考研英语冲刺模拟1

Model Test Section I Use of English Directions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blanks and mark A, B, C, or d on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points) There are many superstitions in Britain, but one of the most ____(1)____ held is that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder even if it means ____(2)____ the pavement into a busy street! ____(3)____ you must pass under a ladder you can ____(4)____ bad luck by crossing your fingers and ____(5)____ them crossed until you have seen a dog. ____(6)____, you may lick your finger and ____(7)____ a cross on the toe of your shoe, and not look again at the shoe until the ____(8)____ has dried. Another common ____(9)____ is that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house -- it will either bring ____(10)____ to the person who opened it or to the whole ____(11) ____. Anyone opening an umbrella in fine weather is ____(12), as it inevitably brings rain! The number 13 is said to be unlucky for some, and when the 13th day of the month ____(13)____ on a Friday, anyone wishing to avoid a bad event had better stay ____(14) ____. The worst misfortune that can happen to a person is caused by breaking a mirror, ____(15)____ it brings seven years of bad luck! The superstition is supposed to ____(16)____ in ancient times, when mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods. Black cats are generally considered lucky in Britain, even though they are ____(17)____ witchcraft. It is ____(18)____ lucky if a black cat crosses your path--although in America the exact opposite belief prevails. Finally, a commonly held superstition is that of touching wood ____(19)____ luck. This measure is most often taken if you think you have said something that is tempting fate, such as “my car has never ____(20)____, touch wood?” 1. [A] broadly [B] widely [C] quickly [D] speedily 2. [A] running from [B] jumping off [C] stepping off [D] keeping from 3. [A] If [B] As [C] Though [D] Unless 4. [A] erase [B] remove [C] avoid [D] ease 5. [A] keep [B] keeping [C] kept [D] to keep 6. [A] Consequently [B] However [C] Comparatively [D] Alternatively 7. [A] make [B] print [C] perform [D] produce 8. [A] label [B] symbol [C] mark [D] cut 9. [A] argument [B] superstition [C] opinion [D] idea 10. [A] loss [B] difficulty [C] tragedy [D] misfortune 11. [A] house [B] household [C] home [D] circle 12. [A] unwise [B] unintelligent [C] unpopular [D] unfortunate 13. [A] falls [B] arrives [C] drops [D] happens 14. [A] away [B] outdoors [C] indoors [D] far 15. [A] when [B] as [C] if [D] though 16. [A] have originated [B] be originating [C] be originated [D] originate 17. [A] concerned about [B] related with [C] associated with [D] connected in 18. [A] especially [B] specially [C] frequently [D] rarely 19. [A] as [B] for [C] in [D] of 20. [A] broken up [B] broken off [C] broken away [D] broken down Section II Reading Comprehension Part A Directions: Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on Answer Sheet 1 (40 points) Text 1 The ethnic group known as Ashkenazim is blessed with more than its fair share of talented minds, but is also prone to a number of serious genetic diseases. Researchers now suggest that intelligence is closely linked to several illnesses in Ashkenazi Jews, and that the diseases are the result of natural selection. The Ashkenazim are descended from Jewish communities in Germany, Austria, Poland and Eastern Europe that date back to the 10th century. Today they make up approximately 80 percent of the world's Jewish population. Ashkenazim have the highest average IQ of any ethnic group, scoring 12 to 15 points above the European average. They are also strongly represented in fields and occupations requiring high cognitive ability. For instance, Jews of European ancestry, account for 27 percent of U. S. Nobel science prize winners. But the group is also associated with several neurological disorders, including Tay-Sachs, Gaucher's, and Niemann-Pick. Tay-Sachs is a fatal hereditary disease of the central nervous system. Sufferers lack an enzyme needed to break down fatty substances in the brain and nerve cells. Gauchers and Niemann-Pick are similar, often fatal diseases. Because Jews were discriminated against in medieval Europe, they were often driven into professions such as money lending and banking which were looked down upon or forbidden for Christians. Historians suggest that Jews with lucrative jobs often had four, six or sometimes even eight or nine children. Poorer families, meanwhile, tended to be smaller, possibly because they lived in overcrowded areas in which children were more prone to disease. As a result, the researchers say, over hundreds of years the Jewish population of Europe became more intelligent than their gentile countrymen. But increased intelligence may have come