六级阅读考前冲刺1
6级考前冲刺试题一含答案
６级考前冲刺试题一Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Is Homeschooling Advisable? You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 现在有不少家长让孩子在家上学2. 各人看法不同3. 我自己的观点Is Homeschooling Advisable?Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Smoke and minorsMore teenage girls smoke than boys. Could it be because the tobacco industry plays on their desire to look fun, feel confident and stay thin?Forget BlackBerrys or wedges: the most desirable accessory for huge numbers of adolescent girls today is a cigarette. The trend began in the 1990s, when girls started to overtake boys as smokers; the gap grew to 10 percentage points in 2004 with 26% of 15-year-old girls smoking compared with 16% of boys. The gap has narrowed since but in 2009 girls are still more likely to smoke than boys.There has long been a synergy(协同作用) between the changing self-image of girls and the tricks of the tobacco industry. Smoking was described by one team of researchers as a way in which some adolescent girls express their resistance to the “good girl” feminine identity. In 2011, when Kate Moss creates controversy by smoking tobacco on the Louis Vuitton catwalk and Lady Gaga breaks the law by lighting up on stage, cigarettes have clearly lost none of their appeal.What‟s different today is the “dark marketing” techniques used by the tobacco industry since the end of “above-the-line” advertising in 2002. These appeal to girls‟ fears and fantasies, through online and real-world sponsorship.Tobacco manufacturers, for instance, have been accused of flooding Y ouTube with videos of sexy smoking teenage girls, while in a pioneering partnership with British American Tobacco,London‟s Ministry of Sound nightclub agreed in 1995 to promote Lucky Stri ke cigarettes. Most harmful because they are the most covert(隐蔽的), though, are the underground dance parties organised by Marlboro Mxtronic and Urban Wave, the marketing wing of Camel. Beneath the Camel logo, Urban Wave dance parties—stretching from Mexico to the Ukraine—hand out free cigarettes, and are themselves free: you must be invited and register, thereby helping the tobacco company build up a database. In the US a 2007 fashion-themed Camel 9 campaign was clearly targeted at young women, and so-called “brand stretching” has popularised tobacco brands on non-tobacco products, such as Marlboro Classic Clothes.Adolescent girls seem particularly susceptible to the blandishments of the tobacco industry. Susie, 15, began smoking two years ago. “It was on the common and everyone started experimenting. Y ou th ink, …Ooh, I‟m more cool, ooh I feel grownup and in with the crowd.‟” V anessa, 15, remembers that “it gave me a headrush, and it impressed my friends”. Becca, 21, became a regular smoker at 15. “We were going out and lying about our age and thought smoking made us look older.”Janne Scheffels, a Norwegian researcher, argued recently that teenage girl smokers view it as a kind of “prop(支撑)”in a performance of adulthood, a way of crossing the boundary between childhood and adolescence, and moving away from parents‟ authority. Be cca, says: “It felt like getting one over my parents: the fact that they didn‟t like it and couldn‟t stop it made me feel better.”Teenage smokers, the theory used to go, suffer from a lack of self-esteem. The reality is more complex. A succession of studies have found that smoking positions you in a group of “top girls”—high-status, popular, fun-loving, rebellious, confident, cool party-goers who project self-esteem (not, of course, the same as actually having it). Non-smokers are mostly seen as more sensible and less risk-taking.Smoking, says V anessa, is also bonding. Y ou start conversations with strangers when you ask for a light—an attractive social lubricant (润滑剂) for awkward teenagers. But the hub of teen smoking is break-time: it builds a girl‟s smoking identity. Sara, 14, sa ys: “That was when it became regular, when I started going out at lunch and break, round the corner from school where everyone smokes. Y ou become less close to people who don‟t go out.”Some smoke for emotional reasons: smokers are more likely to be anxious and depressed; having a cigarette is a way of dealing with stress. Twice as many teenage girls suffer from “teen anxiety” as boys, according to a report from the thinktank Demos last month.According to Amanda Amos, professor of health promotion at the University of Edinburgh, there‟s also a social class dimension: more disadvantaged teenage girls smoke, and they‟re less likely to give up. Then why aren‟t boys equally affected? This is where it gets particularly dispiriting. “Top boys” have alternative ways of displaying prestige, such as sport: smoking