) to feel pain as much as possibleC) to show an interest in pain D) to accept the pain reluctantly35. The author’s attitude towards pain is.A) pessimistic B) optimistic C) radical (极端的)D) practicalPassage 8Thirty-two people watched kitty Genovese being killed right beneath their windows. She was their neighbor. Yet none of the 32 helped her. Not one even called the police. Was this in gunman cruelty? Was it lack of feeling about one’s fellow man?“Not so,” say scientists John Barley and Bib Fatane. These men went beyond the headlines to probe the reasons why people didn’t act. They found that a person has to go through two steps before he can help. Firs t he has to notice that is an emergency.Suppose you see a middle-aged man fall to the side-walk. is he having a heart attack? is he in a coma (昏迷) from diabetes(糖尿病)? Or is he about to sleep off a drunk?is the smoke coming into the room from a leak in the air conditioning? Is it “steam pipes”? Or is it really smoke from a fire? it’s not always easy to tell if you are fa ced with a real emergency.Second, and more important, the person faced with an emergency must feel personally responsible. He must feel that he must help, or the person won’t get the help he needs.The researchers found that a lot depends on how many people are around. They had college students in to be “tested.” Some came alone. Some came with one or two others. And some came in large groups. The receptionist started them off on the “tests.” Then she went into the next room. A curtain divided the “testi ng room” and the room into which she went. Soon the students heard a scream, the noise of file cabinets falling and a cry for help. All of this had been pre-recorded on a tape-recorder.Eight out of ten of the students taking the test alone acted to help. Of the students in pairs, only two out of ten helped. Of the students in groups, none helped.In other words, in a group, Americans often fail to act. They feel that others will act. They, themselves, needn’t. They do not feel any direct responsibility.Are people bothered by situations where people are in trouble? Yes. scientists found that the peo0ple were emotional, they sweated, they had trembling hands. They felt the other person’s trouble. But they did not act. They were in a group. Their actions were shaped by the actions of those they were with.36. The purpose of this passage is.A) to explain why people fail to act in emergenciesB) to explain when people will act in emergencies C) to explain what people will do in emergenciesD) to explain how people feel in emergencies37. Which of the following is NOT true?A) When a person tries to help others, he must be clear that there is a real emergency.B) When a person tries to help others, he should know whether hey are worth his help.C) A person must take the full responsibility for the safety of those in emergencies if he wants to help.D) A person with a heart attack needs the most.38. The researchers have conducted an experiment to prove that people will act in emergencies when.A) they are in pairsB) they are in groups C) they are aloneD) they are with their friends39. The main reason why people fail to act when they stay together is that.A) they are afraid of emergenciesB) they are reluctant to get themselves involved C) others will act if they themselves hesitateD) they do not have any direct responsibility for those who need help40. The author suggests that.A) we shouldn’t blame a person if he fails to act in emergen ciesB) a person must feel guilty if he fails to helpC) people should be responsible for themselves in emergenciesD) when you are in trouble, people will help you anywayPassage 9People do not analyze every problem they meet. Sometimes they try to remember a solution from the last time they had a similar problem. They often accept the opinions or ideas of other people. Other times they begin to act without thinking; they try to find a solution by trial and error. However, when all these methods fail, the person with a problem has to start analyzing. There are six stages in analyzing a problem.First the person must recognize that there is a problem. For example, Sam’s bicycle is broken, and he cannot read it to class as he usually does. Sam must see that there is a problem with his bicycle.Next the thinker must define the problem. Before Sam can repair his bicycle. he must find the reason why it does not work. For instance, he must determine if the problem is with the gears, the brakes, or the frame. He must make his problem more specific.Now the person must look for information that will make the problem clearer and lead to possible solutions. For instance. suppose Sam decided that his bike does not work because there is something wrong with the gearwheels. At this time. he can look in his bicycle repair book and read about gears. He can talk to his friends at the bike shop. He can look at his gears carefully.after studying the problem, the person should have several suggestions for a possible solution. Take Sam as an illustration. His suggestions might be: put oil on the gear wheels; buy new gear wheels and replace the old ones; tighten or loosen the gear wheels.Eventually one suggestion seems to be the solution to the problem. Sometimes the final idea comes very suddenly because the thinker suddenly sees something new or sees something in a new way. Sam, for example, suddenly sees that there is a piece of chewing gum(口香糖)between the gear wheels. He immediately realizes the solution to his problem: he must clean the gear wheels.Finally the solution is tested. Sam cleans the gear wheels and finds that afterwards his bicycle works perfectly. In short, he has solved the problem.41. What is the best title for this passage?A) Six Stages for Repairing Sam’s