2014考研英语阅读理解原文之英语二Text4
2014年考研英语试题及答案阅读理解二
2014年考研英语试题及答案阅读理解二Passage 3Everyone has heard of the San Andreas fault (断层), which constantly threatens California and the West Coast with earthquakes. But how many people know about the equally serious New Madrid fault in Missouri?Between December of 1811 and February of 1812, three major earthquakes occurred, all centered around the town of New Madrid, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. Property damage was severe. Buildings in the area were almost destroyed. Whole forests fell at once, and huge cracks opened in the ground, allowing smell of sulfur(硫磺)to filter upward.The Mississippi River itself completely changed character, developing sudden rapids and whirlpools. Several times it changed its course, and once, according to some observers, it actually appeared to run backwards.Few people were killed in the New Marid earthquakes, probably simply because few people lived in the area in 1811; but the severity of the earthquakes are shown by the fact that the shock waves rang bells in church towers in Charleston, South Carolina, on the coast. Buildings shook in New York City, and clocks wer stopped in Washington, D.C. Scientists now know that America's two major faults are essentially different. The San Andreas is a horizontal boundary between two major land masses that are slowly moving in opposite directions. California earthquakes result when the movement of these two masses suddenly lurches (倾斜) forward.The New Madrid fault, on the other hand, is a vertical fault; at some points, possibly hundreds of millions of years ago, rock was pushed up toward the surface, probably by volcanoes underthe surface. Suddenly, the volcanoes cooled and the rock collapsed, leaving huge cracks. Even now, the rock continues to settle downwards, and sudden sinking motions trigger (触发) earthquakes in the region. The fault itself, a large crack in this layer of rock, with dozens of other cracks that split off from it, extends from northeastArkansas through Missouri and into southern lllinois.Scientists who have studied the New Madrid fault say there have been numerous smaller quakes in the area since 1811; these smaller quakes indicate that larger ones are probably coming, but the scientists say have no method of predictingwhen a large earthquake will occur.11. This passage is mainly about .A)the New Madrid fault in MissouriB)the San Andreas and the New Madrid faultsC)the causes of faultsD)current scientific knowledge about faults12. The New Madrid fault is .A) a horizontal faultB) a vertical faultC) a more serious fault than the San Andreas faultD) responsible for forming the Mississippi River13. We may conclude from the passage that .A) it is probably as dangerous to live in Missouri as in CaliforniaB) the New Madrid fault will eventually develop a mountain range in MissouriC) California will become an island in futureD) A big earthquake will occur to California soon14. This passage implies that .A) horizontal faults are more dangerous than vertical faults.B) Vertical faults are more dangerous than horizontal faultsC) Earthquakes occur only around fault areasD)California will break into pieces by an eventual earthquake15. As used in the first sentence of the fourth paragraph, the word essentially means .A) greatlyC) basicallyB) extremelyD) necessarilyPassage 4Those who welcomed the railway saw it as more than a rapid and comfortable means of passing. They actually saw it as afactor in world peace. They did not foresee that the railway would be just one more means for the rapid movement of aggressive armies. None of them foresaw that the more weare together-the more chances there are of war. Any boy or girl who is one of a large family knows that.Whenever any new invention is put forward, those for it and those against it can always find medical men to approve or condemn. The anti-railway group produced doctors who said that tunnels would be most dangerous to public health: they would produce colds, catarrhs (粘膜炎) and consumptions. The deafening noise and the glare of the engine fire, would have a bad effect on the nerves. Further, being moved through the air at a high speed would do grave injury to delicate lungs. In those with high blood-pressure, the movement of the train might produce apoplexy (中风). The sudden plunging of a train into the darkness of a tunnel, and the equally sudden rush into fulldaylight, would cause great damage to eyesight. But the pro-railway group was of course able to produce equally famous medical men to say just the opposite. They said that the speed and swing of the train would equalize the circulation, promote digestion, tranquilize the nerves, and ensure good sleep.The actual rolling-stock was anything but comfortable. If it was a test of endurance to sit for four hours outside a coach in rain, or inside in dirty air, the railway offered little more in the way of comfort. Certainly the first-class carriages had cushioned seats; but the second-class had only narrow bare boards, while the third-class had nothing at all; no seats and no roof; they were just open trucks. So that third-class