to look cool conflicts withtheir desire to get fit. Girls want to be thin more than fit: smoking, they believe, helps keep their weight down. One in four said that smoking made them feel less hungry and that they smoked “instead of eating”.Already in the 1920s the president of American Tobacco realised he could interest women in cigarettes by selling them as a fat-free way to satisfy hunger. The Lucky Strike adverts of 1925, “Reach for Lucky instead of a sweet”, one of the first cigarette advert campaigns aimed at women, increased its market share by more than 200%. Between 1949 and 1999, according to internal documents from the tobacco industry released during litigation in the US, Philip Morris and British American Tobacco added appetite suppressants to cigarettes.The industry has continued to exploit girls‟ and women‟s anxieties about weight. Since advertising was banned, says Amos, packaging is one of the few ways that tobacco companies can communicate with women. Y oung women looking at cigarette packs branded “slim” are more likely to believe that the contents can help make them slim. So no prizes for guessing the target market for the new “super-skinny” c igarettes—half the depth of a normal pack of 20—like V ogue Superslims, or the Virginia S.Until recently, few health education campaigns had taken on board the research into why young women smoke and so—unsurprisingly—had little impact. Some even inadvertently encouraged smoking: if you bang on about how bad cigarettes are you make them—to this group—sound good. And there‟s no point in trying to scare girls about developing cancer when they‟re old: they don‟t think they will be.The ones I interviewed know the health risks but use all kinds of strategies to exempt themselves: their uncles smoke and are fine; they‟ll stop when they‟re pregnant (they disapprove of smoking pregnant women); they‟ll stop to avoid wrinkles; they‟ll stop when they‟re “20 or 30”.The successful campaigns have been radically different. The brilliant late-1990s Florida “truth”campaign, eschewing(避开) worthy public health appeals, played the tobacco industry at its own game. Through MTV ads, a newsletter distributed in record shops, me rchandising, and a “truth” truck touring concerts and raves, it attacked the industry for manipulating teens to smoke, repositioning anti-smoking as a hip, rebellious youth movement. As a result, the number of young smokers declined by almost 10% over two years.It doesn‟t do to get morally anxious about girls and smoking. For one thing, now that—in year 10—”everyone smokes”, non-smokers and other independent-minded girls are acquiring a cool of their own. Smoking to look cool, it‟s even been suggested, risks you being judged a “try-hard”.On the other hand, cancer is the greatest cause of death among women and, as Amos points out, we haven‟t seen the full health consequences of this bulge of girls‟ smoking yet. Last week Amosaddressed the European parliament as part of Europe Against Cancer Week. Female MEPS (members of the European parliament) were shocked when she passed round packets of super-skinnies clearly targeted at girls, and discussed how women need to be empowered not to smoke. Girls need alternatives that make them feel as powerful, independent and attractive as they think cigarettes do. Smoking really is a feminist issue.1. In the 1990s, there was a trend that _______.A) girls desired for high-end products C) more teenage girls smoked than boysB) cigarettes became necessary to girls D) many boys started to quit smoking2. What do the examples of Kate Moss and Lady Gaga show?A) Sexy smoking teenage girls enjoy great popularity.B) Top brands tend to hire celebrities in their promotions.C) Few adolescent girls are satisfied with their appearance.D) Smoking is still very appealing to many teenage girls.3. What is said about the underground dance parties organized by Marlboro Mxtronic?A) They are hidden and extremely harmful. C) They can be found throughout the world.B) They give people enormous pleasure. D) They are mainly aimed at teenage boys.4. According to Janne Scheffels, adolescent girls regard smoking as _______.A) a sign of being anxious and depressedB) an act of defiance toward parental authorityC) a way of starting conversations with strangersD) an effective method of impressing their peers5. The author suggests that “top girls” _______.A) are less likely to be smokers C) are more sensible than other girlsB) can deal with stress very well D) don‟t actually have self-esteem6. Amanda Amos holds that disadvantaged girls _______.A) realize the harm of smoking C) want to get fit instead of being thinB) are less likely to stop smoking D) have healthy ways of losing weight7. What did American