第一篇：2013职称英语押题阅读理解

C级押题 Eat to Live A meager diet may give you health and long life, but it‘s not much fun — and it might not even be necessary.We may be able to hang on to most of that youthful vigor even if we don‘t start to diet until old age.Stephen Spindler and his colleagues from the University of California at Riverside have found that some of an elderly mouse‘s liver genes can be made to behave as they did when the mouse was young simply by limiting its food for four weeks.The genetic rejuvenation won‘t reverse other damage caused by time for the mouse, but could help its liver metabolize drugs or get rid of toxins.Spindler‘s team fed three mice a normal diet for their whole lives, and fed another three on half-rations3.Three more mice were switched from the normal diet to half-feed3 for a month when they were 34 months old —

equivalent to about 70 human years.The researchers checked the activity of 11,000 genes from the mouse livers, and found that 46 changed with age in the normally fed mice.The changes were associated with things like inflammation and free radical production 一

probably bad news for mouse health.In the mice that had dieted all their lives,27 of those 46 genes continued to behave like young genes.But the most surprising finding was that the mice that only started dieting in old age also benefited from 70 per cent of these gene changes."This is the first indication that these effects kick in pretty quickly,‖ says Huber Warner from the National Institute on Aging near Washington D.C.No one yet knows if calorie restriction works in people as it does in mice, but Spindler is hopeful.―There‘s attracting and tempting evidence out there that it will work,‖ he says.If it does work in people,there might be good reasons for rejuvenating the liver.As we get older, our bodies are less efficient at metabolizing drugs, for example.A brief period of time of dieting, says Spindler, could be enough to make sure a drug is effective.But Spindler isn‘t sure the trade-off is worth it.―The mice get less disease, they live longer, but they‘re hungry,‖ he says.―Even seeing what a diet does, it‘s still hard to go to a restaurant and say: ‗I can only eat half of that,.‖

Spindler hopes we soon won‘t need to diet at all.His company, Lifespan Genetics in California, is looking for drugs that have the effects of calorie restriction.词汇：

meager adj.不足的 youthful adj.有青春活力的

vigor n.精力，活力

metabolize vt.使（一种物质）进入新陈代谢过程

genetic adj.基因的 rejuvenation n.恢复活力，返老还童 注释：

1.hang on to ：继续保留。例如：You should hang on to that painting 一

it might be worth a lot of money one day.你应该继续保留那幅画-----或许有一天它会值很多钱。

2.The genetic rejuvenation won‘t reverse other damage caused by time for the mouse, but could help its liver metabolize drugs or get rid of toxins：老鼠的肝部基因恢复活力不会逆转老鼠在其他方面的老化，但却有助于肝脏代谢药物或除去毒素。other damage caused by time 岁月造成的莫他方面的破坏，即―其他方面的老化‖。metabolize drugs：代谢药物，即―使药物参与新陈代谢以提高药效‖。get rid of：摆脱，除去。

3.half-ration和 half-feed 都是指―老鼠饲料正常定量（normal diet)的一半‖。

4.free radical production:指体内自由基的产生(形成）。

5.kick in：意为―开始起作用‖。

如：We‘re still waiting for the air conditioning to kick in.我们还在等着空调开始起作用。

6.be worth it：意为―值得，有益‖。如：They are expensive, but they are worth it.那些东西很贵，但划得来。练习：

1.According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true? A Eating less than usual might make us live longer.B If we go on a diet when old, we may keep healthy.C Dieting might not be needed.D We have to begin dieting since childhood.2.Why does the author mention an elderly mouse in paragraph 2? A To describe the influence of old age on mice.B To illustrate the effect of meager food on mice.C To tell us how mice‘s liver genes behave.D To inform us of the process of metabolizing drugs.3.What can be inferred about completely normally fed mice mentioned in the passage? A They will not experience free radical production.B They will experience more genetic rejuvenation in their lifetime.C They have more old liver genes to behave like young genes.D They are more likely to suffer from inflammation.4.According to the author, which of the following most interested the researchers?

A The mice that started dieting in old age.B 27 of those 46 old genes that continued to behave like young genes.C Calorie restriction that works in people.D Dieting that makes sure a drug is effective.5.According to the last two paragraphs, Spindler believes that A calorie restriction is very important to young people.B seeing the effect of a diet, people will like to eat less than normal.C dieting is not a good method to give us health and long life.D drugs do not have the effects of calorie restriction.答案与题解：

1.D第一段第一句讲―节食可能不是非做不可的事‖，第二句讲―即使上了年纪再节食，我们

仍然有可能在很大程度上保持青春活力‖，因此，―我们必须从小就开始节食‖是错误的，D是答案。

2.B第二段提及―一只髙龄老鼠‖的时候，作者谈到，―只要连续四周限制它进食，它的肝脏基因就会变得和衰老前一样充满活力‖。据此，―为了描述节食对老鼠所产生的影响‖最好地回答了题干中的问题o 3.D 第四段提到，―正常饲养的老鼠随着年龄的增长有 46 条肝脏基因会发生变化，这种变化与炎症和有机体组织无限激增有关‖，因此，D正确。

4.A 第四段最后一个句子讲―但最惊人的发现是那些上了年纪才开始节食的老鼠也能从70%的基因变化中受益‖。―最惊人的‖自然是―最令研究人员感兴趣的‖。

5.C 文章的最后两段谈及 Spindler 对节食的看法。首先，他不能肯定节食是否值得。.其次, 他希望在不久的将来，我们不必节食。所以我们可以推知，他认为节食不是得以健康长寿的好办法。参考译文

为生存而食

粗茶淡饭或许能给你健康和长寿，但这并不有趣——很有可能也没必要。即便在年老以后才

开始节食我们也能在很大程度上保持住青春活力。

加州大学 Riverside 分校的斯蒂芬•斯潘德尔及其同事发现，只要连续四周限制一些衰老的老鼠进食，它们的肝脏基因就会变得和衰老前一样充满活力。虽然老鼠的肝部基因恢复活力不会逆

转它们在其他方面的老化，但是却有助于这些老鼠的肝脏对药物的新陈代谢和清除毒素。

斯潘德尔的队员们一直给其中的三只老鼠正常量的饲料，而给另外三只老鼠正常量饲料的一半，给三只 34个月大的老鼠（相当于人类年龄的 70岁）喂了一个月的半量饲料，之前这三只老鼠的饲料量是正常的。

研究者们检查了这些老鼠肝脏的 11,000 种基因的活性，发现正常饲养的老鼠有46 种基因随

年龄的改变而改变。这些改变都与体内自由基的产生有关——这对老鼠的健康来说不是什么好消息。而对于那些终身都在节食的老鼠来说，那 46种基因中的 27 种仍然继续保持着青春活力。但

