2004 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2004 Text 2（英语⼆）姓⽒与字⺟顺序
Text 2
Over the past century, all kinds of unfairness and discrimination have been condemned or made illegal.
But one insidious form continues to thrive: alphabetism.
This, for those as yet unaware of such a disadvantage, refers to discrimination against those whose surnames begin with a letter in the lower half of the alphabet.
It has long been known that a taxi firm called AAAA has a big advantage over Zodiaccars when customers thumb through their phone directories.
Less well known is the advantage that Adam Abbott has in life over Zoe Zysman.
English names are fairly evenly spread between the halves of the alphabet.
Yet a suspiciously large number of top people have surnames beginning with letters between A and K.
Thus and vice-president have surnames starting with C respectively; and 26 of George Bush's predecessors (including his father) had surnames in the first half of the alphabet against just 16 in the second half.短⽂2
在过去的⼀个世纪⾥，各种各样的不公和歧视遭到了谴责或定为⾮法。
但是有⼀种隐蔽的形式还在蔓延：按字⺟表顺序排名。
对于尚未意识到其危害的⼈来说，它指的是对那些姓⽒起始字⺟位于字⺟表后半部的⼈的歧视。
⼈们早已知道在客户翻阅电话簿时，名叫 AAAA 的出租汽⻋公司要⽐Zodiac出租汽⻋公司有很⼤的优越性。
⾄于在⽣活⽅⾯ Adam Abbott 较之 Zoe Zysman 的优越性就不那么为⼈所知了。
英语的姓名虽然在字⺟表的前后两半部分的分布相当平均，
但顶级⼈物的姓名的⾸字⺟在 A 与K 之间的却多得可疑。
the American presidentB and
如此这般，美国的总统和副总统的姓⽒分别是以 B 和C字⺟起头。乔治·布什的前任有⼆⼗六位（包括其⽗）的姓⽒均在字⺟表的前半部，⽽姓⽒在字⺟表后半部的却仅有⼗六位。Even more striking, six of the seven of the G7 are alphabetically advantaged (Berlusconi, Blair, Bush, , Chrétien and Koizumi) .
The world's three top central bankers (Greenspan, and Hayami) are all close to the top of the alphabet, even if one of them really uses .
As are the world's five (Gates, Buffett, Allen, Ellison and Albrecht) .
Can this merely be coincidence?
One theory, dreamt up in all the enjoyed by the alphabetically disadvantaged, is that the rot sets in early.
At the start of the first year in , teachers seat pupils alphabetically from the front, to make it easier to remember their names.
So short-sighted Zysman junior gets stuck in the back row, and is rarely asked the improving questions posed by those insensitive teachers.
At the time the alphabetically disadvantaged may think they have had a lucky escape.
Yet the result may be worse qualifications, because they get less individual attention, as well as less confidence in speaking publicly.heads of governmentrich countriesChirac
更加令⼈瞩⽬的是七⼤富裕强国政府的⾸脑中有六位在其姓⽒按字⺟表顺序排名时靠前（Berlusconi，Blair，Bush，Chirac，Chrétien，Koizumi）。
DuisenbergJapanese characters
世界三⼤中央银⾏⾏⻓（Greenspan，Duisenberg，Hayami）全都接近字⺟表的上端，三⼈之中有⼀⼈即使⽤⽇⽂也是如此。
richest men
世界上最富有的前五位情况也是如此（Gates，Buffett，Allen，Ellison，Albrecht）。
这仅仅是巧合吗？
spare time
按字⺟表顺序排名靠后的⼈在享受闲暇时光时凭空想出⼀种理论，认为这种倒霉事⽼早就开始了。
infant school
在幼⼉学校第⼀年之始，⽼师为了较为容易记住学⽣的名字，就按字⺟表顺序由前往后给学⽣排座位。
因此近视的⼩ Zysman 就被插在了后排，这样⼀来，粗⼼的教师提出的有助于提⾼的问题就很少会问到他。
这时，按字⺟表顺 序排名靠后的学⽣还认为他们能逃避⽼师的问题很幸运。
然⽽，结果可能就是成绩⽋佳，因为这种学⽣得到的个⼈关注较少，同时当众讲话时的信⼼也不⾜。The humiliation continues.