Tobacco do to attract women to cigarettes in the 1920s?A) It used substances that increased appetite.B) It handed out free cigarettes in public places.C) It sold cigarettes as a slimming aid for women.D) It produced cigarettes that had a sweet taste.8. Y oung women tend to believe that cigarettes in slim packs can help them to be ______________________________.9. Heath education campaigns had ______________________________ on stopping women fromsmoking because few of them studied the reason women smoke.10. The super-skinny cigarette packs which Amos presented at the European parliament______________________________ its female members.Part III Listening Comprehension(35 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11. A) How to help their parents. C) How to spend a summer vacation.B) How to take computer courses. D) How to celebrate the last day of school.12. A) At his apartment. C) In the woman‟s home.B) In a hotel nearby. D) In his friend‟s dormitory.13. A) She has finished her thesis.B) A special day is coming over soon.C) The man was elected the chair of the department.D) There is something special about their school.14. A) There were a lot of good books. C) The books were too expensive to buy.B) He bought a lot of books over there. D) There were many people at the book sale.15. A) The man‟s glasses have been fixed already.B) The man may pick up the glasses on Friday.C) The man may pick up the glasses on Wednesday.D) The man‟s glasses have been fixed within a week.16. A) Lisa might be able to help. C) Sandy is busy with her engagement.B) Lisa is always on the Internet. D) Sandy is working on her lab reports.17. A) He exaggerated his part. C) He played his part quite well.B) He was not dramatic enough. D) He performed better than the secretary.18. A) An open door. C) A private room.B) An open discussion. D) A closed door.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) Albania. C) Romania.B) Hungary. D) Czechoslovakia.20. A) Tomorrow. C) Immediately.B) Next month. D) Towards the end of the month.21. A) He may make a lot of friends there.B) He wants to visit his relatives there.C) He may do some market research there.D) He may enjoy the beautiful scenery there.22. A) Sell medical facilities. C) Establish personal contracts.B) Further personal contacts. D) Investigate personal contracts.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. A) Social activities. C) Language activities.B) Cultural activities. D) Sports activities.24. A) Tuesday. C) Thursday.B) Wednesday. D) Friday.25. A) ￡5. B) ￡30. C) ￡50. D) ￡55.Section BDirections:In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and questions will be spoken only once. Afteryou hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2with asingle line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A) They have to take a lot of courses.B) They don‟t need to go to labs.C) They take a very light class load.D) They have much free time for independent study.27. A) To establish a good image and a high reputation.B) To smoothly present their results and research.C) To make themselves confident and brave.D) To develop a creative mind.28. A) To make friends with their peers. C) To get the latest information.B) To get on well with their colleagues. D) To do research into other areas.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. A) The degree they disrupt the computer. C) The space they occupy in the Internet.B) The way they reproduce and spread. D) The target they mainly attack.30. A) It first appeared in 1988. C) It first broke out in Britain.B) It traveled via e-mail messages. D) It was meant to steal documents.31. A) They don‟t damage computer systems.B) They need to attach themselves to other files.C) They could spread on their own through computer networks.D) They replicate themselves when data is shared with another computer system.Passage ThreeQuestions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.32. A) The components and functions of films.B) The standards used to value a film.C) The whole process of movie-making.D) The future development of the movie industry.33. A) Musical score. C) Special effects.B) Clothing design. D) The credits.34. A) It can make all the audiences crazy. C) It can spoil the image of an actor.B) It can affect the fashion of the world. D) It can make an ordinary person leap to fame.35. A) It was made during World War II. C) It reflects things in World War II.B) It was made for politicians. D) It was made for peace lovers.Section CDirections:In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for thesecond time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exactwords you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill inthe missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you havejust heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage isread for the third time, you should check what you have written.The social effects of job-sharing are likely to be beneficial, since it attempts to match work opportunities to a wider variety of lifestyles. The (36) _________ of one full-time and one part-time spouse might become much more common: which was the husband and which was the wife would vary according to taste, time of life and career (37) _________.What exactly is job-sharing? The Equal Opportunities Commission (38) _________ it as “a form of part-time employment where two people (39) _________ share the responsibility of one full-time position.” Salary and benefi ts are (40) _________ between the two sharers. Each person‟s terms and conditions of employment are the same as those of a full-timer. If each works at least 15 hours a week, then they enjoy certain (41) _________ rights that ordinary part-time workers do not have.Part-timers usually earn less per hour than a full-timer, and have fewer benefits and less job (42) _________. They have virtually no career prospects. Employers often think that working part-time (43) _________ that a person has no ambitions and so offer no chance of promotion.(44) ___________________________________________________________________ and that does not mean just married women. As Adrienne Broyle of “New Ways to Work”—formerly the London Job-Sharing Project —points out: “(45) ___________________________________________________________________”.“A growing number of men want to job-share so that they can play an active role in bringing up their children. It allows people to study at home in their free time, (46) ___________________________________________________________________. Job-sharing is also an ideal way for people to ease into retirement”.Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes) Section ADirections:In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewestpossible words. Please write your answers on Answer Sheet 2.Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.Overprote ctive parents inhibit more than their kids‟ freedom: they may also slow brain growth in an area linked to mental illness. Children whose parents are overprotective or neglectful are believed to be more susceptible to psychiatric disorders — which in turn are associated with defects in part of the prefrontal cortex (皮层).To investigate the link, Kosuke Narita of Gunma University, Japan, scanned the brains of 50 people in their 20s and asked them to fill out a survey about their relationship with their parents during their first 16 years. The researchers used a survey called the Parental Bonding Instrument, an internationally recognized way of measuring children‟s relationships with their parents. It asks participants to rate their parents on statements like “Did not want me to grow up”, “tried to control everything I did” and “tried to make me feel dependent on her / him”. Narita‟s team found that those with overprotective parents had less grey matter in a particular area of the prefrontal cortex than thosewho had healthy relationships. Neglect from fathers, though not mothers, also correlated with less grey matter. This part of the prefrontal cortex develops during childhood, and abnormalities there are common in people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Narita and his team propose that the excessive release of the stress hormone cortisol(皮质醇) —due either to neglect, or to too much attention —and reduced production of dopamine as a result of poor parenting leads to stunted grey matter growth.Anthony Harris, director of the Clinical Disorders Unit at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia, says the study is important for highlighting to the wider community that parenting styles can have long-term effects on children. But he adds that such brain differences are not always permanent. “Many individuals show great resilience(弹性),”he says. Stephen Wood, who studies adolescent development at the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre in Australia, says the brain abnormalities cannot necessarily be blamed on children‟s relationship with their parents. He points out that the subjects studied may have been born with the abnormalities and as a result didn‟t bond well with their parents, rather than vice versa. Wood also takes issue with the study team‟s decision to exclude individuals with low socioeconomic status and uneducated parents — two factors known to contribute to poor performance in cognitive tests. “The effect they found may be real, but why worry about parenting if there are other factors that are