at a cost, with genetic diseases such as Tay-Sachs being side effects of genes that facilitate intelligence. Researchers argue that it's highly unlikely that mutated genes responsible for these illnesses could have reached such high levels in Ashkenazim if they were not connected to cognitive performance. While the link is difficult to prove, there is some evidence that Gaucher disease does increase a person's IQ. Around one in three people of working age who were patients of the Gaucher Clinic at the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre in Jerusalem had professions requiting an average IQ of more than 120. This group included scientists, academics, physicians, and accountants. Modern-day Ashkenazim are now far more likely to marry outside their ethnic group. A researcher says that he would expect a tendency for both higher IQs and associated genetic disorders to become less marked over time. 21. According to the first paragraph Ashkenazim are [A] more intelligent than other Jews [B] more likely to be sick than other Jews [C] endowed with natural ability because of genetic diseases [D] more likely to be born with genetic diseases 22. Tay-Sachs, Gaucher's and Niemann-Pick are [A] diseases caused by absence of an enzyme [B] life-threatening genetic diseases [C] diseases that make people more intelligent [D] the same disease with different terms 23. The "lucrative job" may most probably be a job which is [A] profitable [B] unsteady [C] challenging [D] permanent 24. The underlined sentence in paragraph 7 roughly means that the researchers believe that [A] mutated genes have a negative influence on Ashkenazim's intelligence [B] mutated genes have played a role in Ashkenazim's intelligence [C] the Ashkenazim's high intelligence is caused by the mutated genes [D] the Ashkenazim's illnesses have greatly handicapped their performance 25. From the passage, it can be anticipated that in the future [A] Ashkenazim would be less intelligent but healthier [B] there would be more outstanding Ashkenazim intellectuals [C] Ashkenazim would be more intelligent and less healthy [D] the cause of genetic diseases would be explored more deeply Text 2 As students return to school this fall, parents will again worry, about new illnesses as kids come into contact with flu germs. There are other risks they should worry about--illnesses caused by the common bugs and rodents found in school buildings. Perhaps the even more dangerous pests however are those individuals who prevent school administrators from swiftly addressing these problems. Anti-chemical activists have pushed, and nearly 20 states and local governments have passed, laws to eliminate or drastically reduce the use of pesticides in schools. Yet pesticides are used to control roaches, mice, rats, mosquitoes, and other pests. The public health implications of allowing these things to get out of control should be obvious: increased allergies and illnesses related to insect and rodent bites. Some states have passed a seemingly more reasonable policy that demands that school administrators provide notification 48 to 72 hours before using pesticides. But such laws allow problems to escalate during waiting periods when an urgent response is warranted. Notification paperwork burdens also consume limited financial resources. Journalist Steve Milloy reported that the notification law of Maryland costs the state's schools $32,000 annually. Parents should fear these laws and the pests they harbor more than the pesticides. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pesticide standards are so exceedingly cautious that the risks are tiny when the product is used according to label directions. An analysis done by the University of Texas found that the EPA's risk estimates overstate pesticide exposure damage at a level hundreds of thousands of times greater than the risk of actual exposure. Meanwhile, many of the pests in schools pose serious risks. Allergies and asthma are a particular concern. According to one study published in Environmental Health Perspectives: "Allergens associated with dust mites and cockroaches are probably important in both onset and worsening of asthma symptoms for children who are chronically exposed to these agents." Cockroach allergies are particularly problematic. Children who suffered from this type of allergy missed more days of school and lost more sleep than children suffering from other allergies. Prudent use of chemicals--not reduced pesticide use--can be a big part of the solution. A study in the Journal of Allergies and Clinical Immunology showed that use of chemical baits and regular cleaning can reduce indoor cockroach allergens to levels below that which causes allergies. If people are truly concerned about public health in schools, it's time to start looking at priorities. Rather than liberate the pests, they should liberate the schools from silly government regulations and dangerous vermin. 