Engineers should embrace（接受） the arts，Sir John O'Reilly，a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology，argued in a lecture．
About 59% of engineering companies in the IET's 2014 survey feared skill shortages could threaten（威胁） business．
"There is nothing as creative as engineering," Sir John told the reporter．He says science，technology，engineering and mathematics - often known as "Stem" subjects，are vital for a modern knowledge economy．But there is a massive shortfall in the number of recruits（招聘） - with a recent study by the Royal Academy of Engineering saying the UK needs to increase by as much as 50% the number of Stem graduates it produces．
Delivering this year's Mountbatten Lecture at the Royal Institution，Sir John argued that engineers should recognise the role of the arts in their work - among other benefits; this could attract more people into the profession．The lecture，Full Steam Ahead for Growth，advocated a wider adoption -- Steam，or science，technology，engineering，arts and maths．Engineers should embrace the arts as being key to creativity and an important component of innovation（创新），crucial to creating new products and boosting future competitiveness，he argueD． "Engineering and technology is an increasingly diverse and creative field," said Sir John．
Some university engineering departments already cooperated with art schools to develop understanding，he told the reporter．In particular he mentioned Cranfield University's Centre for Creative Competitive Design and Imperial College's work with the Royal College of Art．The two sets of people could work well together and more emphasis on the creative side of engineering could improve the success of products，he said．
"Aesthetics(美学) is part of it," he told the reporter，adding that Apple's iPod was not the first digital media player，nor the only one that worked - but it came to dominate the market "because it was nice to have"．
Sir John said he was not suggesting universities started requiring A-level art from engineering applicants - the key subjects for admission would continue to be maths and the sciences．But an emphasis on creative skills would help "broaden the pool and attract more people in"．
According to a recent study by the Royal Academy _______ ．
| A．skill shortages could threaten business |
| B．engineering graduates are not as creative as expected |
| C．there are not enough arts graduates produced in the UK． |
| D．the UK needs more graduates in science，technology，engineering and mathematics |
According to the lecture Full Steam Ahead for Growth，_______ ．
| A．engineers should cooperate with arts majors |
| B．Accepting the arts could attract more people into engineering |
| C．engineers should realize arts play the most important part in their work |
| D．engineering and technology is as diverse and creative as before |
By giving the example of Apple's iPod，Sir John intends to _______ ．
| A．stress the importance of arts |
| B．stress the importance of marketing |
| C．stress the importance of communication |
| D．stress the importance of science and technology |
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
| A．More university students should study arts instead of engineering． |
| B．Engineering and technology is increasingly different and unrelated fields． |
| C．The IET's skills survey raised concerns about the number of recruits to engineering． |
| D．Students from some university engineering departments have already transferred to art schools |
What is the passage mainly about?
A． Lack of creativity makes it difficult for the engineering major to find a satisfactory joB．
B． The key subjects for engineering majors remain to be maths and the sciences rather than arts．
C． University engineering departments should cooperate with art schools to improve the success of products．
D． Engineering needs to emphasize its creative side to encourage more young people to choose it as a career．
Music died here last spring, or rather, it was killed by members of the school committee who ignored the importance of music and drama as part of the high-school curriculum.
The committee decided that teaching students how to take a standardized test is more important than a curriculum in which students can explore their interests in the arts as well as academics. Because the school system is running out of funding, it needs to make sure that students pass the mastery test or even more money will be lost. If students fail the state standardized test, it is not the fault of drama and music classes - they are failing because the "academic" classes are not sufficient.
It is painful to think of how many students will be discouraged from singing, acting, and playing instruments because school programs are no longer offered. Many families cannot afford private music lessons, and many potential musicians and artists may not find their calling if they are not exposed to it in school. The fact that the school committee thinks the arts are not worth the investment will certainly make some students believe the arts are not worth their time or support and the cycle will continue.
Teaching for a test does not shape students into complete, well-rounded people. It blocks the natural sense to create and express feelings through art - there is more to life than the analytical thinking that math and English provide. What happens after a test? Sure, a student might graduate, but they will have limited knowledge - certainly not a good preparation for the real world.