At university graduation ceremonies, the ABCs proudly get their awards first; by the time they reach the Zysmans most people are literally having a ZZZ.
Shortlists for job interviews, election , lists of conference speakers and attendees: all tend to be drawn up alphabetically, and their recipients lose interest asthey plough through them.这种委屈继续着。
在⼤学的毕业典礼上，姓名⾸字⺟是 ABC 的学⽣骄傲的⾸先领到奖品；等轮到 Zysmans 们领奖品的时候，⼤多数⼈简直都在鼾声⼤作了。
ballot papers
求职⾯试、选举投票、会议发⾔或参加会议等诸多名单，也是按字⺟表顺序排序，当⼈们费劲地向下查看时，兴趣随之索然。
2009 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2009 Text 2（英语⼆）你⽗亲是谁？It is a wise father that knows his own child, but today a man can boost his paternal (fatherly) wisdom — or at least confirm that he's the kid's dad.All he needs to do is shell out $30 for paternity testing kit (PTK) at his local drugstore — and another $120 to get the results.More than 60,000 people have purchased the PTKs since they first become available without prescriptions last year, according to Doug Fog, of Identigene, which makes the over-the-counter kits.More than two dozen companies sell DNA tests directly to the public, ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to more than $2500.Among the most popular: paternity and kinship testing, which adopted children can use to find their biological relatives and families can use to track down kids put up for adoption.DNA testing is also the latest rage among passionate genealogists and supports businesses that offer to search for a family's geographic roots.More tests require collecting cells by swabbing saliva in the mouth and sending it to the company for testing.All tests require a potential candidate with whom to compare DNA.俗话说，贤⽗知其⼦，但是如今男⼈可以提升⾃⼰做⽗亲的智慧，或者⾄少可以确认⾃⼰是孩⼦的⽗亲了。他所要做的就是在住所附近的药店⾥付 30 美元买⼀个⽗⼦关系测试包(PTK)，然后另⽀付 120 美元以获得结果。chief operating officer道格·福格是 Identigene (⽣产在药店可以出售的测试包的公司) 的⾸席运营官，他指出⾃从去年 PTK ⽆需处⽅就可以买到以来，购买者已经超过 6万⼈。⼆⼗多家公司直接向公众出售 DNA 检测⼯具，价格从⼏百美元到 2500 多美元不等。最受欢迎的 DNA 测试是⽗⼦和⾎缘关系检测，被收养的孩⼦可以利⽤它找到⾃⼰的⾎缘亲属，家庭也可以⽤它追踪到被收养的孩⼦。最近 DNA 检测受到许多热情的族谱学家追捧，同时还为那些家族寻根服务公司提供了⽀持。更多的测试需要从唾液中提取细胞，将其送⾄公司进⾏检测。But some observers are skeptical."There is a kind of being hawked by people claiming they are doing ancestry testing," says Trey Duster, a sociologist.He notes that each individual has many ancestors-numbering in the hundreds just afew centuries back.Yet most ancestry testing only considers a single lineage, either the inherited through men in a father's line or , which is passed down only from mothers.This DNA can reveal about only one or two ancestors, even though, for example, just three generations back people also have six other great-grandparents or, four generations back, 14 other great-great-grandparents.Critics also argue that commercial is only as good as the reference collections to which a sample is compared.Databases used by some companies don't rely on data collected systematically but rather lump together information from different research projects.This means that a DNA database may have a lot of data from some regions and not others, so a person's test result may differ depending on the company that processesthe results.所有的测试都需要另外⼀个相关⼈员的 DNA 进⾏⽐对。但是观察家们持怀疑态度。false precisionNew York University纽约州⽴⼤学的社会学家特洛伊·达斯特说，“那些声称可以进⾏⾎统检测的⼈，他们兜售的测试有⼀定的不准确性。”他注意到每个⼈都有许多祖先，仅⼏个世纪以前就有⼏百个之多。Y chromosomemitochondrial DNA但是多数⾎统检测只考虑某个单⼀系统，或者是遗传⾃⽗亲的 Y 染⾊体，或者是只由⺟亲遗传的线粒体 DNA。genetic information这个 DNA 只揭示了⼀两个祖先的基因信息。但是例如：仅仅 3 代之前除了曾祖⽗⺟，他们还有 6 个外曾祖⽗⺟，或者 4 代以前除了曾曾祖⽗⺟，他们还有 14 个外曾曾祖⽗⺟。genetic testing批评家们还争论说商业性基因检测的好坏取决于参照基因数据库的好坏。参照基因数据库是⽤来同样本进⾏对⽐的。⼀些公司数据库⾥的数据并⾮系统性的采集取得的，⽽是将不同研究项⽬的信息胡乱搜集在⼀起。In addition, the a company uses to estimate relationships may be patented and not subject to or outside evaluation.这意味某个 DNA 数据库可能包含某些地区很多的信息，却没有别的地区的信息。所以⼀个⼈的测试结果会随着测试公司的不同⽽不同。computer programspeer review此外，公司评估⾎缘关系的电脑程序可能申请了专利，不能对该程序进⾏同⾏审查、外界评估。
