1 中山大学 637基础英语2013

中山大学2013年基础英语考研真题I. Reading comprehension (40 points)Passage 1The swimming sky of oceanic expanse in Van Gogh‟s The Starry Night; the human figure born of marble by the careful hands of Rodin; the graceful, ethereal figure of Degas‟s ballerina; all communicate both emotion and essence in a world where aesthetic reigns supreme. Art has forever been humankind‟s tool for expressing the ineffable, a form of communication when words fail or are wholly inadequate. Art challenges the artist by constructing a world in which opposing forces—impulse and control, emotion and thought, ideation and actuality—must cooperate to produce a piece of art. The artist must wrestle an almost untamable creative force for control in order to grant space to its expression. The process of facing and governing this force while conveying it to others makes artistic creation an especially valuable therapeutic tool for the emotionally disturbed.The process of creation and the created product are equally valuable parts of therapeutic art. Creating art requires balancing two aspects of personality that are, in the case of the emotionally disturbed person, especially irreconcilable. Like all artists, the emotionally disturbed person must learn to control and harness the dangerous, unpredictable forces of creation while remaining sufficiently unrestrictive to allow its expression. Balancing these forces in a constructive way while granting full play to both is an important ability to master, one that art therapy teaches particularly well.The emotionally disturbed artist‟s goal is not the perfect expression of an aesthetic ideal. Yet communicating the mind‟s content and having it recognized by others is intensely valuable to the disturbed artist‟s healing. Taking ideas out of the isolation imposed by the mind and reproducing them in a form that can be shared and understood by others releases those ideas from the mind and removes from them some of their power. Using the brush where the pen and voice fail allows others, like the therapist, to recognize, understand, and begin to deconstruct the mind‟s content.Artistic creation allows emotionally disturbed people to communicate ideas they are unable to express in words, and it provides therapists with an otherwise unobtainable window into the mind. Examination of their artistic pieces reveals an inner world that the self of the disturbed person cannot express another way. Art then becomes a new therapeutic medium through which to understand and address the complex issues that threaten and haunt the disturbed person, and in which to free them.1. The primary purpose of the passage is to ______.A. prove that art therapy has made significant strides in recent decadesB. demonstrate how art therapy can transform nonfunctioning individuals into productivemembers of societyC. show how art therapy can be beneficial for emotionally disturbed peopleD. describe the methods by which artwork can be interpreted by a therapist2. In line 4, paragraph 3 “the brush” is used primarily to signify ______.A. the wide variety of artistic equipmentB. the author‟s preference for art over written communicationC. the process of paintingD. artistic creation3. The passage suggests that the main reason a therapist might use art to work with emotionallydisturbed people is that art therapy can ______.A. allow them to address ideas or emotions in a nonverbal wayB. share their innermost thoughts with the publicC. broaden the scope of their social interactionD. encourage them to cooperate with others4. The author su ggests that artwork functions as “window” (line 2, paragraph 4) because artworkA. is transparentB. stiffles communicationC. can be extremely fragileD. allows access to thoughts5. The author‟s conclusion would be most directly supported by additional information proving that ______.A. art therapists are better able to evaluate the quality of art than regular therapistsB. individuals involved in art programs have more control over their emotionsC. there is a documented connection between creativity and attention spanD. painting relieves some symptoms of arthritisPassage 2Since time immemorial, countless scholars have asked the question: What is beauty? As philosophers engage in weighty discourses, designers update the latest fashions, and artists create their masterpieces, what is considered beautiful changes at an alarming pace. Fifty years ago, the full-figured Marilyn Monroe embodied the American aesthetic value; today, a legion of Hollywood actresses vastly different in appearance from Marilyn‟s have taken her place, However, aesthetic values not only differ from generation to generation, but do so along cultural lines as well. The conventions that govern painting and music vary greatly from East to West, Often, what is considered disgusting to one civilization is the pinnacle of aesthetic appeal in another. Thus, when left to the sphere of human design, the search for an absolute definition of beauty remains an elusive one at best.As fundamental physicists, my colleagues and I like to believe that we are involved in a search for a beauty that does not remain uninfluenced by definition. The beauty that we search for is not that which is laid down through the work of people and subject to short-term tastes, but rather that which has been established by Nature. Those not involved with physics tend to think of it as a precise and predictive science—certainly not a field of study fit for the contemplation of the beautiful. Yet, one of physics‟s greatest gifts is that it allows its students to look past extrinsic appearances into a more overwhelming beauty. As a human being, I am captivated by the visual appeal of a wave crashing on the beach. As a physicist, however, I possess the ability to be captivated by the much deeper beauty of the physical laws that govern such a phenomenon. Where the nonphysicist sees a lovely but inexplicable event, the well-schooled physicist is able to perceive a brilliant design.In truth, since the day that Albert Einstein first proposed the notion that there might be one overarching