Mass transportation revised the social and economic fabric of the American cit

  Mass transportation revised the social and economic fabric of the American cit

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  Mass transportation revised the social and economic fabric of the American city in three fundamental ways. It catalyzed physical expansion, it sorted out people and land uses, and it accelerated the inherent instability of urban life. By opening vast areas of unoccupied land for residential expansion, the omnibuses, horse railways, commuter trains, and electric trolleys pulled settled regions outward two to four times more distant form city centers than they were in the premodern era. In 1850, for example, the borders of Boston lay scarcely two miles from the old business district; by the turn of the century the radius extended ten miles. Now those who could afford it could live far removed from the old city center and still commute there for work, shopping, and entertainment. The new accessibility of land around the periphery of almost every major city sparked an explosion of real estate development and fueled what we now know as urban sprawl. Between 1890 and 1920, for example, some 250,000 new residential lots were recorded within the borders of Chicago, most of them located in outlying areas. Over the same period, another 550,000 were plotted outside the city limits but within the metropolitan area. Anxious to take advantage of the possibilities of commuting, real estate developers added 800,000 potential building sites to the Chicago region in just thirty years – lots that could have housed five to six million people.
Of course, many were never occupied; there was always a huge surplus of subdivided, but vacant, land around Chicago and other cities. These excesses underscore a feature of residential expansion related to the growth of mass transportation: urban sprawl was essentially unplanned. It was carried out by thousands of small investors who paid little heed to coordinated land use or to future land users. Those who purchased and prepared land for residential purposes, particularly land near or outside city borders where transit lines and middle-class inhabitants were anticipated, did so to create demand as much as to respond to it. Chicago is a prime example of this process. Real estate subdivision there proceeded much faster than population growth.
小题1:With which of the following subjects is the passage mainly concerned?
[A] Types of mass transportation.
[B] Instability of urban life.
[C] How supply and demand determine land use.
[D] The effect of mass transportation on urban expansion.
小题2:Why does the author mention both Boston and Chicago?
[A] To demonstrate positive and negative effects of growth.
[B] To exemplify cities with and without mass transportation.
[C] To show mass transportation changed many cities.
[D] To contrast their rate of growth.
小题3:According to the passage, what was one disadvantage of residential expansion?
[A] It was expensive.
[B] It happened too slowly.
[C] It was unplanned.
[D] It created a demand for public transportation.
小题4:The author mentions Chicago in the second paragraph as an example of a city,
[A] that is large.
[B] that is used as a model for land development.
[C] where the development of land exceeded population growth.
[D] with an excellent mass transportation system.
Vocabulary
1.revise          改变
2.fabric          结构
3.catalyze          催化,加速
4.sort out          把……分门别类,拣选
5.omnibus          公共汽车/马车
6.trolley          (美)有轨电车,(英)无轨电车
7.periphery       周围,边缘
8.sprawl          建筑物无计划延伸,蔓延,四面八方散开
9.lot          小片土地
10.underscore       强调,在下面划横线
11.transit lines       运输线路
12.subdivision       (出售的)小块土地,再划分小区
答案

