Over the past century, all kinds of unfairness and discrimination(歧视) have been
题型：不详难度：来源：
Over the past century, all kinds of unfairness and discrimination(歧视) have been made illegal. But one popular form continues to exist, that is alphabetism (字母排序法). This, for those as yet unaware of such a disadvantage, refers to discrimination against those whose surnames (姓氏) begin with a letter in the lower half of the alphabet.
It has long been known that the cars of a taxi firm called AAAA have a big advantage over Zodiac cars when customers look through their phone directories. Less well known is the advantage that Adam Abbot has in life over Zoe Zysman. English names are fairly spread between the halves of the alphabet. Yet a quite large number of top people have surnames beginning with letters between A and K.
Thus the American presidents and vice-presidents have surnames starting with B and C separately and 26 of those before George Bush took office (including his father) had surnames in the first half of the alphabet against just 16 in the second half. Even more striking, six of the seven heads of government of the G7 rich countries are alphabetically advantaged (Berlusconi, Blair, Bush, Chirac, Chretien and Koizumi ). The world’s three top central bankers (Greenspan, Duisenberg and Hayami) are all close to the top of the alphabet, even if one of them really uses Japanese characters. The same case are the world’s five richest men (Gates, Buffet and so on).
Can this merely happen by chance? At the start of the first year in primary school, teachers seat pupils alphabetically from the front, to make it easier to remember their names. So shortsighted Zysman gets stuck in the back row, and is seldom asked the improving questions by those teachers. At that time the alphabetically disadvantaged may think they have had a lucky escape. Yet the result may be worse qualifications, because they get less attention, as well as less confidence in speaking publicly.
The unfairness continues. At university graduation parties, the ABCs proudly get their awards first. However, by the time they reach the Zysmans most people are a little tired. Lists of job interviews and conference speakers and attendees all tend to be drawn up alphabetically, and their readers lose interest as they plough through them.
1. What does the author intend to show with AAAA cars and Zodiac cars?
A. An example of competition of two kinds of cars. B. Some advantages of AAAA cars in the taxi firm.
C. An example of unfairness caused by alphabetism. D. Some disadvantages of Zodiac cars in the taxi firm.
2. What can we infer from the first three paragraphs?
A. The alphabet is to blame for the failure of Zoe Zysman.
B. In both East and West, names are important to success.
C. Customers often pay a lot of attention to companies’ names.
D. The discrimination in alphabetism can be found in many areas.
3. The fourth paragraph suggests that .
A. alphabetically disadvantaged students often escape from class
B. teachers should pay equal attention to all their students
C. questions are often put to the more intelligent students
D. students should be seated according to their eyesight
4. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. VIPs in the western world gain a great deal from alphabetism.
B. People with surnames beginning with N to Z are often ill – treated.
C. Putting things alphabetically may lead to unintentional unfairness.
D. The movement to get rid of alphabetism still has a long way to go. |
答案
小题1:C
小题2:D
小题3:B
小题4:C |
解析
| 略 |
举一反三
第二节：Tedy、Rusial、Mr Green、Tim 和Ms Denis 要参观博物馆,第61-65题是他们的个人情况介绍。阅读下面六家英国博物馆的简介（A、B、C、D、E和F）,选出符合个人需要的最佳选项,并在答案纸上将该选项标号涂黑。选项中有一项是多余选项。
61. Tedy, a young official who is quite interested in photo-taking and sculpture. He spends all his spare time doing his favorite things.
62. Rusial, a beautiful lady with a fair hair, who gives painting lectures to the students in a college. She herself is a super fan of such artists as Da Vinci, Micheangelo, Raphael.
63. Mr. Green, a free careerist, makes a living by writing short plays which mostly tell the history of Great Britain. Besides, he is also a heavy coffee drinker.
