Reading Comprehension Many experts complain that media too often take advantage of the science fic——青夏教育精英家教网—

Reading Comprehension

　　Many experts complain that media too often take advantage of the science fiction aspects of nanotech (纳米技术). Reports of nanotech often refer to K. Eric Drexler's book Engines of Creations, which predicts an age full of dominant molecular (分子的) manufacturing and world without material scarcity. Whatever humans need will one day be built cheaply with microscopic self-replicating machines (微细自我复制机)that put atoms together to create copies of anything alive in the worldfrom trees to human bodies.

　　In fact, the scientific community is deeply divided over whether self-replicating machines are possible. If they are, major dangers could east. Mr. Drexler himself thought that self-replicating machines could probably go out of control. He writes in his book that man-made “plants” with “leaves no more efficient than today's solar cells could win over real plants, crowding the earth with leaves that are not suitable to be eaten. Tough ‘bacteria’ could be more competitive than the real bacteria: They could spread everywhere, replicate swiftly, and reduce the earth to dust in a matter of days.”

　　Critics of nanotech have made use of such images, calling for a delay on commercial nanotech until regulations are established. They also point to the possible military uses of nanotech. Bill Joy, the co-founder of Sun Microsystems, wrote in a Wired magazine essay in 2000 that if nanotech falls into the wrong hands, it could bring dangers to society.

　　Opponents say Mr. Joy is overreacting. “In a way, calling for bans on research into molecular manufacturing is like calling for a delay on faster-than-light travel because no one is doing it,” says Glenn Reynolds, a University of Tennessee law professor.

　　Professor Reynolds says it is a good idea to regulate nanotech, but in ways the government would regulate any products that could be dangerous. Export controls and certification systems for nanotech companies are examples. US lawmakers have put forth four bills on nanotech research and development.

1．K. Eric Drexler in his book predicts a future world with sufficient material, because

[　　]

A．man-made plants could replace real plants and grow more quickly

B．plants produced by nanotech would be as efficient as today's solar cells

C．man-made bacteria would be widespread and capable of self-replicating

D．humans could create copies of anything alive with high technology

2．To call for a delay on commercial nanotech, critics of nanotech make use of

[　　]

A．current social problems

B．science fiction descriptions

C．disagreements in the scientific community

D．the fact that no one is doing molecular manufacturing

3．Opponents of Bill Joy would NOT agree to

[　　]

A．control nanotech export

B．ban nanotech research to avoid any possible dangers

C．put forth bills on nanotech research and development

D．establish a certification system for nanotech companies

4．Which of the following statements best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

[　　]

A．Nanotech should not be put into wrong use in the military field.

B．The government should regulare products that could be dangerous.

C．Nanotech regulations should be established in spite of the divided opinions.

D．The media should not take advantage of the science fiction aspects of nanotech.

Reading Comprehension

　　You are what you eat and fats are a main food for Asia's fast-food generation. Dr. Chwang, director of the Department of Food Nutrition, says children are consuming more meat and soft drinks. That is a thorough departure from the traditional diet of vegetables and rice and little meat. “They like big pieces of fried meat with a soft drink. So although they may eat the same volume of food, their calorie intake (卡路里摄入量) has increased. Now about 40 to 45 percent of their calories come from fat,” says Chwang.

　　Although on the whole Asians tend towards thinness, culturenamely Asians' hospitality (好客) is a reason for the fatness of today's generation, according to Chwang. “Asian people love food,” she says. “Eating and chinking are important social and family functions.” In the past, however, big meals were only hosted on special occasions as people were more careful with money. In today's climate of wealth and remarkable consumption, 10-course meals are no longer reserved for significant occasions.

　　More than anyone else, children are on the receiving end of their parents' improved circumstances. “In the past, people had four or more children-now, they have one or two, so they tend to spoil them,” says Chwang. “The easiest way is to give them ‘quality food’. Parents think feeding them well is showing their love. They feel bad when their children look thin.

　　When describing the physical condition of most overweight Asian children, Chwang says: “There is a clear relationship between fatness and indoor play. Children get fat because they don't move, and eventually, they don't want to move because they're fat.”

　　Thanks to technology, a growing army of children prefer video games to old outdoor sports. “What do children do when watching TV or sitting in front of the computer playing video games? They eat chocolate and drink Coke,” says Chwang.

1．Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

[　　]

A．Asian people tend to save more money.

