第三部分阅读理解(共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)
第一节:阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。
A
Do you want to live another 100 years or more? Some experts say that scientific advances will one day enable humans to last tens of years beyond what is now seen as the natural limit of the human life span.
"I think we are knocking at the door of immortality(永生)," said Michael Zey, a Montclair State University business professor and author of two books on the future. "I think by 2075 we will see it and that’s a conservative estimate".
At the conference in San Francisco, Donald Louria, a professor at New Jersey Medical School in Newark said advances in using genes as well as nanotechnology(纳米技术)make it likely that humans will live in the future beyond what has been possible in the past. "There is a great push so that people can live from 120 to 180 years," he said. "Some have suggested that there is no limit and that people could live to 200 or 300 or 500 years."
However, many scientists who specialize in ageing are doubtful about it and say the human body is just not designed to last about 120 years. Even with healthier lifestyles and less disease, they say failure of the brain and organs will finally lead all humans to death.
Scientists also differ on what kind of life the super aged might live. "It remains to be seen if you pass 120, you know; could you be healthy enough to have good quality of life?" said Leonard Pooh, director of the University of Georgia Gerontology(老龄学) Center. "At present people who could get to that point are not in good health at all."
61.By saying "we are knocking at the door of immortality", Michael Zey means ________.
A.they believe that there is no limit of living
B.they are sure to find the truth about long living
C.they have got some ideas about living forever
D.they are able to make people live past the present life span
62.Donald Louria's attitude towards long living is that ________.
A.people can live from 120 to 180 years
B.it is still doubtful how long humans can live
C.the human body is designed to last about 120 years
D.it is possible for humans to live longer in the future
63.The underlined "it"(paragraph 4)refers to ________.
A.a great push
B.the idea of living beyond the present life span
C.the idea of living from 200 to 300 years
D.the conservative estimate
64.What would be the best title for this text?
A.Living Longer or Not B.Science, Technology and Long Living
C.No Limit for Human Life D.Healthy Lifestyle and Long Living
Sicily, an island of Italy, is home to beautiful beaches, outstanding food, and a bit of Italian history on every corner. It’s located just southwest of the Italian mainland and it’s the largest Mediterranean island. Controlled by many armies over the centuries, it became the site of Roman and Greek colonies(殖民地). Those cultures remain to this day.
As part of the Year of Italy in China, an exhibition of Sicilian culture is being held at the National Museum of China from April 29 to June 27. Although they have a rich culture and history, Sicilian people lead a simple life. Living on land with fertile (肥沃的) soil, most of them work in agriculture, fishing and of course tourism.
In Sicily, most stores and businesses are closed from one to four in the afternoon. Streets become crowded around five as people start to go out and engage in a variety of activities. They may take a walk to the shops, enjoy a pastry (糕点)or just meet up with friends.
Food is one of the great pleasures of Sicilian people. There is an old Sicilian saying: “With a contented stomach, your heart is forgiving. With an empty stomach you forgive nothing.”
People will go miles out their way to eat fresh seafood, such as tuna(金枪鱼), swordfish(箭鱼) and sardines(沙丁鱼).
Pasta (意大利面)is the main food. Each region has its seasonal pasta dishes, and every family cook their own specialty. Bread is common too. As another Sicilian saying goes, “A table without bread is like a day without sunshine.” In Sicily, bread is always freshly baked or bought, and usually twice a day.What can be learned from the passage?
A.Sicily is the only island in Italy. |
B.It is easy to do shopping in the afternoon. |
C.Sicily was controlled by several countries. |
D.Sicilian people seldom take part in activities. |
The local people work in several fields EXCEPT.
A.fishing | B.mining | C.tourism | D.agriculture |
The underlined sentence in the last paragraph is used to show.
A.bread is a must for Sicilians |
B.food is a great pleasure for them |
C.bread should be cooked every day |
D.Sicilians have nothing to eat but bread |
The best title of this passage might be______.
A.Italian people |
B.Italian culture |
C.A Sicilian exhibition |
D.Sicily—an Island of Italy |
If you are sending a text message, watching TV or listening to the radio, you may stop and give this your full attention. Multi-tasking shrinks(使……萎缩) the brain, research suggests.
A study found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain. University of Sussex researchers said, “Using mobile phones, laptops and other media devices simultaneously could be changing the structure of our brains.”
Worryingly, the part of the brain that shrinks is involved in processing emotion. The finding follows research which has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades at school.