passengers gained nothing from the few mode except speed. In the matter of comfort, indeed they lost; they did, on the coaches, have a seat, but now they had to stand all the way, which gave opportunities to the comic (滑稽的) press. This kind of thing: A man was seen yesterday buying a third-class ticket for the new London and Birmingham Railway. The state of his mind is being enquired into.A writer in the early days of railways wrote feelingly of both second-and third-class carriages. He made the suggestion that the directors of the railways must have sent all over the world to find the hardest possible wood. Of the open third-class trucks he said that they had the peculiar property of meeting the rain from whatever quarter it came. He described them as horizontal shower-baths, from whose searching power there was no escape.16. All boys and girls in large families know that .A) a boy and a girl usually fight when they are togetherB) people tend to be together more than they used to beC) a lot of people being together makes fights likelyD) Railway leads the world to peace17. According to those who welcomed the railway, the railway itself should include all the following except .A) the railway enables people travel fastB) the railway brings comfort to peopleC) the railway makes the world peacefulD) the railway leads the world to war as well.18. According to the anti-railway group, all the followings are true but .A) tunnels are dangerous to public healthB) the noise and the glare of the engine fire may affect people's nervesC) the rapid speed through the air does damage to people's lungsD) to those with high blood-pressure, the rapid speed of the train causes them to die19. We may safely conclude that .A) the author belongs to the anti-railway groupB) the author belongs to the for-railway groupC) the author speaks highly of the railwayD) the author may never take train because of its potential dangers20. What is the tone of this passage?A)PracticalB)SatiricalC)HumorousD)Exaggerated相关推荐：2014年考研英语试题及答案阅读理解（汇总）。
2014年考研英语二真题答案及解析
2014年全国硕士研究生招生考试英语(二)答案详解SectionⅠUse of English文章分析本文是一篇关于肥胖与健康关系新说法的议论文。
第一段引出作者对身材的看法：并不是越瘦就证明人越健康。
第二段中作者介绍了一种定义肥胖症的指标BMI。
第三段中作者指出BMI其实揭示的是人体的脂肪量，并不是说明身材好坏的指数。
第四段中讲述了整个社会其实会给肥胖者贴上消极标签，无论是在电视节目中还是在孩子们的心目中，胖人的形象总是与消极联系起来。
最后一段讲述了人们以健康的角度去考虑肥胖的影响，和已经采取的一些对抗肥胖的种种策略。
试题解析Thinner isn't always better.A number of studies have__1__that normalweight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight.And there are healthy conditions for which being overweight is actually__2__.For example,heavierwomen are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women.__3__, among the elderly,being somewhat overweight is often an__4__of good health.【译文】太瘦也不总是好事。
一些研究已经得出结论：正常体重的人实际上比一些超重的人更容易患上某些疾病。
有些肥胖对健康还有保护作用。
例如稍微超重的女性跟消瘦的女性相比，不易受到钙质缺乏的影响。
同样的，在老年人中，一定程度上超重是身体健康的标志。
1.[A]denied否认[B]concluded得出结论[C]doubled两倍，加倍努力[D]ensured确保【答案】B【考点】词义辨析【直击答案】空格所在句意为“一系列的研究已经________，事实上，正常体重的人患病风险要高于超重的人”。
2014年考研英语(二)真题及答案解析
2014年考研英语(二)真题及答案解析2014年考研英语(二)真题及答案解析注意：以下内容为根据题目要求所写，使用适当的格式。
仅供参考。
题目1：Directions：Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)In the 21st century, water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. With (1)_______current population growth and climate change, many areas around the world are experiencing water shortages. Water scarcity (2)_______ numerous problems, including food shortages and conflicts. To address this issue, various measures need to be taken.Firstly, (3)_______ should enhance water-conservation awareness. People need to realize the importance of water and develop good water-saving habits. Governments and organizations should (4)_______ campaigns to educate the public about water conservation methods, such as reducing shower time and fixing leaky faucets.Secondly, water infrastructure needs to be improved. Outdated water distribution systems result in excessive water loss. Governments should invest (5)_______ the construction and renovation of water infrastructures, such as pipes, reservoirs, and water treatment plants. This will help reduce water waste and ensure equal access to water for all.Thirdly, water management should be strengthened. Effective water management strategies can help alleviate water scarcity. Governments should establish (6)_______ water regulations and policies to ensure sustainable water usage. Additionally, they should promote the use of advanced technologies, such as drip irrigation and desalination, to maximize water efficiency.In conclusion, water scarcity is a crucial issue that needs immediate attention. By raising awareness, improving water infrastructure, and enhancing water management, we can work towards a more sustainable future with sufficient water resources for all.题目2：Directions：Translate the following text from Chinese into English and write your version in the corresponding space in your ANSWER SHEET. (15 points)针对城市交通拥堵的问题，我们提出了一种全新的解决方案——共享单车。
2014年考研英语二全文翻译答案超详解析