2003 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)动物权益
2003 Text 2（英语⼆）动物权益To paraphrase 18th-century statesman , “all that is needed for the triumph of a misguided cause is that good people do nothing. ”One such cause now seeks to end biomedical research because of the theory that animals have rights ruling out their use in research.Scientists need to respond forcefully to animal rights advocates, whose arguments are confusing the public and thereby threatening advances in health knowledge and care.Leaders of the target biomedical research because it depends on public funding, and few people understand the process of health care research.Hearing allegations of in research settings, many are perplexed that anyone would deliberately harm an animal.For example, a grandmotherly woman staffing an animal rights booth at a recent street fair was distributing a brochure that encouraged readers not to use anything that comes from or is tested in animals-no meat, no fur, no medicines.Asked if she opposed immunizations, she wanted to know if vaccines come from animal research. When assured that they do, she replied, “Then I would have to say yes. ”Edmund Burke18世纪政治家埃德蒙·柏克曾说过类似这样的话，“误导之所以成功就在于好⼈不作为”。⼀个事业是正在寻求终⽌⽣物医学的研究，因为有这样⼀种理论说，动物享有权利禁⽌它们被⽤于实验。科学家应该对动物权利⿎吹者做出强有⼒的回应，因为他们的⾔论混淆了公众的视听，从⽽威胁到卫⽣知识和卫⽣服务的进步。animal rights movement动物权利运动的领导者将⽭头指向⽣物医学研究，原因在于它依赖公共资⾦的资助，并且很少有⼈懂得医学研究的过程。cruelty to animals当⼈们听到医学实验虐待动物的指控时，许多⼈都不明⽩为什么有⼈会故意伤害动物。例如，在近期的⼀次集市上，⼀位⽼奶奶站在动物权利宣传点前散发⼩册⼦，规劝⼈们不要使⽤动物制品和动物实验制品——⾁类，⽑⽪，药物。当被问到她是否反对免疫接种时，她问疫苗是否来⾃动物实验。当被告知的确如此，她回答道，“那么Asked what will happen when epidemics return, she said, “Don't worry, scientists will find some way of using computers. ”Such well-meaning people just don't understand.Scientists must communicate their message to the public in a compassionate, understandable way — in human terms, not in the language of .We need to make clear the connection between animal research and a grandmother's hip replacement, a father's , a baby's vaccinations, and even a pet's shots.To those who are unaware that animal research was needed to produce these treatments, as well as new treatments and vaccines, animal research seems wastefulat best and cruel at worst.Much can be done. Scientists could “adopt” middle school classes and present their own research.They should be quick to respond to letters to the editor, lest animal rights misinformation go unchallenged and acquire a deceptive appearance of truth.Research institutions could be opened to tours, to show that laboratory animals receive humane care.我不得不说，是的，我反对接种”。当被问到瘟疫爆发怎么办时，她说，“不⽤担⼼，科学家会找到⼀种⽅法，⽤计算机来解决问题”。看，这样好⼼的⼈们就是不明⽩。molecular biology科学家必须把他们的意思传达给公众，并且要使⽤有同情⼼和通俗易懂的语⾔，⼀般⼈能够明⽩的语⾔，⽽不要使⽤分⼦⽣物学的语⾔。bypass operation我们需要说明动物实验与祖⺟的髋⻣更换、⽗亲的⼼脏搭桥、婴⼉的免疫接种、甚⾄宠物的注射针剂都密切相关。许多⼈不明⽩获得这些新的治疗⽅法和疫苗都必须进⾏动物实验。对于他们来说，动物实验说 得好是浪费，说得不好是残忍。有很多事情可以做。科学家可以进⼊中学课堂，展示他们的实验结果。