Every day we are exposed to images, videos, music and news. In this age of visual and aural hyper-stimulation, the medium of radio is making a great comeback.
“We’re at the beginning of a golden age of audio,” said US-based podcaster Alex Blumberg in an article in The Sydney Morning Herald. In the last month alone, 15 percent of US adults listened to a radio podcast (播客). These statistics, released by Edison Research, show the successful evolution of traditional radio broadcasts to the present day’s digital podcast format. The term “podcast” was invented in 2004, but the trend only started gaining mainstream popularity in recent years. With the sharp increase in consumer demand for smartphones and tablets, podcast sales have jumped.
The appeal of the podcast partly lies in its multiplatform delivery and on-demand capabilities (功能). You can listen during those extra minutes of the day when you’re walking to the shops, waiting in a queue or riding the subway. Similar to television shows, podcasts are generally free to download and most offer new content every week.
Donna Jackson, 22, Sydney University media graduate, listens to podcasts two or three times a week, via iTune. “I listen while I’m wandering around the house doing something else. It makes completing a boring task much more enjoyable… And it’s an easy way of keeping in touch with what’s going on in the rest of the world,” she said, “I mainly listen to BBC podcasts, but recently I’ve also been listening to This American Life and Serial. They have a special skill to really draw you in.”
Unlike television and music, the audio format has the potential to create a deep impression on readers. Blumberg says this owes to the podcast’s ability “to create close relationship and emotional connection.” Sydney University undergraduate Hazel Proust, majoring in social work and arts, agrees. “When you’re listening, it feels as if the voice of the podcast’s storyteller is talking directly to you. It’s comforting.” said Proust.
It seems the age-old tradition of verbal storytelling is very much alive and well.From the first two paragraphs, we can learn that ________.
A.traditional broadcast has come back |
B.Americans love listening to the radio |
C.podcasts have become very popular today |
D.smartphones sell well because of podcasts |
The writer mentions Donna Jackson mainly to ________.
A.tell how young people relax themselves |
B.explain why young people like podcasts |
C.introduce what programs podcasts are presenting |
D.show how popular podcasts are presenting |
Paragraph 5 is mainly about ________.
A.the influence of radios |
B.the advantage of podcasts |
C.readers’ impression on radios |
D.people’s reaction to the medium |
What is probably the best title of the passage?
A.Return of Radio | B.Opinions of Podcast |
C.Features of Radio | D.Technology of Podcast |
Before the widespread use of computers, managers could not make full use of large amounts of valuable information about a company’s activities. The information either reached managers too late or was too expensive to be used. Today, managers are facing a wide range of data processing and information instruments. In place of a few financial controls, managers can draw on computer-based information systems to control activities in every area of their company. On any kinds at performance measures, the information provided by these systems helps managers compare standards with actual results, find out problems, and take corrective action before it is too late to make changes.
The introduction of computerized information systems has sharply changed management control in many companies. Even a neighborhood shopkeeper may now use computers to control sales and other activities. In large companies, electronic data processing systems monitor entire projects and sets of operations.
Now, there are about 24 million microcomputers in use in the United States, one for every 10 citizens. It is estimated that by 1996, 61 percent of American managers will be using some sort of electronic workstation. In order for managers to be sure that the computer-based information they are receiving is accurate, they need to understand how computers work. However, in most cases they do not need to learn how to program computers. Rather, managers should understand how computerized information systems work; how they are developed; their limitations and costs; and the manner in which information system may be used. Such an understanding is not difficult to achieve.
One research found that business firms were more successful in teaching basic information about computers to business graduates than they were in teaching business subjects to computer science graduates.
46. In the second paragraph the author mentions a neighborhood shopkeeper to show that _____.
A. few people could afford a computer
B. computer is now becoming more and more widely used in business
C. only shopkeepers are wealthy enough to buy computers
D. computer is far more intelligent than man as far as business is concerned
47. From the third paragraph we learn that ________.
A. it is essential that managers know how to program computers
B. managers may sometimes receive inaccurate information from computers
C. in most companies, an employee has to share a computer with at least 9 other employees
D. computerized information system is perfect in every way
48. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT that _________.
