三、阅读理解(共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分)
请阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选题，并在答题卡上将该选项的标号涂黑。
Even before my father left us, my mother had to go back to work to support our family. Once I came out of the kitchen, complaining, "Mom, I can't peel potatoes. I have only one hand."
Mom never looked up from sewing. "You get yourself into that kitchen and peel those potatoes," she told me, "And don't ever use that as an excuse for anything again!"
In the second grade, our teacher lined up my class on the playground and had each of us race across the monkey bars, swinging from one high steel rod (杆) to the next. When it was my turn, I shook my head. Some kids behind me laughed, and I went home crying.
That night I told Mom about it. She hugged me, and I saw her "we'll see about that" look. The next afternoon, she took me back to school. At the deserted playground, Mom looked carefully at the bars.
"Now, pull up with your right arm," she advised. She stood by as I struggled to lift myself with my right hand until I could hook the bar with my other elbow. Day after day we practiced, and she praised me for every rung I reached. I'll never forget the next time, crossing the rungs, I looked down at the kids who were standing with their mouths open.
One night, after a dance at my new junior high, I lay in bed sobbing. I could hear Mom come into my room. "Morn," I said, weeping, "none of the boys would dance with me."
For a tong time, I didn't hear anything. Then she said, "Oh, honey, someday you'll be beating those boys off with a bat." Her voice was faint and cracking. I peeked out from my covers to see tears running down her cheeks. Then I knew how much she suffered on my behalf. She had never let me see her tears.
56. Which of the following expressions can be used most suitably to describe Mom's attitude when she made the child to peel potatoes?
A. Cruel. B. Serious. C. Strict. D. Cold.
57. What does the sentence "I saw her 'we'll see about that' look" imply?
A. Mom believed every aim could be achieved if you stuck to it.
B. The race across monkey bars was not difficult enough for a child to give up.
C. Mom was determined to prove she herself was better than the teacher.
D. What the child had said brought Mom great attraction and curiosity.
58. When the child looked down at the kids, they were standing with their mouths open because_________.
A. they felt sorry for what they had done before
B. they were afraid the author might fall off and get hurt
C. they wanted to see what the author would do on the bars
D. they were astonished to find the author's progress
59. The most probable conclusion we can draw after reading the passage is_________.
A. the last incident was sad enough to make Mom weep
B. the child's experience reminded Mom of that of her own
C. Mom could solve any problem except the one in the last paragraph
D. in fact Mom suffered more in the process of the child's growth
You know eating fruit and vegetables does good. But do you know it can also make you look good? People who increased their intake over just six weeks developed a healthy glow and appeared more attractive, researchers found. Scientists at St Andrews University found eating them slightly increased yellow and red pigments in the volunteers' skin. They monitored the food intake of 35 people and took pictures of their faces, arms and hands using a sensitive camera at the start, and after three and six weeks. Increasing their intake of greens by 2.9 portions a day was found to make the person look more healthy and an extra 3.3 portions could enhance their attractiveness, when their photographs were rated by others.
Fruit and vegetables are rich in carotenoids(类胡萝卜素)，which are known to protect against cell damage from pollution and UV rays, and can also prevent age-related diseases including heart disease and cancer. But while it was known eating extreme amounts of certain vegetables such as carrots could turn skin orange，it was not known a small increase was perceptible(被觉察）to others—and was seen as appealing.
A camera measured changes to the skin's redness, yellowness and lightness, and found it significantly changed in people who naturally increased their intake. These changes were not evident in three weeks. Using light sensors, the researchers showed these red and yellow hues were linked with the levels of carotenoids in their skin. There are hundreds of carotenoids but those thought to have the most dramatic effect are lycopene(番茄红素)—which gives tomatoes and red peppers their red colour—and beta-carotene found in carrots as well as broccoli, squash, and spinach. Skin colour is also affected by chemicals called polyphenols(多元酚)，found in apples, blueberries and cherries, which cause blood rush to the skin surface.What do we know from the research?
| A．If you take in a little more fruit and vegetables, you will obviously look more attractive in three weeks. |
| B．People who increased their intake of greens by 3.3 portions a day were found the most attractive after six weeks. |
| C．Increasing your intake of greens by 2.9 portions a day can greatly improve your health. |
| D．The researchers took the pictures of the 35 people in the research at different stages. |
Which of the following is NOT the function of carotenoids？
| A．They can protect against cell damage from pollution and UV rays. |
| B．They can prevent heart disease and cancer. |
| C．They can keep you in good health. |
| D．They can prevent age-related diseases. |
34.Which of the statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
| A．We've already known eating extreme amounts of carrots can turn skin orange. |
| B．We knew in the past that eating a few more carrots could make us look appealing. |
| C．The research showed the improvement in skin is linked with the levels of carotenoids in it. |
| D．Among hundreds of carotenoids, lycopene is thought to have the most dramatic effect |
Which can be the best title of the passage?