B．Asian children depart from their diet tradition.

C．Asian children eat big meals on more occasions.

D．Culture contributes to the fatness of Asian children.

2．According to this passage, the ‘quality food’ fed by some parents is actually

[　　]

3．Some parents feel had when their children look thin, because

[　　]

A．their children don't love eating and drinking

B．their children don't have a good physical condition

C．they feel that they don't take good care of their children

D．they feel that they are not wealthy enough to afford ‘quality food’

4．The purpose of this article is to

[　　]

A．compare the traditional diet with today's diet of Asian children

B．find reasons for increased food consumption of Asian people

C．explain why many Asian children are overweight nowadays

D．prove the relationship between fatness and indoor play

Reading Comprehension

　　Martha had been working for Miller laboratories for two years, but she was not happy there. Nothing significant had happened in the way of promotions or salary increases. Martha felt that her supervisor, a younger and less experienced person than she, did not like her. In fact, the supervisor often said unpleasant things to her.

　　One day, while talking with her friend Maria, she mentioned how discouraged she was. Maria gave her the name of a cousin of hers who was director of Human Resources Department for a large chemical company. Martha called him the next day and set up an interview on her lunch bour.

　　During the interview, Mr. Petri said, “You're just the kind of person we need here. You' re being wasted in your other job. Give me a call in a day or two. I'm sure we can find a place for you in our organization.” Martha was so happy she almost danced out of the building.

　　That afternoon. Ruth Kenny, her supervisor, saw that Martha had come in ten minutes late from her lunch hour and she said, “Oh, so you finally decided to come back to work today?”

　　This was the last straw. She could not take another insult. Besides, Mr. Petri was right: she was being wasted in this job.

　　“Look,” she said angrily, “If you don't like the way I work, I don't need to stay here. I'll go where I'm appreciated! Good-bye!” She took up her things and stormed out of the office.

　　That night she called Maria and told her what had happened and then asked Maria, “What do you think?”

　　“Well,” said Maria carefully, “are you sure about the other job?”

　　“Well, not exactly, but…”

　　Maria continued, “Will you be able to get a recommendation from Ms. Kenny if you feed one?”

　　“A recommendation?… from Ms. Kenny?” hesitated Martha, in a worried tone.

　　“Martha, I hope you didn't burn your bridges,” Maria said, “I think I would have handled it differently.

1．Martha is unhappy in her job because

[　　]

A．she has not advanced

B．the work is not significant

C．her supervisor is younger than she

D．there is too much work with little payment

2．Which of the following statements is NOT true?

[　　]

A．At her supervisor's criticism, Martha lost her temper

B．Mr. Petri felt Martha was not valued in her present job.

C．Martha's interview with the director was on her lunch hour.

D．Martha got the name of the director through her cousin.

3．The phrase “the last straw” in the middle of the passage probably refers to

[　　]

A．the last opportunity

B．the straw that saves Martha's life

C．the last reminder

D．the final unpleasant thing

4．What does Maria think of Martha's decision?

[　　]

A．Martha has handled the matter properly.

B．Martha shouldn't have set the bridge on fire.

C．Martha should have found a new job before leaving.

D．Martha shouldn't have lost her temper with her supervisor.

Reading Comprehension

　　Q　　My husband and I would like to spend five or six days in the Maldives. Could you suggest some low-priced hotels? We'll be there in November.

　　Jan Davies, email.

　　A　　Prices in the Maldives are high. The cheaper hotels (and there aren't many) mightn't be much to look at, with unpleasant rooms, iron roofs, old buildings, poor and rough vegetation and basic facilities, but they get their atmosphere from cheerful customers and an untidy, free island feel.

　　Angaga (South Ari Atoll, phone 0011 960 450510), Asdu Sun Is-land (North Male Atoll, email info@asdu. com.mv) are both a bit like this.

　　You'll be there in the low season (May to November), when it's still warm, but there's a greater likelihood of rain, so you should be able to get a double (standard) room with full board (three meals a day) fo $100 a night.

　　However, pricing structures for the hotels are enormously complex for standard, superior and luxurious rooms.

　　Q　　My husband and I are from Australia. We are planning a four-week trip to London, Dublin and Paris in October and we are shocked by the cost of hotels. We have searched the Internet and hotel books given to us by tourist authorities but we can't find anything cheaper than $150 a night.

　　Joan Maloney, email.