BicycleB) Possible Ways to Problem-solving C) Necessities of Problem AnalysisD) Suggestions for Analyzing a Problem42. In analyzing a problem we should do all the following except.A) recognize and define the problemB) look for information to make the problem clearer C) have suggestions for a possible solutionD) find a solution by trial or mistake43. By referring to Sam’s broken bicycle, the author intends to.A) illustrate the ways to repair his bicycleB) discuss the problems of his bicycle C) tell us how to solve a problemD) show us how to analyses a problem44. Which of the following is NOT true?A) People do not analyze the problem they meet.B) People often accept the opinions or ideas of other people. C) People may learn from their past experienceD) People can not solve some problems they meet.45. As used in the last sentence, the phrase “in short” me ans.A) in the long run B) in detail C) in a word D) in the endPassage 10The poverty line is the minimum income that people need for an acceptable standard of living. People with incomes below the poverty line are considered poor. Economists study the causes of poverty in order to find solutions to the problem.。
英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇(13)
英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（13）导读：本文英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（13），仅供参考，如果觉得很不错，欢迎点评和分享。
Flying over a desert area in an airplane, two scientists looked down with trained eyes at trees and bushes. After an hour's 11 one of the scientists wrote in his book, "Look here for 12 metal. " Scientists in another airplane, flying over a mountain region, sent a 13 to other scientists on the ground, "Gold possible. " Walking across hilly ground, four scientists reported, "This ground should be searched for metals. " From an airplane over a hilly wasteland a scientist sent back by radio one word, "Uranium. "None of the scientists had X-ray eyes: they had no 14 powers for looking down below the earth's surface. They were 15 putting to use one of the newest methods of 16 minerals in the ground—using trees and plants as 17 that certain minerals may lie beneath the ground on which the trees and plants are growing.This newest method of searching for minerals is 18 on the fact that minerals deep in the earth may 19 the kind of bushes and trees that grow on the surface.At Watson Bar Creek, a brook six thousand feet high in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada, a mineral search group gathered bags of tree seeds. Boxes were filled with small branches from the trees. Roots were dug and put into boxes. Each bag and box was 20 marked. In a scientific laboratory the parts of the forest trees were burned to ashes and tested. Each small part was examined to learn whether there were minerals in it.A. signsB. sufficientlyC. locatingD. affectE. merelyF. magicG. hintsH. carefullyI. finding J. message K. flight L. probableM. revealing N. based O. information答案：11. K 12. L 13. J 14. F 15. E 16. C 17. A 18. N 19. D 20. H。
2013年英语四级阅读真题及答案解析(12月)
2013年英语四级阅读真题及答案解析（12月）作文请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试作文一：For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essaybased on the picture below.You should start your essay with a briefaccount of the impact of the Internet on the way people communicate and thenexplain whether electronic communication can replace face-to-face contact.Youshould write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.“Dear Andy-How are you? Your mother and I are fine.We both miss youand hope you are doing well.We look forward to seeing you again the nest timeyour computer crashes and you come down-stairs for something to eat,Love,Momand Dad.”作文二：For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essaybased on the picture below.You should start your essay with a briefaccount of the impact of the Internet on learning and then explain whydoesn’t simply mean learning to obtaininformation. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.“Once I learn how to use Google,isn’t thatall the education I really need?”作文三：For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essaybased on the picture below.You should start your essay with a brief account of theincreasin,use of the mobile phone in people’s life and explain theConsequence of overusing it. You should write at least 120 words butno more than 180 words.People are crossing the street looking at their cell phones andusing walking sticks in order to see.Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear 8short conversations and 2 long conversations.At the end of eachconversation,one or more questionswill be asked about what was said.Both theconversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After each questionthere will be a pause.During the pause,you must read the four choices markedA),B),C)and D),and decide which is the best answer,Then mark the correspondingletter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇(11)
大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（11）导读：本文大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇（11），仅供参考，如果觉得很不错，欢迎点评和分享。
