阅读理解。 Professor Reason recently persuaded 35 people to keep a diary of all t
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| 阅读理解。 |
Professor Reason recently persuaded 35 people to keep a diary of all their absent-minded actions for
two weeks. When he came to analyse their embarrassing errors, he was surprised to find that nearly all
of them fell into a few groups.
One of the women, for instance, on leaving her house for work one morning threw her pet dog her
ear-rings and tried to fix a dog biscuit on her ear."the explanation for this is that the brain is like a
computer," explains the professor. "People programme themselves to do certain activities regularly. It
was the woman"s custom every morning to throw her dog two biscuits and then put on her ear-rings.
But somehow the action got reversed (颠倒) in the programme." About one in twenty of the incidents
the volunteers reported were these "programme assembly failures."
Twenty per cent of all errors were "test failures"-primarily due to not verifying the progress of what
the body was doing. A man about to get his car out of the garage passed through the back yard where his
garden jacket and boots were kept, put them on --- much to his surprise. A woman victim reported:" I got
into the bath with my socks on."
The commonest problem was information " storage failures". People forgot the names of people whose
faces they knew, went into a room and forgot why they were there, mislaid something, or smoked a
cigarette without realizing it.
The research so far suggests that while the "central processor" of the brain is liberated from
second-to-second control of a well-practised routine, it must repeatedly switch back its attention at
important decision points to check that the action goes on as intended. Otherwise the activity may be
"captured" by another frequently and recently used programme, resulting in embarrassing errors. |
| 1. The purpose of Professor Reason"s research is ______. |
A. to show the difference between men and women in their reasoning
B. to classify and explain some errors in human actions
C. to find the causes which lead to computer failures
D. to compare computer functions with brain workings |
| 2. Which of the following might be grouped under" programme assembly failures"? |
A. A woman went into a shop and forgot what to buy.
B. A man returning home after work left his key in the lock.
C. A lady fell as she was concentrating on each step her feet were taking.
D. An old man, with his shoes on, was trying to put on his socks. |
| 3. The word verifying in paragraph 3 can be replaced by ______. |
A. improving
B. changing
C. checking
D. stopping |
| 4. According to the passage, the information "storage failures" refer to _______. |
A. the destruction of information collecting system
B. the elimination of one"s total memory
C. the temporary loss of part of one"s memory
D. the separation of one"s action from consciousness |
答案
| 1-4: BDCC |
举一反三
| 阅读理解诶。 |
Reading to dogs is an unusual way to help children improve their literacy skills (读写能力). With their
shining brown eyes, wagging tails, and unconditional love, dogs can provide the non-judgmental listeners
needed for a beginning reader to gain confidence (自信心), according to Intermountain Therapy Animals
(ITA) in Salt Lake City. The group says it is the first program in the country to use dogs to help develop
literacy in children, with the introduction of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ).
The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea. "Literacy specialists admit that children who read
below the level of their fellow pupils are often afraid of reading aloud in a group, often have lower self-
respect, and regard reading as a headache," said Lisa Myton, manager of the children"s department.
Last November the two groups started "Dog Day Afternoon in the children"s department of the main
library. About 25 children attended each of the four Saturday-afternoon classes, reading for half an hour.
Those who attended three of the four classes received a "pawgraphed" book at the last class.
The program was so successful that the library plans to repeat it in April. According to Dana Thumpowsky,
public relations manager. |
| 1. What is mainly discussed in the text? |
A. Children"s reading difficulties.
B. Advantages of raising dogs.
C. Service in a public library.
D. A special reading program. |
| 2. Specialists use dogs to listen to children reading because they think _____. |
A. dogs are young children"s best friends
B. children can play with dogs while reading
C. dogs can provide encouragement for shy children
D. children and dogs understand each other |
| 3. By saying "The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea", the writer means the library _____. |
A. uses dogs to attract children
B. accepts the idea put forward by ITA
C. has opened a children"s department
D. has decided to train some dogs |
| 4. A "pawgraphed" book is most probably _____. |
A. a book used in Saturday classes
B. a book written by the children
C. a prize for the children
D. a gift from parents |
| 阅读理解。 |
If you were to come up with a list of organizations whose failures had done the most damage to
the American economy in recent years, you would probably have to start with the Wall Street firms
that brought us the financial crisis. From there, you might move on to the automakers in Detroit.
