1、华中科技大学考博英语-2 及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Reading Comprehensio(总题数：0，分数：0.00)二、Passage One(总题数：1，分数：20.00)The decline of traditional religion in the West has not removed the need for men and women to find a deeper meaning behind existence. Why is the world the way it is and how do we, as conscious i
2、ndividuals, fit into the great scheme? There is a growing feeling that science, especially what is known as the new physics, can provide answers where religion remains vague and faltering. Many people in search of a meaning to their lives are finding enlightenment in the revolutionary developments a
3、t the frontiers of science. Much to the bewilderment of professional scientists, quasi-religious cults are being formed around such unlikely topic as quantum physics, space-time relativity, black holes and the big bang. How can physics, with its reputation for cold precision and objective materialis
4、m, provide such fertile soil for the mystical? The truth is that the spirit of scientific enquiry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 50 years. The twin revolutions of the theory of relativity, with its space-warps and time-warps, and the quantum theory, which reveals the shadowy
5、 and unsubstantial nature of atoms, have demolished the classical image of a clockwork universe slavishly unfolding along a predetermined pathway. Replacing this sterile mechanism is a world full of shifting indeterminism and subtle interactions which have no counterpart in daily experience. To stud
6、y the new physics is to embark on a journey of wonderment and paradox, to glimpse the universe in a novel perspective, in which subject and object, mind and matter, force and field, become intertwined. Even the creation of the universe itself has fallen within the province of scientific enquiry. The
7、 new cosmology provides, for the first time, a consistent picture of how all physical structures, including space and time, came to exist out of nothing. We are moving towards and understanding in which matter, force, order and creation are unified into a single descriptive theme. Many of us who wor
8、k in fundamental physics are deeply impressed by the harmony and order which pervades the physical world. To me the laws of the universe, from quarks to quasars, dovetail together so felicitously that the impression there is something behind it all seems overwhelming. The laws of physics are so rema
9、rkably clever that they can surely only be a manifestation of genius.（分数：20.00）(1).The author says people nowadays find that traditional religion is _.（分数：4.00）A.a form of reassuranceB.inadequate to their needsC.responding to scientific progressD.developing in strange ways(2).Scientists find the new
10、 cults bewildering because they are _.（分数：4.00）A.too reactionaryB.based on false evidenceC.derived from inappropriate sourcesD.too subjective(3).Which phrase in paragraph 3 suggests that the universe is like a machine?（分数：4.00）A.cold precision and objective materialismB.the shadowy and unsubstantial
11、 nature of atomsC.slavishly unfolding along a predetermined pathwayD.shifting indeterminism and subtle interactions(4).The new physics is exciting because it _.（分数：4.00）A.offers a comprehensive explanation of the universeB.proves the existence of ruling intelligenceC.incorporates the work of men of
12、geniusD.makes scientific theorizing easier to understand(5).The author of this passage is most likely _.（分数：4.00）A.a minister of religionB.a research scientistC.a science fiction writerD.a journalist三、Passage Two(总题数：1，分数：20.00)Simpkins“ period of office as a local politician was nearly over. He fel
13、t reluctant to go through all the bother of standing for re-election. His tentative voicing of this feeling shocked Baden. “You“re never going to give up after all this time?“ “That“s the point about it, Baden. Perhaps I“ve gone on too long. I feel tired, somehow.“ “Tired! Look at me. I“m tired and
14、I can give you ten years. How long have you been on the council now?“ “Eighteen years.“ Baden snorted. It was nothing beside his thirty-five years of unbroken service, during which he“s been three times major. Simpkins winked at Baden“s wife, Maude, and she, looking up for her embroidery, gave him b
15、ack a small smile. Simpkins sometimes felt that it was not a mere ten years which separated Baden and himself, but two world wars. The years of his boyhood before the first war were the golden age that Baden looked back to. “It all ended after that,“ he had said more than once. “We never saw its lik
16、e again.“ It was no use arguing that the quality of life was better for more people now, because Baden wouldn“t have it. “There were men working for my father who had six, seven and eight children. They brought them up all right though they hadn“t much money. Now it“s all grab. They want money, ears