64. Tim, 18 years old, a pre-engineering boy student, full of energy and rich in imagination.
65. Ms Denis, a wildlife lover. She takes an active part in protecting the earth and enjoys herself by doing sports.
A. Explore the natural history of the planet Earth from the prehistoric era to the present day at one of London’s most visited museums. In 1881, the Natural History Museum moved to its present venue. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, this building is now one of London’s most beautiful and most recognized. These holy halls now house more than 300 years’ worth of collections, with over 68 million specimens(标本). Broadly divided into Life and Earth galleries.
B. The British Museum is one of London’s top tourist attractions as well as being a major scholarly resource and Royal history. Its collection was given to the nation in 1753 and the Museum’s distinctive Greek revivalist structure was built during the 19th Century. The collection expanded massively during the hey-day（全盛期）of the British Empire. And if you haven’t got time for a proper visit, drop in for a coffee at the lovely Court Restaurant. Admission: free.
C. This magnificent Georgian edifice, found on the northern side of Trafalgar Square, houses a massive collection of Western European art. Designer Marc Newson presents two new exhibitions to his gallery. The National Gallery, shows the development of the artists. This exhibition traces the rise of the Italian Renaissance artist, and gathers more than 100 pieces of his collection.
D. There are mausoleums, catacombs and richly decorated tombs of outstanding writers, politicians and artists in the overgrown west section of this woodland graveyard. Celebrity dead bodies include Karl Marx, Michael Faraday and Christina Rossetti. Be aware that you must purchase a photography license in order to take photographs within the cemetery. Take advantage of the special guided tours.
E. The Science Museum’s seven floors offer opportunities to explore the history of technology as well as to glimpse the future. Setting off from Launchpad, where you can get to grips with the laws of science, you can move on to a vast display of interactive galleries which demand audience participation—whether it be of the hands-on or brain-stimulating kind. From medical history to nuclear physics, it’s all covered. Challenging the idea amongst many children that science is boring, various things to press, touch, watch and think about make this museum a firm favourite with the kids.
F. Mainly a decorative arts museum, the V&A is a comprehensive collection of everything from sculpture to photographs, from Chinese art to art decor. Among others, the V&A houses the recently redecorated Raphael Gallery, home to seven tapestry cartoons by Raphael that are among Britain’s greatest art treasures and part of the Royal Collection. There is a lot to see from the Becket Casket to the Canon photography. |
第三节：完形填空
阅读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
In recent years many countries of the world have been faced with the problem of how to make their workers more productive . Some experts say the 21 is to make jobs more varied . But do more varied jobs 22 greater productivity ?There is evidence to suggest that 23 variety certainly makes the worker’s life more enjoyable , it doesn’t 24 make him work harder . As far as increasing productivity is concerned , then , 25 is not an improtant factor .
Other experts feel that giving the worker 26 to do his job in his own way is important , and there is no doubt that this is ture . The 27 is that this kind of freedom can’t easily be given in the modern factory with its complicated machinery which must be used in a 28 way . Thus while freedom of choice may be important , there is usually very little that can be done to 44 it .
Another important 30 is how much each worker 31 to the product he is making . In most factories the worker 32 only one small part of the product . Some car factories are now 33 with having many small production lines rather than one large one , so that each worker contributes more to the production of the cars on his 34 . It would seem that not only is degree of worker contribution an important factor 35 it is one we can do something about .
To what 36 does more money lead to greater productivity ? The workers themselves certainly think this is 37 . But perhaps they want more money only because the work they do is so boring , 38 just lets them enjoy their spare time more . A 39 argument may explain demands for shorter working hours . Perhaps if we 40 making their jobs more interesting , they will neither want more money , nor will shorter working hours be so important to the .