26. The author implies that parents should be most concerned about........ [A] flu germs [B] pests [C] school administrators [D] anti-chemical activists 27. The author would most probably agree that the laws restricting the use of pesticides in schools [A] are necessary [B] are harmful [C] are quite effective [D] reflect health concerns 28. The third paragraph shows that in schools [A] sometimes pesticides should be used immediately [B] the cost of using pesticides is very high [C] the laws about using pesticides are not properly observed [D] using pesticides is a daily routine 29. Regarding pesticides, the author thinks that [A] their danger has been exaggerated [B] their effects have been proved by EPA [C] they are not effective for killing some pests [D] they may cause some illnesses in children 30. What is the main idea of the passage? [A] New chemicals should be developed to control pests. [B] Pesticides should be used frequently to control pests. [C] Some policies have ruined the efforts to control pests. [D] Schools have ignored the need to control pests. Text 3 It's becoming something of a joke along the Maine-Canada border. So many busloads of retired people crisscross the line looking for affordable drugs that the roadside stands should advertise, "Lobsters. Blueberries. Lipitor. Coumalin." Except, of course, that such a market in prescription drugs would be illegal. These senior long-distance shopping sprees fall in a legal gray zone. But as long as people cross the border with prescriptions from a physician and have them filled for no more than a three-month supply for personal use, customs and other federal officials leave them alone. The trip might be tiring, but people can save an average of 60 percent on the cost of their prescription drugs. For some, that's the difference between taking the drugs or doing without. "The last bus trip I was on six months ago had 25 seniors," says Chellie Pingree, former Maine state senator and now president of Common Cause. "Those 25 people saved $19,000 on their supplies of drugs." Pingree sponsored Maine RX, which authorizes a discounted price on drugs for Maine residents who lack insurance coverage. The law was challenged by drug companies but recently upheld by the U. S. Supreme Court. It hasn't yet taken effect. Figuring out ways to spend less on prescription drugs has become a multifaceted national movement of consumers, largely senior citizens. The prescription drug bill in America is $160 billion annually, and people over 65 fill five times as many prescriptions as working Americans on average. "But they do it on health benefits that are half as good and on incomes that are half as large," says Richard Evans, senior analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, an investment research firm. What's more, seniors account for 20 percent of the voting public. It's little wonder that the May 19 Supreme Court ruling got the attention of drug manufacturers and politicians across the country. The often-over-looked state of 1.3 million tucked in the northeast corner of the country became David to the pharmaceutical industry's Goliath. The face-off began three years ago when state legislators like Pingree began questioning why Maine's elderly population had to take all those bus trips. 31. We can learn from the second paragraph that [A] people can buy as many drugs for personal use [B] the cross-border drug shopping has been out of the federal control [C] Chellie Pingree used to be one of the cross-border shoppers for drugs [D] the cross-border shopping is the only way for some Americans to get drugs 32. Maine RX mentioned in Paragraph Two is a [A] bill [B] drug company [C] customs office [D] seniors society 33. Most cross-border shoppers are retired people, rather than working Americans, because the former [A] have more leisure time [B] fill more prescriptions [C] mostly enjoy long trips [D] are fond of street shopping 34. Politicians were interested in the May 19 Supreme Court ruling because [A] they couldn't improve the well-being of the elderly [B] they couldn't afford to ignore the elderly's votes [C] they saw the elderly as the greatest contributors [D] they saw the elderly as deserving a special care 35. David and Goliath are names used to describe a situation in which [A] the two groups are evenly matched in strength [B] a more powerful group is fighting a less powerful group [C] a less powerful group is fighting a more powerful group [D] both of the two groups are losers Text 4 Jeans were invented a little over a century ago and are currently the world's most popular, versatile garment, crossing boundaries of class, age and nationality. From their origins as pure workwear, they have spread through every level of the fashion