But I would suggest that the list should also include a less obvious nominee: public education.
At its top level, the American system of higher education may be the best in the world. Yet in
terms of its core mission-turning teenagers into educated college graduates-much of the system is
failing.
The United States does a good job enrolling (招生) teenagers in college, but only half of the
students who enroll end up with a bachelor"s degree.
So identifying the causes of the college dropout crisis in the world"s largest economy matters
enormously, and a new book called "Crossing the Finish Line" tries to do precisely that. Its authors
are economists William Bowen and Michael McPherson, and a doctoral candidate Matthew Chingos.
The first problem they diagnose is something they call under-matching. It refers to students who
choose not to attend the best college they can get into. They instead go to a less selective one, perhaps
one that is closer to home or less expensive. About half of the low-income students with a grade-point
average of at least 3.5 in high school and an SAT score of at least 1,200 do not attend the best college
they could have. "I was really astonished by the degree to which well-qualified students from poor
families under-matched," said Mr. Bowen.
In fact, well-off students attend the colleges that do the best job of producing graduates. Meanwhile,
lower-income students-even when they are better qualified-often go to colleges that excel (擅长) in
producing drop-outs. "It"s really a waste," Mr. Bowen said, "and a big problem for the country." As the
authors point out, the only way to lift the college graduation rate significantly is to lift it among poor and
working-class students. Instead, it appears to have fallen.
What can be done? Money is clearly part of the answer. |
|
1. Which of the following would people first think of as a factor responsible for the American
financial crisis according to this passage? |
A. The government.
B. Public education.
C. The Detroit automakers.
D. The Wall Street firms. |
| 2. What is a big problem with American higher education? |
A. It is hard to enroll enough students into college.
B. Many colleges are experiencing low rate of graduation.
C. Many college students stay away from classes.
D. It is hard for many colleges to get financial aid from the government. |
| 3. Why do some students under-match? |
A. Because they have financial difficulty.
B. Because they face ambition crisis.
C. Because they lack confidence.
D. Because they can"t get guidance. |
| 4. The passage is mainly about _______. |
A. problems with secondary American education and possible solutions
B. America"s financial crisis, its cause and influence
C. low rate of American college graduation, its cause and its influence
D. relationship between American education and its economy |
| 阅读理解。 |
You"re in a bit of a dilemma standing in front of the produce section of your local supermarket. In one
hand, you"re holding a conventionally grown Granny Smith apple. In your other hand, you have one that"s
been organically grown. Both apples are firm, shiny and green. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both
are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.
The conventionally grown apple costs less and is a proven family favorite. But the organic apple has a
label that says "USDA Organic". Does that mean it"s better? Safer? More nutritious? Several differences
between organic and non-organic foods exist. Become a better informed consumer for your next trip to the
supermarket.
The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits,
vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and
water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don"t use conventional
methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease.
Here are other differences between conventional farming and organic farming:
| Conventional farmers | Organic farmers | Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant
growth. | Apply natural fertilizers to feed soil and
plants. | | Apply insecticides to reduce pests and disease. | Use beneficial insects and birds to reduce pests and
disease. | Give animals antibiotics (抗生素), growth
hormones
(激素) and medications to prevent disease
and promote growth, housing. | Give animals organic food and allow them
access to the outdoors. Use preventive
measures-such as a
balanced diet and clean housing－to help
minimize disease. | | 阅读理解。 | Two hours from the tall buildings of Manhattan and Philadelphia live some of the world"s largest black
bears. They are in northern Pennsylvania"s Pocono Mountains, a home they share with an abundance of
other wildlife.
