1、英语阅读(二)自考题-5 及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、BPART ONE/B(总题数：0，分数：0.00)二、B(总题数：0，分数：0.00)三、BPassage One/B(总题数：1，分数：10.00)Today, theres scarcely an aspect of our life that isnt being upended by the torrent of information available on the hundreds of millions of sites crowding the Internet, not to mentio
2、n its ability to keep us in constant touch with each other via electronic mail. “If the automobile and aerospace technology had exploded at the same pace as computer and information technology,“ says Microsoft, “a new car would cost about $2 and go 600 miles on a thimbleful of gas. And you could buy
3、 a Boeing 747 for the cost of a pizza.“Probably the biggest payoff, however, is the billions of dollars the Internet is saving companies in producing goods and serving for the needs of their customers. Nothing like it has been seen since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when power-driven
4、machines began producing more in a day than men could turn out in nearly a year. “We view the growth of the Internet and e-commerce as a global megatrend,“ says Merrill Lynch, “along the lines of printing press, the telephone, the computer, and electricity.“You would be hard pressed to name somethin
5、g that isnt available on the Internet. Consider: books, health care, movie tickets, construction materials, baby clothes, stocks, cattle feed, music, electronics, antiques, tools, real estate, toys, autographs of famous people, wine and airline tickets. And even after youve moved on to your final re
6、sting place, theres no reason those you love cant keep in touch. A company called FinalThoughts. com offers a place for you to store “afterlife e-mails“ you can send to Heaven with the help of a “guardian angel“.Kids today are so computer savvy that it virtually ensures the United States will remain
7、 the unchallenged leader in cyberspace for the foreseeable future. Nearly all children in families with incomes of more than $75,000 a year have home computers, according to a study by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Youngsters from ages 2 to 17 at all income levels have computers, with 52%
8、 of those connected to the Internet. Most kids use computers to play games (some for 30 hours or more a week), and many teenage girls think nothing of rushing home from school to have e-mail chats with friends they have just left.Whats clear is that, whether we like it or not, the Internet is an eve
9、r growing part of our lives and there is no turning back. “The Internet is just 20% invented,“ says cyber pioneer Jake Winebaum. “The last 80% is happening now.“（分数：10.00）(1).What can we learn from the Microsofts remark?_ A. Todays cars and airplanes are outrageously overpriced. B. Information techn
10、ology is developing at an amazing speed. C. Information technology has reached the point where improvement is difficult. D. Theres more competition in information technology industry than in car industry.（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(2).According to the author, the biggest benefit of the Internet is that _. A.
11、it saves companies huge amounts of money B. it accelerates the speed of profit making C. it brings people incredible convenience D. it provides easy access to information（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(3).The author gives the example of FinalThoughts. corn to make the point that _. A. there are some genius ideas
12、on the Internet B. almost anything is available on the Internet C. people can find good bargains on the Internet D. some websites provide novel services to increase hits（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(4).What can we learn from the fourth paragraph?_ A. There is a link between income and computer ownership. B. Man
13、y American children dont put computers to good use. C. Studies show that boys are more computer savvy than girls. D. The U. S. will stay ahead in the information technology in years.（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(5).What is the message the author intends to convey?_ A. The Internet is going to get firm hold of o
14、ur lives some day. B. The Internet is going to change our lives even more profoundly. C. We should have a positive attitude towards the changes the Internet brings. D. Children should be well prepared for the challenges in the information age.（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.四、BPassage Two/B(总题数：1，分数：10.00)Animal l
15、ife first appeared on the earth about 400 million years ago. Through the passing millennia, thousands of animal species have come and gone. Until recently, this process was gradual, the result of changes in climate, in habitat, or in the genes of the animals themselves. But the tremendous expansion
16、of modern civilization now threatens to upset this natural balance, putting unprecedented pressure on the survival of our wildlife.Of all the continents, the most drastic reduction in wildlife has occurred in North America, where the transition from a rural to a highly industrialized society has bee
17、n most rapid. Among the victims are birds, mammals, and fish. We will never again see the passenger pigeon or the eastern elk. They have been wiped out. Of many other species, only a few representatives still survive in the wild. The U. S. Department of the Interior has put no fewer than 109 species
18、 on the endangered species list. This list includes everything from the timber wolf to the whooping crane. Even the bald eagle, our national symbol, is threatened.Animals that kill other game for food are called predators. The predators include the wolf, mountain lion, fox, bobcat, and bear. Attack