小题1:D
小题2:C
小题3:C
小题4:C
解析

写作方法与文章大意
文章论述了“公共交通从三方面改变了城市的社会和经济结构。”采用分类写法。文章一开始就提出三方面:第一,促进城市实质性的扩展;第二,把人和土地分民别类加以利用;第三,加速了城市生活的不稳定性。然后就是三方面的具体内容。
小题1:D 公共交通运输对城市扩展的影响。文章开门见山提出这一点“公共交通运输从三个根本方面改变了美国城市的社会和经济结构。”后面文章内容就是三方面的具体化。
A. 公共交通运输类型。 B. 城市生活的不稳定性。 C. 供需如何决定土地利用。这三项文中作为具体问题提到,并不是文章涉及的主要题目。
小题2:C 说明公共交通改变了许多城市。答案箭第一段第四句“举例说,1850年,波士顿市界离老的商业地区几乎不到2英里,到了这世纪末,其半径扩至10英里。现在供得起的人们可以住得很远,远离老的城市中心,仍然来回去那里上班、购物和娱乐”。第七句,“举例说,在1890至1920年期间,据记载,芝加哥市界内有约250,000个新的住宅楼区大多数设在郊区。经过同样这段时期,市区外,但仍在芝加哥大都市地区内,又计划建造了550,000个住宅楼区。”
A. 表示成长的正反两方面效果。B. 举有无公共交通运输的城市为例。 D. 对比两者成长率;都不是本文中举两城市例子的目的。
小题3:C 没有计划。见第二段第三句起“城市扩展蔓延根本无计划,好几千个小的投资商进行扩展,毫不考虑相互协调配合利用土地,也不考虑未来土地利用。”
A. 太贵 和 B.太慢,两个选项,文内没有提。D. 它创造了对公共交通运输的需求。这不是住宅扩展的一个缺点,而是三个根本改变城市的一个方面。见第一段第三句:“通过大量开发未占土地扩建住宅,公共汽车、马车、铁路、来回火车,有轨电车把已有人定居的居住区向外扩展了三四倍,比他们先现代时期的市中心更远。”
小题4:C(第二段中以芝加哥城市例子说明)土地开发超过人口增长速度。答案详见第二段“这些购买和置备土地建设住宅,特别是购置临近城市或就在市界外的土地,抢在交通线路和中产阶层的居民进去之前。他们这样做的目的是创造一种需求,也是响应这种需求。芝加哥就是这种过程的典型例子。那里的房地产小块土地比人口增长快得很多很多。”
A. 城市大。B. 用作土地开发的样板。 D. 具有优越的公共的交通系统。
举一反三
Are some people born clever, and others born stupid? Or is intelligence developed by our environment and our experience? Strangely enough, the answer to these questions is yes. To some extent our intelligence is given to us at birth, and no amount of education can make a genius out of a child born with low intelligence. On the other hand, a child who lives in a boring environment will develop his intelligence less than one who lives in rich and varied surroundings. Thus the limits of person’s intelligence are fixed at birth, whether or not he reaches those limits will depend on his environment. This view, now held by most experts, can be supported in a number of ways.
It is easy to show that intelligence is to some extent something we are born with. The closer the blood relationship between two people, the closer they are likely to be intelligence. Thus if we take two unrelated people at random from population, it is likely that their degree of intelligence will be completely different. If, on the other hand, we take two identical twins, they will very probably be as intelligent as each other. Relations like brothers and sisters, parents and children, usually have similar intelligence, and this clearly suggests that intelligence depends on birth.
Imagine now that we take two identical twins and put them in different environments. We might send one, for example, to a university and the other to a factory where the work is boring. We would soon find differences in intelligence developing, and this indicates that environment as well as birth plays a part. This conclusion is also suggested by the fact that people who live in close contact with each other, but who are not related at all are likely to have similar degree of intelligence.
小题1: The writer is in favor of the view that man’s intelligence is given to him____________.
A.at birth
B.through education
C.neither at birth nor through education
D.both at birth and through education
小题2:If a child is born with low intelligence, he can_____________________.
A.become a genius
B.still become a genius if he should be given special education
C.reach his intelligence limits in rich surroundings
D.not reach his intelligence in his life.
小题3:The example of the twins going to a university and to a factory separately shows_________.
A.the importance of their intelligence
B.the importance of their positions
C.the role of environment on intelligence
D.the part that birth plays