The streams, lakes, meadows, mountain ridges and forests that make the Poconos an ideal place for
black bears,have also attracted more people to the region. Open spaces are threatened by plans for housing
estates and important habitats are endangered by highway construction. To protect the Poconos" natural
beauty from irresponsible development, the Nature Conservancy (大自然保护协会) named the area one
of America"s "Last Great Places"
Operating out of a century-old schoolhouse in the village of Long Pond, Pennsylvania, the
conservancy"s bud Cook is working with local people and business leaders to balance economic growth
with environmental protection. By forging partnerships with people like Francis Altemose, the Conservancy
has been able to protect more than 14,000 acres of environmentally important land in the area.
Altemose"s family has farmed in the Pocono area for generations. Two years ago Francis worked with
the Conservancy to include his farm in a county farmland protection program. As a result, his family"s land
can be protected from development and the Altemoses will be better able to provide a secure financial future
for their 7-year-old grandson. Cook attributes the Conservancy"s success in the Poconos to having a local
presence and a commitment to working with local residents
"The key to protecting these remarkable lands is connecting with the local community," Cook said. "The
people who live there respect the land. They value quite forests, clear streams and abundant wildlife. They are
eager to help with conservation effort. For more information on how you can help The Nature Conservancy
protect the Poconos and the world"s other"Last Great Places," please call 1-888-564 6864, or visit us on the
World Wide Web at www.tnc.org. | | 1. The purpose in naming the Poconos as one of America"s " Last Great Places" is to ________. | A. gain support from the local community
B. protect it from irresponsible development
C. make it a better home for black bears
D. provide financial security for future generations | | 2. We learn from the passage that _______. | A. the population in the Pocono area is growing
B. wildlife in the Pocono area is dying out rapidly
C. the security of the Pocono residents is being threatened
D. farmlands in the Pocono area are shrinking fast | | 3. What is important in protecting the Poconos according to Cook? | A. The setting up of an environmental protection website
B. Support from organizations like The Nature Conservancy
C. Cooperation with the local residents and business leaders
D. Inclusion of farmlands in the region"s protection program | | 4. The passage most probably is ________. | A. an official document
B. a news story
C. an advertisement
D. a research report | | 阅读理解。 | Students who say they never or hardly ever used dictionaries often speak English well but usually write
poorly, because they make many mistakes.
The students who use dictionaries most do not learn especially well either. The ones who look up every
new word do not read fast. Therefore they do not have time to read much. Those who use small
two-language dictionaries have the worst problems. Their dictionaries often give only one or two words as
translations of English. But one English word often has many translations in a foreign language and one
foreign word has many translations in English.
The most successful students are those who use large college edition dictionaries with about 100,000
words but do not use them too often. When they are reading, these students first try to get the general idea
and understand new words from the context. Then they reread and use the dictionary to look up only key
words that they still do not understand. They use dictionaries more for writing. If they are not sure how to
spell a word, or divide it into syllables (音节), they always use a dictionary. Also, if they think a noun might
have an unusual plural form, they check these in a dictionary. | | 1. The writer thinks that _____. | A. choose a good dictionary, and you"ll be successful in learning English
B. dictionaries are not necessary to the students who learn English
C. it is very important for students to use good dictionaries properly
D. using dictionaries very often can"t help to improve writing | | 2. According to the passage, which of the following is wrong? | A. Dictionaries have little effect on learning to speak English.
B. Whatever new words you meet while reading, never use dictionaries.
C. Small two-language dictionaries have serious disadvantages.
D. Reading something for the first time, you"d better not use dictionaries. | | 3. This passage mainly tells us _____. | A. that students shouldn"t use small two-language dictionaries
B. what were the defects of small two-language dictionaries
C. why students should use large college edition dictionaries
D. what dictionary students should choose and how to use it | | 4. Which is not mentioned in this passage? | A. How to make good use of a dictionary.
B. When to use a dictionary.
C. How to improve spoken English.
D. How to practise reading fast. | 最新试题
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