spectrum, and are embraced internationally for their unmatched comfort and appeal. In the mid 40s, the Second World War came to an end, and denim blue jeans, previously worn almost exclusively as workwear, gained a new status in the U. S. and Europe. Rugged but relaxed, they stood for freedom and a bright future. Sported by both men and women, by returning GI's and sharp teenagers, they seemed as clean and strong as the people who chose to wear them. In Europe, surplus Levi's were left behind by American armed forces and were available in limited supplies. It was the European population's first introduction to the denim apparel. Workwear manufacturers tried to copy the U. S. originals, but those in the know insisted on the real thing. In the 50s Europe was exposed to a daring new style in music and movies and consequently jeans took on an aura of sex and rebellion. Rock' n' roll coining from America blazed a trail of defiance, and jeans became a symbol of the break with convention and rigid social mores. When Elvis Presley sang in "Jailhouse Rock," his denim prison uniform carried a potent, virile image. Girls swooned and guys were quick to copy the King. In movies like "The Wild One" and "Rebel Without a Cause," cult figures Marion Brando and James Dean portrayed tough anti-heroes in jeans and T-shirts. Adults spurned the look; teenagers, even those who only wanted to look like rebels, embraced it. By the beginning of the 60s, slim jeans had become a leisurewear staple, as teens began to have real fun, forgetting the almost desperate energy of the previous decade, while cocooned (包在) in wealth and security. But the seeds of change had been sown, and by the mid' 60s jeans had acquired yet another social connotation -- as the uniform of the budding social and sexual revolution. Jeans were the great equalizer, the perfect all-purpose garment for the classless society sought by the Hippy generation. In the fight for civil rights, at anti-war demonstrations on the streets of Paris, at sit-ins and love-ins everywhere, the battle cry was heard above a sea of blue. 36. Jeans were first designed for [A] soldiers [B] workmen [C] teenagers [D] cowboys 37. In the mid 40s jeans gained popularity because [A] they made the wearer look clean and tough [B] they were comfortable and looked friendly [C] they were the outward symbol of the mainstream society [D] they stood for freedom and a strong character 28. What does the" real thing" refer to in the second paragraph. [A] authentic Levi's [B] work wear [C] casual wear [D] jeans of European style 39. The popularity of Elvis Presley's way of dressing illustrates that [A] teenagers wanted to look sexy [B] people desired to look strong and manly [C] jeans went well with rock' n' roll [D] Americans were more rebellious than Europeans 40. The last sentence suggests that jeans were [A] used for military purposes [B] the symbol of the ideal of social equality [C] worn by all kinds of people [D] the outfit of social improvement Part B Directions: In the following article, some sentences have been removed. For Questions 41-45, choose the most suitable one from the list A—F or A—G to fit into each of the numbered blank. There is one extra choice that does not fit in any of the gaps. Mark your answers to ANSWERSHEET 1. (10 points) Just at that turning between Market Road and the lane leading to the chemist’s shop he had his ‘establishment’. At eight in the evening you would not see him, and again at ten you would see nothing, but between those times he arrived, sold his goods and departed. Those who saw him remarked thus, ‘Lucky fellow! He has hardly an hour’s work a day and he pockets ten rupees -- even graduates are unable to earn that! Three hundred rupees a month!’ He felt irritated when he heard such glib remarks and said, “What these folk do not see is that I sit before the oven practically all day frying all this…’ 41 __________________ At about 8:15 in the evening he arrived with a load of stuff. He looked as if he had four arms, so many things he carried about him. His equipment was the big tray balanced on his head, with its assortment of edibles, a stool stuck in the crook of his arm, a lamp in another hand and a couple of portable legs for mounting his tray. He lit the lamp, a lantern which consumed six pies’ worth of kerosene every day, and kept it near at hand, since he had to guard a lot of loose cash and a variety of miscellaneous articles. 42 __________________ He always arrived in time to catch the cinema crowd coming out after the evening show. A pretender to the throne, a young scraggy fellow, sat on his spot until he arrived and did business, but he did not let that bother him unduly. In fact, he felt generous enough to say, ‘Let the poor at do his business when I am not there.’ This sentiment was amply respected, and the pretender moved off a minut