是最令人吃惊的发现却是那些只是在老年时期节食的老鼠们受益于 70%的基因变异。

―这只是第一个这些效果迅速起作用的暗示‖，来自华盛顿特区周边的国家老年学学院的哈勃•华纳说。

至今仍然没有人清楚卡路里的控制对人类来说是否如同对老鼠那样有效，但是斯潘德尔对此充满了希望：―有足以引人注意的证据表明这同样有效。‖ 如果这确实也对人类有效，我们有理由相信肝脏也可能恢复活力。举个例子，随着我们一天天衰老，我们的身体对药物的新陈代谢越来越没有效率。短时期内的节食，斯潘德尔说到，完全足以保证药效。

但是斯潘德尔并不确定这个方法值得尝试。―老鼠患病少了，寿命延长了，但是它们很饥饿，‖他说，―即使能清楚地认识到节食的功效，人们仍然很难在餐馆中说自己只能吃一半的食物。‖ 斯潘德尔希望我们根本就不用节食。他的公司，加利福尼亚州的寿命遗传学公司，正在寻找有限制卡路里效能的药物

C级押题 Common-cold Sense You can‘t beat it, but you don‘t have to join it.2 Maybe it got the name ―common cold‖ because it‘s more common in winter.The fact is, though, being cold doesn‘t have anything to do with getting one 3.Colds are caused by the spread of rhinoviruses, and, at least so far, medical science is better at telling you how to avoid getting one than how to get rid of one4.Children are the most common way cold viruses are spread to adults, because they have more colds than adults – an average of about eight per year.Why do kids seem so much more easily to get colds than their parents? Simple.They haven‘t had the opportunity to become immune to many cold viruses.There are more than 150 different cold viruses, and you never have the same one twice.Being infected by one makes you immune to it – but only it.5

Colds are usually spread by direct contact, not sneezing or coughing.From another person‘s hand to your hand and then to your nose or eyes is the most common route.6 The highest concentration of cold viruses 7 anywhere is found under the thumbnails of a boy, although the viruses can survive for hours on skin or other smooth surfaces.Hygiene is your best defense.Wash your‘ hands frequently, preferably with a disinfectant soap, especially when children in your household have colds.But even careful hygiene won‘t ward off 8 every cold.So, what works when a coughing, sneezing, runny nose 9 strikes? The old prescription of two aspirins, lots of water, and bed rest is a good place to start.But you‘ll also find some of the folk remedies10 worth trying.Hot mixtures of sugar(or honey), lemon, and water have-real benefits.词汇：

rhinovirus ／ n.鼻病毒

preferably ／adv.更可取地，更好地 virus ／n．病毒

disinfectant／n． 消毒剂，杀菌剂

immune／adj.免疫的，有免疫力的 prescription ／n．诀窍；处方，药infect ／vt．传染，侵染，感染

sneeze／vi．打喷嚏

remedy ／n．治疗，治疗法，药品

thumbnail／n．拇指甲 注释：

1．标题―common-cold sense‖实际上是在单词―commonsense‖（常识）中插入cold（感冒）一词，意为―关于感冒的常识‖。2．―You can‘t beat it, but you don‘t have to join it‖字面上的意思是―你无法打败它，但你并不是非得加入它的行列不可‖，实际上指的是目前尚没找到彻底对付感冒的办法，但至少我们可以试图预防感冒。

3． ．．．being cold doesn‘t have anything to do with getting one。动名词短语―being cold‖意思是―感到冷‖，在句中作主语；动词短语―not have anything to do with something‖意思是―与某事无关‖，在句中作谓语；最后一个不定代词―one‖指的是―一种感冒‖，作宾语。整句话的意思是―受凉和得感冒并没有什么因果关系‖。

4.．．． medical science is better at telling you how to avoid getting one than how to get rid of one.医学与其说能教你如何摆脱感冒，不如说它能告诉你如何预防感冒。

5．Being infected by one makes you immune to it--but only it.被一种病毒感染过后使你对它产生免疫力——但只是对这种（病毒）而言。be immune to sth．意思是―对某物有免疫力‖或―不受某事的影响‖。

6.From another person‘s hand to your hand and then to your nose or eyes is the most common route．这是一个倒装句，按照正常语序句子应该是The most common route is from another person‘s hand to your hand and then to your nose or eyes，意为―最普通的（传染）途径是从别人的手传到你的手中，再传到你的鼻子或眼睛里去‖。

7．The highest concentration of cold viruses：感冒病菌最集中的地方 8．ward off:避开，防止 9．runny nose:流鼻涕

10．folk remedies:土药方，偏方 全文翻译

关于感冒的常识

目前尚没有找到彻底对付感冒的方法，但至少我们可以预防感冒。感冒这一名称的由来是因为这种病症常见于冬天。而事实上受凉和感冒并没有什么因果关系。感冒是由鼻病毒的传播引起的，而且直到今天，医学能告诉你的只是如何去预防而不是如何根治感冒。

感冒病毒经常通过儿童传染给成人，因为儿童易得感冒——平均一年里有8次左右。为什么小孩比父母更加容易得感冒？答案很简单。儿童不可能对多种感冒病毒都具有免疫能力。

感冒病毒有150多种。一个人不可能两次感染上同一病毒。被一种病毒感染后人体就会产生对它的免疫力。但这种免疫力只是针对这一种病毒。

感冒传播的途径通常不是打喷嚏和咳嗽，而是身体的直接接触。最普通的途径是从别人的手传到你的手中，再传到你的鼻子或眼睛里去。感冒病毒最集中的地方是小孩的拇指甲盖里，尽管在皮肤等光滑表面上病毒也能存活几个小时。

保持卫生是最好的预防方法：经常用消毒肥皂洗手，尤其是当家里有小孩患感冒时。

然而即使注意卫生也不能预防所有的感冒。当你咳嗽、打喷嚏、流鼻涕时该怎么办？

服两片阿司匹林，大量喝水，睡一觉，这个老法子还是很有效的。也可以试试一些偏方，用热开水加糖（或蜂蜜）和柠檬汁内服，这个方法也很管用。练习：

1.According to the essay, you may have a cold because A

the weather is too cold.B

the spread of rhinoviruses gets people infected.C another person‘s coughing passes the cold to you.D you wash your hands too often.2.The best way to keep yourself from getting colds is A to keep yourself clean.B

to use a disinfectant soap.C to take two aspirins every day.D to drink lots of water.3.Children have more colds because A

they are usually infected about eight times each year.B

they are not immune to many cold viruses yet.C

they never wash their hands so that their thumbnails are dirty.D

they don‘t like eating lemon.4.When you are having a cold, A

it is always the same kind of cold that you had last time.B

it may be the same kind of cold that ‗you had last time.C

It is certainly not the same kind of cold that you had last time.D

it is probably not the same kind of cold that you had last time.5.When one is having a cold, he may often have all the following symptoms EXCEPT A coughing.B

Having a sore throat.C having a runny nose.D having a stomachache.答案与题解：

1．B 第一段虽然提到了感冒常发生于冬天，但紧接下去说得很清楚：受凉并不会导致感冒，所以A不是正确答案。文章第四段第一句说得明白：感冒通常是由于与感冒的人身体直接接触而传染的，而不是由打喷嚏或咳嗽传染的，所以C项也不是正确答案。至于D更是错误。答案B与第一段第四句的意义相吻合，因此是正确答案。

