C
Recently, a survey was done among 288,000 students, which shows that today’s traditional-age college freshmen are “more materialistic and less altruistic (利他主义的)” than at any time in the 19 years of the poll (民意调查).
Not surprisingly, in these hard times, the students’ major purpose “is to be financially well off. Developing a meaningful philosophy of life is less important than ever.” It follows then that today the most popular course is not literature or history but accounting.
Interest in teaching, social service and the “altruistic” fields is at a low. On the other hand, enrollment in business programs, engineering and computer science is way up.
That’s no surprise either. A friend of mine (a sales representative for a chemical company) was making twice the salary of her college instructors in her first year on the job---even before she completed her two-year associate degree.
Though it’s true that we all need a career, it is equally true that our civilization has accumulated an incredible amount of knowledge in fields far beyond our own and that it will be better for our understanding of these other contributions—either scientific or artistic.
Similarly, it is true that, in studying the diverse wisdom of others, we learn how to think. More importantly, perhaps, education teaches us to see the connections between things, as well as to see beyond our immediate needs.
Weekly we read of unions who went on strike for higher wages, only to drive their employer out of business. No company; No job. How shortsighted in the long run!
But the most important argument for a broad education is that in studying the accumulated wisdom of the ages, we improve our moral sense. I saw a cartoon recently which shows a group of businessmen looking puzzled as they sit around a conference table; one of them is talking on the intercom (对讲机) : “Miss Baxter,” he says, “could you please send in someone who can distinguish right from wrong?”
From the long-term point of view, that’s what education really ought to be about.
51. According to the result of the survey, college students _______________.
A. take developing a meaningful philosophy of life more seriously
B. have a wide range of knowledge in many aspects
C. pay more attention to the study of literature
D. have never been so materialistic as today
52. The students’ criteria (标准) for choosing their majors today are largely based on _________.
A. their own understanding of the courses
B. the financial goals they seek in life
C. the influence of their instructors
D. the vast potential for the future educational development
53. What does the fifth paragraph imply?
A. Knowledge in other fields has nothing to do with one’s career.
B. Business management should be included in educational programs
C. The importance of a broad education should not be ignored
D. A good understanding of the civilization will make students rich.
54. The author’s attitude to the effect of studying the diverse wisdom of others is ______________.
A. positive B. indifferent C. doubtful D. negative
55. The writer wrote the passage in order to indicate that ______________.
A. college students today are not a diligent generation
B. people engaged in technical jobs lead a more meaningful life
C. career seekers shouldn’t focus on immediate interests only
D. working experience outside college counts a lot to one’s future career
For the most part, schools are designed to produce people who fit into society, not people who set out to change it. However, schools, particularly universities, may not only spread culture; they may add to the cultural heritage(遗产). Today American society places a good deal of emphasis on the development of new knowledge, especially in the physical and biological sciences , medicine, and engineering. In the recent years, the nation’s leading universities have increasingly become research centers.
An emphasis（强调）on research has led universities to judge professors not by abilities as teachers, but as researcher. promotions(提升), salary increases , and other benefits have long been dependent on research and publication. However, the most important is no longer publishing. To be successful these days, professors have to bring in money provided by government and private industry. Critics claim that academic(学术) success is most likely to come to those who have learned to“ignore”their teaching duties to pursue research activities. Defenders say that even when students themselves are not involved in research projects they benefit from such an emphasis on research.
Major research universities like the Massachustts Institute of Technology have also cooperated with industrial companies to develop technology and products with commercial potential(潜能).With university-industry ties continuing to grow, debate（辩论）has increased about the consequences for basic science, academic openness, the control of information, the direction of research, and the influence on students.
1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT emphasized by today’s American society?
A. Physical science. B. Biological science.
C. Engineering.D. Computer science.
2. In the present standard, a successful professor is one who can____.
A. teach well
B. get financial support for research
C. get the highest salary
D. have many publications
3. Supporters of the present emphasis on research argue that_____.
A. it involves more students in it.
B. it does good to students anyway.
C. it has a direct good effect on teaching
D. it earns a lot of money for a university
4. The author seems to be_____ the move of emphasis to research.
A. totally againstB. sorry to see C. in favor of D. neutral (中立) about
Electricity shortage leaves Afghanistan in the dark. Electricity is in short supply in the Middle Eastern Nation of Afghanistan. Only 6 percent of the country’s residents have electric power, according to the Asian Development Bank, an organization that works to reduce poverty.
Some residents in Kabul received only 3 hours of electricity a day last fall. Others received none. Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan. “It’s dark everywhere,” says city resident Gul Hussein. “Some of our neighbours are using candles.”
Experts say water shortage is partly to blame. Water is used to make electricity. In Kabul, power becomes scarce in midsummer, when the region’s hydroelectric(水力发电的) dams dry up. Hydroelectricity is made by the force of falling water.
Kabul’s growing population is also a cause. Since the late 1990s, the city’s population has jumped from less than 1 million to more than 4 million people. Now even more electricity is needed.
Despite receiving millions of dollars in international aid, the country’s electricity shortages continue. Still, Afghans hope for a solution. One plan is to import, or bring in, power from the nearby country Uzbekistan. Afghan officials also spoke with U.S. president about the nation’s need to make its own electricity.
“ Life takes power,” says Jan Agha, a worker from Kabul. “If you have electricity, life is good; but if there’s no electricity, you go around like a blind man.”
