1、考博英语模拟试卷 26及答案与解析 一、 Reading Comprehension 0 One of the greatest mysteries in the study of Cetacea aquatic mammals has always been that the creatures found in the stomachs of toothed whales show no teeth marks. Now a University of California at Santa Cruz professor thinks he may have solved the enig
2、ma with what he calls the “big bang“ theory of cetacean predation. Ken Norris, natural history professor, believes that rather than use their teeth to attack their victims, toothed whales stun their prey with intense bursts of sound. He points out that all 68 species of odontocetes (a sub-order that
3、 includes dolphins) use sound to locate their victims, and suggests this ability may have evolved to the point where it could be used as a weapon. Millions of years ago, the ancestors of whales had a narrow tapered jaw, streamlined for speed and bristling with long rows of sharp teeth. Today odontoc
4、etes are not adapted to surprising their prey or trapping it quickly. Most are more bulky than their forebearers; their teeth are short and unevenly spaced when they exist at all. Norris suggests that because of their sonar ability, whales teeth have become vestigial, like the human appendix. It is
5、difficult to test the big bang theory because in captivity, cetaceans tend to moderate their sonar so as not to deafen other creatures in their small, highly reflective tanks. Dolphins are known to politely turn off their echolocation systems when passing one another. And in the wild its hard to tel
6、l whether a sound came from a nearby animal or form another very far away. But Norris points to the male narwhal as tacit proof of his theory. This whale has no teeth, and the single spiral tusk that extends about eight feet in front of him would seem to be more of an impediment than an aid in catch
7、ing shrimp, his preferred feed. “You look at these animals and you wonder whats going on.“ 1 The underlined word enigma means _. （ A） debate （ B） fact （ C） mystery （ D） proof 2 The primary purpose of this passage is to _. （ A） argue for a ban on the capture of whales and dolphins （ B） describe the e
8、volution of whales （ C） report a possible explanation for the lack of teeth marks on whales victims （ D） reveal the flaws in the “big bang“ theory of cetacean predation 3 As used in the passage, moderate most nearly means _. （ A） direct （ B） lessen （ C） move to middle （ D） use 4 What is the “big ban
9、g“ theory of cetacean predation? _. （ A） Sixty-eight species of odontocetes use sound to locate their victims （ B） Toothed whales use sound as weapons （ C） Whales and humans have vestigial structures （ D） Whale teeth, once sharp, have become somewhat short and uneven 5 It can be concluded from the p
10、assage that the “big bang“ theory is _. （ A） a fact （ B） a disproved hypothesis （ C） an unsupported opinion （ D） an idea with some supporting evidence 5 Olga had always enjoyed the character-centered books written by Adele Kwan and wanted to read another one if it seemed interesting and was written
11、in the same style. Olga wasnt sure, however, whether she should spend part of her savings on Kwans latest book, The Newcomer. She hoped the following book reviews in her high school newspaper would help her make a decision. Novel without a plot By Carlo Dante I just finished reading Adele Kwans late
12、st novel, The Newcomer, and was disappointed. In my opinion the book does not have enough plot to be considered a novel. The newcomer in this book is Violet Wang. Shes fifteen when her family moves from San Francisos Chinatown to a small town in Washington State. In this town everyone knows each oth
13、er, and none of the other residents are Chinese. Violets challenge is to fit in. Sensitive and intelligent, she amuses shoes who know her well but is shy and reserved with strangers. These circumstances could have provided the basis for an interesting story. I particularly enjoyed learning about Chi
14、nese American culture and Violets strong family ties. However, this book has no real plot. There is no action to follow. Instead the author emphasizes what is happening in Violets head as she finds her way in her new home. We are introduced to new characters and situations only as they are viewed by
15、 the introspective Violet. When she arrives at her new school, for example, the reader is forced to endure page after page describing Violets classrooms, classmates, and teachers, with no excitement to keep us involved in the story. If this had been a historical novel, at least the text could have e
16、lucidated what life was like daring a past era. If it had been a mystery, I would have had a reason to move form one page to the next. Furthermore, Violet would have had a more intriguing way to demonstrate her intelligence and sensitivity. As it is, I found The Newcomer uninteresting. The lack of p
17、lot and the reliance on a single character to support the entire book make for a dull, slow-moving reading experience. Although Ms. Kwan writes well, she has failed to presser a story worth reading. A Book to Cherish By Rachel Blythe In last weeks edition I read “Novel Without a Plot“, an unflatteri