17、, drink and holidays abroad. And nobody“s happy.“ “Were they ever?“ Simpkins wondered. “Was an obsession with keeping body and soul together a necessary condition of human happiness?“ They were talking in the new bungalow Baden had built where Maude could find amusement watching the traffic go by. “
18、A drink, anyway, Tom?“ “I“d not say no to a drop of whisky, Baden.“ The floorboards trembled as Baden crossed the room. “How much do you weigh?“ Simpkins asked. “Too much,“ Maude chipped in. “Oh, I don“t know,“ Baden said sharply. “Fifteen and a half stone.“ “Add a bit to that,“ Simpkins thought. “Y
19、ou must have iron legs. I“m bigger than you and I don“t weigh that much.“ “You don“t have my belly, though, Tom.“ Baden placed his two hands on the swell of his waistcoat. “It is good solid stuff, not just as a bag of wind.“ Maude tut-tutted, “Really, Baden“, while Simpkins laughed. “There“s nothing
20、 the matter with me, in spite of Maude always going on about it.“ “It“s no use me saying anything,“ Maude said. “He stopped listening to me years ago.“ Simpkins sensed some bitterness behind the mild comment. Always headstrong, and domineering where he met resistance, Baden instinctively treated wom
21、en as people to be kept in their place.（分数：20.00）(1).For how long have Simpkins and Baden been politicians together?（分数：4.00）A.For an equal length of time.B.Since the First World War.C.For ten years.D.For the last eighteen years.(2).When the two men discuss the past _.（分数：4.00）A.they are inclined to
22、 lose their tempersB.Simpkins claims that life used to be harderC.Baden thinks that living used to be more expensiveD.they agree that life used to be better(3).How does Maude react to her husband?（分数：4.00）A.She resents his treatment of her.B.She thinks he can do no wrong.C.She finds his appearance e
23、mbarrassing.D.She resists his suggestions.(4).What is Baden“s attitude towards his wife?（分数：4.00）A.He admires her.B.He underestimates her.C.He is indulgent towards her.D.He dislikes her.(5).What is Simpkins“ attitude towards Baden?（分数：4.00）A.Critical disapproval.B.Secret admiration.C.Jealous rivalry
24、.D.Amused tolerance.四、Passage Three(总题数：1，分数：20.00)Television, like language, can be a cultural challenge for better or worse, and this is what it is in many of its activities, whether voluntarily or, on occasion, involuntarily. Although it may sometimes be soothing, television is often provocative
25、in the sense that it gives information and arouses interest. That being said, the new means of broadcasting and communicating throughout the world increases the complexity of television even further. An important question is what television is there to do and to say. In actual fact, however, the iss
26、ue does not seem to have been put in this way by all governments and their officials, nor by private television companies. Since the primary aim is to get an audience (and who would want to make television programmes nobody looked at?), programmes are becoming more and more standardized. The cultura
27、l challenge represented by television must not turn into a challenge to culture. At all events, television carries messages which influence, and will increasingly influence, trends in our societies one way or another. Either television will contribute to enriching our cultures or it will contribute
28、to eroding them or to enabling some of these cultures to dominate others. Undoubtedly there are outstanding events, such as broadcasts of major occasions, but the out-of-the-ordinary nature of a cultural message soon becomes part of life, part of the very air breathed by those to whom the messages a
29、re sent. Living in a world of painting, literature and music is a very different thing from the stardom of a composer, writer or performer. While the heads of television channels sometimes display boldness, they do not seem to find it necessary to do so when it comes to music (with the occasional ex
30、ception), because they themselves are not convinced of the emotional impact of music on television. And yet, in spite of all obstacles, music is a challenge through its daily presence. This represents a victory for whom? Pure musicthat is to say, music soberly presented through the playing of the pe
31、rformersgoes down very well on the small screen. Its presence on television makes it part of everyday life. Let us be optimistic and hope that those in charge of television of whatever kind are aware-of the importance of their function over and above audience surveys and ratings and that they will c
32、all primarily on the talents of cultural people and give them priority over the salesman.（分数：20.00）(1).What is the effect of television according to the author?（分数：4.00）A.It causes intellectual laziness.B.It makes the viewers think.C.It is harmful to society.D.It confuses the viewers.(2).In the auth
33、or“s opinion, what is wrong with the attitude of some governments to television?（分数：4.00）A.They do not think it is important.B.They do not pay enough attention to its function.C.They do not use it effectively.D.They have too much control over it.(3).The author thinks that television programmes are i