A. computer science graduates are quick to learn business subjects because of their professional knowledge about computers
B. with the help of computers, company mangers are now more informed of what’s going on in their companies
C. computer is a great help for business management
D. computerized information enables managers to take timely measures to prevent possible mistakes
49. According to the passage, which of the following statements is right?
A. It’s a difficult task for the managers to deal with a wide range of computer-based information daily.
B. The introduction of computerized information system is a revolution in management
C. In order to perform good management, managers need to have much knowledge about computer.
D. A good knowledge of computer leads managers to success
50. What is the passage mainly about?
A. How to teach information about computers to business graduates.
B. Computer’s growing popularity nationwide.
C. Application of computer in business management.
D. Computer training program for mangers.
Ⅲ. 阅读(共两节,满分40分)
第一节阅渎理解(共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中,选出最佳选项并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
It all began with a stop at a red light.
Philanthropy Kevin Salwen, a writer and entrepreneur in Atlanta, was driving his 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, back from a sleepover in 2006. While waiting at a traffic light, they saw a black Mercedes coupe on one side and a homeless man begging for food on the other.
“Dad, if that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal,” Hannah protested. The light changed and they drove on, but Hannah was too young to be reasonable. She pestered (纠缠) her parents about inequity, insisting that she wanted to do something.
“What do you want to do?” her mom responded. “Sell our house?”
Warning! Never suggest a grand gesture to an idealistic teenager. Hannah seized upon the idea of selling the luxurious family home and donating half the money to charity, while using the other half to buy a more modest replacement home.
Eventually, that’s what the family did. The project — crazy, impetuous (鲁莽) and utterly inspiring — is written down in detail in a book by father and daughter scheduled to be published next month: “The Power of Half.” It’s a book that, frankly, I’d be nervous about leaving around where my own teenage kids might find it. An impressionable child reads this, and the next thing you know your whole family is out on the street.
At a time of enormous needs in Haiti and elsewhere, when so many Americans are trying to help Haitians by sending everything from text messages to shoes, the Salwens offer an example of a family that came together to make a difference — for themselves as much as the people they were trying to help. In a column a week ago, I described neurological(神经学的) evidence from brain scans that unselfishness lights up parts of the brain normally associated with more primary satisfaction such as food and sex. The Salwens’ experience confirms the selfish pleasures of selflessness.
Mr. Salwen and his wife, Joan, had always assumed that their kids would be better off in a bigger house. But after they downsized, there was much less space to retreat to, so the family members spent more time around each other. A smaller house unexpectedly turned out to be a more family-friendly house.
41. The best title of the passage should be__________.
A. The less , the better. B. An unexpected satisfaction
C. Something we can live without D. Somewhat crazy but inspiring
42. What does the word “inequity” most probably mean in the sentence?
A. unfairness B. satisfaction C. personal attitude D. reasonable statement
43.The sentence “An impressionable child reads this, and the next thing you know your whole family is out on the street.” means _____.
A. When an unreasonable child reads the book, their house will disappear.
B. When an unreasonable child reads the book, he will ask his parents to sell their house.
C. When an unreasonable child reads this, the whole family will enjoy themselves in the street.
D. The child who likes to express himself will ask the whole family to enjoy the book outside.
44.Which of the following statements is true?
A. Mercedes coupe is only an ordinary car which is quite cheap.
B. Hannah asked her parents to do something charitable and they sold their house.
C. Unselfishness has nothing to do with people’s primary satisfaction.
D. Hannah’s parents felt regretted having sold the big house.
45.“Never suggest a grand gesture to an idealistic teenager.” means__________.