19、against these animals began with the arrival of the first European settlers, who wished to protect their livestock. Eventually, a reward was offered to hunters for every predator that was killed. This reward is called a bounty. Ironically, the Federal government was the chief founder of predator-con
20、trol programs.The settlers also brought with them their Old World fears and superstitions concerning predators. Whether preying on livestock or not, predators were shot on sight. This attitude continues to this day for coyotes, eagles, foxes, mountain lions, and bobcats, and is largely responsible f
21、or placing the eastern timber wolf, grizzly bear, and bald eagle on the endangered species list.Yet every animal, including the predator, has its place in natures grand design. Predators help maintain the health of their prey species by eliminating the diseased, young, old, and injured. Predators li
22、ke the mountain lion and the wolf help to keep the deer herds healthy. Their kill also provides food for scavengers that feed on carrion. Occasional loss of livestock must be weighed against the good these animals do in maintaining the balance of nature.（分数：10.00）(1).The fastest disappearance of wil
23、dlife has occurred in _. A. Europe B. Australia C. North America D. South America（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(2).The major threats to wildlife in the modern world come from _. A. industrialization and urbanization B. changes in climate, habitat, or the genes C. rapid increase in mans population D. the use of p
24、esticides（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(3).An endangered species is the one that _. A. kills other animals for food B. faces extinction thus needs protection C. is dangerous to human beings D. lives in places of danger（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(4).“Animals that kill other game for food are called predators.“ (Para. 3)The
25、 word “game“ means _. A. animals that kill predators for food B. animals that feed on carrion C. animals that are hunted for food D. animals that appear on the endangered species list（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(5).Bounty hunters are those who _. A. take care of the wild areas B. kill predators for money C. pr
26、eserve wild animals D. protect the habitat of the wildlife（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.五、BPassage Three(总题数：1，分数：10.00)Frank Buonanotte was going through some junk mail when he came across a postcard advertising a History Channel documentary. “That pile of mail had been sitting there for weeks,“ he says. “But I
27、 noticed the movie was scheduled to air within the hour.“ For some reason, Buonanotte, a semiretired entrepreneur, tuned in.Into the Fire was about firefighters, and Buonanotte was fascinated. “One segment was about what its like to be in a fire,“ he recalls. “The smoke makes it impossible to see, y
28、oure crawling along the floor, people are trapped in remote rooms.“ The film explained how a new technology called thermal imaging could “see“ through smoke and walls so firefighters could identify victims, fallen colleagues, and the source of a fire.But the portable cameras cost more than $10,000 e
29、ach, and few fire stations could afford them. About 80,000 firefighters are injured every year in the line of duty; last year, 114 died. “But its not like cancer,“ says Buonanotte. “A cure exists. The only reason its not used is lack of funds. That bothered me.“The documentary stuck with him. Having
30、 recently quit his day-to-day duties as founder and CEO of two companies, Buonanotte had been meeting with a life coach to figure out “what the second half of my life would be about.“At first, Buonanotte thought he would simply donate a few thermal imagers. He contacted the National Fallen Firefight
31、ers Foundation, and one conversation led to another. Buonanotte decided to set up and run a charity, 500 for Life (he asks for at least $500, but hell accept any amount).Since its founding in 2007, the nonprofit has donated 40 cameras to fire departments in 25 states. “Its never been easy for me to
32、ask people for money,“ says Buonanotte. “But if firefighters have the courage to go into a burning house, then I need to have the courage to ask for money to get the equipment they need.“The Buonanotte family absorbs the administrative costs so that all contributions can go directly to buying new ca
33、meras. In addition, the family itself donates several cameras a year, and Buonanotte travels the country to speak, solicit money, and deliver cameras-“the most rewarding part of the job.“Buonanotte could not have predicted the impact that the documentary would have on him-and others. “Business succe
34、ss is good and fulfilling,“ he says, “but many people end up thinking there must be more than just this. Usually, its giving back that makes someone feel whole and satisfies that feeling that something is missing. Ive been able to help firefighters save more lives. It doesnt get any better than that
35、.“（分数：10.00）(1).Frank Buonanotte learned about thermal imager from _. A. a lecture B. a friend C. a TV program D. an advertisement（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(2).We can learn from the third paragraph that Buonanotte was bothered by the fact that _. A. tens of thousands of firefighters are injured every year B.