他们应该对报刊的读者来信及时做出反应， 以防⽌动物权利的误导⾔论在毫⽆质疑的情况下横⾏，从⽽获得⼀副真理的假象。Finally, because the ultimate stakeholders are patients, the health should actively recruit to its cause not only well-known personalities such as Stephen Cooper, who has made courageous (statements) about the value of animal research, but all who receive .If good people do nothing, there is a real possibility that an uninformed citizenry will extinguish the precious embers of medical progress.科研机构应该对外开放，让⼈参观，向⼈们展示实验室⾥的动物获得了⼈道的对待。research communitymedical treatment最后，因为最终决定因素是病⼈，医疗研究机构不仅应该积极争取斯蒂芬·库柏这样的名⼈的⽀持——他对动物实验的价值勇敢地进⾏了尝试——⽽且应该争取所有接受治疗的病⼈的⽀持。如果好⼈⽆所作为，⼀群不明真相的公众真的有可能扑灭医学进步的宝贵⽕种。
2014 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2014 Text 2（英语⼆）我们如何真正地评价⾃⼰的⻓相An article in Scientific America has pointed out that says that, actually, you think you're more beautiful than you are.We have a deep-seated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategies to achieve this.
Social psychologists have amassed oceans of research into what they call the "aboveaverage effect", or "illusory superiority", and shown that, for example, 70% of us rate ourselves as above average in leadership, 93% in driving, and 85% at getting on well with others — all obviously statistical impossibilities.
We rose-tint our memories and put ourselves into self-affirming situations.We become defensive when criticized and apply negative stereotypes to others to boost our own self-esteem.We stalk around thinking we're hot stuff.Psychologist and Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into self-enhancement and attractiveness.Rather than have people simply rate their beauty compared with others, he asked them to identify an original photograph of themselves from a line-up including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive.empirical research《科学美国⼈》中的⼀篇⽂章指出：实证研究表明，事实上，你总是认为⾃⼰⽐真正的⾃⼰要漂亮。
2020 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2020 Text 2（英语⼆）CEO ⾼薪惹争议Text 2It is true that pay has gone up — top ones may make 300 times the pay of typical workers on average, and since the mid-1970s, CEO pay for large American corporations has, by varying estimates, gone up by about 500%.A typical CEO of a top American corporation now makes about $18.9 million a year.The best model for understanding the growth of CEO pay is that of limited CEO talent in a world where business opportunities for the top firms are growing rapidly.The efforts of America's highest-earning 1% have been one of the more dynamic elements of the .It's not popular to say, but one reason their pay has gone up so much is that CEOs have really upped their game relative to many other workers in the U. S. economy.Today's CEO, at least for major American firms, must have many more skills than simply being able to "run the company ".CEOs must have a of and maybe even how the company should, trade in them.They also need better skills than their predecessors, as the costs of even a minor slip-up can be significant.⽂章 ⼆CEOpublicly traded的确，CEO 的薪酬已经上涨了——最⾼级别的 CEO 的薪酬可能是普通⼯⼈平均薪酬的 300 倍，⾃ 1970年代中期以来，根据不同的估计，美国⼤型上市公司的⾸席执⾏官的薪酬已经上升了约 500%。⼀个典型的美国顶级企业的 CEO 现在的年薪约为 1890 万美元。理解 CEO 薪酬增⻓的最佳模式是，在⼀个顶级公司的商业机会迅速增⻓的世界⾥，CEO ⼈才有限。global economy美国收⼊最⾼的 1% 的⼈的努⼒⼀直是全球经济中⽐较活跃的因素之⼀。这种说法可能不受欢迎，但他们的薪酬涨幅如此之⼤的⼀个原因是，相对于美国经济中的许多其他劳动者，CEO 们确实提升了⾃⼰的⽔平。今天的 CEO，⾄少对于美国⼤公司来说，必须具备更多的技能，⽽不仅仅是能够 “经营公司”。