69. Music and drama are not included in the high-school curriculum mainly because_______.
A. the school committee pays no attention to them
B. the school is afraid of losing financial support
C. the students are not interested in both of them
D. the state standardized test is more important
70. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The sufficiency of the classes determines students' performance in the mastery test
B. Quite a few students are discouraged from music and art in today' s school system
C. Students can be musicians and artists only if they can afford private music lessons
D. The school committee completely influences students' attitude towards the arts
71. We can learn that music and art can _______.
A. motivate students in creativity and expression
B. make students round-shaped people in future
C. provide students with analytical thinking
D. prevent students graduating from high school
72. The best title of the passage can be _______.
A. "Who Killed Music and Drama?" B. "Can Curriculum Go Without Music?"
C. "Why is Music So Important?" D. "How To Prepare For the Real World?"
Four Insurance Policies You Can' t Do Without
A single gap in insurance coverage could wipe out the money that yon' ve earned for many years through your hard work.That' s why it' s important to give yourself a yearly insurance checkup, whether you buy your policies through an agent or from one of the growing number of insurance companies.
Health.Before selecting a policy from your employer or deciding among Medicare options, review your current health,predictable medical needs, and family status.This review should help you avoid a plan that fails to cover a necessary treatment or paying for services that you know you'll never use.
Disability. Your chances of becoming disabled before you retire are far greater than your chances of dying. So every working person needs some kind of disability coverage. If you are working for an employer who offers less than that, you can buy an individual policy to promote your coverage.
Homeowners or renters. Make sure you have replacement-cost coverage that would pay the current costs of rebuilding your home and replacing your personal possessions. A policy that would only pay for the decrease in value of these items isn' t good enough, because you could end up recovering just a small part of their costs. Don' t forget flood and/or earthquake insurance if you live in a locate that has a possible tendency to these types of disasters.
Life. Empty nesters and retirees may. no longer need life insurance at all. But if you have dependents who would suffer financially if you died, it' s still a must.
65. To have your insurance checkup every year is mainly because _______.
A. the gap in insurance coverage could cost you a large sum
B. the gap in insurance coverage could bring you benefits
C. some insurance agencies cover few of your policies
D. too many insurance companies prefer to sell coverage
66. _______ can be ignored while deciding among Medicare choices.
A. Your necessary treatment. B. Your personal health at present.
C. Your social status. D. Your predictable medical needs.
67. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Workers needn' t buy personal disability coverage if their bosses offer that
B. Insurance companies can secure the full value of private possessions
C. Earthquake insurance can cover replacement-cost caused by the disaster
D. Divorced or retired people may need life insurance for their dependents
68. We can infer that demand for insurance_______.
A. varies due to individual needs of coverage
B. stays the same whether you are working or not
C. increases when we move to a new place
D. decreases if we have a large family to support
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分,满分40分）
I have recently been diagnosed with an addiction-to coffee. And I am not alone. This is a problem among Americans of all ages. The coffee shop has become a social feature in our culture. Its appealing smell, cozy and inviting atmosphere are difficult to resist, especially if you struggle with an addiction like alcohol.
But, when you look past the leather couches and coffees named after European cities, all you'll find is coffee, milk, and a little sugar. Anyone can buy a Coffeemaker and a container of Coffee Mate and try to create the same drink as a coffee shop does. The only difference between your homemade coffee and coffee shops is that they put it in a cute cup and throw on some whipped (泡沫状的) cream to convince us that we are treating ourselves to a worthy relief from the fast pace of everyday life. And we believe them, silly for the idea that drinking their coffee improves our quality of life.
So, next time this "white chocolate" begins echoing in your mind, you'll have to make a decision: Will you continue to be one of the millions of brainwashed Americans who live for their next trip to a coffee shop, or will you just walk away and ignore it? My advice is -- dare to resist and just say no.
61. The major features of a coffee shop are the following EXCEPT its _______.
A. attractive smell B. comfortable surrounding
C. pleasant atmosphere D. alcohol-like addiction
62. The coffee from coffee shops differs from homemade coffee mainly because it _______.
A. is mixed with whipped cream B. is usually served in a cute cup
C. offers a feeling of precious relief D. can improve the quality of life
63. "White chocolate" in the last paragraph probably means _______.