21.A.answer
| B.course
| C.attempt
| D.aystem
| 22.A.run across
| B.lead to
| C.result from
| D.pick up
| 23.A.because
| B.as
| C.while
| D.as though
| 24.A.mentally
| B.physically
| C.carefully
| D.actually
| 25.A.variety
| B.relaxation
| C.creativity
| D.machinery
| 26.A.judgment
| B.freedom
| C.direction
| D.comfort
| 27.A.secret
| B.skill
| C.problem
| D.strength
| 28.A. amusing
| B.dull
| C.changeable
| D.fixed
| 29.A.use
| B.create
| C.supply
| D.fear
| 30.A.measure
| B.invention
| C.consideration
| D.work
| 31.A.lies
| B.sticks
| C.objects
| D.contributes
| 32.A.likes
| B.equips
hristmas
| C.transports
| D.sees
| 33.A.tired
| B.pleased
| C.worrying
| D.experimenting
| 34.A.own
| B.will
| C.line
| D.hand
| 35.A.but
| B.and
| C.so
| D.however
| 36.A.extent
| B.quality
| C.store
| D.difference
| 37.A.natural
| B.important
| C.worrying
| D.unbelievable
| 38.A.Rest
| B.Sports
| C.Money
| D.Playing
| 39.A.complete
| B.friendly
| C.given
| D.similar
| 40.A.advise
| B.succeed in
| C.object to
| D.are tried of
|
|
第二部分：阅读理解
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。
Almost 40 years ago , a community servies organization started providing eye care in Gujarat State , in western India .
The Rgtary Club of Navsari operates an eye hospital and 9 area eye centers in and around Navssri , whose services are for the poorest people . The group opened the hospital , the Rotary Eye Institute of Navsari , in 1970 . India has only about one ophthalmologist for every 120,000 people . The Institute , however , has ten such specially trained eye doctors . It has restored or improved the eyesight of thousands of patients . Many people with eye problems cannot easily get to a big city for examinations and treatment . They live in villages and have no transportation. The Institute established eye centers called camps in places far from the city . Teams from it travel as far as 150 kilometers to see patients . People go to their nearest camp , where medical workers examine their eyes . The workers look for conditions including glaucoma , night blindness and other problems.Some people are found to have cataracts ,abnormal growths on the eye that can lead to loss of eyesight . India has about 13 million people with the condition . Cataract patients get free operations to correct the problem.
Rotary groups also operate eye banks . Doctors at these centers replace damaged eyes with the healthy eyes of donors who have just died . One such center is the Rotary Rajah Eye Bank . It operates in cooperation with the Rajah Eye Care Hospital in Chennai . The Eye Bank opened in 1996 . Hundreds of patients have received new corneas from donors since then . The cornea is the clear front part of the eye that transmits light . 2 million people in India are blind because of problens of the cornea . The Rotary Rajah Eye Bank holds continuing eye donation campaigns . It urges people to leave the gift of sight to others when they die .
1. Which of the following is True about the Rotary Club of Navsari ?
A.The Rotary Club of Navsari is a community service organization .
B.The Rotary Eye Institute of Navsari has only one eye doctor .
C.The Rotary Club of Navsari includes 9 area eye centers in big cities .
D.The Rotary Club of Navsari offers free operations to all the poor patients .
2.The underlined word “ophthalmologist” in Paragraph 2 refers to ______.
A.a physician who specializes in eyes B.a worker working in countryside
C.a patient suffering eye problems D.a volunteer working in eye centers
3.We can infer from the passage that .
A.there are 13 million Indians having eye problems in total
B.the Rotary Eye Institute of Navsari is located in the center of India
C.the medical treatment is convenient for the local residents
D.communications in Navsari are difficult
4.According to the last paragraph ,the Rotary Rajan Eye Bank gets new corneas mainly by_____.
A.cloning B.donating C.cooperating D.forcing
5.The author develops the passage mainly by ______.