good sensefinancial markets⾸席执⾏官必须对⾦融市场，甚⾄公司应该如何进⾏交易有良好的意识。public relationsThen there's the fact that large American companies are much more globalized thanever before, with spread across a larger number of countries.To lead in that system requires knowledge that is fairly mind-boggling.Plus, virtually all major American companies are becoming tech companies, often with their own .And beyond this, major CEOs still have to do all the day-to-day work they have always done.The common idea is that high CEO pay is mainly about ripping people off doesn't explain history very well.By most measures, has become a lot tighter and more rigorous since the 1970s.Yet it is principally during this period of stronger governance that CEO pay has been high and rising.That suggests that it is in the broader corporate interest to recruit top candidates for increasingly tough jobs.Furthermore, the highest CEO salaries are paid to outside candidates, not to the cozyinsider picks.他们还需要⽐前辈有更好的公共关系技能，因为哪怕是⼀个⼩⼩的失误，其代价也是巨⼤的。supply chains还有就是美国⼤公司的全球化程度⽐以往任何时候都要⾼，供应链遍布更多的国家。要想在这个体系中处于领先地位，所需要的知识是相当令⼈匪夷所思的。research and development另外，⼏乎所有⼤型美国公司都已成为科技公司，并且往往拥有⾃⼰的研发实⼒。⽽除此之外，各⼤ CEO 还得做他们⼀直以来的⽇常⼯作。⼀般⼈认为，CEO ⾼薪只是剥削其他⼈罢了，⽽这并不能很好地解释历史。corporate governance从⼤多数标准来看，⾃ 20 世纪 70 年代以来，公司治理已经变得更加严格和严谨。然⽽，主要是在加强治理的这段时期内，⾸席执⾏官的薪酬⼀直很⾼并且还在上涨。这说明，招聘顶尖的候选⼈来从事⽇益艰难的⼯作，符合更⼴泛的企业利益。此外，CEO 的最⾼薪酬是⽀付给外部候选⼈的，⽽不是⽀付给那些讨巧的内部⼈选。Another sign that high CEO pay is not some kind of depredation at the expense of the rest of the company.And the reacts positively when companies tie CEO pay to, say, stock prices, a sign that those practices build up a corporate value not just for the CEO.26. Which of the following has contributed to CEO pay rise?[A] The growth in the number of corporations.[B] The general pay rise with a better economy.[C] Increased business opportunities for top firms.[D] Close cooperation among leading economics.27. Compared with their predecessors, today's CEOs are required to '_.[A] foster a stronger sense of teamwork.[B] finance more research and development.[C] establish closer ties with tech companies.[D] operate more globalized companies.另⼀个迹象表明，CEO 的⾼薪并不是以牺牲公司其他⼈员的利益为代价的某种掠夺。stock market⽽当公司将 CEO 薪酬与股票价格等挂钩时，股票市场也会做出积极的反应，这表明这些做法建⽴了企业价值，⽽不仅仅是为了 CEO。26. 下列哪项促进了 CEO 薪酬的上涨？A：企业数量的增⻓。B：随着经济的好转，薪酬普遍上涨。C：顶级企业的商业机会增加。D：领先经济学之间的紧密合作。27. 与前辈相⽐，今天的 CEO 要 '_。A：培养更强的团队合作意识。B：资助更多的研究和开发。C：与科技公司建⽴更紧密的联系。28. CEO pay has been rising since the 1970s despite '_.[A] continual internal opposition.[B] strict corporate governance.[C] conservative business strategies.[D] repeated governance warnings.29. High CEO pay can be justified by the fact that it '_.[A] confirm the status of CEOs[B] motivate inside candidates[C] boost the efficiency of CEOs[D] increase corporate value30. The most suitable title for this text would be '_.[A] CEOs Are Not OverpaidD：经营更加全球化的公司。28. ⾃ 20 世纪 70 年代以来，尽管 '_，CEO 的薪酬⼀直在上升。A：不断的内部反对。B：严格的公司治理。C：保守的经营战略。D：反复的治理警告。29. CEO ⾼薪酬的理由是：它 '_。A：确认了 CEO 的地位B：激励内部候选⼈C：提⾼ CEO 的效率D：增加公司价值30. 最适合此⽂的标题是 '_。A：CEO 的薪酬没有过⾼[B] CEO Pay: Past and Present[C] CEOs' Challenges of Today[D] CEO Traits: Not Easy to DefineB：CEO 的薪酬：过去和现在C：CEO 的当今挑战D：CEO 的特质：不易界定
2022 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2022 Text 2（英语⼆）"不退休"的晚年⽣活
More Americans are opting to work well into retirement, a growing trend that
threatens to upend the old workforce model.