The researchers began by asking 75 healthy men and women how often they divided their attention between different types of technology. This could mean sending a text message while listening to music and checking email, or speaking on the phone while watching TV and surfing the internet. The volunteers were then given brain scans which showed they had less grey matter in a region called the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) (前扣带皮质). Scientists have proved that brain structure can be changed on exposure to fresh environments and experience.
Other studies have shown that training – such as learning to play magic tricks or taxi drivers’ learning the map of London – can increase grey-matter densities(密度) in certain parts.
Experts have also warned of the harmful impact technology can have on our memory and attention span. The University of California team conducted a survey of more than 18,000 people aged between 18 and 99, and found 20% had problems with memory. Researchers were shocked greatly by the 14% of 18 to 39-year-old people who also worried about their memories.
Multi-tasking may shorten attention span, making it harder to focus and form memories, the researchers said, adding that youngsters may be particularly affected by stress.The underlined word "simultaneously" in Para.2 means _________.
A.on one’s own | B.at no time |
C.at the same time | D.by accident |
All of the following are possible effects of multi-tasking except _________.
A.saving time |
B.a shortened attention span |
C.lower grades at school |
D.depression and anxiety |
What can increase grey-matter densities?
A.Sending a text message while listening to music . |
B.Students’ doing their homework. |
C.Taxi drivers’ learning the map of London. |
D.Speaking on the phone while watching TV. |
Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?
A.Media multi-tasking is becoming more popular. |
B.Multi-tasking shrinks the brain. |
C.Multi-tasking may shorten attention span. |
D.People are worried about their memories. |
“I will never marry, ” the future Elizabeth I declared at the age of eight, and, to the terror of her people, the Great Queen kept her word.
For four centuries, historians have guessed why Elizabeth never married. In her own day, her decision to remain single was considered absurd and dangerous. A queen needed a husband to make political decisions for her and to organize and lead her military campaigns. More important, she needed male heirs (继承人) to avoid a civil war after her death.
There was no shortage of suitors for the Queen, both English courtiers (朝臣) and foreign princes, and it was confidently expected for the best part of 30 years that Elizabeth would eventually marry one of them. Indeed, although she insisted that she preferred the single state, she kept these suitors in a state of permanent expectation. This was a deliberate policy on the Queen's part, since by keeping foreign princes in hope, sometimes for a decade, she kept them friendly when they might otherwise have made war on her kingdom.
There were, indeed, good political reasons for her avoiding marriage. The disastrous union of her sister Mary I to Philip II of Spain had had an unwelcome foreign influence upon English politics. The English were generally prejudiced against the Queen taking a foreign husband, particularly a Catholic one. Yet if she married an English, jealousy might lead to the separation of the court.
There were other deeper reasons for Elizabeth's unwillingness to marry, chief of which, I believe, was her fear of losing her autonomy as Queen. In the 16th century, a queen was regarded as holding supreme dominion(统治权)over the state, while a husband was thought to hold supreme dominion over his wife. Elizabeth knew that marriage and motherhood would bring some harm to her power.
She once pointed out that marriage seemed too uncertain a state for her. She had seen several unions in her immediate family break down, including that of her own parents. Elizabeth's father, Henry VIII, had had her mother, Anne Boleyn, killed; her stepmother Catherine Howard later suffered the same fate. When Elizabeth was 14 she was all but attracted by Admiral Thomas Seymour, who also went to the prison within a year. Witnessing these terrible events at an early age, it has been argued, may have put Elizabeth off marriage.
Elizabeth had to decide her priorities. Marriage or being single? Elizabeth was far too intelligent. The choice she made was courageous and revolutionary, and, in the long run, the right one for England.To the suitors including English courtiers and foreign princes, Elizabeth ________.
A.held back the truth |
B.gave a definite answer “no” |
C.kept them expecting on purpose |
D.said she preferred the single state |
If Elizabeth had married a foreign prince, there might have been ________.
A.prejudice against her |
B.separation of the court |
C.jealousy among English courtiers |
D.a negative impact on English politics |
Which of the following implications is right according to the passage?
A.Queen Elizabeth was not a Catholic. |
B.Some foreign princes made war on Britain. |
C.Catherine Howard was killed by Anne Boleyn. |
D.Admiral Thomas Seymour was killed by Henry VIII. |
What is the attitude of the author towards Queen Elizabeth never marrying in her life?
A.Pitiful. | B.Approving. | C.Negative. | D.Neutral. |
You put a great deal of effort into reaching the college of your choice. It’s time to get started. But what’s next? Beginning college can be an exciting but awkward time. Follow these tips to adjust to your new life rapidly and make the most of your college experience.