36、 firefighters safety risks are improperly addressed by authorities C. thermal imaging was not yet ready to he applied in real situations D. fire stations couldnt afford the new technology to protect firefighters（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(3).What did Buonanotte do after contacting National Fallen Firefighters
37、 Foundation?_ A. He donated a few thermal imagers. B. He set up a nonprofit to raise money. C. He talked his family into joining him to help the firefighters. D. He arranged a meeting with the thermal imager manufacturer.（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(4).Which statement is true about the charity, 500 for Life? _
38、 A. The Buonanotte family takes care of its running cost. B. The donation it receives occasionally exceeds 500 dollars. C. It equips most fire stations in the U. S. with thermal imagers. D. It is the result of the joint effort of Buonanotte and the fire departments.（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(5).We can infer
39、from the passage that Buonanotte _. A. has set up several charities B. gets tired of his own business C. has strong sense of responsibility D. has earned great fame and satisfaction（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.六、BPassage Four/(总题数：1，分数：10.00)Several months ago I decided it would be wise to investigate the possi
40、bilities of buying a life insurance policy, if for no other reason than because I understood it might be a good investment. I got the name of an insurance agent from a friend and called the agent to get some information. From the kinds of questions I put to him, the agent would tell that I knew noth
41、ing about insurance so he kindly offered to explore the matter with me in more detailto help me determine the kind of policy I ought to be considering.That evening he appeared at my door promptly at 7:30; without wasting time on amenities, he spread his papers out on the kitchen table and launched i
42、nto a lengthy explanation. I listened attentively as he talked about the difference between various types of policies, and he explained the kind of coverage he felt I ought to have because of my age bracket and financial objectives. Toward the end of the evening (after three or four hours of talking
43、), he kindly helped me fill out an application for a 50,000 dollar policy, and then he asked if I could go to a Dr. Luthers office on Friday for a physical examination.I dont know why, but it was not until the mention of the doctors appointment that I realized fully what was happening. I was about t
44、o sign a lifetime contract, yet I had not really made a decision about whether I wanted to buy the policy or not. As a matter of fact, the question of the need for a decision from me one way or the other had not even come up. Suddenly I felt sure that I definitely did not want to buy the policy. How
45、ever, since he had spent so much time with me, I didnt want to make him feel that he had wasted his time. So I invented an excuse about things I had to do on Friday, and I assured him I would call him in a few days. Actually, I had no intention of going to see Dr. Luther or of calling the agent agai
46、n. I wanted to forget the whole thing.Its been over three months now since our meeting, and my friendly insurance agent still calls at my office faithfully two or three times a week. My secretary knows that I dont want to talk to him, so when he calls she tells him that Im in a meeting or that Im ou
47、t of the office or that Im away on a business trip. I realize now that it was a mistake not to tell him outright that Im not interested, and please not to bother me any more, all I can do is to avoid his calls and hope I dont run into him someplace.（分数：10.00）(1).The writer got the name of the insura
48、nce agent from _. A. a TV commercial B. one of his friends C. an insurance company D. one of his colleagues（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(2).Why did the writer phone the insurance agent?_ A. He wanted to fill out an application for a life insurance policy. B. He had decided to buy a life insurance policy. C. He wanted to explore the possibilities of buying a life insurance policy. D. He took great interest in the insurance company.（分数：2.00）A.B.C.D.(3).After helping the writer fill out the application, the agent asked if _. A. he was satisfied with his explanation B. he could pay the insurance premium im