A. coffee with cream B. chocolate with coffee
C. brainwashed Americans D. addiction to shop coffee
64. The author's attitude towards "white chocolate" is _______.
A. positive B. uncaring C. negative D. optimistic
For years scientists have been concerned about the effects of air pollution on the earth's natural conditions. Some believe the air inside many houses may be more dangerous than the air outside. It may be one hundred times worse.
Indoor air pollution can cause a person to feel tired,to suffer eye pain, headache and other problems.Some pollutants(污染物)can cause breathing disorders,diseases of blood and even cancer. Most scientists agree that every modern house has some kind of indoor pollution.People began to notice the problem in the early 1970s.It is said that when builders began making houses and offices they did not want to waste energy.To do this,they built buildings that limited the flow of air between inside and outside.They also began using man-made building materials.These materials are now known to let out harmful gases.As the problem became more serious, scientists began searching for a way to deal with it.They discovered a natural pollution control system for building－green plants.Scientists do not really know how plants control air pollution.They believe that a plant's leaves absorb or take in the pollutants.In exchange the plant lets out oxygen through its leaves and through its tiny organizations on its roots.Scientists suggest that all buildings should have one large plant or several small plants inside for every nine square metres of space.Studies of different plants show that each absorbs different chemicals.So the most effective way to clean the air is to use different kinds of plants.Having green plants inside your house can make it a prettier and healthier place.
77.What is the topic of the passage?
A.Air pollution.
B.Green plants indoors.
C.Indoor air pollution.
D.Environment protecting.
78.What makes indoor air pollution more harmful than that of the air outside?
A.The limited flow of air indoors.
B.Man-made building materials.
C.Fewer green plants inside houses.
D.The energy-saving materials indoors.
79.The most effective way to clean the air is to use different kinds of plants because______.
A.they can make houses pettier and healthier
B.they may let out oxygen which people need
C.they can take in all kinds of indoor pollutants
D.they can absorb different harmful indoor chemicals
80.Which of the following is implied but NOT stated?
A.keep windows open and let fresh air in.
B.Scientists have a clear idea how plants control air pollution.
C.Oxygen is let out through the leaves and roots of the plants.
D.Green plants are a natural pollution control system for building.
Botswana lies immediately to the north of South Africa. It is bordered on the north and west by Namibia, on the north and east by Zimbabwe, and is connected by a narrow strip of land on the northern border to Zambia. Its territory consists almost entirely of a broad, flat, arid subtropical plateau(高原), though there are hills in the eastern part of the country.
In the northwest, the Okavango River empties into the Kalahari sands, creating the largest inland river delta in the world. While the Okavango Delta is home to relatively few large animals in comparison to other areas of Botswana, its clear waters and countless small islands are home to a variety of birds, plants, and smaller species of animals.
Nearby is Chobe National Park, a beautiful grassland reserve(保护区) that has gained international fame for its large elephant population. Southeast of Chobe are Botswana's large Makgadikgadi salt pans, home to numbers of blue wildebeest, several antelope species, and those international lovers of salt pans, flamingos(a kind of birds).
Almost the entire remaining portion of the country is covered by the Kalahari Desert--a varied environment of sand and grassland. Although this area of Botswana is where few people live, it is one of the richest wildlife areas in all of Africa.
Botswana's two largest parks, the Central Kalahari Game reserve and Gemsbok National Park, are found in this region.
Botswana's climate can get rather cool, particularly during the dry winter months of June to August when night occasionally brings frost. The rainy summer months (December through March) are best avoided for those interested in enjoying the best game viewing conditions.
72.South Africa is to the______of Botswana.
A.east B.north C.south D.west
73.In the Okavango Delta we can find______.
A.a lot of large animals B.many small islands
C.salt pans D.polluted waters
74.If we want to see flamingo, we should go to_______ .
A.salt pans B.Chobe National Park
C.Kalahari Desert D.Gemsbok National Park
75.It is suggested that tourists visit Botswana in______.
A.December B.March C.January D.July
76.What is the passage mainly about Botswana?
A.Location, geography and climate. B.Living conditions, politics and salt pans.
C.Parks, animals and population. D.Animals, races and sightseeing places.