18、ng review of Adele Kwans latest novel, I too, have read The Newcomer, and I strongly disagree with. Carlo Dantes evaluation of this fine novel. Dante claims The Newcomer lacks a plot. He fails to recognize that some novels are plot-driven and others are character-centered. Clearly Dante prefers to r
19、ead the former and feels justified in imposing his preference on all of us. There are many readers who do not require a story to propel us feverishly from one action-packed moment to the next. We are content to get to know an interesting character who encounters challenges and tries various ways to
20、overcome them. Violet Wang is a wouderful example of this type of character, and we are fortunate that the novel is told form her point of view. We first experience her world in San Francisco, where she is surrounded by Chinese American traditions and the support of an extended family. We feel her c
21、onfusion and traumatic sense of loss as she must leave all that is familiar to her. When Violet arrives in the area that will be her new home, we see its beauty and mystery through her eyes. As she tries to adjust to life in a place where she feels like an outsider, many of us may remember similar t
22、imes in our own lives. We ache when she hurts and feel triumph in our hearts when she experiences progress. I wont tell you why. Violet has had to make such a drastic life change or how she comes to terms with it. Unlike Dante, I think that most readers would greatly enjoy this book. In these times
23、of action-adventure movies and computer games, many have lost the patience to be readers, thinkers, and emotional beings. I think that someone who fails to see the value in this book is missing out on a lot. 6 When Olga read Rachel Blythes review, she probably felt _. （ A） encouraged （ B） indifferen
24、t （ C） confused （ D） depressed 7 Which of these is the best summary of the passage? （ A） Voicing his disappointment in Adele Kwans latest novel, Carlo Dante writhes a book review criticizing the book as uninteresting lacking in plot. （ B） To help her decide whether to purchase Adele Kwans new book,
25、The Newcomer, Olga reads opposing book reviews in her high school newspaper. （ C） As a supporter of character-centrered novels, Rachel Blythe writes a book review defending Adele Kwans The Newcomer because she feels many people will enjoy the book. （ D） Olga enjoys the character-centered books of Ad
26、ele Kwan and would like to read another one if it is interesting and is written in the same style. 8 Based on information in the reviews, with which statement would both Carlo Dante and Rachel Blythe probably agree? （ A） The Newcomer is an action-adventure story. （ B） Violet is outgoing, even around
27、 strangers. （ C） The Newcomer is a powerful and captivating book. （ D） Violet has a strong bond with family members. 9 Which conclusion is best supported by information in the passage? （ A） Rachel Blythe and Olga have similar reading tastes. （ B） Adele Kwan is a best-selling author. （ C） Rachel Blyt
28、he docs not read novels that are plot-driven. （ D） Violet has become more outspoken since her move. 10 Based on information in tile passage, the reader can conclude Violets primary source of conflict stems from her _. （ A） not being fluent in Chinese （ B） difficulties with her schoolwork （ C） parent
29、s being extremely strict （ D） familys move to Washington State 10 The Parthenon The Parthenon, a building in Athens, Greece, is perhaps one of the most memorable structures on Earth. Built 25 centuries ago, it is one of the great architectural of the ancient world. There are many reasons for its gre
30、atness. Background Athens was the most important city in ancient Greece. In 480 B. C. Greece was under attack by both the Persian army and the Persian navy. The Athenian commander, Themistocles, knew that his forces could not defeat the Persian army then marching toward Athens. Hoping instead to mak
31、e a stand against the Persians at sea, Themistocles and his forces fled Athens for a nearby island. Although the Persian army overwhelmed Athens and left it in ruins, the Greek navy, led by Themistocles, annihilated the Persian fleet. This victory by the Greeks led all Persian forces to retreat with
32、in one year. About 30 years later the building of the Parthenon began. Construction took place between 447 and 432 B. C. During the role of Pericles. The Parthenon was constructed on the same site as an unfinished structure intended to honor the men who had lost their in an earlier battle against th
33、e Persians. The Parthenon would stand as a symbol of the strength lives and importance of the Greek people. Location Many important cities in ancient Greece had an acropolis, or “high city,“ on which people constructed important buildings. The acropolis was the highest and most defensible location,