● To save time and money, use the college’s bus system. Taking the bus to school is quick, easy and free in most college towns. You won’t have to locate or afford a place to park either. It’s also a good way to be environmentally aware.
● Save pennies on books by waiting until class starts. You might not even need all of the recommended books. New textbooks cost an arm and a leg. Try buying used textbooks — it’s a surefire way to save money and serves the purpose as well.
● Do never look at college life as an endless series of parties and social activities. But there is a whole lot more to college if you’re serious about graduating. Having a good college experience is all about balancing work and fun.
● Be aware that your living environment can largely affect your academic success. If the dorm doesn’t suit you, consider living at home with your family or renting your own apartment. The best location for your studies isn’t always your dorm. Find a quiet area, like the library, to do your work. Alternatively, buy some headphones that block out noise.
● Be mindful of your diet. Make healthy food choices and watch what you eat. Avoid foods that are processed or high in sugar. The “freshman 15” is real. Many college students gain at least 15 pounds during their freshmen year.
● While electives (选修课) can be helpful when figuring out your major, you shouldn’t entirely rely on them. Clubs and other organizations exist around. Get involved. Make sure, though, that you still have time to study. Having too much on your plate can hurt your grades. Which of the following ideas can be financially wise?
A.Driving your own car. | B.Buying used books. |
C.Renting an apartment. | D.Attending activities. |
In the text, freshmen are repeatedly warned against ______.
A.academic failures | B.physical problems |
C.traffic accidents | D.social activities |
The “freshman 15” tells the fact that some freshmen ______.
A.attend limited activities on campus |
B.have little regular physical exercise |
C.focus less on their academic work |
D.take relaxed attitudes to their diets |
The underlined phrase “having too much on your plate” in the last paragraph probably refers to ______.
A.using too much money for meals |
B.eating too many unhealthy foods |
C.taking part in too many after-class activities |
D.taking an elective that has too many students |
They will be here in a minute, surely. I’ll just stare at my shoes a little while longer to pass the time. Wish I’d brought a book. Hang on, though, what if I’ve got the wrong day? The wrong place? Have the clocks gone back? No, damn it, I’m off home. Whoever I’m waiting for clearly lives in a different time zone from me.
I am always 10 minutes early, so if you’re 10 minutes late, I’ve been foot-tapping for 20 minutes. I know it’s not fair to hold the first 10 against you, but I just can’t help myself. I never wait more than 20 minutes beyond the meeting time we decided upon, not for anyone, ever.
OK, that’s not strictly true. I have, on occasion, hung around anxiously and heart-brokenly for up to an hour, but the bitter anger that follows is never a pretty sight. If you’ve made me wait that long, you will wish you hadn’t bothered turning up at all.
How come some people are always late and some are always on time? If I can manage to be punctual, why can’t you? Because I left a hot cup of coffee at home while you sat down to roll another cigarette. Because I spilled jam on my pants and quickly wiped it off whereas you took time to change your whole outfit. Because I switched off midway through a TV series, but you had to ride out the end, didn’t you? And don’t even think about blaming the traffic. How do you think I got here? By flying carpet? Only carelessness or arrogance (傲慢) can explain a habit of lateness.
Some people are always late because they can’t make realistic calculations about how long it takes to do things. There are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour. Just deal with it. Painful as it may be, you have to accept that, as you’ve agreed to meet at eight and it’s now a quarter to, you don’t have time to phone your girlfriend.
Much worse, though, are those with big egos (自我). Being late is just rude. Being late on purpose really means that you hate the person you are meeting.
Of course, there are some perfectly lovely latecomers out there. I just never wait long enough to find out.Which of the following words best describes how the author feels in the first paragraph?
A.Anxious. | B.Curious. |
C.Thankful. | D.Joyful. |
What does the author think contributes to people always being late?
a. Their big egos.
b. Traffic jams.
c. Their carelessness.
d. Being picky when choosing clothes.
e. Their realistic calculations of how long it takes to do things.
A.a, b | B.a, c | C.b, d, e | D.c, d, e |
We can learn from the article that the author ___________.
A.is tolerant of people being late |
B.has missed lots of meetings |
C.has trouble getting along with others |
D.has a strong preference for good timekeeping |
According to the author, people should ____________.
A.be patient when waiting for a latecomer |
B.keep in mind that being late is rude and selfish |
C.always arrive 10 minutes early for an appointment |
D.ask people around them to remind them about an appointment |