　　A　　For Australians travelling Europe, especially its capital cities, is expensive. You may have to increase your budget (预算). However, if you can't afford these costs, then you should consider staying in hotels where the cheapest twin rooms with shared hathroom cost about $20 a person in Dublin and Paris and $35 in London. The minimum you would pay for a double room in a central area is $50 a person in Dublin and Paris and $70 in London. These prices are for shared bathroom facilities, though you will get a wonderfully unhealthy cooked breakfast thrown in.

　　Not all hotels are equal, of course, and it's a good idea to consult a guidebook with a good reputation.

1．The hotel Angaga in the Maldives

[　　]

A．attracts untidy people

B．has some basic facilities

C．has the best landscape

D．can be contacted by cmat

2．If you spend your holiday in the Maldives in February, ________.

[　　]

A．there is a greater likelihood of rain

B．the weather will probably be better than that of the low season

C．standard, superior and luxurious rooms are all available

D．a standard room with full board will cost less than $100 a night

3．What is the advice for the couple planning to visit Europe in October?

[　　]

A．They could live in hotel rooms of lower standard.

B．They should put up with the wonderfully unhealthy cooked break fast

C．They should buy a rcliable guidebook instend of increasing the budget

D．They should stay in hotels in a central area

阅读理解

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　At one time, computers were expected largely to remove the need for paper copies of documents(文件)because they could be stored electronically. But for all the texts that are written, stored and sent electronically, a lot of them are still ending up on paper.

　　It is difficult to measure the quantity of paper used as a result of use of Internet-connect-ed computers, although just about anyone who works in an office can tell you that when e-mail is introduced, the printers start working overtime. “I feel in my bones this revolution is causing more trees to be cut down,” says Ted Smith of the Earth Village Organisation.

　　Perhaps the best sign of how computer and Internet use pushes up demand for paper comes from the high-tech industry itself, which sees printing as one of its most promising new markets. Several Internet companies have been set up to help small businesses print quality documents from a computer. Earlier this week Hewlett-Packard Co. announced a plan to develop new technologies that will enable people to print even more so they can get a hard copy of a business document, a medical record or just a one-line e-mail, even if they are nowhere near a computer. As the company sees it, the more use of the Internet the greater demand for printers.

　　Does all this mean environmental concerns (环境问题) have been forgotten? Some activists suggest people have been led to believe that a lot of dangers to the environment have gone away. “I guess people believe that the problem is taken care of, because of recycling(回收利用),” said Kelly Quirke, director of the Rainforest Action Network in San Francisco. Yet Quirke is hopeful that high-tech may also prove helpful. He says printers that print on both sides are growing in popularity. The action group has also found acceptable paper made from materials other than wood, such as agricultural waste.

1．The growing demand for paper in recent years is largely due to ________.

[　　]

A．the rapid development of small businesses

B．the opening up of new markets

C．the printing of high quality copies

D．the increased use of the Internet

2．Environmentalists believe one possible way of dealing with the paper situation is ________.

[　　]

A．to encourage printing more quality documents

B．to develop new printers using recycled paper

C．to find new materials for making paper

D．to plant more fast-growing trees

3．Hewlett-Packard Co. has decided to develop new technologies because ________.

[　　]

A．people are concerned about the environment

B．printers in many offices are working overtime

C．small companies need more hard copies

D．they see a growing market for printers

4．What would be the best title for the text?

[　　]

A．Computers and Printers

B．E-mail and the Business World

C．Internet Revolution and Environment

D．Modem Technology and New Markets

阅读理解

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　There is one foreign product the Japanese are buying faster than others, and its popularity has caused an uneasy feeling among many Japanese.

　　That product is foreign words.

　　Gairaigo - words that come from outside - have been part of the Japanese language for centuries. Mostly borrowed from English and Chinese, these terms are often changed into forms no longer understood by native speakers.

　　But in the last few years the trickle(涓涓细流) of foreign words has become a flood, and people fear the increasing use of foreign words is making it hard for the Japanese to understand each other and could lead to many people forgetting the good qualities of traditional (传统的) Japanese.

　　“The popularity of foreign words is part of the Japanese interest in anything new,” says university lecturer and writer Takashi Saito. “By using a foreign word you can make a subject seem new, which makes it easier for the media (媒体)to pick up.”

　　“Experts(专家) often study abroad and use English terms when they speak with people in their own fields. Those terms are then included in government white papers,” said Muturo Kai, president of the National Language Research Institute. “Foreign words find their way easily into announcements made to the general public, when they should really be explained in Japanese.”