Directions: The passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C, D. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Polyester (聚酯) is now being used for bottles. ICI, the chemicals and plastics company, believes that it is now beginning to break the grip of glass on the bottle business and thus take advantage of this huge market.All the plastics manufacturers have been experiencing hard times as their traditional products have been doing badly world-wide for the last few years. Between 1982 and 1984 the Plastics Division of ICI had lost a hundred and twenty million dollars, and they felt that the. most hopeful new market was in packaging, bottles and cans.Since 1982 it has opened three new factories producing "Melinar", the raw material from which high quality polyester bottles are made.The polyester bottle was born in the 1970s, when soft drinks companies like Coca Cola started selling their drinks in giant two-liter containers. Because of the build-up of the pressure of gas in these large containers, glass was unsuitable. Nor was PVC, the plastic which had been used for bottles since the 1960s, suitable for drinks with gas in them. A new plastic had to be made.Glass is still cheaper for the smaller bottles, and will continue to be so unless oil and plastic become much cheaper, but plastic does well for the larger sizes.Polyester bottles are virtually unbreakable. The manufacturers claim they are also lighter, less noisy when being handled, and can be reused. Shopkeepers and other business people are unlikely to object to a change from glass to polyester, since these bottles mean few breakages, which are costly and time-consuming. The public, though, have been more difficult to persuade. ICI's commercial department is developing different bottles with interesting shapes, to try and make them visually more attractive to the public.The next step could be to develop a plastic which could replace tins for food. The problem here is the high temperatures necessary for cooking the food in the container.26. Plastics of various kinds have been used for making bottles__________.A. since 1982B. since the 1970s but only for large bottlesC. since the 1960s but not for liquids with gas in themD. since companies like Coca Cola first tried them27. Why is ICI's Plastics Division interested in polyester for bottles?A. The other things they make are not selling well.B. Glass manufacturers cannot make enough new bottles.C. They have factories which could be adapted to make it.D. The price of oil keeps changing.28. Why aren't all bottles now made of polyester?A. The price of oil and plastic has risen.B. It is not suitable for containing gassy drinks.C. The public like traditional glass bottles.D. Shop-keepers dislike reusable bottles.29. Manufacturers think polyester bottles are better than glass bottles because theyA. are cheaperB. are more suited to small sizesC. are more exciting to look atD. do not break easily30. Plastic containers for holding food in the same way as cans______.A. have been used for many yearsB. are an idea that interests the plastics companiesC. are possible, but only for hot foodD. are the first things being made in the new factories答案：26. C 27. A 28. C 29. D 30. B。
2013年12月英语四级考试阅读真题及答案
2013年12⽉英语四级考试阅读真题及答案 Section A Directions: In this section, there is apassage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blankfrom a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bankis identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each itemon Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any ofthe words in the bank more than once. Questions 36 to 45 are based on thefollowing passage.What does it take to be a well-trainednurse? The answer used to be two-year associate’s or four-year bachelor’sdegree programs. But as the nursing shortage 36, a growing number of schoolsand hospitals are establishing “fast-track programs” that enable collegegraduates with no nursing 37 to become registered nurses with only a year or soof 38 training.In 1991, there were only 40 fast-trackcurricula; now there are more than 200. Typical is Columbia University’s Entry to Practice program. Students earn their bachelor of sciencein nursing in a year. Those who stay on for an 39 two years can earn a master’s degree that 40 them as nurse practitioners (执业护⼠) orclinical nurse specialists.Many students are recent 41; others are careerswitchers. Rudy Guardron, 32, a 2004 graduate of Columbia’s program, was a premedical student in college and then worked for apharmaceutical (药物的) research company. At Columbia, he was 42 as a nurse practitioner. “I saw thatnurses were in high 43 and it looked like a really good opportunity,” he says. “Also, I didn’t want to be in school for that long.”The fast-track trend fills a need, but it’s alsocreating some 44 between newcomers and veterans. “Nurses that arestill at the bedside 45 these kids with suspicion,” says LindaPellico, who has taught nursing at Yale University for 18 years. “They wonder,how can they do it quicker?” The answer is they don’t. 注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2013年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题及答案详解（全套）
2013年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题及答案详解（全套）2013年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题及答案（全套）——幸福就好我亦安2013年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题（一）【阅读】Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.In recent years, a growing body of research has shown that our appetite and food intake are influenced by a large number of factors besides our biological need for energy, including our eating environment and our perception of the food in front of us.Studies have shown, for instance, that eating in front of the TV (or a similar distraction) can increase both hunger and the amount of food consumed. Even simple visual cues, like plate size and lighting, have been shown to affect portion size and consumption.A new study suggested that our short-term memory also may play a role in appetite. Several hours after a meal, people's hunger levels were pre dicted not by how much they’d eaten but rather by how much food they'd seen in front of them—in other words, how much they remembered eating.This disparity (盖弃）suggests the memory of our previous meal may have a bigger influence on our appetite than the actual size of the meal, says Jeffrey M. Brunstrom, a