so much larger?” he says.47. It is believed that children with overprotective or neglectful parents are _____________________.48. The researchers from Gunma University of Japan used a survey —the Parental Bonding Instrument — to measure _____________________.49. Narita‟s team found that children whose parents are overprotective or neglectful had _____________________ in part of the prefrontal cortex.50. Stephen Wood from the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre in Australia says that children‟s relationship with their parents cannot necessarily be blamed for _____________________.51. Stephen Wood believes that if there are other factors that are so much larger, it is no need worrying about _____________________.Section BDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.The longest bull run in a century of art-market history ended on a dramatic note with a sale of 56 works by Damien Hirst, Beautiful Inside My Head Forever, at Sotheby‟s in London on September 15th 2008. All but two pieces sold, fetching more than ￡70m, a record for a sale by a single artist. It was a last victory. As the auctioneer called out bids, in New Y ork one of the oldest banks on Wall Street, Lehman Brothers, filed for bankruptcy, triggering the most severe financial crisis since the 1920s.The world art market had already been losing momentum for a while after rising bewilderingly since 2003. At its peak in 2007 it was worth some $65 billion, reckons Clare McAndre w, founder of Arts Economics, a research firm — double the figure five years earlier. Since then it may have come down to $50 billion. But the market generates interest far beyond its size because it brings together great wealth, enormous egos, greed, passion and controversy in a way matched by few other industries.In the weeks and months that followed Mr. Hirst‟s sale, spending of any sort became deeply unfashionable. In the art world that meant collectors stayed away from galleries and salerooms. Sales of contemporary art fell by two-thirds, and in the most overheated sector, they were down by nearly 90% in the year to November 2008. Within weeks the world‟s two biggest auction houses, Sotheby‟s and Christie‟s, had to pay out nearly $200m in guarantees to clients who had placed works for sale with them.The current downturn in the art market is the worst since the Japanese stopped buying Impressionists at the end of 1989. This time experts reckon that prices are about 40% down on their peak on average, though some have been far more volatile (动荡的). But Ed ward Dolman, Christie‟s chief executive, says, “I‟m pretty confident we‟re at the bottom.”What makes this slump different from the last, he says, is that there are still buyers in the market, whereas in the early 1990s, when interest rates were high, there was no demand even though many collectors wanted to sell. Christie‟s revenues in the first half of 2009 were still higher than in the first half of 2006. Almost everyone who was interviewed for this special report said that the biggest problem at the moment is not a lack of demand but a lack of good work to sell. The three Ds — death, debt and divorce — still deliver works of art to the market. But anyone who does not have to sell is keeping away, waiting for confidence to return.52. In the first paragraph, Damien Hirst‟s sale was referred to as “a last victory” because .A) the art market had witnessed a succession of victoriesB) the auctioneer finally got the two pieces at the highest bidsC) Beautiful inside My Head Forever won over all masterpiecesD) it was successfully made just before the world financial crisis53. By saying “spending of any sort became deeply unfashionable” (Line 1-2, Para.3), the author suggests that .A) art collection as a fashion had lost its appeal to a great extentB) collectors were no longer actively involved in art-market auctionsC) people stopped every kind of spending and stayed away from galleriesD) works of art in general had gone out of fashion so they were not worth buying54. What do we learn about the art market from the passage?A) Nobody has confidence in the future of the art market.B) The art market surpassed many other industries in momentum.C) The art market generally went downward in various ways.D) Sales of contemporary art rose dramatically from 2007 to 2008.55. The three Ds mentioned in the last paragraph are .A) auction houses‟ favorites C) factors promoting artwork circulationB) contemporary trends D) styles representing impressionists56. What is mainly discussed in the passage?A) Art market in decline.C) Fluctuation of art prices.B) Up-to-date art auctions.D) Shifted interest in arts.Passage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Over the past decade, many companies had perfected the art of creating automatic behaviors —habits —among consumers. These habits have helped companies earn billions of dollars when customers eat snacks or wipe counters almost without thinking, often in response to a carefully designed set of daily cues.