　　Against the flow of new words, many Japanese are turning back to the study of their own language. Saito's Japanese to Be Read Aloud is one of many language books that are now flying off booksellers' shelves.

　　“We were expecting to sell the books to young people,” said the writer, “but it turns out they are more popular with the older generation, who seem uneasy about the future of Japanese.”

1．What advantages do foreign words have over traditional Japanese terms?

[　　]

A．The ideas expressed in foreign words sound new.

B．Foreign words are best suited for announcements.

C．Foreign words make new subjects easier to understand.

D．The use of foreign words makes the media more popular.

2．In the opinion of Takashi Saito, Japanese people ________.

[　　]

A．are good at learning foreign languages

B．are willing to learn about new things

C．trust the media

D．respect experts

3．Which of the following plays an important part in the spread of foreign words?

[　　]

A．The media and government papers.

B．Best-selling Japanese textbooks.

C．The interest of young Japanese.

D．Foreign products and experts.

4．The book Japanese to Be Read Aloud ________.

[　　]

A．sells very well in Japan

B．is supported by the government

C．is questioned by the old generation

D．causes misunderstanding among the readers

阅读理解

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　Tales From Animal Hospital

　　David Grant

　　David Grant has become a familiar face to millions of fans of Animal Hospital. Here Dr Grant tells us the very best of his personal stories about the animals he has treated, including familiar patients such as the dogs Snowy and Duchess, the delightful cat Marigold Serendipity Diamond. He also takes the reader behind the scenes at Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital as he describes his day, from ordinary medical check-ups to surgery (外科手术). Tales From Animal Hospital will delight all fans of the programme and anyone who has a lively interest in their pet, whether it be cat, dog or snake! ￡ 14,99 Hardback 272pp Simon Schuster

　　ISBN 0751304417

　　Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer

　　Michael White

　　From the author of Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science, comes this colourful description of the life of the world's first modem scientist. Interesting yet based on fact, Michael White's learned yet readable new book offers a true picture of Newton completely different from what people commonly know about him. Newton is shown as a gifted scientist with very human weaknesses who stood at the point in history where magic(魔术)ended and science began. ￡ 18.99 Hardback 320pp Fourth Estate

　　ISBN 1857024168

　　Fermat's Last Theorem

　　Simon Singh

　　In 1963 a schoolboy called Andrew Wiles reading in his school library came across the world's greatest mathematical problem: Fermat's Last Theorem (定理). First put forward by the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in the seventeenth century, the theorem had baffled and beaten the finest mathematical minds, including a French woman scientist who made a major advance in working out the problem, and who had to dress like a man in order to be able to study at the Ecole Polytechnique. Through unbelievable determination Andrew Wiles finally worked out the problem in 1995．An unusual story of human effort over three centuries, Fermat's last Theorem will delight specialists and general readers alike. ￡ 12.99 Hardback 384pp Fourth Estate

　　ISBN 1857025210

1．What is Animal Hospital?

[　　]

2．In Michael White's book, Newton is described as ________.

[　　]

A．a person who did not look the same as in many pictures

B．a person who lived a colourful and meaningful life

C．a great but not perfect man

D．an old-time magician

3．Which of the following best explains the meaning of the word “baffle” as it is used in the text?

[　　]

A．To encourage people to raise questions.

B．To cause difficulty in understanding.

C．To provide a person with an explanation.

D．To limit people's imagination.

4．The person who finally proved Fermat's Last Theorem is ________.

[　　]

A．Simon Singh

B．Andrew Wiles

C．Pierre de Fermat

D．a French woman scientist

5．What is the purpose of writing these three texts?

[　　]

A．To make the books easier to read.

B．To show the importance of science.

C．To introduce new authors.

D．To sell the books.

阅读理解

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　Reading to dogs is an unusual way to help children improve their literacy skills (读写能力). With their shining brown eyes, wagging tails, and unconditional love, dogs can provide the nonjudgmental listeners needed for a beginning reader to gain confidence (自信心), according to Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) in Salt Lake City. The group says it is the first program in the country to use dogs to help develop literacy in children, with the introduction of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ).

　　The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea. “Literacy specialists admit that children who read below the level of their fellow pupils are often afraid of reading aloud in a group, often have lower self-respect, and regard reading as a headache,” said Lisa Myron, manager of the children's department.