A.providing typical examples
B.making a definition
C.comparing two different areas
D.presenting two examples and drawing a conclusion |
How Much to Tip
You’re out to dinner . The food is delicious and the service is fine . You decide to leave a big fat tip . Why ? The answer may not be as simple as you think .Tipping , psychologists have found , is not just about service . Instead , studies have shown that tipping can be affected by psychological reactions to a series of different factors from the waiter’s choice of words , to how they carry themselves while taking orders , to the bill’s total . Even how much waiters remind customers of themselves can determine how much change they pocket by the end of the night .“Studies before have shown that mimicry brings into positive feelings for the mimicker ,”wrote Rick van Baaren , a social psychology professor . “ There studies show that people who are being mimicked become more generous toward the person who mimics thorn .”
So Rick van Baaren divided 59 waiters into two groups . He requested that half serve with a phrase such as “ Coming up ! ” Those in the other half were instructed to repeat to orders and preferences back to the customers . Rick van Baaren then compared their take home . The results were clear－it plays to mimic your customers . The copycat waiters earned almost double the amount of tips to the other group .
Leonard Green and Joe Myerson , psychologists at Washington University in St . Louis found the generosity of a tipper may be limited by his bill . After research on the 1,000 tips left for waiters , cab drivers , hair stylists , they found tip percentages in these three areas dropped as customers’bills went up . In fact , tip percentages appear to plateau when bills topped ＄100 and a bill for ＄200 made the worker gain no bigger percentage tip than a hill for ＄100 .
“That’s also a point of tipping ,” Green says . “ You have to give a little extra to the cab driver for being there to pack you up and something to the waiter for being there to serve you . If they weren’t there you’d never get any service . So part of the idea of a tip is for just being there .”
1.How many factors affecting the customers’ tipping are mentioned in the passage ?
A.1 B.2 C.3 D.4
2.These studies show that ______.
A.tipping can be affected by physical reactions to many different waiter’s factors
B.people who are being mimicked usually tip less to the person who mimics them
C.the mimic waiters can get almost twice as much money as the other group
D.mimicry makes the mimicker feel bad
3.According to the passage , which of the following will be likely to show the right change of the tip percentages ?
4.We know from the passage that the writer seems to ______.
A.object to Mr Green’s idea about tipping
B.think part of Mr Green’s explanation is reasonable
C.give his generous tip to waiters very often
D.support the opinions of Mr Green and Rick van Baaren about tipping |
Farmers use different kinds of soil conservation methods to protect their land from damage by farming and the forces of nature . One important form of soil conservation is the use of windbreaks . Windbreaks are barriers formed by trees and other plants with many leaves . Farmers plant them in lines around their fields .
Windbreaks stop the wind from blowing soil away . They also keep the wind from destroying or damaging crops . They are very important for growing grains , such as wheat . There have been studies done on windbreaks in parts of West Africa , for example . These found that grain harvests can be twenty percent higher in fields protected by windbreaks compared to fields without such protection .
However , windbreaks seem to work best when they allow a little wind to pass through . If the wall of trees and plants stops wind completely , then violent air motions will take place close to the ground . These motions will lift soil into the air where it will be blown away .
For this reason , a windbreaks is best if it has only sixty to eighty percent of the trees and plants needed to make a solid line . An easy role to remember is that windbreaks can protect areas up to ten times the height of the tallest trees in the windbreaks .
These should be at least two lines in each windbreak . One line should be large trees . The second line , right next to it , can be shorter trees and other plants with leaves . Locally grown trees and plants are best for windbreaks .
1.What is the best title for the passage?
A.Building a windbreak to protect soil
| B.Building a windbreak to protect crops
| C.Using a windbreak to improve grains
| D.Using a windbreak to improve plants
|
2.In the fifth paragraph the author tells us windbreaks______.
A.do not work at all
| B.do not stop wind fully
| C.will not take place
| D.will not allow wind to pass through
|
3.According to the passage , which of the following statement is wrong ?
A.Windbreaks are barriers .
B.Windbreaks can be used to make fences .
C.In general , there are two lines in all in every windbreak .
D.Windbreaks can protect areas . |
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