34、so it also served as a fortress in the event of enemy attack. The Parthenon is located about 500 feet above the city of Athens. Before the Parthenon could be built, some areas of the acropolis had to be leveled down, and other areas had to built up. Then a large, solid foundation was constructed out
35、, to limestone blocks. The entire area was buttressed by a reinforcing wall. Description The Parthenon is a rectangular structure consisting of two inner areas surrounded by columns. There are eight columns at each end and seventeen columns along each side. It is a large structure, considering when
36、it was built. It is about 200 feet long and about 100 feet wide. It stands about 60 feet high. Construction One extraordinary aspect of the Parthenon is its construction. It required between 20,000 and 30,000 tons of marble that had to be precisely carved so that huge blocks of it could be fitted to
37、gether without mortar to form the columns and interior walls. Perhaps even more impressive are the “optical corrections“ that were used. The columns bulge slightly in the middle because experience had shown the Greeks that perfectly straight columns would not look straight to viewer. Because comer c
38、olumns normally appear smaller than others, the comer columns of the Parthenon were made slightly thicker and were placed closer to the other columns. The columns were also designed to lean inward slightly because perfectly perpendicular columns seem to slant outward. Furthermore the platform on whi
39、ch tile Parthenon sits was made to curve upward in the middle because perfectly level floor would appear to sag in the center. The Parthenon stands today despite the centuries that have passed. It is a timeless tribute to the enduring culture of the Greek people and is considered a model of excellen
40、ce in concept and construction. It established the classic style of architecture seen today in many public buildings, such as the White House and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C. This architectural style is a lasting gift from the ancient Greeks to the modem world. 11 The author of the pass
41、age probably views the Parthenon with _. （ A） amusement （ B） suspicion （ C） amazement （ D） disapproval 12 In this passage, the word “annihilated“ means _. （ A） destroyed completely （ B） understood （ C） examined carefully （ D） survived 13 The passage suggests that most important cities in ancient Gre
42、ece had an acropolis to _. （ A） protect themselves in case of invasion （ B） house a Parthenon （ C） imprison the Persian forces （ D） honor Pericles 14 The reader can conclude that the Parthenon _. （ A） had columns made of limestone （ B） required much effort to build （ C） had a palace inside for the l
43、eader of Athens （ D） was never completely finished 15 What is the approximate length of the Parthenon? （ A） 60 feet （ B） 100 feet （ C） 200 feet （ D） 500 feet 15 Sally Kemmerer has, so far, escaped Northern Californias rolling blackouts. But up on the roof for her Oakland home, workers are tapping in
44、to, perhaps, the most reliable power source, the sun. It could mean no more worries about blackouts or power rates. Sally Kemmerer, homeowner says, “I hope that well be able to zero out, you know, our electric bill. I mean thats definitely our goal.“ Turning the suns rays into electricity is, of cou
45、rse, nothing new. But Californias power crisis has cast a new light on the technology. Gary Gerber, a solar power contractor, says, “I might have been getting, say three phone calls a week a couple of months age. Im getting six a day now, its completely crazy.“ Alternative energy is even more attrac
46、tive, thanks to a state rebate program. So far this month, Californias energy commission has received 200 project applications. That is more than the number of applications all last year. Putting in a solar roof is still a relatively expensive proposition. This project cost around 45000 dollars. Eve
47、n taking into account the state subsidy of 12000 dollars, that leaves a net cost to the homeowner of around 33000 dollars. Sally says, “We were happy to find out that, eventually, the system should pay for itself, you know 20-years, maybe.“ Aaron Wellendorf has had a p-v (or photovoltaic generator)
48、for more than a year. Like most solar systems, his is not off the grid completely the utility still kicks in at night, or when theres no sun. But when there is bright light, things change. Wellendorf says, “Im turning my meter backward with extra power that Im generating.“ Backward? Thats right! Wel
49、lendorfs meter tracks how much power goes back into the utility grid. Last year all the paid for electricity was a service charge. That charge was around five dollars a month. In fact, even after powering his super-efficient household appliances and his converted electric truck, Wellendorf generated a net surplus of more than 2000-kilowatt hours. Unfortunately, state law doesnt require the utility to pay him for that. Wellendorf says, “I dont get it in money, I just get the satisfaction of help