Sectio n I Use of Englis hDirect ions:Read the follow ing text. Choose the best word(s) for each number ed blankand mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Thinne risn‟talways better. A number of studie s have __1___that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseas es compar ed to thosewho are overwe ight.And thereare health condit ionsfor whichbeingoverwe ightis actual ly ___2___. For exampl e, heavie r womenare less likely to develo p calciu m defici encythan thin women. ___3___ amongthe elderl y, beingsomewh at overwe ightis oftenan ___4___ of good health.Of even greate r ___5___ is the fact that obesit y turnsout to be very diffic ult to define. It is oftendefine d ___6___ body mass index, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divide d by the square of height. An adultwith a BMI of 18 to 25 is oftenconsid eredto be normal weight. Betwee n 25 and 30 is overwe ight.And over 30 is consid eredobese.Obesit y, ___8___,can be divide d into modera telyobese,severe ly obese,and very severe ly obese.Whilesuch numeri cal standa rds seem 9 , they are not. Obesit y is probab ly less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extrem ely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 .For exampl e, many colleg iateand profes siona l footba ll player s 12 as obese,though theirpercen tagebody fat is low. Conver sely, someon e with a smallframemay have high body fat but a 13 BMI.Todaywe have a(an) _14 _ to labelobesit y as a disgra ce.The overwe ightare someti mes_15_inthe mediawith theirfacescovere d. Stereo types_16_ with obesit y includ e lazine ss, lack of will power,and lowerprospe cts for succes s.Teache rs,employ ers,and health profes siona ls have been shownto harbor biases agains t the obese._17_ve ry youngchildr en tend to look down on theoverwe ight, and teasin g aboutbody buildhas long been a proble m in school s.Negati ve attitu des toward obesit y, _18_in health concer ns, have stimul ateda number of anti-obesit y _19_.My own hospit al system has banned sugary drinks from its facili ties.Many employ ers have instit utedweight loss and fitnes s initia tives. Michel le Obamalaunch ed a high-visibi litycampai gn _20_ childh ood obesit y, even claimi ng that it repres entsour greate st nation al securi ty threat.1. [A] denied[B] conduc ed [C] double d [D] ensure d、【答案】B conclu ded【解析】题干中，一系列的研究已经_____，事实上，正常体重的人的患病风险要高于超重的人。
2014 考研英语阅读真题Text 4(英语二)
2014 Text 4（英语⼆）全⾯⽀出审查When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy, the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband, and energy.Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that?To some extent, the housing sector must shoulder the blame.We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to .Then there is the scale of the typical .It is hard to shove for attention among multi-billion-pound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere.But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate.Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.当政府谈到基础设施对经济增⻓的贡献时，注意⼒⼀般都集中在公路、铁路、宽带和能源上。
2014考研《英语二》真题：阅读理解
Section II Reading Comprehension Part A Directions: Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET. (40 points) Text 1 What would you do with 590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84-year-old widow who recently emerged from her small, tin-roofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her new-found for tune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton. These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly what was once exciting and new becomes old-hat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms Dumn and Mr Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time-as stories or memories-particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others. This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most "happiness bang for your buck." It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it).Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib - a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession. Readers of “HappyMoney” are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfillment, not hunger.Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasure of most things for most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’ policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent. 21. According to Dumn and Norton,which of the following is the most rewarding purchase? [A]A big house [B]A special tour [C]A stylish car [D]A rich meal 22. The author’s attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is [A]critical [B]supportive [C]sympathetic [D]ambiguous 23. Macrib is mentioned in paragraph 3 to show that [A]consumers are sometimes irrational [B]popularity usually comes after quality [C]marketing tricks are after effective [D]rarity generally increases pleasure 24. According to the last paragraph,Happy Money [A]has left much room for readers’criticism [B]may prove to be a worthwhile purchase [C]has predicted a wider income gap in the us [D]may give its readers a sense of achievement 25. This text mainly discusses how to [A]balance feeling good and spending money [B]spend large sums of money won in lotteries [C]obtain lasting satisfaction from money spent [D]become more reasonable in spending on luxuries Text 2 