physics1 theory that governs the universe, aesthetics tins become a driving force in modern physics. What Einstein and we, as his intellectual descendants, have discovered is this: Nature, at its most fundamental level, is beautifully constructed. The remarkable simplicity of the laws that govern the universe is, at times, nothing short of breathtaking. And at every step, as new discoveries and technologies allow us to examine the physical world on deeper and deeper levels,we find that the beauty itself becomes more profound. As Einstein himself said, it would seem more likely that we should find ourselves living in a “chaotic world, in no way graspable through thinking.”Yet here we are closer than ever to a full understanding of the universe‟s beautiful clockwork.6. The author mentions Marilyn Monroe in paragraph 1 in order to ______.A. provide an example of today‟s standards of beautyB. discuss her abilities as an actressC. demonstrate how susceptible aesthetics are to changeD. illustrate that the standard definition of beauty remains constant7. The author‟s assertion in lines 6-7, paragraph 1 (“what is considered disgusting...in another”) suggests that ______.A. cultures are destined to clashB. many civilizations are prone to disgusting behaviorC. different societies are fled together by an appreciation for physicsD. it is nearly impossible to say what is truly beautiful8. As used in line 2 paragraph 2, the phrase “laid down” most nearly means ______.A. restedB. createdC. sleptD. set9. In the course of outlining the various gifts of physics, the author cites all of the following EXCEPT ______.A. the ability to look for a beauty that is unchangingB. appreciating the visual beauty era wave crashingC. understanding both extrinsic and intrinsic beautyD. seeing a deeper design in natural events10. In the third paragraph, Albert Einstein‟s proposal of an “overarching physical theory” suggeststhat ______.A. the author believes that there is beauty in simplicityB. the universe is infinitely complexC. aesthetics has no place in physicsD. the physical world will never be understood rationally11. The author quotes Albert Einstein in lines 6-7, paragraph 3 in order to ______.A. detail the way physical laws affect chaosB. emphasize the scope of Einstein‟s influenceC. suggest that Einstein might have doubted the beauty of physicsD. stress just how remarkable the order of the universe really is12. The purpose of this passage is to ______.A. discuss the way various cultures assess beautyB. explain the beauty that is unmasked through an understanding of physicsC. demonstrate the way concepts of beauty change over timeD. finding new relevance for different physical lawsPassage 3For eighty years Thomas‟s family had grown corn on its hundred-acre plot. In hisgrandfather‟s day, even in his father‟s, wheat and timothy were also sown to help feed cattle and pigs. While there had been no animals on the land in Thomas‟s time, Thomas‟s father spoke at length about those days, when he himself had been a child. Back then, Thomas‟s father had dedicated every one of his free hours to taking care of the farm: grinding chop, cleaning up after the animals, mending fences, and performing innumerable other taxing chores. Later, it was just corn, sold to some big company out East that his father said paid them a little less every year. It wasn‟t about the money though; his father would have made do just enough to keep things going. His concern was family and tradition, the agricultural way of life.During harvest, Thomas would ride on the enormous thresher with his father. In the cabin, above the green sea parting before them, he would listen as his father explained the significance of a life dedicated to agriculture. As Thomas nibbled on a lunch packed by his mother, his father expounded upon his philosophy that a man must not be separated from the land that provides for him, that the land was very important. He would say, time and again, “A man isn‟t a man without land to call his own.”He was not an uneducated man, Thomas‟s father. He had completed high school and probably could have gone to college if he wanted, but he was a man of the earth, and his spirit was tied to the soil. Agriculture was not his profession; it was his passion, one that he tried to seed in the hearts of his three boys. Thomas‟s two older brothers had little time for farmwork, however. What chores they were not forced to do went undone or were done by Thomas; their energies were focused on cars, dating, and dance halls.Even at a young age, Thomas was able to see in his father‟s eyes the older man‟s secret despair. The land that had been in his family for three generations was not valued by the fourth. Not even little Tommy, who always rode in the cabin with him and helped out as much as he was able, would stay and tend the fields. The world had grown too large, and there were too many distractions to lure young men from their homes. Boys these days did not realize they had a home until it was too late.Sitting on the hood of his jeep, Thomas gazed out over dozens of acres of orange survey stakes that covered what was once his family‟s farm. The house, barn, and silos were all gone, replaced by construction trailers and heavy equipment. The town that lay just five miles up the road had grown into a city, consuming land like a hungry beast. Thomas‟s father had been the last farmer left in the county, holding out long after the farm became unprofitable. He farmed after his sons left and his wife died; he farmed until his last breath, on principle.Now a highway and several shopping malls were going to take his place, Thomas thought. His brothers both said it was inevitable, that progress cannot be halted. They argued that if the family did not sell the land, the city would claim eminent domain and take it from them for a fraction of what they could get by selling it. Thomas did not feel he had any right to disagree. After alt, he had chosen to leave the farm as well, to pursue his education. Though he didn‟t stand in their way, and though his profit from the lucrative sale was equal