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Global warming happens when greenhouse gases trap heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which increases the temperature. This is like when heat is trapped in a car. On a hot day, the car gets hotter when it is out in the parking lot. This is because the heat and light from the sun can get into the car, by going through the windows,but it can’t get back out. This is what the greenhouse effect does to the earth .The heat and light can get through the atmosphere, but it can’t get out As a result,the temperature rises.
Sometimes the temperature can change in a way that helps us. The greenhouse effect makes the earth appropriate for people to live on Without it,the earth would be freezing,or it would be burning hot. It would be freezing at night because we would not get the sun’s heat and light .During the day, especially during the summer, it would be burning because the sun would be up with no atmosphere to filter(过滤)it,so people,plants,and animals would be exposed to all the light and heat.
Although the greenhouse effect makes the earth able to have people living on it,if there gets to be too many gases,the each can get unusually warmer, and many plants,animals.and people will die. Plants would die because they would not be able to take the heat .This would cause us to have less food to eat, and it would also limit the food that animals have. With less food for the animals that we need to survive we would even have less food. Gradually, people,plants,and animals would all die of hunger.
People are doing many things to try to stop global warming .One thing is carpooling—driving with someone to a place that you are both going to. Another thing is being more careful about leaving electrical devices turned on. Now, more people are even riding buses or bikes to lower the amount of greenhouse gases in the air .Although adults do many things to help stop global warming, kids call do just as much.
小题1:By the example given in Paragraph l, the author wants to__________.
A.explain how global warming happens
B.show his feeling in a car in hot summer
C.tell us cars are causes of greenhouse gases
D.say that I there are greenhouse gases in every car
小题2:The underlined word ‘it” in Paragraph 2 refers to__________.
A.lightB.greenhouse effectC.temperatureD.heat
小题3:What is the effect of atmosphere?
A.IT only traps the heat of the sun.
B.It does great harm to humans.
C.It makes the earth neither to hot nor too cold.
D.It prevents all the light from the sun shining on the earth.
小题4:What is the main idea of the third paragraph?
A.lf there is greenhouse effect.all the plants will die
B.Human beings are likely to disappear from the earth
C.Crops can ′t take in the heat lf there is greenhouse effect
D.Although greenhouse effect is necessary.Too much of it will cause us to die.
小题5:What will the author most probably discuss in the paragraph that follows?
A.What kids can do to help stop global warming.
B.Who should be responsible for the environmental problems.
C.What global warming is doing to the environment.
D.Why cars and buses pollute the air a lot

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How to deal successfully  with a child showing outstanding musical ability? It’s not always clear how best to develop and encourage his gift. Many parents may even fail to recognize and respond to their children′s need until discouragement explodes into uncooperative(不合作的)behavior. And while most schools are equipped to deal with children who are especially able in academic subjects,the musically gifted require special understanding which may not always be available in an ordinary school. Such children may well benefit from the education offered by a specialist music school.
The five music schools in Britain aim to provide all environment where gifted children can develop their skills under the guidance of professional musicians. Children here spend about half of a day on musical activities,for example,individual lessons,orchestras,chamber(室内音乐的)groups,voice training,conducting and theory. They also spend several hours a day practicing in private rooms .The rest of their time is taken up with the subjects:English,maths and basic sciences.
What are the disadvantages? An obvious problem is that the fees are high .However, each school will often scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Secondly, not all parents want to send their children to boarding school, especially at an early age .Almost all the directors of the specialist schools express doubts about the wisdom of admitting children as young as seven into such a tense and disciplined(守纪律的)environment. They stress,however, that their main aim is to turn out “well-rounded and well—balanced individual.”
小题1:If a child’s musical ability is not recognized___________.
A.the child may behave badly
B.the ability may fade away
C.the child may lose interest
D.the parents may become anxious
小题2:What probably may musically gifted children face in ordinary schools?
A.Their academic work may suffer.
B.Schools lack musical equipment
C.Music is not seen as an important subject
D.Parents and teachers don’t work together.
小题3:What makes specialist music schools different from other schools?
A.Their working day is longer.
B.A range of musical training is offered
C.More than half the day is spent on music
D.The children have mostly one-to-one lessons
小题4:According to school directors,what is a possible disadvantage for pupils?
A.Poor children may not be included
B.They may lose their individuality
C.There may be a discipline problem
D.They may be too small on arrival
小题5:The passage mainly talks about__________.
A.education and development about children
B.disadvantages of music schools
C.music schools for children with music gift
D.how to deal with music talented children