An article in Scientific America has pointed out that empirical research 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 research into what the call the “above average 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 esteem, we stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff. Psychologist and behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into self-enhancement and attractiveness. Rather that have people simply rate their beauty compress with others, he asked them to identify an original photogragh of themselves’ from a lineup including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process occurring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent conscious deliberation”. If the subjects quickly chose a falsely flattering image- which must did- they genuinely believed it was really how they looked. Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that, those who self-enhance the must (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored picture were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded with those who showed other makers for having higher self-esteem. “I don’t think the findings that we having have are any evidence of personal delusion”, says Epley. “It’s a reflection simply of people generally thinking well of themselves’. If you are depressed, you won’t be self-enhancing. Knowing the results of Epley ‘s study,it makes sense that why people heat photographs of themselves Viscerally-on one level, they don’t even recognise the person in the picture as themselves, Facebook therefore ,is a self-enhancer’s paradise,where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit ,style ,beauty, intellect and lifestyle it’s not that people’s profiles are dishonest,says catalina toma of Wiscon —Madison university ,”but they portray an idealized version of themselves. 26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologist have found that ______. [A] our self-ratings are unrealistically high [B] illusory superiority is baseless effect [C] our need for leadership is unnatural [D] self-enhancing strategies are ineffective 27. Visual recognition is believed to be people’s______ [A] rapid watching [B] conscious choice [C] intuitive response [D] automatic self-defence 28. Epley found that people with higher self-esteem tended to______ [A] underestimate their insecurities [B] believe in their attractiveness [C] cover up their depressions [D] oversimplify their illusions 29.The word “Viscerally”(Line 2,para.5) is closest in meaning to_____. [A]instinctively [B]occasionally [C]particularly [D]aggressively 30. It can be inferred that Facebook is self-enhancer’s paradise because people can _____. [A]present their dishonest profiles [B]define their traditional life styles [C]share their intellectual pursuits [D]withhold their unflattering sides Text 3 暂缺P> Text 4 When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned. Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among m u l t i b i l l i o n - p o u n d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e p r o j e c t , s o i t i s i n e v i t a b l e t h a t t h e a t t e n t i o n i s f o c u s e d e l s e w h e r e . B u t p e r h a p s t h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t r e a s o n i s t h a t t h e i s s u e h a s a l w a y s b e e n s o p o l i t i c a l l y c h a r g e d . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 5 " > 0 0 N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e a f f o r d a b l e h o u s i n g s i t u a t i o n i s d e s p e r a t e . W a i t i n g l i s t s i n c r e a s e a l l t h e t i m e a n d w e a r e s i m p l y n o t b u i l d i n g e n o u g h n e w h o m e s . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 6 " > 0 0 T h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e s p e n d i n g r e v i e w o f f e r s a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r t h e g o v e r n m e n t t o h e l p r e c t i f y t h i s . I t n e e d s t o p u t h i s t o r i c a l p r e j u d i c e s t o o n e s i d e a n d t a k e s o m e s t e p s t o a d d r e s s o u r u r g e n t h o u s i n g n e e d . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 7 " > 0 0 T h e r e a r e s o m e i n d i c a t i o n s t h a t i t i s p r e p a r i n g t o d o j u s t t h a t . T h e c o m m u n i t i e s m i n i s t e r , D o n F o s t e r , h a s h i n t e d t h a t G e o r g e O s b o r n e , C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e E x c h e q u e r , m a y i n t r o d u c e m o r e f l e x i b i l i t y t o t h e c u r r e n t c a p o n t h e a m o u n t t h a t l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s c a n b o r r o w a g a i n s t t h e i r h o u s i n g s t o c k d e b t . E v i d e n c e s h o w s t h a t 6 0 , 0 0 0 e x t r a n e w h o m e s c o u l d b e b u i l t o v e r t h e n e x t f i v e y e a r s i f t h e c a p w e r e l i f t e d , i n c r e a s i n g G D P b y 0 . 6 % . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 8 " > 0 0 M i n i s t e r s s h o u l d a l s o l o o k a t c r e a t i n g g r e a t e r c e r t a i n t y i n t h e r e n t a l e n v i r o n m e n t , w h i c h w o u l d h a v e a s i g n i f i c a n t i m p a c t o n t h e a b i l i t y o f r e g i s t e r e d p r o v i d e r s t o f u n d n e w d e v e l o p m e n t s f r o m r e v e n u e s . / p >。