One in three Americans who are at least 40 have or plan to have a job in retirement
to prepare for a longer life, according to a survey conducted by for TD
Ameritrade.
Even more surprising is that more than half of "unretirees" — those who plan to work
in retirement or went back to work after retiring — said they would be employed in
their later years even if they had enough money to settle down, the survey showed.
Financial needs aren't the only culprit for the "unretirement" trend.
Other reasons, according to the study, include personal fulfillment such as staying
mentally fit, preventing boredom or avoiding depression.
About 72% of "unretire" respondents said that they would return to work once retired
2010考研英语阅读真题 Text 2(英语二)
2010 Text 2（英语⼆）夫妻间缺乏交流I was addressing a small gathering in a suburban Virginia living room - a women's group that had invited men to join them.
Throughout the evening, one man had been particularly talkative, frequently offeringideas and anecdotes, while his wife sat silently beside him on the couch.
Toward the end of the evening, I commented that women frequently complain that their husbands don't talk to them.
This man quickly nodded in agreement.
He gestured toward his wife and said, "She's the talker in our family."
The room burst into laughter; the man looked puzzled and hurt.
"It's true," he explained.
“When I come home from work I have nothing to say. If she didn't keep the conversation going, we'd spend the whole evening in silence.”
This episode crystallizes the irony that although American men tend to talk more than women in public situations, they often talk less at home.
2018 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2018 Text 2（英语⼆）可再⽣能源Text 2While — coal, oil, gas — still generate roughly 85 percent of the world's energy supply, it's clearer than ever that the future belongs to renewable sources such as wind and solar.The move to renewables is picking up momentum around the world: They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line.Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner .But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables, especially wind and solar.The cost of has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of byclose to one-third in the past eight years.In many parts of the world is already a principal energy source.In , for example, wind turbines provide enough electricity to power 95 percent of homes.While the rest of the world takes the lead, notably China and , the United States is also seeing a remarkable shift.fossil fuels尽管化⽯燃料，如煤炭、⽯油、天然⽓仍然在全球能源供应中约占85%，然⽽⽐以往更清楚的趋势是未来是属于再⽣资源的，例如⻛能和太阳能。发展再⽣能源正成为全球不断回升的势头：再⽣能源在即将投⼊使⽤的新型能源中占⽐已达⼀半以上。energy sources再⽣能源的发展⼀部分要归功于政府和有远⻅的企业，他们承诺投资发展更为清洁的能源。然⽽⼈们谈论更多的则是再⽣能源的价格⼤幅下跌，特别是⻛能和太阳能。solar panelswind turbines在过去的⼋年中，太阳能电池板的成本降低了80%，⻛⼒涡轮机的成本降低了近三分之⼀。renewable energy在世界许多地⽅，再⽣能源已经成为主要的能源来源。Scotland例如在苏格兰，⻛⼒涡轮机为95%的家庭提供了充⾜的电能。Europe在世界其他国家（尤其是中国和欧洲）带头发展再⽣能源的同时，美国在该领域也取得了⻓⾜的发展。In March, for the first time, wind and accounted for more than 10 percent of the power generated in the US, reported the US Energy Information Administration.President Trump has underlined fossil fuels — especially coal — as the path to .In a recent speech in , he dismissed as an unreliable energy source.But that message did not with many in Iowa, where wind turbines dot the fields and provide 36 percent of the state's — and where tech giants like are being attracted by the availability of to powertheir .The question "what happens when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine?" has provided a quick put-down for skeptics.But a boost in the storage capacity of batteries is making their ability to keep power flowing around the clock more likely.The advance is driven in part by vehicle manufacturers, who are placing big bets on battery-powered electric vehicles.Although electric cars are still a rarity on roads now, this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years.solar power据美国能源信息管理局报道，该国今年3⽉的⻛⼒发电和太阳能发电量⾸次超过了全国总发电量的10%。