| A．Eating fruit and vegetables does good. |
| B．Eating fruit and vegetables makes you look good. |
| C．How to become attractive？ |
| D．Fruit and vegetables are rich in carotenoids. |
Would you want a doctor who got high marks in medical school just for trying hard? Apparently many college students would have no problem with that. They believe students are owed a good grade simply because they put a lot of effort into a class.
The researchers asked more than 800 undergraduates if they agreed or disagreed with some statements. For example: "If I have completed most of the reading for a class, I deserve a B in that course." And: "A professor should not be annoyed with me if I receive an important call during class."
Just 16 percent thought it was OK to take that phone call. But 66 percent agreed that a professor should consider effort and not just the quality of a student's work when deciding grades. And 40 percent thought they should get a B, the second highest mark, just because they did most of the reading for class.
Some experts are not surprised that students often see no difference between effort and results. Social critics like to say that in children's activities these days everyone gets an award just for trying, so no one will feel rejected.
Yet competition to get into the best colleges is fiercer than ever. Students may worry that low grades will keep them out of graduate school or a good job.
And there may be another explanation: pressure from parents to get a good return on the family's investment. These days, college can cost more than a house.
A former teaching assistant recently wrote to the New York Times about his experience with grade expectations. He would try to explain it this way when students asked for a top grade just for studying hard in chemistry class:
What if a baseball player came to spring training and worked harder than all the others, but still could not play well? Would the team accept him anyway, just because he tried so hard?
The students would say no. But most of them would still ask for an A.What does the passage mainly discuss?
| A．Whether students deserve high marks just for trying hard. |
| B．Whether students are allowed to answer calls in class. |
| C．How students can get a good grade in the course. |
| D．Why students put a lot of efforts in their studies. |
According to the research, most of the students _______.
A. thought it was all right to answer the call during class.
B. thought they did most of the work for class and should get a B.
C. objected to deciding grades only by the quality of a student’s work.
D. agreed that they should be given top grades because of their hard work.Which of the following opinions do social critics agree to about children’s activities?
| A．Those who are active in the activities can get an award. |
| B．Only by playing an important role in the activities can you get an award. |
| C．Whoever takes part in the activities can get an award. |
| D．An award is prepared for anyone who performs best in the activities. |
From the sixth paragraph we can learn that _____.
| A．it costs much more to build a college than to buy a house. |
| B．the costs of studying at college are much more than staying at home. |
| C．the costs of sending a child to college are much more than buying a house. |
| D．it is difficult for parents to send a child to college. |
I used to have a friend that was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the news that he might only live up to six months was a great shock to him, his family, and his friends．However, in spite of the serious illness, he was initially determined to look into all available treatments that might cure or extend his life．I think that when you find yourself in such situations, you tend to look up every possible way for hope of saving your life．
With months going on and his health grew worse, I noticed an unexpected change in attitude that came over him．He had also been a happy person with a cheerful personality, but rather than give in to discouragement and self-pity, he took comfort in God and humanity．His talks focused on others rather than himself, and he spoke of the afterlife as something he was prepared for, believing that his concerned ancestors, including his mother and father, were there waiting for him．
In the last few months, weeks, and days of his life, he was kindly cared for by family, friends, his loving wife, who looked after both his physical and emotional needs, and workers from a local hospice （安养院） came to the home to regulate his medication and provide any other needed support．He didn't complain about his fate, and he willingly allowed others to serve him．Indeed, one might think why God allows death and suffering in our world, but for me, such experiences taught me to value family more and kindness for others．You often can't learn these important attributes in the lap of luxury, and perhaps, such an experience is the greatest and final gift the illness can give those left behind．Which word can best describe the man's initial reaction as soon as he was diagnosed with cancer?
| A．Astonished． | B．Annoyed |
| C．Terrified． | D．Confused． |
What did the man do after he first learned of his illness?
| A．He was operated on immediately． |
| B．He researched cancer treatments． |
| C．He retired from his job． |
| D．He felt sad, doing nothing． |
What was the man's main source of comfort after several months with the disease?
| A．His family and friends． |
| B．The care from others． |
| C．His doctors’ encouragement． |
| D．His belief in humanity． |
In my eyes, the most basic and powerful way to communicate with another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. And especially if it’s given from the heart. When people are talking，there’s no need to do anything but receive them. Listen to what they’re saying. Care about it. Most times caring about it is even more important than understanding it. Most of us don’t value ourselves or our love enough to know this. It has taken me a long time to believe in the power of simple saying “I’m so sorry，” when someone is in pain.