34、n danger of _.（分数：4.00）A.trying to please too many peopleB.preventing the development of societyC.losing their effect on our cultureD.declining in popularity(4).According to the author, the heads of television channels _.（分数：4.00）A.have an adventurous approach to presenting musicB.broadcast only imp
35、ortant musical eventsC.do not think music is effective on televisionD.do not want music to be part of everyday life(5).What does the author hope will be the future of television?（分数：4.00）A.More popular programmes will be broadcast.B.Television controllers will change their attitudes.C.Audiences will
36、 be on the increase.D.The right kind of programme-makers will be appointed.五、Passage Four(总题数：1，分数：20.00)Cardiologists divide us into two types, according to how our personality affects our heart. Type A individuals are highly competitive, innately hostile, fast eating and rapid talking, whilst B ty
37、pes drown in the milk of human kindness and are sublimely indifferent to the passage of time. It is an uncomfortable fact that A“s die twice as frequently from heart disease as B“s even when the risks of cigarettes, alcohol and cream buns are taken into account. Personality is to a large extent gene
38、tically endowedA-type parents usually beget A-type offspring. But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is important to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor in the lives of their children. One place where children soak up A traits is school, which is, b
39、y its very nature, a highly competitive institution. Too many schools adopt the “win at all costs“ ethic and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current mania for making Children compete against their peers or against the clock produces a two-tier system, in which competitive A types
40、 seem in some way better than their B type fellows. Addiction to winning can have dangerous consequences: remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after croaking: “Rejoice, we conquer!“ By far the worst form of competition in schools is the disproportionate emphasi
41、s on examinations. It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well. The merits of competition by examination are dubious enough, but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful. Obviously, it is neither practical nor desirable that all A y
42、oungsters change into B“s. The world needs both types, and schools have an important duty to try to fit a child“s personality to his possible future employment. It is a fallacy, for instance, that people successful in business are full of competitive zeal; there are many B types in top management. I
43、f the preoccupation of schools with academic work was lessened, more time might be spent teaching children surer values. Perhaps selection for the earing professions, especially medicine could be made less by good grades in chemistry and more by such considerations as sensitivity, altruism and compa
44、ssion. It is surely a mistake to choose our doctors exclusively from A type stock. B“s are important and should be encouraged.（分数：20.00）(1).According to cardiologists Type A individuals are usually _.（分数：4.00）A.greedyB.affectionateC.aggressiveD.carefree(2).Children develop into Type A rather than Ty
45、pe B individuals because of _.（分数：4.00）A.parental attitudesB.pressure from their friendsC.differences in social classD.hereditary defects(3).What feature of schools does the author criticize?（分数：4.00）A.Intelligent students become discouraged.B.There is a limited choice of subjects.C.Some individuals
46、 are undervalued.D.Sport is rated below academic achievements.(4).What is particularly harmful about examinations?（分数：4.00）A.Failure rates are high.B.The wrong students succeed.C.Unsuitable subjects are set.D.Some students are bound to fail.(5).Entrants to the medical profession at present are selec
47、ted on the basis of their _.（分数：4.00）A.academic achievementsB.personal qualitiesC.competitive spiritD.interest in society六、Passage Five(总题数：1，分数：20.00)Some of Winifred Holtby“s friend wanted to see this biography published soon after her death in order to catch a supposed topical market and to fores
48、tall the appearance of half-informed studies. For those who loved her, I fully realize how painful and exasperating it has been to wait for a complete account of life, based upon adequate knowledge and that growth of understanding which only years of close friendship can bring. My apologies are due
49、to them for the many explanations offered of the simple fact that I did not write this book earlier because I did not want to. I knew that, if I wrote quickly, I should very soon repent of what I had written. It would have been easy enough, on the strength of memory and a superficial glance through a mass of papers which Winifred left me, to construct a readable record of her life within a few months of her death anyone accustomed to writing books could produce such a volume; and she had not been a week in her grave before a number of publis