“There are fundamental public health problems, like dirty hands instead of a soap habit, that remain killers only because we can‟t figure out how to change people‟s habits,”said Dr. Curtis, the director of the Hygiene Center at the London School of Hygi ene & Tropical Medicine. “We wanted to learn from private industry how to create new behaviors that happen automatically.”The companies that Dr. Curtis turned to — Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever —had invested hundreds of millions of dollars finding the subtle cues in consumers‟ lives that corporations could use to introduce new routines.If you look hard enough, you‟ll find that many of the products we use every day —chewing gums, skin moisturizers, disinfecting wipes, air fresheners, water purifiers, health snacks, teeth whiteners, fabric softeners, vitamins — are results of manufactured habits. A century ago, few people regularly brushed their teeth multiple times a day. Today, because of shrewd advertising and public health campaigns, many Americans habitually give their pearly whites a cavity-preventing scrub twicea day, often with Colgate, Crest or one of the other brands.A few decades ago, many people didn‟t drink water outside of a meal. Then beverage companies started bottling the production of far-off springs, and now office workers unthinkingly sip bottled water all day long. Chewing gum, once bought primarily by adolescent boys, is now featured in commercials as a breath freshener and teeth cleanser for use after a meal. Skin moisturizers are advertised as part of morning beauty rituals, slipped in between hair brushing and putting on makeup.“Our products succeed when they become part of daily or weekly patterns,” said Carol Berning, a consumer psychologist who recently retired from Procter & Gamble, the company that sold $76 billion of Tide, Crest and other products last year. “Creating positive habits is a huge part of improving our consumers‟ lives, and it‟s essential to making new products commercially viable (可行的).”Through experiments and observation, social scientists like Dr. Berning have learned that there is power in tying certain behaviors to habitual cues through cruel and endless advertising. As this new science of habit has emerged, controversies have erupted when the tactics(手段) have been used to sell questionable beauty creams or unhealthy foods.57. According to Dr. Curtis, habits like hand washing with soap .A) should be further cultivated C) are deeply rooted in historyB) should be changed gradually D) are basically private concerns58. The example of brushing teeth shows that some of consumer‟s habits are developed due to .A) perfected art of products C) commercial promotionsB) automatic behavior creation D) scientific experiments59. Bottled water, chewing gun and skin moisturizers are mentioned in Paragraph 5 so as to .A) show the urgent need of daily necessitiesB) reveal their impact on people‟ habitsC) indicate their effect on people‟ buying powerD) manifest the significant role of good habits60. How did Carol Berning see creating automatic behaviors among consumers?A) It may not bring huge profits for companies.B) It has become a new field of scientific research.C) It means a heavy investment for companies.D) It is necessary for the success of new products.61. What is the author‟s attitude toward the influence of advertising on people‟s habits?。
英语六级阅读冲刺题及答案
英语六级阅读冲刺题及答案A recent BBC documentary, The Town That Never Retired, sought to show the effects of increasing the state pension age by putting retirees back to work.Although the results were entertaining, they need not have bothered. Away from the cameras, unprecedented numbers of older people are staying inwork .Since the start of the recession thatbegan in 2021, the number of 16-to 24-year-olds in work has fallen by 597,000. Over the same period the number of workers over the age of 65 has increased by 240 o000.The graying of the British workforce dates back to around 2001, since when the proportion of older people working has nearly doubled. But it has accelerated since the start of the recession.There are several reasons why. Happily, people are living longer and healthier lives, which makes staying in work less daunting than it was. Less happily, low interest rates, a stagnant stockmarket and the end of many defined-benefit 固定收益 pension schemes make it a financial necessity. And changing attitudes ,spurred by