to his brothers‟, Thomas was sure he felt something that they could not. The money didn‟t matter much to him; he had enough to get by. It was something about the land. Now that he had finally found his way back to it, he was losing it. He was losing his home.13. Which is NOT CORRECT about the farm in Thomas‟s father‟s day?A. Corn, wheat and timothy grown on the farm were sold for profit.B. Cattle and pigs were raised on the farm.C. Thomas‟s father could make both ends meet.D. Thomas‟s father spent a lot of time doing farm chores.14. In line 5 paragraph 1 the word “taxing” most nearly means ______.A. monetaryC. rejuvenatingB. expensiveD. tiring15. Based on the passage, a thresher (line 1 paragraph 2) is most likely used to ______.A. mend fencesB. construct shopping mallsC. harvest cropsD. plant seeds16. Thomas‟s father‟s statement in the last line of paragraph 2 primarily shows the father to be ______.A. discouraged because he is getting less money for his corn each yearB. overwhelmed by the number of tedious chores he must complete each dayC. convinced that his life as a farmer is worthwhileD. pleased that his youngest son is with him as he threshes the corn17. The most likely cause of the “secret despair” (line 1 paragraph 4) that Thomas sees in hisfather‟s eyes is his father‟s ______.A. sadness that his sons would not care for the family farm in the same way that he hadB. disappointment that Thomas didn‟t help as much as he could have with the farm choresC. worry about his sons‟ preoccupation with cars, dating, and dancingD. regret that he didn‟t attend college even though he could have done so18. The description of Thomas‟s brothers‟interest in the last two sentences of paragraph 3highlights ______.A. the difference between the brothers as young men and as adultsB. the reasons that Thomas performed the brothers‟ neglected choresC. the gap between the brothers‟ values and those of their fatherD. the considerable conflict between the brothers and their father19. An important function of paragraph 5 is to ______.A. establish that the narrative to this point has been a flashbackB. contrast Thomas‟s current life with his past lifeC. summarize the plotD. foreshadow Thomas‟s future20. The last sentence of the passage suggests that Thomas feels ______.A. excited anticipationB. overwhelming despairC. regretful nostalgiaD. unaccustomed reliefII. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences: underline the wrong parts and put the correct ones in the brackets. If there is no error, use a √ or write “No error” on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)1. For the last decade, American restaurants were serving larger portions, a trend which nutritionists believe has contributed to an increase in obesity.2. Bill is the captain on the football team, but the soccer coach allows his players to take turns acting as captain.3. We were surprised to find volunteers from the local high school to be as helpful and efficient as those we had trained to assist in earlier emergencies.4. Many countries, including the United States, has signed treaties that address the problem of the warming of the earth‟s atmosphere,5. The botanical garden program familiarizes children with names of different flowers, teaches them the conventions of naming plants, and they have the opportunity to learn skills used by gardeners.6. As the mayor of the city, he had a presence that was comforting to his constituents, who had supported him since he first ran for city council.7. Concerned by the patient‟s chest pains and breathing difficulty, the nursing student was quick to realize that these symptoms were consistent to those of a heart attack.8. Fans of downhill skiing respected the decision by the judges that athletes which take performance-enhancing drugs while training would be disqualified from the competition.9. The human resources department is using online advertisements to recruit new employees because applicants can respond to this more quickly than to print ones.10. One would have difficulty determining which factor contributes more to the success of a great writer—talent or hard work.III. English composition (40 points)Consider carefully the issue discussed in the following paragraph, and then write an essay that answers the question posed in the task.Human beings can attain a worthy and harmonious life if only they are able to rid themselves, within the limits of human nature, of the striving for the wish fulfillment of material kinds. The goal is to raise the spiritual values of society.—Albert Einstein Assignment: You are required to write an essay of about at least 400 words in which you answer the question “Is the desire for ‘wish fulfillment of material kinds’ a good or a bad thing?" and discuss your point of view on this issue. Support your position logically with examples from literature, the arts, history, politics, science and technology, current events, or your experience or observation.Marks will be awarded for Content, Organization, Grammar, and Appropriateness. Failure to follow the instruction will result in a loss of marks.IV. Translation1. Translate the following passage into Chinese. Write your translation on the ANSWER SHEET.(20 points)Carrara, shut in by the great hills, is a very picturesque town in Italy. Few tourists stay there; and the people are nearly all connected, in one way or another, with the mining of marble. There are also villages among the caves, where the workmen live. It contains a beautiful little Theatre, newly built; and it is an interesting custom there, to form the chorus of labourers in the marblemines, who are self-taught and sing by ear. I heard them in a comic opera, and in an act of “Norms”; and they performed remarkably well; unlike the common people of Italy generally, who (with some exceptions among the Neapolitans) sing terribly out of tune, and have very disagreeable singing voices.Neapolitans:那不勒斯人2. Translate the following passage into English. Write your translation on the ANSWER SHEET.(20 points)青花瓷（blue-and-white porcelain）能在中国瓷坛独占鳌头，主要因为它与中国人长期追求的文化和美学精神相契合，这就是平淡天真、自然从容。