2014年考研英语真题之阅读理解答案与分析(2)
2014年考研英语真题之阅读理解答案与分析（2）All around the world,lawyers generate more hostility than the members of any other profession---with the possible exception of journalism.But there are few places where clients have more grounds for complaint than America.During the decade before the economic crisis,spending on legal services in America grew twice as fast as inflation.The best lawyers made skyscrapers-full of money,tempting ever more students to pile into law schools.But most law graduates never get a big-firm job.Many of them instead become the kind of nuisance-lawsuit filer that makes the tort system a costly nightmare.There are many reasons for this.One is the excessive costs of a legal education.There is just one path for a lawyer in most American states:a four-year undergraduate degree at one of200 law schools authorized by the American Bar Association and an expensive preparation for the bar exam.This leaves today’s average law-school graduate with$100,000of debt on top of undergraduate w-school debt means that they have to work fearsomely hard.Reforming the system would help both lawyers and their customers.Sensible ideas have been around for a long time,but the state-level bodies that govern the profession have been too conservative to implement them.One idea is to allow people to study law as an undergraduate degree.Another is to let students sit for the bar after only two years of law school.If the bar exam is truly a stern enough test for a would-be lawyer,those who can sit it earlier should be allowed to do so.Students who do not need the extra training could cut their debt mountain by a third.The other reason why costs are so high is the restrictive guild-like ownership structure of the business. Except in the District of Columbia,non-lawyers may not own any share of a law firm.This keeps fees high and innovation slow.There is pressure for change from within the profession,but opponents of change among the regulators insist that keeping outsiders out of a law firm isolates lawyers from the pressure to make money rather than serve clients ethically.In fact,allowing non-lawyers to own shares in law firms would reduce costs and improve services to customers,by encouraging law firms to use technology and to employ professional managers to focus on improving firms’efficiency.After all,other countries,such as Australia and Britain,have started liberalizing their legal professions.America should follow.26.a lot of students take up law as their profession due to[A]the growing demand from clients.[B]the increasing pressure of inflation.[C]the prospect of working in big firms.[D]the attraction of financial rewards.答案：D。
2014年考研英语二真题及解析
2014年全国硕士研究生入学考试英语(二)试题Section I Use of EnglishDirections:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have __1___ that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually ___2___. For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. ___3___ among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an ___4___ of good health.Of even greater ___5___ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined ___6___ body mass index, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, ___8___,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 .For example, many collegiate and professional football players 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a 13 BMI.Today we have a(an) _14 _ to label obesity as a disgrace.The overweight are sometimes_15_in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes _16_ with obesity include laziness, lack of will power,and lower prospects forsuccess.Teachers,employers,and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. _17_very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.Negative attitudes toward obesity, _18_in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity _19_.My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign _20_ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.1. [A] denied [B] concluded [C] doubled [D] ensured2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part9. [A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D] straightforward10. [A] so [B] while[C] since [D] unless11. [A] shape [B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste12. [A] start [B] quality [C] retire [D] stay13. [A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal [D] constant14. [A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency15. [A] employed [B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored16. [A] computed [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated17. [A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only18. [A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded19. [A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies20. [A] for [B] against [C] with [D] withoutSection II Reading ComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)Text 1What would you do with $590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84yearold widow who recently emerged from her small, tinroofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her newfound fortune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton.These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes oldhat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms. Dumn and Mr. Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time—as stories or memories—particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most “happiness bang for your buck.” It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spen d more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib—a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.Readers of Happy Money are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfillment, not hunger. Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasureof most things for most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’ policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.21. According to Dumn and Norton, which of the following is the most rewarding purchase?[A] A big house. [B] A special tour. [C] A stylish car. [D] A rich meal.22. The author's attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is ________.[A] critical [B] supportive [C] sympathetic [D] ambiguous23. McRib is mentioned in Paragraph 3 to show that ________.[A] consumers are sometimes irrational [B] popularity usually comes after quality[C] marketing tricks are after effective [D] rarity generally increases pleasure24. According to the last paragraph, Happy Money ________.[A] has left much room for readers’ criticism[B] may prove to be a worthwhile purchase[C] has predicted a wider income gap in the US [D] may give its readers a sense of achievement25. This text mainly discusses how to ________.[A] balance feeling good and spending money [B] spend large sums of money won in lotteries[C] obtain lasting satisfaction from money spent [D] become more reasonable in spending on luxuriesText 2An article in Scientific America has pointed out that empirical research says that, actually, you think you’re more beautiful than you are. We have a deepseated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategies to research into what they call the “above average 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 selfaffirming situations. We become defensive when criticized, and apply negative s tereotypes to others to boost our own esteem, we stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff.Psychologist and behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into selfenhancement and attractiveness. Rather that have people simply rate their beauty compress with others, he asked them to identify an original photograph of themselves’ from a lineup including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process occu rring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent conscious deliberation”. If the subjects quickly chose a falsely flattering image—which must did—they genuinely believed it was really how they looked.Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that, those who selfenhance the must (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored picture were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded with those who showed other makers for having higher self esteem. “I don't think the findings that we having have are any evidence of personal delusion”, says Epley. “It's a reflection si mply of people generally thinking well of themselves’. If you are depressed, you won't be self enhancing.Knowing the results of Epley's study, it makes sense that why people heat photographs of themselves viscerally—on one level, they don't even recognize the person in the picture as themselves. Facebook therefore, is a selfenhancer's paradise, where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit, style, beauty, intellect and lifestyles. “It's not that people's profiles are disho nest”, says Catalina Toma of Wiscon—Madison university,” but they portray an idealized version of themselves.26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologists have found that ________.[A] our selfratings are unrealistically high [B] illusory superiority is a baseless effect[C] our need for leadership is unnatural [D] selfenhancing strategies are ineffective27. Visual recognition is believed to be people's ________.[A] rapid watching [B] conscious choice [C] intuitive response [D] automatic selfdefence28. Epley found that people with higher selfesteem tended to ________.[A] underestimate their insecurities [B] believe in their attractiveness[C] cover up their depressions [D] oversimplify their illusions29. The word “viscerally” (Line 2, Para. 5) is closest in meaning to ________.[A] instinctively [B] occasionally [C] particularly [D] aggressively30. It can be inferred that Facebook is selfenhancer's paradise because people can ________.