2．A 第五段的第一句话―Hygiene is your best defense‖意思是―卫生是你的最佳防御‖，与A项相吻合，因此A项是正确答案。同一段中提到的用消毒肥皂洗手，虽然也是保持卫生的手段之一，但仅是一个具体措施，不是全部措施，所以B项不是正确答案oc项提到的服阿司匹林是治感冒的手段之一，而非预防手段（况且没有说到―一天服两片‖！）D项提到的多喝水在文中也指治疗手段，所以C和D都不是正确答案。

3．B 第二段中提到儿童平均一年得八次感冒，这是一个统计数据而不是儿童得感冒的原因；文中并没有说―儿童从不洗手‖；文中也没有说―儿童不喜欢吃柠檬‖；所以A、C、D都不对。B项与第二段最后一句意思一样，是正确答案。4．C 第三段提到有150多种感冒病毒，而人们绝不会被同一种病毒侵害两次，因为得了一次感冒后对相应的病毒就获得了免疫力，所以只有C项才符合第三段的内容。

5．D 本题谈的是文中提及的感冒症状。文中并没有提到得了感冒就胃疼，实际上文中根本就没有―stomachache‖这个词或相关的字眼，所以D项是正确答案。

C级押题

Warm People Likely to Keep Cold at

Bay Staying positive2 through the cold season could be your best defense against getting ill, new study findings suggest.In an experiment that exposed healthy volunteers to a cold or flu virus3, researchers found that people with a generally sunny disposition4 were less likely to fall ill.The findings, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, build on evidence that a ―positive emotional style‖5 can help ward off the common cold and other illnesses.Researchers believe the reasons may be both objective as in happiness boosting immune function and subjective as in happy people being less troubled by a scratchy throat6 or runny nose.―People with a positive emotional style may have different immune responses to the virus,‖ explained lead study author Dr Sheldon Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.―And when they do get a cold, they may interpret their illness as being less severe.‖

Cohen and his colleagues had found in a previous study that happier people seemed less susceptible to7 catching a cold, but some questions remained as to8 whether the emotional trait itself had the effect.For the new study, the researchers had 193 healthy adults complete standard measures of personality traits, self-perceived health and emotional ―style‖.Those who tended to be happy, energetic and easy-going were judged as having a positive emotional style, while those who were often unhappy, tense and hostile had a negative style.He researchers gave them nasal drops containing either a cold virus or a particular flu virus.Over the next six days, the volunteers reported on any aches, pains, sneezing or congestion they had, while the researchers collected objective data, like daily mucus production.Cohen and his colleagues found that based on objective measures of nasal woes, happy people were less likely to develop a cold.词汇：

bay／n．绝境，穷途末路

flu／（influenza的简称）n．流(行性)感（冒）virus ／n.病毒

disposition ／n．本性，性情

psychosomatic ／adj.心身的，身心的boost／vt．& n．提高，举起 scratchy／adj．刺痛的，使人发痒的 runny／adj.流黏液的 Pittsburgh／n．匹兹堡（美国城市）

colleague／n．同事 susceptible／adj, 易感的，敏感的catch／vt．感染到 trait ／n.特质；特性

perceive／vt．发觉，觉察；理解

energetic／adj.精力充沛的，精饱满的 easy-going／adj．随和的 tense ／adj.紧张的 hostile／adj.敌意的

nasal ／adj.鼻的 ache／n．（长时间连续的）疼痛，酸痛 sneeze ／vi．打喷嚏

congestion ／n.充血

mucus ／n．黏液

woe ／n.痛苦，苦恼；（复）灾难，苦头 注释：

1．Warm People Likely to Keep Cold at Bay：情绪乐观的人不易患感冒。warm people原意是―热心肠的人，情绪高昂的人‖，keep/hold..at bay是―使……走投无路，不使……接近‖的意思，因此本题目如果直译则是―情绪高昂的人可能让感冒不能得逞‖或―情绪高昂的人可能远离感冒‖或―情绪高昂的人可能拒感冒于千里之外‖。

2．staying positive:保持积极向上（的情绪）

3．exposed healthy volunteers to a cold or flu virus：使健康的志愿者接触感冒（病毒）或流感病毒。expose原意是―使暴露，使面临‖，这里expose sb．to sth．是―使……接触……‖的意思。4．sunny disposition:乐观开朗的个性

5．positive emotional style:乐观情绪型，情绪积极型 6．scratchy throat:嗓子痛

7．susceptible to:对……敏感的，容易受到……影响的 8．as to: 关于，至于 全文翻译：

乐观情绪助你远离感冒

最新研究显示，保持乐观积极的情绪是预防感冒的最佳途径。一项令健康受试者接触感冒病毒的实验证明，积极情绪类型的受试者受感染的几率相对较小。

这个名为―积极情绪可以帮助预防感冒及其他疾病‖的发现被刊登在《身心医学》期刊上，而究其原因则分为客观和主观两方面。客观原因是积极乐观的情绪有助于增强免疫系统的功能，而主观原因则是：心情快乐的人较少受到咽痛和流鼻涕的困扰。

来自匹兹堡卡内基，梅隆大学的Sheldon Cohen博土是此研究的主要参与者，他解释道―积极情绪类型的人对于病毒的免疫反应可能较常人不同‖，―而且当患感冒时，他们往往不会把自己的病情想象得太糟糕。‖

在此前一项更早的研究中，Cohen及其同事就曾经发现，积极情绪型的人对感冒病毒似乎不太敏感，但当时并不能确定引起这种区别的是性格特征因素。

在这次新的研究实验中，研究者对193名健康的受试者进行了规范的性格测试，包括自我认为的健康程度以及情绪类型等。其中那些更倾向于心情愉快、精力充沛且平易近人的受试者为积极情绪型，而那些总是心情不快、紧张并对旁人心存敌意的受试者则属于消极情绪类型。研究者给每位受试者提供了含有感冒病毒或某类流感病毒的滴鼻液，在接下来的六周里，每位受试者每天汇报他们各自的身体反应，如疼痛、鼻塞、打喷嚏等。而研究者则要统计各种客观数据，如受试者每日黏液分泌物化验结果等。根据实验的一些客观统计数据（如鼻涕化验结果），Cohen及其同事发现，积极情绪类型的人患感冒的机会相对更小一些。练习：

1.According to a study author, when people with a positive emotional style do get a cold, they may think A

that their illness is very serious.B

That their illness is not so serious.C

that they do not get any illness at all.D

that the illness they get is not a mild one.2.People with a positive emotional style may have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT A happy.B selfish.C easy-going.D energetic.3.Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics that people with a negative emotional style may have？ A Hostile.B Unhappy.C Warm-blooded.D Tense.4.How did the researchers test their volunteers? A