　　Last November the two groups started “Dog Day Afternoon” in the children's department of the main library. About 25 children attended each of the four Saturday-afternoon classes, reading for half an hour. Those who attended three of the four classes received a “pawgraphed” book at the last class.

　　The program was so successful that the library plans to repeat it in April, according to Dana Thumpowsky, public relations manager.

1．What is mainly discussed in the text?

[　　]

A．Children's reading difficulties.

B．Advantages of raising dogs.

C．Service in a public library.

D．A special reading program.

2．Specialists use dogs to listen to children reading because they think ________.

[　　]

A．dogs are young children's best friends

B．children can play with dogs while reading

C．dogs can provide encouragement for shy children

D．children and dogs understand each other

3．By saying “The Salt Lake City Public Library is sold on the idea”, the writer means the library ________.

[　　]

A．uses dogs to attract children

B．accepts the idea put forward by ITA

C．has opened a children's department

D．has decided to train some dogs

4．A “pawgraphed” book is most probably ________.

[　　]

A．a book used in Saturday classes

B．a book written by the children

C．a prize for the children

D．a gift from parents

阅读理解

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　Tristan da Cunha, a 38-square-mile island, is the farthest inhabited island in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. It is 1,510 miles southwest of its nearest neighbor, St. Helena, and 1,950 miles west of Africa. Discovered by the Portuguese admiral (葡萄牙海军上将) of the same name in 1506, and settled in 1810, the island belongs to Great Britain and has a population of a few hundred.

　　Coming in a close second - and often wrongly mentioned as the most distant land - is Easter Island, which lies 1,260 miles east of its nearest neighbor, Pitcairn Island, and 2,300 miles west of South America.

　　The mountainous 64-square-mile island was settled around the 5^th century, supposedly by people who were lost at sea. They had no connection with the outside world for more than a thousand years, giving them plenty of time to build more than 1,000 huge stone figures, called moai, for which the island is most famous.

　　On Easter Sunday, 1722, however, settlers from Holland moved in and gave the island its name. Today, 2,000 people live on the Chilean territory (智利领土). They share one street, a small airport, and a few hours of television per day.

1．It can be learned from the text that the island of Tristan da Cunha ________.

[　　]

A．was named after its discoverer

B．got its name from Holland settlers

C．was named by the British government

D．got its name from the Guinness Book of Records

2．Which of the following is most famous for moai?

[　　]

3．Which country does Easter Island belong to?

[　　]

阅读理解

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

Native Tongue

　　At first Kate thought the Romanian girl could not speak and understand English. Nadia would not reply to anything Kate said. Kate was in charge of showing Nadia around on her first day at Buckminster Grade School. Kate could not figure out why the school had put Nadia in a class where she could not understand what people were saying.

　　“Why did they do this?” Kate wondered aloud. “I mean, you can't learn if you can't understand the teacher.”

　　Nadia's voice was a whisper. “I understand English. I will learn.” Nadia's English was perfect.

　　Kate was perplexed. She couldn't understand why Nadia did not like to speak. Then she realized that moving to a new country probably wasn't the easiest thing to do. There were hundreds of unfamiliar and unusual things to learnall at the same time.

　　“There're a lot of new things to learn, huh?” said Kate.

　　Nadia nodded rapidly. In a quiet voice she replied, “Many things people say, I do not understand. I have been speaking English and Romanian all my life, but I do not know what some children are saying. For example, yesterday a boy asked if I could help him find the USB port on a thin black box he was carrying. Isn't a port a place for ships? It made no sense to me.”

　　“Don't worry,” said Kate. “You'll figure everything out in time. You see, that thin black box was a computer. A USB port is a place where you can connect other machines to a computer.”

　　Nadia and Kate were quiet after that. They took notes while the teacher gave a maths lesson. To Kate's surprise, Nadia put up her hand and offered to answer questions at the blackboard.

　　Nadia handled every question the teacher gave her. Some of the questions were really difficult, and no one understood what was going on except Nadia and the teacher. When the teacher said that Nadia answered everything correctly, the whole class clapped their hands.

　　Nadia was smiling when she sat back down next to Kate. “Some things,” she said in a normal voice, “are the same all over the world.”

1．At the beginning of Nadia's first day at school, she was ________.

[　　]

2．The underlined word “perplexed” probably means ________.

[　　]

A．puzzled

B．angry

C．shocked