[A] present their dishonest profiles [B] define their traditional life styles[C] share their intellectual pursuits [D] withhold their unflattering sidesText 3The concept of man versus machine is at least as old as the industrial revolution, but this phenomenon tends to be most acutely felt during economic downturns and fragile recoveries. And yet, it would be a mistake to think we are right now simply experiencing the painful side of a boom and bust cycle. Certain jobs have gone away for good, outmoded by machines. Since technology has such an insatiable appetite for eating up human jobs, this phenomenon will continue to restructure our economy in ways we can't immediately foresee.When there is rapid improvement in the price and performance of technology, jobs that were once thought to be immune from automation suddenly become threatened. This argument has attracted a lot of attention, via the success of the book Race Against the Machine, by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, who both hail from MIT's Center for Digital Business.This is a powerful argument, and a scary one. And yet, John Hagel, author of The Power of Pull and other books, says Brynjolfsson and McAfee miss the reason why these jobs are so vulnerable to technology in the first place.Hagel says we have designed jobs in the U. S. that tend to be “tightly scripted” and “highly standardized” ones that leave no room for “individual initiative or creativity.” In short, these are the types of jobs that machines can perform much better at than human beings. That is how we have put a giant target sign on the backs of American workers, Hagel says.It's time to reinvent the formula for how work is conducted, since we are still relying on a very 20th century notion of work, Hagel says. In our rapidly changing economy, we more than ever need people in the workplace who can take initiative and exercise their imagination “to respond to unexpected events.” That's not something machines are good at. They are designed to perform very predictable activities.As Hagel notes, Brynjolfsson and McAfee indeed touched on this point in their book. We need to reframe race against the machine as race with the machine. In other words, we need to look at the ways in which machines can augment human labor rather than replace it. So then the problem is not really about technology, but rather, “how do we innovate our institutions and our work practices?”31. According to the first paragraph, economic downturns would ________.[A] ease the competition of man vs. Machine [B] highlight machines' threat to human jobs[C] provoke a painful technological revolution [D] outmode our current economic structure32. The authors of Race Against the Machine argue that ________.[A] technology is diminishing man's job opportunities [B] automation is accelerating technological development[C] certain jobs will remain intact after automation [D] man will finally win the race against machine33. Hagel argues that jobs in the U. S. are often ________.[A] performed by innovative minds [B] scripted with an individual style[C] standardized without a clear target [D] designed against human creativity34. According to the last paragraph, Brynjolfsson and McAfee discussed ________.[A] the predictability of machine behavior in practice[B] the formula for how work is conducted efficiently[C] the ways machines replace human labor in modern times[D] the necessity of human involvement in the workplace35. Which of the following could be the most appropriate title for the text?[A] How to Innovate Our Work Practices? [B] Machines will Replace Human Labor[C] Can We Win the Race Against Machines? [D] Economic Downturns Stimulate InnovationsText 4When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillionpound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. Evidence shows that 60, 000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing ￡4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015，is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition's spending plans if returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of largescale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.While the government’s commitment to long-term funding may have changed, the very pressing need for more affordable housing is real and is not going away.36. The author believes that the housing sector ________.[A] has attracted much attention [B] involves certain political factors[C] shoulders too much responsibility [D] has lost its real value in economy37. It can be learned that affordable housing has ________.[A] increased its home supply [B] offered spending opportunities[C] suffered government biases [D] disappointed the government38. According to Paragraph 5, George Osborne may ________.[A] allow greater government debt for housing [B] stop local authorities from building homes[C] prepare to reduce housing stock debt [D] release a lifted GDP growth forecast39. It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would ________.[A] lower the costs of registered providers [B] lessen the impact of government interference[C] contribute to funding new developments [D] relieve the ministers of responsibilities40. The author believes that after 2015, the government may ________.