A. Never give a quick answer to an idealistic teenager.
B. Don’t respond to a child’s demands firmly without consideration.
C. Give an answer if the child is reasonable.
D. Unless the child is realistic otherwise never give an answer immediately
Benjamin and Carol report that the “short sleepers” had been more or less average in their sleep needs until the men were in their teens. But at about age 15 or so, the men voluntarily began cutting down their nightly sleep time because of pressures from school, work, and other activities. These men tended to view their nightly periods of unconsciousness as bothersome interruptions in their daily routines.
In general, these “short sleeps” appeared ambitious, active, energetic, cheerful, conformist(不动摇) in their opinions, and very sure about their career choices. They often held several jobs at once, or workers full-or part-time while going to school. And many of them had a strong urge to appear “normal” or “acceptable” to their friends and associates.
When asked to recall their dreams, the “short sleepers” did poorly. More than this, they seemed to prefer not remembering. In similar fashion, their usual way of dealing with psychological problems was to deny that the problem existed, and then to keep busy in the hope that the trouble would go away.
The sleep patterns of the “short sleepers” were similar to, but less extreme than, sleep patterns shown by many mental patients considered as manic(疯人).
The “long sleepers” were quite different indeed. Benjamin and Carol report that these young men had been lengthy sleeps since childhood. They seemed to enjoy their sleep, protected it, and were quite concerned when they were occasionally deprived of their desired 9 hours of nightly bed rest. They tended to recall their dreams much better than did the “short sleepers.”
Many of the “long sleepers” were shy, anxious, introverted (内向), inhibited (压抑), passive, mildly depressed, and unsure of themselves (particularly in social situations). Several openly state that sleep was an escape from their daily problems.
51. According to the report,______.
A) many short sleepers need less sleep by nature
B) many short sleepers have to reduce their nightly sleep time because they are busy with their work
C) long sleepers sleep a longer period of time during the day
D) many long sleepers preserve their sleeping habit formed during their childhood
52. Many “short sleepers” are likely to hold the view that _____.
A) sleep is a withdrawal from the reality
B) sleep interferes with their sound judgments
C) sleep is the least expensive item on their routine program
D) sleep is the best way to deal with psychological troubles
53. It is stated in the third paragraph that short sleepers _____.
A) are ideally energetic even under the pressures of life
B) often neglect the consequences of inadequate sleep
C) do not know how to relax properly
D) are more unlikely to run into mental problems
54. When sometimes they cannot enjoy adequate sleep, the long sleepers might ____.
A) appear disturbed B) become energetic C) feel dissatisfied D) be extremely depressed
55. Which of the following is Not included in the passage?
A) If one sleeps inadequately, his performance suffers and his memory is weakened
B) The sleep patterns of short sleepers are exactly the same as those shown by many mental patients
C) Long and short sleepers differ in their attitudes towards sleep
D) Short sleepers would be better off with more rest
In this age of Internet chat, videogames and reality television, there is no shortage of mindless activities to keep a child occupied. Yet, despite the competition, my 8-year-old daughter Rebecca wants to spend her leisure time writing short stories. She wants to enter one of her stories into a writing contest, a competition she won last year.
As a writer I know about winning contest, and about losing them. I know what it is like to work hard on a story only to receive a rejection slip from the publisher. I also know the pressures of trying to live up to a reputation created by previous victories. What if she doesn’t win the contest again? That’s the strange thing about being a parent. So many of our own past scars and dashed hopes can surface.
A revelation(启示) came last week when I asked her, “Don’t you want to win again?” “No,” she replied, “I just want to tell the story of an angel going to first grade.”
I had just spent weeks correcting her stories as she spontaneously(自发地) told them. Telling myself that I was merely an experienced writer guiding the young writer across the hall, I offered suggestions for characters, conflicts and endings for her tales. The story about a fearful angel starting first grade was quickly “guided” by me into the tale of a little girl with a wild imagination taking her first music lesson. I had turned her contest into my contest without even realizing it.