economic growth美国总统特朗普强调将化⽯燃料（尤其是煤炭）作为经济增⻓的途径。Iowawind power在爱荷华州的最近⼀次演讲中，他对⻛⼒发电不屑⼀顾，认为它是不可能能源。play wellelectricity generationMicrosoftclean energydata centers然⽽他的这⼀⾔论在爱荷华州未得到⼤多数⼈的认可，因为爱荷华州的⽥地⾥到处分布着⻛⼒涡轮机，⻛⼒发电量占了全州发电量的36%，甚⾄⼀些科技巨头（如微软公司）也被吸引利⽤清洁能源为其数据中⼼提供电⼒。“如果不吹⻛，太阳不发光，这个世界会如何？” 这个问题使怀疑主义者对再⽣能源⽴⻢嗤之以⿐。不过，只要提⾼电池存储容量，便更有可能实现全天候供电。这种进步的部分原因要归功于那些对电动⻋押重注的汽⻋制造商。尽管现在道路上⾏驶的电动汽⻋依然不多，但这种巨额投资能够让⽬前的状况在未来⼏年迅速得到改While there's a long way to go, the trend lines for renewables are spiking.The pace of change in energy sources appears to be speeding up — perhaps just in time to have a meaningful effect in slowing .What Washington does — or doesn't do — to promote may mean less and less at a time of a global shift in thought.26. The word "plummeting" (Line 3, Para. 2) is closest in meaning toA. stabilizingB. changingC. fallingD. rising27. According to Paragraph 3, the use of renewable energy in AmericaA. is progressing notably.B. is as extensive as in Europe.C. faces many challenges.变。尽管还有很⻓的路要⾛，但再⽣能源的发展趋势正在不断攀升。climate change能源发展似乎正在加快转变的步伐，也许这种趋势来得很及时，能为缓解⽓候变化进程带来积极的影响。alternative energy在全球能源意识发⽣转变的⼤背景下，⽆论华盛顿在促进其他能源的使⽤⽅⾯有所作为还是毫⽆作为，其意义可能会越来越微不⾜道。稳定改变下降上升发展显著如在欧洲⼀样⼴泛D. has proved to be impractical.28. It can be learned that in IowaA. wind is a widely used energy source.B. wind energy has replaced fossil fuels.C. tech giants are investing in clean energy.D. there is a shortage of clean energy supply.29. Which of the following is true about clean energy according to Paragraphs 5&6?A. Its application has boosted battery storage.B. It is commonly used in car manufacturing.C. Its continuous supply is becoming a reality.D. Its sustainable exploitation will remain difficult.30. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that renewable energyA. will bring the USA closer to other countries.⾯临许多挑战已被证明不实⽤⻛能是⼀种被⼴泛使⽤的能源⻛能已取代化⽯燃料科技巨头正在投资清洁能源清洁能源供应不⾜清洁能源的应⽤提⾼了电池的存储能⼒清洁能源通常⽤于汽⻋制造清洁能源的持续供应正在成为现实清洁能源的可持续开发仍然困难会增进美国与其他国家的关系B. will accelerate global environmental change.C. is not really encouraged by the USA government.D. is not competitive enough with regard to its cost.会加速全球环境变化未能完全获得美国政府的⽀持在成本⽅⾯没有⾜够的竞争⼒
2011 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2011 Text 2（英语⼆）报纸的消亡Whatever happened to the death of newspaper?A year ago, the end seemed near.The recession threatened to remove the advertising and readers that had not alreadyfled to the internet.Newspapers like were chronicling their own doom.America's launched a round of talks about how to save newspapers.Should they become charitable corporations?Should the state subsidize them?It will hold another meeting soon.But the discussions now seem out of date.In much of the world, there is little sign of crisis.German and Brazilian papers have shrugged off the recession.是什么导致了报纸⾏业死亡？⼀年前，报纸的终结似乎就要来临。经济衰退让那些尚未转投互联⽹的⼴告商和读者开始动摇。the San Francisco Chronicle新闻报纸⽐如旧⾦⼭纪事报当时就在把⾃⼰的厄运编档⼊案。Federal Trade Commission美国的联邦贸易委员会多次讨论如何拯救报纸⾏业。他们应该成为慈善公司吗？国家应该资助这些报纸⾏业吗？下⼀轮会议⻢上就要召开。但这种讨论已经过时了。放眼全球报业，危机的征兆不明显。德国和巴⻄的报纸⾏业对危机不屑⼀顾。