[A] implement more policies to support housing [B] review the need for largescale public grants[C] renew the affordable housing grants programme [D] stop generous funding to the housing sectorPart BDirections:Read the following text and match each of the numbered items in the left column to its corresponding information in the right column. There are two extra choices in the right column. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)Emerging in the late Sixties and reaching a peak in the Seventies, Land Art was one of a range of new forms, including Body Art, Performance Art, Action Art and Installation Art, which pushed art beyond the traditional confines of the studio and gallery. Rather than portraying landscape, land artists used the physical substance of the land itself as their medium.The British Land Art, typified by Long's piece, was not only more domestically scaled, but a lot quirkier than its American counterpart.Indeed, while you might assume that an exhibition of Land Art would consist only of records of works rather than the works themselves, Long's photograph of his work is the work. Since his “action” is in the past, the photograph is its sole embodiment.Ben-Shahar uses three optimistic exercisers. When he feels down --- say, after giving a bad lecture ——he grants himself permission to be human. He reminds himself that not every lecture can be a Nobel winner; some will be less effective than others. Next is reconstruction.He analyzes the weak lecture, leaning lessons for the future about what works and what doesn’t. Finally, there is perspective, which involves acknowledging that in the grand scheme of life, one lecture really doesn’t matter. Section IV WritingPart A47. Directions:Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student. Write him to email to1) tell him about your living habits, and2) ask for advice about living there.You should write about 100 words on the ANSWER SHEET.Do not use your own name. Use “Li Ming” instead.Do not write your address. (10 points)Part B48. Directions:Write an essay based on the following chart. In your writing, You should1) interpret the chart, and2) give your comments.You should write about 150 words on the ANSWER SHEET. (15points)2014年全国硕士研究生招生考试英语(二)答案详解SectionⅠ Use of English文章分析本文是一篇关于肥胖与健康关系新说法的议论文。
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2014考研英语阅读理解原文之英语二text 4
Comprehensive spending review could turn the housing crisis around
The forthcoming spending review offers the government a chance to redress the neglect of affordable housing
The government has been slow to wake up to the fact that housing is potentially one of the important drivers of economic recovery.
As Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, recently made clear in a speech to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, when the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.
Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to jostle for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure projects, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged. This government does not want to see a return to large-scale provision of council housing, so it is naturally wary of measures that will lead us down that route.
Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.
The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.
There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. The cap, introduced in 2012 as part of the Housing Revenue Account reform, has been a major issue for the sector. Evidence shows that 60,000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.
Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.
Finally, they should look at the way in which public sector land is released. Currently up-front payments are required, putting a financial burden on the housing provider. A more positive stimulus would be to encourage a system
where the land is made available and maintained as a long-term equity stake in the project.
But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing £4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015, is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition's spending plans if it returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to the era of large-scale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate. This means that affordable housing specialists like Wates Living Space have to create a whole new way of working in partnership with registered providers. We have to be prepared to take on more of the risk during the development phase, driving down the cost to deliver high-quality affordable housing and, most importantly, developing alternative funding models to help achieve this.
While the government's commitment to long-term funding may have changed, the very pressing need for more affordable housing is real and is not going away. The comprehensive spending review provides the opportunity to start moving us in the right direction –stimulating investment in new supply and quickly delivering tangible benefits to local economies. It also helps create the space to develop a long-term sustainable strategy for housing.。