题目内容
【题目】阅读理解
Science has a lot of uses. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up. Indeed science is so good at what it does that there's always a temptation(诱惑) to drag it into problems where it may not be helpful. David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character,and Achievement, appears to be the latest in a long line of writers who have failed to resist the temptation.
Brooks gained fame for several books. His latest book The Social Animal, however, is more ambitious and serious than his earlier books. It is an attempt to deal with a set of weighty topics. The book focuses on big questions: What has science revealed about human nature? What are the sources of character? And why are some people happy and successful while others aren't?
To answer these questions, Brooks surveys a wide range of disciplines(学科). Considering this, you might expect the book to be a dry recitation of facts. But Brooks has structured his book in an unorthodox(非常规的), and perhaps unfortunate, way. Instead of introducing scientific theories, he tells a story, within which he tries to make his points, perhaps in order to keep the reader's attention.So as Harold and Erica, the hero and heroine in his story, live through childhood, we hear about the science of child development and as they begin to date we hear about the theory of sexual attraction. Brooks carries this through to the death of one of his characters.
On the whole, Brooks' story is acceptable if uninspired. As one would expect, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed, for instance, the chapter in which Harold discovers how to think on his own. While Harold and Erica are certainly not strong or memorable characters, the more serious problems with The Social Animal lie elsewhere. These problems partly involve Brooks' attempt to translate his tale into science.
(1)The author mentions the functions of science at the beginning of the passage to__________.
A.illustrate where science can be applied
B.demonstrate the value of Brooks' new book
C.remind the reader of the importance of science
D.explain why many writers use science in their works
(2)According to the author, which of the following could be a strength of the book?
A.Its strong basis.
B.Its convincing points.
C.Its clear writing.
D.Its memorable characters.
(3)What is the author's general attitude towards the book?
A.Contradictory.
B.Supportive.
C.Cautious.
D.Critical.
(4)What is the author likely to write about after the last paragraph?
A.Problems with the book.
B.Brooks's life experience.
C.Death of the characters.
D.Brooks's translation skills.
【答案】
(1)D
(2)C
(3)D
(4)A
【解析】本文是一篇议论文,文章先列举出科学的许多功能,接着指出科学有巨大的诱惑力,以致许多作家抵挡不住这种诱惑,在文学作品中运用到科学。并以Brooks的新书The social animal为例,批判地分析这本书的优势和不足。
(1)考查写作意图。首段第一、二句首先列举出科学的许多功能,接着指出科学有巨大的诱惑力,以致许多作家抵挡不住这种诱惑,在文学作品中运用到科学。故选D项。
(2)考查推理判断。根据最后一段中的“…, his writing is mostly clear and , to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed,… ”可知作者认为写作思路清晰是这本书的一大优势。故选C项。
(3)考查观点态度。最后一段中的链接词“while”之前是这本书的优势,其后作者指出了其不足。因此作者对这部书持批判的态度。故选D项。
(4)考查篇章结构。文章最后一段中链接词“while”后面部分开始谈论这本书存在的问题。因此紧接着作者应该还是在写这本的不足。故选A项。
【题目】根据短文内容,从下框的A~F选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项。选项中有一项为多余项。
A. The mistaken belief |
There is the belief that, if you arrive at an appointment late, you will be considered important. This is a mistaken view. Being unpunctual, we are not respectful of others ; we are interfering (扰乱)with another man's time. We must realise that keeping appointments or being punctual is a contract that is silently agreed and we are expected to respect this contract. It is only natural that we lose faith, trust and confidence in a person who is tardy(延迟的).
To be punctual one has to have self-discipline(自律), and the lack of it affects others. A school boy or girl is unpunctual because he or she does not have the necessary human virtue of self-discipline. It is also a mark of disrespect for a system or an institution. Unpunctual people seldom realise that their habit cause problems to others. A salesman who is not punctual may not make a sale if he arrives late for an appointment. If one is late for a job interview, it is not likely that he will get the job.
Being punctual, we can avoid anxiety. Imagine the anxiety if you do not want to be considered unpunctual. You will be anxious if you set out for a dinner late. The person who sets out late might be careless in driving. He will ignore traffic rules. A traffic jam, flat tyres, etc. can delay him further. Happy and calm is the man who takes all these possibilities into consideration and arrives at the appointment either early or on time.
Many of those who attend dinners are notorious (声名狼藉的)for unpunctuality. They ignore the appointed time and leave their homes only after the fixed time. They are indifferent to the inconvenience caused to others. If the self-centred guest arrives late, the nine others at the table set for ten will have to wait. The host is put in an unpleasant situation and this man seldom thinks of the inconvenience caused to all -the waiters, the management staff, etc. It is necessary for us to think of others and be considerate to them.
However, we cannot always be intolerant (无法容忍的) of tardiness, for ordinary living requires some tolerance. There can be a busy executive who fights to keep to his schedule. Such a person may be forgiven if he is late, but not those who are deliberately late to create impression.
In modern society, punctuality is a necessary virtue. It is a recognition of the importance of other people.