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When 18th-century scientists first came across Australia’s platypus(鸭嘴兽), they thought it was a trick. It is not surprising that the platypus made people confused. This funny-looking animal has feet and is a kind of warm-blooded mammal.
While other mammals usually keep their blood at around 37 degrees, the platypus has a lower body temperature of 32 degrees. As to its appearance, the platypus’mouth is not really like ducks’at all; its mouth actually looks a bit soft. The platypus closes its eyes when swimming. It uses its mouth to pick up outside information made by the creatures underwater.
Strangest of all, the platypus is a mammal that can lay eggs. And there is only one other kind of mammal that can lay eggs, the echidna (针鼹鼠) of Australia. Both the platy-pus and the echidna lay soft-shelled eggs, and both feed their young with their own milk that comes out of their skin. These animals also walk in a way that is similar to crocodiles(鳄鱼), with legs on the sides of their bodies rather than under them.
Though pretty, in a special way, the platypus is actually one of the few mammals that are poisonous. A male platypus has knife-like bones on its back legs which have enough poison to kill a dog.
The platypus has the honor of being one of the oldest mammals in the world. Until the early 20th century, it was hunted for its fur, but the situation has changed. Although the platypus is easily affected by pollution, it is not under any immediate threat.
小题1: What can we learn about the platypus according to the text?
A.It has a lower body temperature than other mammals.
B.It only closes its eyes when underwater.
C.It’s the only poisonous mammal in the world.
D.It feeds its young on wild animal meat.
小题2:Which of the following is NOT used as a comparison with the platypus in the text?
A.The crocodile.B.The echidna.C.The duck.D.The dog.
小题3:The following characteristics of the platypus have been described in the text EXCEPT ________.
A.its natural enemyB.its appearance
C.its walking poseD.its daily diet
小题4:We can infer from the last paragraph that the platypus _______.
A.is hunted for its meatB.is in danger of extinction
C.is endangered by air pollutionD.is well-protected now
小题5:Which of the following would be the best title for this text?
A.Platypus, a Trick?
B.Platypus, the Only Warm-Blooded Mammal
C.The Characteristics of Platypus
D.The Strange Mammal —Platypus。

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A group of senior high school students are playing outside on a basketball court. They are shouting with excitement. And they all have the same dream. They wish to play in the NBA, just like Huston Rocket’s Yao Ming. “Someday, there will be more Chinese players like Yao in the NBA,” said 15-year-old Xie Tao, a senior 1 boy at Shanghai No. 2 Middle School. Xie always watches Yao playing on TV. “He is a great player. He makes me proud to be Chinese,” he said.
Like Xie, 17-year-old Liu Yan at Beijing No. 22 Middle School is also a big NBA fan. “Since early May, I’ve not missed one game in the NBA,” said the senior 3 student.
Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools across the country. And more young players are starting to like the sport. More students are playing the game.
Jiang Hui, a basketball teacher at Beijing No. 2 Middle School, said that 85 percent of the students at this school like the sport. “Students are full of passion for the game,” Jiang’s team won the regional first prize in the 2004 National High School Boy’s Basketball League in   march. The league is the first national basketball competition for high school students.
Playing basketball is a good way to exercise. But students also enjoy it for other reasons. For Li Yan, a Senior 2 at Shanghai No. 12 Middle School, basketball teaches him lessons in life. “When I am in a game, I feel more confident about my studies, “ he said. “ It also teaches me to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship.”
小题1:The same dream of the group of senior high school students is to ______.
A.to play in the NBAB.be as tall as Yao Ming
C.watch Yao Ming playing on TVD.visit Huston Rocket’s center
小题2:How many students are mentioned in the passage?
A.2.B.3 C.4D.5
小题3:Which school team won the regional first prize in the first national basketball competition for high school students?
A.Shanghai No. 2 Middle School.B.Beijing No. 22 Middle School.
C.Beijing No. 2 Middle School.D.Shanghai No. 12 Middle School.
小题4:Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A.Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools in Chine.
B.The 2004 National High School Boy’s Basketball League was held in May.
C.Playing basketball is a good way to exercise.
D.Students enjoys playing basketball for a lot of reasons.
小题5:Who learns to have a good team spirit from playing basketball?
A.Xie TaoB.Yao MingC.Jiang HuiD.Li Yan

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