By giving everyone nasal drops containing either a cold virus or a particular flu virus.B

By giving everyone a medicine that help lessen the probability of catching cold.C

By giving everyone an injection boosting immune function.D

By investigating everyone‘s characteristics, interests and hobbies.5.Which of the following items is NOT included in the data that the researchers collected? A Mucus production.B Aches and pains.C

Sneezing or congestion.D Blood test.答案与题解：

1．B 本题答案来自第三段，其中第二句说：―当他们的确患感冒时，他们认为病情并不太严重。

2．B 选项A、C、D在第五段第二句均提到，只有B项没提到，而且从逻辑推理，情绪乐观的人绝不会是―自私自利‖的人。

3．C 选项A、B、D也均在第五段第二句提到，而C项―热情洋溢‖也不应属于情绪低落、消极的人所应有的性格特征。

4．A 第六段第一句说的就是―研究者给这些志愿者一些含有感冒病毒或某种流感病毒的滴鼻剂‖，这正是本题答案。

5．D 选项A、B、C在第六段第二句均提到，而D项则不在其中之列。

第二篇：2012职称英语押题

To Have and have not 1.why did the writer want to to have a change of scene 2.what attracted the writer the light coming from inside 3.the writer found the stock of top quality 4.what was unusual about the she seemed to know him 5.the writer disliked the back he saw nothing he really like

Going Her Own Way 1.maria wanted to attend technical high school 2.in those days,most Italian girls did not go to high school 3.you can infer from this passage only boys usually attend 4.maria’s father probably had very traditional views 5.high school teachers in Italy in quite strict

A Tale of Scottish Rural Life 1.what is sunset song mainly

the lives of rural Scottish 2.which statement is not true she married only once

3.what is the opening section

the history of kinraddie 4.who are responsible for ewan

the germans

5.the word sunset occurring in

the end of traditional life

Pop Music in Africa

1.this passage is about how

more serious than most 2.for people outside of Africa

both familiar and different 3.the musicians mentioned in

write about serious problems 4.eric wainaina music in boston 5.witness mwaijaga writes about

she has had a difficult life

Why So Many Children 1.in a traditional agricultural

can be an advantage 2.when countries become

the birth rate generally 3.according to this passage

industrialized low birth 4.Saudi Arabia is mentioned

Factors other than the 5.In mexico,Thailand,and

Has tried to improve the

EAT to Live

1.which of the following not

we have to begin dieting 2.why does the author mention

to illustrate the effect of 3.what can be inferred about

they are more likely to suffer 4.which of the following most

the mice that started dieting 5.according to the last two

dieting is not a good method

New us Plan for Disease Prevention 1.which is not true of chronic

they often result in unhealthy 2.the author mentions all the

higher survival rate for cancer 3.the article indicates that more

much less money needed for 4.the $15 million program is

promoting disease prevention 5.early cancer screening can help

cancer death rate

The Operation of International Airlines 1.in operating airlines it is essential

cater to the need of passengers 2.the following are all mentioned

the tourist industry is experiencing

3.the improvements the airlines

showing more movies during 4.there is not much the airlines

speeding up customs procedure 5.which of the following is a bad

travel on the flight they booked

Sauna

1.ceremonial bathing various forms 2.what is understood by some

saunas with smoke

3.according to the third except

curing asthma

4.according to the fourth because

pores are cleaned by sweat 5.who are advised not to take

all of the above

Can Buildings Be Designed to Resist 1.the question raised in the first

that was never thought of before 2.the project funded by the national

was to find out why some buildings 3.the column mentioned by dr.was part of the building close to 4.A surprising discovery made by

Some floor framing systems are 5.What dr.reinhorn said in the last

Blast engineering emerges as a Americans Get Touchy 1.the word “practically”in the

nearly 2.which is not among the embrace 3.some parents tearchers excep diseases could be transmitted 4.which following is true in some countries,it’s usual 5.we can infer that

positive

Women Staying in Mini-Skirts for 1.debenhams could most a department store 2.british women are happy the climate of great britain 3.we can infer from the second most women no longer wore 4.which following statements true from the age of 23,skirt length 5.the word “zoom” in the first soar

Defending the Theory of Evolution 1.according to the first paragraph school boards oppose AIBS’s 2.which one of not the reason darwin’s theory is denied as 3.AIBS is composed

more than 80

4.According to weis in the 5th

Is fundamental to the 5.Why do people replace the

The term creationism is too

Narrow Escape

1.why was it “too late” by the

rocks loosened by melting 2.the first reason given to

that climbers above you 3.what is likely to be cailloux

rocks are falling

4.what is sarcastic in the words

being hit by a rock isn’t 5.in what sense was toby ”safe”

the overhanging rock would

Finding Enlightenment in Scotland 1.scotland is thought to have

the ideas proposed by some 2.which of the following

to find ways to improve 3.smith’s idea of “enlightened

the prosperity of all nations 4.which of the following true

it is still alive in a broad sense 5.the institute for system level

the tradition of Scottish higher

The Beginning of American Literature 1.what does “that hope” in

the hope to start a new life 2.when did American literature

long before the year 1,000 3.what can we learn from the

about the everyday life of 4.the main purpose of the last

early-day experience 5.which of the following true

some british writers had great

Older Volcanic Eruptions

1.why did older volcanic eruptions

they killed off life more 2.how did wignall calculate

by comparing the proportion 3.when did dinosaurs become

million years ago 4.what can be inferred from

the cause of their extinction 5.what is the main thesis of

older volcanic eruptions were

School Lunch

Properly

provide choose finding Standards portion examined Consume understanding increased Criticize nutritional affect habits

prevent

A Powerful Influence

Ever Curious harmful staring at

absorbed

Make word holding Steps negotiating seriously discuss

Necessarily

absolutely going

The Old Gate

Reasons diseases demolished

Stroke actual boundary storage Unfashionable maintain set up Preservation down replaced Chance job

Family History

Attracted

find

fairly

one

Going

decision quite

cause Avoided

connected

treat

for way

get

might

Helen and Martin

Would up weakened curiosity Become warning bothered Confidence ignoring through Gaining on took help quiet