1.One reason for electricity shortage is _________
A. the lack of international aid
B. the shortage of hydroelectric dams
C. the increase of population
D. the low temperature in midsummer
2. Which of the following will probably a solution for the problem of electricity shortage?
A. To build more hydroelectric dams.
B. To advise people to use less electricity.
C. To buy electricity from America.
D. To produce electricity on its own.
3. What does the underlined word “scarce” mean in paragraph 3?
A. not normal B. not little C. not effective D. not enough
4. Which one should be the best title for the passage?
A. Water Shortage in Afghanistan B. Population Lead to Lack of Electricity
C. Electricity Shortage in Afghanistan D. Help Needed in Afghanistan
Remembering names is an important social skill．Here are some ways to master it．
Recite and repeat in conversation．
When you hear a person’s name，repeat it．Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips．You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial．
Ask the other person to recite and repeat．
You can let other people help you remember their names．After you’ve been introduced to someone，ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you．Most people will be pleased by the effort you’re making to learn their names．
Admit you don’t know．
Admitting that you can’t remember someone’s name can actually make people relaxed．Most of them will feel sympathy if you say．“I’m working to remember names better．Yours is right on the tip of my tongue．What is it again?”
Use associations．
Link each person you meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual．For example，you could make a mental note: "Vicki Cheng -- tall, black hair. " To reinforce you’re your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.
Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.
When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.
Go early.
Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That's fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others -- an automatic review for you.
1. How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?
A. They will be moved. B. They will be annoyed.
C. They will be happy. D. They will be discouraged.
2. If you can't remember someone's name, you may _______.
A. tell him the truth B. tell him a white lie
C. ask him for pity D. ask others to help you
3. When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember ______.
A. all their names B. a couple of names first
C. just their last names D. as many names as possible
4. What does the text mainly tell us?
A. Tips on an important social skill.
B. Importance of attending parties.
C. How to make use of associations.
D. How to recite and repeat names.
The year 2009 is the Year of Ox. The ox is a representative of the farming culture of China. In the farming economy, oxen are the major animals pulling plows (犁).
Of course, the good of oxen is not limited to plowing. In fact, they are seen as "boats on land" for their ability to carry loads. Besides, the whole body of an ox is full of treasures. Their meat and milk are food full of nutrition, and their skin can be used to make clothes and shoes. With all these qualities, oxen are regarded as generous creatures(动物) .
In the past, oxen played an important role in the spiritual life of the Chinese. Even today, oxen still play a special part in some folk activities. For example, some people who 1ive in southwest China will cook cattle bone soup and share it among family members when holding the ceremony for children who reach 13. They believe that the cattle bone soup represents the blood relationship among family members. In order to express their love for oxen, people in some other areas will run to shake off diseases on the 16th day of the first month by the lunar calendar (农历), and during their run they will take their oxen along, which indicates they regard the creature as human.
Because of the contribution of oxen in their lives, the Chinese people are very grateful to the animal. In addition, the use of oxen in ceremonies and the thanks people owe to oxen help to develop various traditional customs, which becomes an important part of the folk culture of the Chinese nation.
1. The words "boats on land" underlined in Paragraph 2 refer to _______.
A. animals for taking goods B. creatures for pulling plows
C. treasures of the folk culture D. tools in the farming economy
2. From the third paragraph, we know that _______.
A. oxen are no more important today than in the past
B. ceremonies are held when people cook cattle bone soup
C. oxen are treated as human in some areas of China
D. people run with oxen to shake off diseases every month
3. Which of the following helps to develop traditional customs?
A. The special role of oxen in farming.
B. People's respect and love for oxen.
C. The practical value of an ox's body.
D. The contribution of oxen to the economy.
4. Why does the author write the text?
A. To stress the importance of oxen in farming.
B. To introduce a kind of Chinese folk culture.
C. To describe how to celebrate the Year of Ox.
D. To explain how to develop agriculture with oxen.
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）
Put yourself in these tourists’ position. You are walking an icy mountain path in the Alps in Europe. Suddenly you spot a body on the ground, face downward and stuck to the ice. You think someone may have been murdered or in a fatal accident. So you rush back and call the police. The police, however, quickly realize that this body is different from others they’ve found on the mountain. For one thing, it is mostly undamaged. For another, its skin is dried out, like a mummy’s（木乃伊）. And there is an old small stone knife beside the body.
The body turned out be much older than the tourists could have guessed. When specialists（专家）had a chance to examine it, they discovered it had been there for about five thousand years!
How could a body stay preserved for all this time? Two things probably helped. First, the place where the man died was somewhat sheltered, so animals couldn’t get at it. Then he was quickly covered by falling snow. Wind blowing through the snow probably “freeze-dried” his body, removing all moisture(水分) from it.
Objects found with the body told something about the Iceman’s life. He wore a well-made fur jacket and trousers. He clearly had been hunting, because he carried arrows, and animal bones were nearby. He also had a grass cushion for sitting or sleeping on. Perhaps he was tired when he lay down for the last time.
The body was found in 1991, when some of the ice on the mountain melted. Searching for the cause of the Iceman’s death, scientists put the body back into cold conditions---and hoped.
1. What does the underlined word “spot” in the first paragraph probably mean?
A. lay B. dig C. find D. carry
2. Which of the following is NOT the reason that the police realize that the body is different from others?
A. The body’s skin is like a mummy’s. B. Beside the body is an old small stone knife.
C. The body is much older than others. D. The body is mostly undamaged.
3. At what time of a year was the Iceman probably died?
A. Early fall. B. Late spring. C. Summer. D. Winter.
4. This passage is mainly to _____________
A. tell us what life was like 5, 000 years ago.
B. warn us not to go to the Alps.
C. introduce a mysterious Iceman to us.
D. explain the mystery of the Alps.