Even American newspapers, which inhabit the most troubled corner of the global industry, have not only survived but often returned to profit.Not the 20% profit margins that were routine a few years ago, but profit all the same.It has not been much fun.Many papers stayed afloat by pushing journalists overboard.The of News Editors reckons that 13,500 newsroom jobs have gone since 2007.Readers are paying more for slimmer products.Some papers even had the nerve to refuse delivery to distant suburbs.Yet these desperate measures have proved the right ones and, sadly for many journalists, they can be pushed further.Newspapers are becoming more balanced businesses, with a healthier mix of revenues from readers and advertisers.American papers have long been highly unusual in their reliance on ads.Fully 87% of their revenues came from advertising in 2008, according to for Economic Cooperation And Development (OECD) .即使是栖身于全球经济最混乱⻆落的美国报纸也不仅幸存了下来，并重新开始盈利。虽然利润率不是⼏年前惯常的 20%，但不管怎样⾄少现在有钱可赚。虽然情况好转，却不可过于乐观。许多报纸通过裁减记者渡过难关。American Society据美国新闻编辑协会统计，2007 年（全美）报社编辑职位缩减了13500。报纸售价上调，但提供的服务却在减少。⼀些报纸甚⾄下决⼼取消了偏远乡村的报纸配送业务。这些孤注⼀掷的措施发挥了效果，也让报社敢于采取更加极端的办法，这对于许多记者来说并不是好消息。随着报业⼴告收益和发⾏收益结构更为合理，报业的运营⽇趋平衡。⻓期以来，美国报业畸形发展，过于依赖⼴告收益。the OrganizationIn Japan, the proportion is 35%.Not surprisingly, are much more stable.The whirlwind that swept through newsrooms harmed everybody, but much of the damage has been concentrated in areas where newspapers are least distinctive.Car and have gone. So have science and general business reporters.Foreign bureaus have been savagely cut off. Newspapers are less complete as a result.But completeness is no longer a virtue in the newspaper business.经济合作与发展组织称：2008 年，美国报业 87% 的利润来⾃⼴告。⽽同期⽇本的⽐例为 35%。Japanese newspapers理所应当，⽇本报业更为稳定。这场（⼈事调整的）旋⻛席卷编辑部，⽆⼈幸免，报社中最不具特⾊的部⻔损失惨重。film reviewers汽⻋和电影评论员黯然离开，科学和普通商业新闻记者也未能幸免。驻外办事处被⽆情的精减，这使得报纸变得不那么全⾯完整了。但全⾯完整已不再被视作报业的⼀种优秀品质。
2013 考研英语阅读真题Text 2(英语二)
2013 Text 2（英语⼆）设想⼀个新的移⺠政策A century ago, the immigrants from across the Atlantic included settlers and sojourners.Along with the many folks looking to make a permanent home in the United States came those who had no intention to stay, and who would make some money and then go home.Between 1908 and 1915, about 7 million people arrived while about 2 million departed.About a quarter of all Italian immigrants, for example, eventually returned to for good.They even had an affectionate nickname, "uccelli di passaggio," birds of passage.Today, we are much more rigid about immigrants.We divide newcomers into two categories: legal or illegal, good or bad.We hail them as Americans in the making or brand them as aliens to be kicked out.That framework has contributed mightily to our broken immigration system and the long political paralysis over how to fix it.⼀个世纪前，来⾃⼤⻄洋的移⺠包括定居者和旅居者。
考研英语二(阅读)模拟试卷33(题后含答案及解析)
考研英语二（阅读）模拟试卷33 (题后含答案及解析)
全部题型 2. 阅读理解
阅读理解
Boys and girls used to grow up and set aside their childish pursuits. Not
anymore. These days, men and women hold on to their inner kid. They live with their
parents far longer than previous generations. They’re getting married later. Even when
they have kids, moms and dads download pop songs for their cell phone ringtones,
play video games, watch cartoons, and indulge in foods from their childhood.
Christopher Noxon explores this Peter Pan culture in his new book, Rejuvenile:
Kickball, Cartoons, Cupcakes, and the Reinvention of the American Grownup.
For rejuveniles today, all roads lead back to Peter Pan and the turn of the twentieth
century. The natural capacities of children, which for centuries had been viewed as
weak and obstinate were over the course of these few years discovered as a primary