第三篇：2014职称英语押题 理工B 阅读理解

阅读理解：

第二十九篇 I’ll Be Bach（2014年新文章）

Composer David Cope is the inventor of a computer program that writes original works of classical music.It took Cope 30 years to develop the software.Now most people can’t tell the difference between music by the famous German composer J.S.Bach1(1685-1750)and the Bach-like compositions from Cope’s computer.It all started in 1980 in the United States, when Cope was trying to write an opera.He was having trouble thinking of new melodies, so be wrote a computer program to create the melodies.At first this music was not easy to listen to.What did Cope do? He began to rethink how human beings compose music.He realized that composers1 brains work like big databases.First,they take in all the music that they have ever heard.Then they take out the music that they dislike.Finally, they make new music from what is left.According to Cope，only the great composers axe able to create the database accurately,remember it,and form new musical patterns firom it.Cope built a huge database of existing music.He began with hundreds of works by Bach.1 he software analyzed the data： it broke it down into smaller pieces and looked for patterns.It then combined the pieces into new patterns.Before long, the program could compose short Bach-like works.They weren’t good,but it was a start.Cope knew he had more work to do-he had a whole opera to write.He continued to improve the software.Soon it could analyze more complex music.He also added many other composers，including his own work,to the database.A few years later，Cope’s computer program,called “Emmy”，was ready to help him with his opera.The process required a lot of collaboration between the composer and Emmy.Cope listened to the computer’s musical ideas and used the ones that he liked.With Emmy, the opera took only two weeks to finish.It was called Cradle Fallingttind it was a great success!Cope received some of the best reviews of his career,but no one knew exactly how he had composed the work.Since that first opera, Emmy has written thousands of compositions.Cope still gives Emmy feedback on what he likes and doesn’t like of her music,but she is doing most of the hard work of composing these days!词汇：

original /9 Vicinal/ adj.有独创性

coHaboration /ka丨laebdreijan / n.合作 review/ ri'vju:/ n.评论

feedback /'fi:db®k / n.反馈 注释：

1.J.S.Bach:约翰•塞巴斯蒂安•巴赫(德语:Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685 年3 月 31 日一 1750 年7月28 H),巴洛克时期的德国作曲家，杰出的管风琴、小提琴、大键琴演奏家,同作曲家亨德

尔和泰勒曼齐名。巴赫被普遍认为是音乐史上最重要的作曲家之一，并被尊称为“西方‘现代 音乐’之父”,也是西方文化史上最重要的人物之一。

练习：

1.The music composed by David cope is about

A classical music.B pop music.C drama.D country music.2.By developing a computer software,David Cope aimed A to be like Bach.B to study Bach.C to write an opera.D to create a musical database

3.What did Cope realize about a great composer's brain? A It forms new musical patterns all by itself.B It writes a computer program.C It can recognize any music patterns.D It creates an accurate database.4.Who is Emmy?

A a database

B a computer software C a composer who helped David

D an opera

5.We can infer from the passage that

A David Cope is a computer programmer.B David Cope loves music.C Bach’s music helped him a lot.D Emmy did much more work than a composer.答案与题解：

1.A第一段的第一句:David Cope发明了一个可以编写出古典音乐的电脑软件。2.C从第二段的第一句可以看出,David编写电脑软件的目的是写歌剧。A、B和D都属于创作歌剧的一部分。

3.D第二段的后半部分讲的是伟大的歌剧作者与一般的歌剧作者的不同之处是通过对数据 进行淮确的构建、记忆而后创作出新的音乐形式。

4.B从第五段第一句可知Emmy是一计笄机软件。

5.D从本文第一句可知David是一个作曲家,不是计算机程序员,所以排除A;B、C内容没有 提及;从本文的第五段和第六段可知,Emmy大大提高了 David的创作速度。

我也能成为巴赫

作曲家大卫•科普发明了一个电脑软件，它能编写出古典音乐的原创作品。科普花了 30年才 完成这个软件，现在，科普的电脑写出的作品与德国著名作曲家J.S.巴赫写的作品很相似，很少 有人能分辨出其中不同。

这一切始于1980年的美国，那时科普正在写一部戏剧，但是他无法创作出新的旋律.于楚他 编写了一个电脑软件来帮他编曲。最开始的时候，软件写出的乐曲并不动听。科普是怎么做的呢？ 他幵始重新考虑人们作曲的方式。他认识到作曲家的大脑就像一个大数据库，他们先是吸收他们 听过的所有音乐，然后去除他们不喜欢的，最后再根据留下的音乐来创作出新的旋律。科普认为，只有伟大的作曲家才能建立好的数据库，并且能熟记于心，从而创造出新的音乐。

科普根据现有的音乐建立了庞大的数据庳，最开始的时候，数据库包含了几百部巴赫的作品。科普的软件将这些数据进行分析：首先它将音乐拆解成小的片段，从中找出固定模式，然后将片 段组合成新的模式。不久，这个软件就能够写出和巴赫风格很像的小曲子。它们并不完美，但这 只是个开始。科普知道，他要做的还有很多一他得写出一整部歌剧。他进一步完普他的软件，不久它就 能够写出更复杂的音乐了。他还在数据库中加人了一些其他作曲家的作品，其中也包括他自己的作品。几年后，科普的软件“艾米”已经能够帮助他创作歌剧了。创作过程餹要作曲家和艾米共同 配合。科赘聆听艾米写出的音乐片段，从中选取他认为好的。有了艾米的帮助，科蓊只用了两个 星期就完成了这部歌剧，叫做《摇篮坠落》。演出获得巨大成功，科普也得到了他有生以来最高 的评价，但是没有人知道他究竟是怎样创作出这部歌剧的。

从那以后，艾米已经写了上千部作品。科普现在依然会给艾米反馈，吿诉她自己哪些音乐是 他喜欢的，哪些是不喜欢的，但是现在大部分艰巨的工作是由艾米来完成的！

第十九篇Musical Robot Companion Enhances Listener Experience

Shimi, a musical companion developed by Georgia Tech’s Center for Music Technology, recommends songs, dances to the beat and keeps the music pumping based on listener feedback.The smartphone-enabled, one-foot-tall robot is billed as an interactive “musical friend”.“Shimi is designed to change the way that people enjoy and think about their music，” said Professor Gil Weinberg, the robot’s creator.He will unveil the robot at the June 27th Google I/O conference in San Francisco.A band of three Shimi robots will perform for guests, dancing in sync with music created in the lab and composed according to its movements.Shimi is essentially a docking station with a “brain” powered by an Android phone.Once docked, the robot gains the sensing and musical generation capabilities of the user’s mobile device.In other words, if there’s an “app” for that, Shimi is ready.For instance, by using the phone’s camera and face-detecting software，Shimi can follow a listener around the room and position its “ears”，or speakers, for optimal sound.Another recognition feature is based on rhythm and tempo.If the user taps a beat, Shimi analyzes it, scans the phone’s musical library and immediately plays the song that best matches the suggestion.Once the music starts，Shimi dances to the rhythm.“Many people think that robots are limited by their programming instructions, said Music Technology Ph.D.candidate Mason Bretan.“Shimi shows us that robots can be creative and interactive.’’Future apps in the works will allow the user to shake their head in disagreement or wave a hand in the air to alert Shimi to skip to the next song or increase/decrease the volume.The robot will also have the capability to recommend new music based on the user’s song choices and provide feedback on the music play list.Weinberg hopes other developers will be inspired to create more apps to expand Shimi’s creative and interactive capabilities.“I believe that our center is ahead of a revolution that will see more robots in homes.” Weinberg said.Weinberg is in the process of commercializing Shimi through an exclusive licensing agreement with Georgia Tech.Weinberg hopes to make the robot available to consumers by the 2013 holiday season.“If robots are going to arrive in homes, we think that they will be this kind of machines一small, entertaining and fun，，Weinberg said.“They will enhance your life and pave the way for more intelligent service robots in our lives.” 词汇：

pump v.用抽水机抽;不断播放（音乐）scan v.扫描;浏览 skip v.轻跳，跳跃

sync n.同步，同时;v.使同步 tempo n.速度;节奏 注释：

1.Georgia Tech:全称是Georgia Institute of Technology,佐治亚理工学院，建于1885 年，位于亚特兰大市中心。佐治亚理工学齒是美国南部最大的公立理工学院,也是全美最顶尖的理工学院之一，排名仅次于麻省理工学院(MIT)和加州理工学院(CalTech)。2.pump:不断播放(音乐）。例如:This radio station recently pumps out pop music.(这家广播电台近来连续播放流行音乐。)3.smartphone-enabled:由智能手机系统支持的