One of my patients told me that when she tried to tell her story people often interrupted to tell her that they once had something just like that happening to them. Her pain became a story about themselves. Eventually she stopped talking to most people. We connect through listening. When we interrupt what someone is saying to let them know that we understand，we move the focus of attention to ourselves. When we listen，they know we care.
I have even learned to respond to someone crying by just listening. In the old days I used to reach for the handkerchiefs，until I realized that passing a person a handkerchief may be just another way to shut him down，to take them out of their experience of sadness. Now I just listen. When they have cried all they need to cry，they find me there with them.
This simple thing has not been that easy to learn. It certainly went against everything I had been taught since I was very young. I thought people listened only because they were too shy to speak or did not know the answer. But now I know that a loving silence often has far more power to heal than the kindest words.What does the author value most in the communication with each other?
| A．Deep understanding. |
| B．Attention from heart. |
| C．Saying “I’m sorry” |
| D．Doing nothing. |
The woman patient stopped telling her story to most people because________.
| A．she didn’t get enough respect from others |
| B．people often told her their own opinions |
| C．people couldn’t understand her sad situation |
| D．she was discouraged by being often interrupted |
If you hand a handkerchief to someone crying，you may________.
| A．stop him from letting out his sorrow |
| B．make him embarrassed |
| C．encourage him to continue to cry |
| D．hurt his feelings |
Which of the following might be the author’s opinion about communication?
| A．Just listen. | B．Keep silent. |
| C．Be careful. | D．Tell your own story. |
Should universities focus on training workers for the next decade or curing diseases for the next century? A group of governors, educators, and CEOs weighed in on the best way universities can prepare for the future. They debated how the U.S. can take the responsibility for research while still preparing students for real jobs.
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said that the first thing she thinks about as governor is educating Oklahoma students and strengthening the workforce. So she’s carrying out a program called “America Works: Education and Training for Tomorrow’s Jobs” that aims to “reorganize our education system with the current needs of our employers”.
The state governor added that this new educational approach doesn’t just benefit students and companies, but also improves the state economy. “We’ve been able to attract new companies to our state because of what we’re doing with our universities, because our students are a pipeline for the workforce,” she said. “General Electric Company (one of the world’s biggest companies) is coming to Oklahoma.”
Other group members were more focused on the long-term goals of a research university. Amy Gutmann pointed out that “basic research is the foundation for everything else that happens at a university. And if we don’t do it, nobody else will.”
“And if nobody does that research, we’ll pay the price in health care bills,” argued Vagelos, who is a former CEO of Merck & Co., Inc, one of the largest pharmaceutical (制药的) companies in the world. “The jobs of universities are basic research, which is what is needed for attacks on disease,” he said. “There has been a reduction in coronary heart disease (冠心病) by 60% in the last forty years because of this research, and that reduces health care costs.”
James Hunt, former North Carolina governor, argued for a happy medium. Effective communication, he said, would help the public see that the research conducted at universities actually serves a practical purpose.
Eli Broad, founder of the Broad Foundations, agreed. “We have to show the public what research has achieved,” he said. “We have to show how it actually goes from basic research to something they can understand.”Why does Oklahoma appeal to General Electric Company?
| A．University graduates in the state are well trained. |
| B．There’s much support from the local government. |
| C．Many students in the state hope to be workers. |
| D．The state economy has been growing rapidly. |
What is Gutmann’s attitude toward Fallin’s program?
| A．Curious. | B．Tolerant. |
| C．Disapproving. | D．Sympathetic. |
Vagelos mentioned coronary heart disease in order to show _____.
| A．the achievements of Merck & Co., Inc |
| B．the difficulty of developing new drugs |
| C．the heavy burden of health care costs |
| D．the importance of basic research |
Which of the following can be the best title of this text?
| A．Universities or colleges? |
| B．Workers or researchers? |
| C．Basic or further research? |
| D．Education or development? |