Staying back and giving kids space to grow is not as easy as it looks. Because I know very little about farm animals who use tools or angels who go to first grade, I had to accept the fact that I was co-opting(借用) my daughter’s experience.
While stepping back was difficult for me, it was certainly a good first step that I will quickly follow with more steps, putting myself far enough a way to give her room but close enough to help if asked. All the while I will be reminding myself that children need room to experiment, grow and find their own voices.
41.What do we learn from the first paragraph?
A.Children do find lots of fun in many mindless activities.
B.Rebecca is much too occupied to enjoy her leisure time.
C.Rebecca draws on a lot of online materials for her writing.
D.A lot of distractions compete for children’s time nowadays.
42.What did the author say about her own writing experience?
A.She did not quite live up to her reputation as a writer.
B.Her way to success was full of pains and frustrations.
C.She was constantly under pressure of writing more.
D.Most of her stories had been rejected by publishers.
43.Why did Rebecca want to enter this year’s writing contest?
A.She believed she possessed real talent for writing.
B.She was sure of winning with her mother’s help.
C.She wanted to share her stories with readers.
D.She had won a prize in the previous contest.
44.The author took great pains to refine her daughter’s stories because .
A.she believed she had the knowledge and experience to offer guidance
B.she did not want to disappoint Rebecca who needed her help so much
C.she wanted to help Rebecca realize her dreams of becoming a writer
D.she was afraid Rebecca’s imagination might run wild while writing
45.What’s the author’s advice for parents?
A.A writing career, though attractive, is not for every child to pursue.
B.Children should be allowed freedom to grow through experience.
C.Parents should keep an eye on the activities their kids engage in.
D.Children should be given every chance to voice their opinions.
When my family moved to America from a small village in Guangdong, China, we brought not only our luggage, but also our village rules, customs and culture. One of the rules is that young people should always respect elders. Unluckily, this rule led to my very first embarrassment in the United States.
I had a part-time job as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant. One time, when I was serving food to a middle-aged couple, the wife asked me how the food could be served so quickly. I told her that I had made sure they got their food quickly because I always respect the elderly. As soon as I said that, her face showed great displeasure. My manager, who happened to hear what I said, took me aside and gave me a long lecture about how sensitive(敏感) Americans are and how they dislike the description “old”. I then walked back to the table and apologized to the wife. After the couple heard my reason, they understood that the problem was caused by cultural differences, so they laughed and were no longer angry.
In my village in China, people are proud of being old. Not so many people live to be seventy or eighty, and people who reach such an age have the most knowledge and experience. Young people always respect older people because they know they can learn from their rich experience.
However, in the United States, people think “growing old” is a problem since “old” shows that a person is going to retire or that the body is not working well. Here many people try to keep themselves away from growing old by doing exercises or jogging, and women put on makeup, hoping to look young. When I told the couple in the restaurant that I respect the elderly, they got angry because this caused them to feel they had failed to stay young. I had told them something they didn’t want to hear.
After that, I changed the way I had been with older people. It is not that I don’t respect them any more; I still respect them, but now I don’t show my feelings through words.
36.Jack brought the couple their food very fast because .
A.the manager asked him to do so
B.he respected the elderly
C.the couple wanted him to do so
D.he wanted more pay
37.When Jack called the couple “elderly”, they became .
A.nervous B.satisfied
C.unhappy D.excited
38.In Jack’s hometown, .
A.people dislike being called “old”
B.people are proud of being old
C.many people reach the age of seventy or eighty
D.the elderly are the first to get food in restaurants
39.After this experience, Jack .
A.lost his job in the restaurant
B.made friends with the couple
C.no longer respected the elderly
D.changed his way with older people
40.Which of the following is TRUE?
A.The more Jack explained, the angrier the couple got.
B.Jack wanted to show his feelings through words after his experience.
C.The manager went back to the table and apologized to the couple.
D.From this experience, Jack learned more about American culture.