4.is billed as:相当于is advertised as，意为“被标榜为”。5.docking station: 插接站,扩充基座，扩展插口

-6.Android:(科幻小说里的)机器人。本文指用于智能手机和便携式计算机移动设备的一种以Linus为基础的开放源代码操作系统，通过接口和插槽连接多种外部设备。目前Android 尚未有统一中文译名，国内较多人翻译成“安卓”或“安致”。据2012年2月数据, Android 占据全球智能手机操作系统市场52.5%的份额,中国市场占有率为68.4%。7.dock：对接

8.the sensing and musical generation capabilities:传感和音乐生成能力 9.app:应用程序（=application)10.if the user taps a beat:如果用户打出某个(音乐）拍子 11.in the works:正在准备阶段;在进行中或准备中 12.intelligent service robots:智能服务型机器人 练习：

1.Which of the following is NOT true according to the first three paragraphs? A Shimi is a one-foot tall robot.B Shimi is the creator of the musical companion.C Shimi is a docking station with a“ brain” powered by an Android phone.D Shimi can gain the sensing and musical generation capabilities of the user’s mobile device.2.What does Shimi do if the user taps a beat? A It stores the beat in the musical library.B It transmits the beat to the docking station.C It positions its speakers for optimal sound.D It selects a perfectly-matched song and plays it in sync with that beat.3.Which of the following about Shimi is true? A Robots are limited by their programming instructions, and Shimi is no exception.B Present apps allow the user to shake their head to alert Shimi to skip to the next song.C Existing apps allow the user to wave a hand to alert Shimi to turn up/down the volume.D Shimi can be creative and interactive.4.What does the author want to tell us? A The research center is developing a stronger and more versatile Shimi.B Weinberg only expects staffs from Georgia Tech.to develop more apps for Shimi.C Shimi is not yet technologically ready for commercialization.D Robots such as Shimi are created for large corporations rather than homes.5.Which of the following is Weinberg’s assertion?

A Shimi as a robotic musical companion can be applied to all types of smart phones.B human lives will be filled with more fun if Shimi is going to arrive in homes.C Shimi's creative and interactive capabilities are appreciated by most of its users.D Weinberg has reached an agreement with Georgia Tech to commercialize Shimi.答案与题解：

1.B在前三段中均可找到与选项A、C、D相应的句子，强调Shimi是一种电子设备;B与原文不符, Shimi不是该机器人的发明者,Gil Weinberg教授才是the robot’s creator。

2.D选项D简要地表述了第三段的倒数第二句“If the user taps a beat, Shimi analyzes it, scans the phone’s musical library and immediately plays the song that best matches the suggestion”的意思,所以是答案。选项A、B、C都不符合上述句子的含义。

3.D选项A的意思与原文相反。虽然人们认为机器人受到程序指令的限制，但Shimi却表现出具有创造能力和互动能力，所以A不是答案。选项D的意思与原文相同，因而是答案。第四段第三句指的是未来的应用程序: future apps in the works,而选项B,C是指目前的应用程序，两者的表述均与原文有出入。4.A第三段介绍Shimi的多种功能，第四段和第五段说Weinberg还在开发更多的应用程序来丰富Shimi的功能，还希望其他研发者也参与开发，因此，A是答案。选项B说Weinberg 仅仅希望Georgia Tech员工参与开发更多的应用软件，这与原文不符。文章最后一段告诉我们,Weinberg正在与Georgia Tech进行有关Shimi商业化的谈判,选项C的意思与此相反，不会是答案。选项D也与原文不符。5.B选项A、C和D的内容Weinberg都没有说过。第三段告诉我们，Shimi是Android smart phone的扩充基座，并不适用于所有智能手机，所以A选项不正确；Shimi尚未进入市场，还谈不上公众对Shimi欣赏与否的问题，因此选项C不符合原意；Shimi正在进行商业化运作，但绝非已经完成，所以D也不是正确选项。本题的答案是B,依据是最后一段倒数第二句。

译文：

Shimi是由佐治亚理工大学音乐技术中心研发的一款音乐伴侣。它可以根据听者的反馈推荐合乎节拍的歌曲、舞蹈；并且不断播放音乐。这款髙1英尺的机器人是由智能手机系统支持的，因此被标榜为“一个可以互动的音乐朋友”。

Gil Weinberg教授是该机器人的发明者，他解释说：“Shimi设计的宗旨是改变人们欣赏音乐、认识音乐的方式。”他将在今年6月27日在旧金山的谷歌I/O大会上展示这款机器人。一个由三个机器人组成的乐队将为来宾演奏，并伴随音乐起舞。而音乐是根据不同的运动形式编制的。

Shimi实际上是一个扩充基座，它的“大脑”由安卓手机控制。一旦连接上，机器人便从用户的移动装置获得传感和音乐生成能力。换言之，只要有应用程序，机器人便能使用。例如，通过手机的照相机和辨认脸型的软件，Shimi就能在房间周围跟踪到听众，然后安置好它的“耳朵”或扬声器，以确保输送最佳声音。另外一种识别特征是基于节奏和速度。如果用户打出某个（音乐）拍子，Shimi会对此进行分析，然后浏览手机的音乐库，并立即演奏最符合要求的音乐。一旦音乐响起来，Shimi就随韵律起舞。

“许多人认为机器人受到程序指令的限制，而Shiini给我们展示了机器人可以具有创造力和与人交互的能力。”音乐技术博士研究生Mason Bretan如是说。正在研发中的程序将使用户能沟通过摇头或摆手表示不同意，来提醒Shimi跳到下一首歌或增减音量。机器人还可根据用户对歌曲的选择推荐新音乐，并对音乐播放列表提供反馈。

Weinberg希望其他研发者会因此获得灵感，开发更多的应用程序，来扩展Shimi的创新和交互功能。他说：“我认为我们中心正在引领这场将更多机器人应用到家庭中去的变革。” Weinberg正在通过获得佐治亚理工学院的独家授权来对Shimi进行商业推广。Weinberg希望到2013年的节日季消费者可购买到Shimi。Weinberg说：“如果机器人进入家庭，我们认为就应该是这种类型的机器人：小巧、令人愉快和有趣，它们能提高我们的生活质量，为更多智能服务型机器人进人我们的生活做好准备。