professor of experimental psychology at the University of Bristol."Hunger isn't controlled solely by the physical characteristics of a recent meal. We have identified an independent role for memory for that meal，" Brunstrom says."This shows that the relationship between hunger and food intake is more complex than we thought."These findings echo earlier research that suggests our perception of food can sometimes trick our body’s response to the food itself. In a 2011 study, for instance, people who drank the same 3S0-calorie (卡路里）milkshake on two separate occasions produced different levels of hunger-related hormones （荷尔蒙），depending on whether the shake’s label said it contained 620 or 140 calories. Moreover, the participants reported feeling more full when they thought they'd consumed a higher-calorie shake.What does this mean for our eating habits? Although it hardly seems practical to trick ourselves into eating less, the new findings do highlight the benefits of focusing on our food and avoiding TV and multitasking while eating.The so-called mindful-eating strategies can fight distractions and help us control our appetite, Brunstrom says.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
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2013年大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习20篇When one looks back upon the fifteen hundred years that are the life span of the English language, he should be able to notice a number of significant truths. The history of our language has always been a history of constant change—at times a slow, almost imperceptible change, at other times a violent collision between two languages. Our language has always been a living growing organism, it has never been static. Another significant truth that emerges from such a study is that language at all times has been the possession not of one class or group but of many. 『At one extreme it has been the property of the common, ignorant folk, who have used it in the daily business of their living, much as they have used their animals or the kitchen pots and pans.』①At the other extreme it has been the treasure of those who have respected it as an instrument and a sign of civilization, and who have struggled by writing it down to give it some permanence, order, dignity, and if possible, a little beauty.As we consider our changing language, we should note here two developments that are of special and immediate importance to us. One is that since the time of the Anglo-Saxons there has been an almost complete reversal of the different devices for showing the relationship of words in a sentence. Anglo-Saxon (old English) was a language of many inflections. Modern English has few inflections. We must now depend largely on word order and function words to convey the meanings that the older language did by means of changes in the forms of words. Function words, you should understand, are words such as prepositions, conjunctions, and a few others that are used primarily to show relationships among other words. A few inflections, however, have survived. And when some word inflections come into conflict with word order, there may be trouble for the users of the language, as we shall see later when we turn our attention to such maters as WHO or WHOM and ME or I. The second fact we must consider is that as language itself changes, our attitudes toward language forms change also. 『The eighteenth century, for example, produced from various sources a tendency to fix the language into patterns not always set in and grew, until at the present time there is a strong tendency to restudy and re-evaluate language practices in terms of the ways in which people speak and write.』②1.In contrast to the earlier linguists, modern linguists tend to .A. attempt to continue the standardization of the languageB. evaluate language practices in terms of current speech rather than standards or proper patternsC. be more concerned about the improvement of the language than its analysis or historyD. be more aware of the rules of the language usage2.Choose the appropriate meaning for the word “inflection” used in line 4 of paragraph 2.A. Changes in the forms of words.B. Changes in sentence structures.C. Changes in spelling rules.D. Words that have similar meanings.3.Which of the following statements is not mentioned in the passage? A. It is generally believed that the year 1500 can be set as the beginning of the modern English language.B. Some other languages had great influence on the English language at some stages of its development.C. The English language has been and still in a state of relatively constant change.D. Many classes or groups have contributed to the development of the English language.4. The author of these paragraphs is probably a(an) .A. historianB. philosopherC. anthropologistD. linguist5.Which of the following can be best used as the title of the passage? A. The history of the English language.B. Our changing attitude towards the English language.C. Our changing language.D. Some characteristics of modern English.Vocabulary1. span n. 跨度，范围，一段时间，期间2. imperceptible adj. 感觉不到的，觉察不到的，极细微的3. organism n. 生物体，有机体4. possession n. 拥有，占有，领土，领地5. ignorant adj. 无知的6. folk n. 人们，民族7. permanence n. 永久，持久8. Anglo-Saxons n. 盎格鲁—撒克逊语，盎格鲁—撒克逊人，地道的英国人9. reversal n. 颠倒，反向，逆转10. inflection n. 词尾变化11. preposition n. 前置词，介词12. conjunction n. 联合，关联，连接词13. in terms of 根据，按照，用……的话，在……方面长难句解析①【解析】“who”引导非限制性定语从句，修饰“the common, ignorant folk”。
“much as”引导状语从句。
“kitchen pots and pans”意为“锅碗瓢盆”。
【译文】一方面它是那些普通人甚至无知民众的财产，他们每天都像使唤他们的牲畜和锅碗瓢盆一样用着语言。
②【解析】此句为一个复合倒装句。
“until”引导一个并列句，前一句的主语是“a tendency”，“to fix the language into patterns not always set in and grew”作“tendency”的定语，第二句的主语也是“a tendency”，“to”后面的句子作“tendency”的定语，“in which”引导的定语从句修饰“ways”。