第二十篇Explorer of the Extreme Deep

Oceans cover more than two-thirds of our planet． Yet，just a small fraction of the undcrwaler world has been uxplored． Now，Scientists at the Woods Hole1 Oceanographic Institution(WHOI)in Massachusetts are building an underwater vehicle hat will carry explorers as deep as 6,500 meters(21,320 feet)．The new machine，known as a manned submersible or human-operated vehicle(HOV)，will replace another one named Alvin2 which bas an amazing

record of discovery，playing a key role in various important and famous undersea expeditions．Alvin has been operating for 40 years but can go down only 4,500 meters(14,784 feet)．It’s about time for an upgrade，WHOI researchers say．

Alvin was launched in 1964．Since then，Alvin has worked between 200 and 250 days a year，says Daniel Fornari，a marine geologist and director of the Deep Ocean Exploration Institute at WHOI．During its lifetime，Alvin has carried some 12,000 people on a total of more than 3,000 pes． A newer，better versions of Alvin is bound to reveal even more surprises ahout a world that is still full of mysteries，Fornari says．It might also make the job of exploration a little easier．“We take so much for granted on land,” Fornari says．“We can walk around and see with our eyes how big things are． We can see colors，special arrangements．”

Size-wise，the new HOV will be similar to Alvin．It’ll be about 37 feet long．The setting area inside will be a small sphere，about 8 feet wide，like Alvin，it’ll carry a pilot and two passengers．It will be just as maneuverable．In most other ways，it will give passengers more opportunities to enjoy the view，for one thing．Alvin has only three windows，the new vehicle will have five，with more overlap so that the passengers and the pilot can see the same thing．

Alvin can go up and down at a rate of 30 meters every second，and its maximum speed is 2 knots(about 2．3 miles per hour)，while the new vehicle will be able to ascend and descend at 44 meters per second．It’ll reach speeds of 3 knots，or 3．5 miles per hour． 词汇：

fraction/5frAkFEn/n．一部分 pe/daiv/v．＆ n．潜水；跳水

underwater/5QndE5wC:tE(r)/adj． bound/baund /adj．受约束的，一定的 水下的；adv．在水下

sphere/sfiE(r)/n．球体；范围 manned/5mAnd/adj．载人的

maneuverable/mE5nu:vErEbl/adj． undersea/5QndEsi:/ adj．海底的，机动的，可调动的 submersible/sQb5mE:sEbl/n．潜艇；潜水器

overlap /5EuvE5lAp/v．＆ n．重叠 upgrade/5Qp^reid/n．升级 ascend/E5send/ v．上升 geologist/dVi5ClEdVist/n．地质学家 注释： 1． Woods Hole：美国马萨诸塞州的一个渔村，但同时拥有许多重要研究机构，如：the Marine Biological Laboratory，the Sea Education Association以及the Woods Hole Oceanographic lnstitution。

2． Alvin：世界上第一个深海潜水器，它最有名的深海探测包括1986年对泰坦尼克号残骸的测量工作。练习：

1． What is Alvin?

A A research institute． B A transporting vehicle． C A submersible． D A scientist．

2． Which of the following statements is NOT a fact about Alvin? A It can carry explorers as deep as 6,500 meters．

B It has played a key role in various important undersea expeditions C It was launched in the sixties of the twentieth century． D It has been used for more than 40 years．

3． “．．．a world that is still full of mysteries” refers to A the earth． B out space． C the ocean． D Mars．

4． In what aspects are the new HOV and Alvin similar? A Size． B Speed． C Capacity． D Shape．

5． In what aspects are the new HOV and Alvin different? A Offering better views． B Speed． C Size．

D Both A and B．

答案与题解：

1． C 短文第一段的第四、第五句提供了答案

2． A 文章第一段从第三句开始说，科学家正在研制一艘可将研究人员带到6 500米深处的潜水装置，而它将替代Alvin，因为Alvin只能潜到4 500米深处。A不是事实，所以是正确选择。

3． C 本文讨论探索海底世界的潜水装置，所以“充满神秘色彩的世界”指的就是海洋。4． D 第三段的头三个句子告诉我们，HOV和Alvin在体积上和容量上相似。所以D是正确选择。

5． D 第三段最后两句告诉我们，Alvin只有三个窗户，而HOV有五个。最后一段告诉我们，两艘潜水装置的上下活动速度和行进速度有所差别。所以D是正确选择。译文： 深海探索器

海洋覆盖了我们地球三分之二的面积，但被开发的地下水却只有很小一部分。目前，马萨诸塞木洞海洋研究所的科学家们正在开发一种能载探索家们深入水下6 500米(21 320英尺)的水下交通丁具。作为一种载人潜艇或人T操作丁具，这种新的机器将替代世界上第一个深海潜水器Alvin。Azui”潜水器已经保持了惊人的纪录，在各种重要的深海考察中发挥着重要作用。Alvin潜水器已经运行了40年，但它只能深人水下4 500米(14 784英尺)。术洞海洋协会的研究家们说，潜水下具陔升级了。

Alvin潜水器下水始于1964年。海洋地质学家兼木洞海洋学研究所深海探索协会主任Daniel其不意Fornari说，自1 964年后，Alvin潜水器每年运行200～250天。在整个航程巾，它载12 000人进行过3 000多次潜水。

Fornari说，新式的Aluin潜水器必将揭示这个依旧充满神秘的水下世界的许多奇妙之处。它也可能会使水下探索更容易些。Fornari说：“我们在陆上把许多东两想当然，我们会四处行走，用我们的双眼看周同的东两的大小。我们会看到各种颜色，各种特殊的布置。”

这种新的人工操作机器与Aluin潜水器很相似，大小适中。长约37英，里面环境将是个小球体，约8英尺宽。和Azum一样，它将载一名宇航员和两名乘客。可渊动。其他方面。它将使乘客有更多机会欣赏风景，闪为旧式Aluin潜水器只有三个窗，“，新式的将有五个窗户，其中有很多折叠，乘客和宇航员可以看见相同的事物。

旧式Aluin抽潜水器可以每秒上下30米．最快时速是2节(约2．3英里／小时)；衙新式潜水器将能每秒上下44米，它最快时速将达到3节(3．5英曜/小时)。

第十八篇Thirst for Oil

Worldwide every day, we devour the energy equivalent of about 200 million barrels of oil.Most of the energy on Earth comes from the Sun.In fact enough energy from the Sun hits the planet’s surface each minute to cover our needs for an entire year, we just need to find an efficient way to use it.So far the energy in oil has been cheaper and easier to get at.But as supplies dwindle, this will change, and we will need to cure our addiction to oil.Burning wood satisfied most energy needs until the steam-driven industrial revolution, when energy-dense coal became the fuel of choice.Coal is still used, mostly in power stations, to cover one quarter of our energy needs, but its use has been declining since we started pumping up oil.Coal is the least efficient, unhealthiest and most environmentally damaging fossil fuel, but could make a comeback, as supplies are still plentiful: its reserves are five times larger than oil’s.Today petroleum, a mineral oil obtained from below the surface of the Earth and used to produce petrol, diesel oil and various other chemical substances, provides around 40% of the world’s energy needs, mostly fuelling automobiles.The US consumes n quarter of all oil, and generates a similar proportion of greenhouse gas emissions.The majority of oil comes from the Middle East, which has half of known reserves.But other significant sources include Russia, North America, Norway, Venezuela and the North Sea.Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge1 could be a major new US source, to reduce reliance on foreign imports.Most experts predict we will exhaust easily accessible reserves within 50 years, though opinions and estimates vary.We could fast reach an energy crisis in the next few decades, when

demand exceeds supply.As conventional reserves become more difficult to access, others such as oil shales and tar sands may be used instead.Petrol could also be obtained from coal.Since we started using fossil fuels, we have released 400 billion tonnes2 of carbon, and burning the entire reserves could eventually raise world temperatures by 130 C.Among other horrors, this would result in the destruction of all rainforests and the melting of all Arctic ice.注释:

1.Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge:美国阿拉斯加北极国家野生动物保护区。2001年，美国众议院通过了一项基于布什提出的在那里进行石油开采的议案。该议案遭到环境保护主义组织的反对。因此，目前在该区禁止开采石油。

2.tonne:公吨(= 1,000公斤〉。不同于 ton。ton:在美国等于二千磅(=0.907公吨)，所以称作 short ton:短吨。练习: 1.“… we will need to cure our addiction to oil.”Why does the author say so? A Most of the energy on Earth comes from the Sun.B Oil supply is increasing all the time.C Demand for oil is increasing all the time.D Oil supply is decreasing.2.Which of the following statements is NOT meant by the author, according to the second paragraph?

A Wood was the fuel of choice before coal.B The use of coal is declining.C Coal is the most environmentally unfriendly fuel next to oil.D Coal reserves are plentiful and will be likely to become the major fuel of choice.3.Which country is the biggest consumer of petroleum? A The United States.B Russia.C Norway.D Venezuela.4.What do experts say about the earth’s fuel reserves?

A The earth’s fuel reserves will be accessible for the next 50 years.B There will soon be an energy crisis.C Conventional reserves will soon become inaccessible.D Fuel demand will decline.5.What is NOT the result of consuming fossil fuels according to the last paragraph? A Rainforests will be destroyed.B Arctic ice will be melted.C The earth’s temperature will be raised.D The sea level will go up.答案与题解 : 1.D 答案在第一段昀后一句中。这里的 supplies指 oil supplies。

2.C短文的第二段告诉我们，木材曾经是主要燃料来源，然后被煤所替代；自人们开始采油后，对煤的需求下降了，但因为媒的储量远大于石油，它可能又会成为主要燃料，尽管它对环境昀具破坏力。所以 A、B、D均是作者的意思，而 C不是。next to oil除石油以外。

3.A文章的第三段说，美国消耗全世界四分之一的石油。

4.B答案在第五段第二句中。该段第一句说，地球上的燃料储量将在 50年内耗尽，所以 A不是正确选择；第三句的意思是，常规燃料的获取将变得困难，而不是不可获得，所以 C也不是正确选择； D明显不是作者的意思。

5.D 选项 A、B、C都是昀后一段中所表达的意思。所以 D是正确选择。

译文： 石油匮乏

全世界每天都要消耗相当于亿桶石油的能源。地球上的大部分能源来自于太阳。事实上，每分钟到达地球表层的来自于太阳的能源就足已满足我们一整年的需求，我们只是需要有效地加以利用而已。到目前为止，石油一直是一种较便宜、易获得的能源。但当供应缩减时，情况就会改变，我们就不能像现在这样不加节制地消耗石油了。

在蒸汽工业命时代，高能煤成为首选燃料之前，燃木能满足大部分能源需求。现在，煤仍然大量地运用于发电站，满足我们四分之一的能源需求。但自从我们开始大量开采石油后，煤的使用就已经在逐渐衰退。煤是使用效率最低、最不健康、最不环保的化石燃料，但因其供应充足——煤的储量是石油的6倍，煤的使用量又有所回升。

今天，石油作为一种从地表层挖掘出，用于生产汽油、柴油和其他各种化学物质的矿物油，供应着大约40%的世界能源需求，其中大部分用于供给机动车辆；美国消耗着世界四分之一的石油，同时排放出大约全球1/4的温室气体。

大部分的石油来自中东，牛东拥有50％的世界已勘探石油储存量。其他的石油产地包括俄罗斯、北美、挪威、委内瑞拉和北海。阿拉斯加北极国家野生动物保护区最新成为美国能源的又一主要供应地，减少了美国对国外进口石油的依赖。

尽管意见和评价各有不同，但大多数专家预测人类将在50年之内轻而易举地耗尽现行的所有储备石油。未来的几十年，当供不应求时我们会很快陷入能源危机。当常规能源不容易获得时，代之使用的可能是诸如油页岩和沥青砂等能源。石油也可从煤中提炼获得。

自从我们开始使用化石燃料，我们已经释放出4000亿吨碳。当化石燃料全部用完时，世界温度将上升13摄氏度。更恐怖的是，这将会导致所有热带雨林的破坏和北极冰的溶解。

第二十七篇Driven to Distraction

Joe Coyne slides into the driver’s eat, starts up the car and heads to town.The empty stretch of interstate gives way to urban congestion, and Coyne hits the brakes as a pedestrian suddenly crosses the street in front of him.But even if he hadn’t stopped in time, the woman would have been safe.She isn’t real.Neither is the town.And Coyne isn’t really driving.Coyne is demonstrating a computerized driving simulator that is helping researchers at Old Dominion University(ODU)examine how in-vehicle guidance systems affect the person behind the wheel.The researchers want to know if such systems, which give audible or written directions, are too distracting—or whether any distractions are offset by the benefits drivers get from having help finding their way in unfamiliar locations.“We’re looking at the performance and mental workload of drivers,” said Caryl Baldwin, the assistant psychology professor leading the research, which involves measuring drivers’ reaction time and brain activity as they respond to auditory and visual cues.The researchers just completed a study of the mental workload involved in driving through different kinds of environments and heavy vs.light traffic.Preliminary results show that as people “get into more challenging driving situations, they don’t have any extra mental energy to respond to something else in the environment,” Baldwin said.But the tradeoffs could be worth it, she said.This next step is to test different ways of giving drivers navigational information and how those methods change the drivers’ mental workload.“Is it best if they see a picture…that shows their position, a map kind of display?” Baldwin said.“Is it best if they hear it?” navigational systems now on the market give point-by-point directions that follow a prescribed route.“They’re very unforgiving,” Baldwin said.“If you miss a turn, they can almost seem to get angry.”

That style of directions also can be frustrating for people who prefer more general instructions.But such broad direction