rules against age discrimination, are making it easier thanever.Most older workers are simply hanging on at the office: 63% of workers over state pension age have been with their employer for more than ten years. Over two-thirds of them work part-time,mostly doing jobs that they once performed full-time. A big advantage is that they do not pay national insurance contributions effectively a second income tax on younger workers.According to Stephen McNair, director of the Centre for Research into the Older Workforce, this flexibility explains why older workers have not suffered so much in the slump. Instead ofslashing the workforce, as in previous recessions, many firms have halted recruitment and cut working hours. At small businesses in particular, keeping on older workers is cheaper and lessrisky than training replacements. Over half of workers over state pension age work for businesses with fewer than 25 employees.Christopher Nipper, who owns David Nipper, a womens wear manufacturer based in Derbyshire, prizes his semi-retired workers, who can be employed atshort notice and do not need to workfull-time to survive. Retired machinists can fill in if there is a surge in orders; former sales advisers can work as part-time consultants. As his competitors have moved production abroad,depleting the pool of trained labour,retaining older workers and their skills has become even more important.There is scope for the older workforce to expand. Workers over the age of 50 who are made unemployed find it harder to pick up new jobs, which could mean that more oldsters want to work thanare able to. That would be good. The Office for Budget Responsibility, the fiscal watchdog, reported on July 12th that an ageing, unproductive population is the biggest long-term threat toBritain's economic health.Data from the OECD, a think-tank, shows that employment rates among workers approaching retirement age are split in Europe, with old workers hanging on best in the north. Government creditratings follow a similar pattern. That Britain's ageing workforce more closely resembles Germany's than Italy's could prove the country's salvation拯救.61. Which of the following can be inferred from the BBC documentary The Town That Never Retired?A What it intends to reveal is contrary to the reality.B It has received good comments from audience.C It aims to criticize the poor pension provision in the UK.D It reflects the current phenomenon of retirees coming back to work.62. According to the passage, "it" Line 6, Para. 2 refers to__________.A age discriminationB the changing attitudeC a financial necessityD staying in work after retiring63. According to Paragraph 3, which of the following is TRUE about the older workers in the UK?A Most of them are loyal to their former employers.B Most of them rarely challenge themselves by seeking new types of jobs.C They do not have to pay national income tax.D 63% of them continue to work over the retirement age.64. According to Christopher Nieper, why are semi-retired workers favored in hiring?A Because they can fill in the job vacancy in a brief time.B Because the pool of labour in the UK is drained.C Because they work harder than the yoking because of economic pressure.D Because their working hours can be as flexible as they want.65. It can be concluded from the last paragraph that __________.A Britain's ageing workforce is similar to Italy'sB Britain's credit ratings are higher than Italy'sC Britain's salvation is better than Germany'sD Britain's employment rates of ageing workforce are higher than Germany's61.A。
大学英语六级考试快速阅读训练(1篇)
大学英语六级考试快速阅读训练(1篇)大学英语六级考试快速阅读训练 1一、快速阅读简介大学英语六级考试中的快速阅读题型是大学英语六级考试__后,在2007年6月首次出现的一个题型。
它要求考试者在15分钟之内阅读一篇英语文章,大约为1200词左右,回答10个问题,并且填涂答题卡的时间也包括在这15分钟之内。
通过对07年6月到09年12月的六份大学英语六级考试真题进行分析,快速阅读的内容比较杂,如07年6月是“Seven Steps to a More Fulfilling Job”,07年12月是“Seven Ways to Save the World”,08年6月为“What will the world be like in fifty years?”,08年12月是“Supersize Surprise”,09年6月是“Helicopter Moms vs.Free-Range Kids”,09年12月是“Bosses Say ‘Yes’ to Home Work”。
阅读后,要了解文章的大意,并能找出所需细节。
六份试题中有三份的第一个问题就是有关文章大意的,如08年6月第一个问题是“What is John Ingham’s report about?”,08年12月的第一问题是“What is the passage mainly about?”,09年12月的第一个问题又是“What is the main topic of this passage?”。
二、快速阅读的训练在快速阅读过程中要突出“快速”二字,这是区别于普通阅读的关键。
在阅读过程中,要一目十行,不能纠缠于文章中的某一细节,如果有的内容看不懂,先不用管它,要一直往下读,要以掌握文章的主要内容和中心思想为主,这样才能达到快速阅读的目的。
如果这一难懂的内容是自己确实要弄懂的问题,那么看完文章后,可以返回到这一段再仔细阅读。
在六级考试中,如是后面的问题与这一内容有关,再认真阅读也不迟。
全国英语六级考试阅读临考冲刺题
全国英语六级考试阅读临考冲刺题全国英语六级考试阅读临考冲刺题Cunning proceeds from want of capacity.以下是店铺为大家搜索整理的全国英语六级考试阅读临考冲刺题，希望能给大家带来帮助!We sometimes think humans are uniquely vulnerable to anxiety, but stress seems to affect the immune defenses of lower animals too. In one experiment, for example, behavioral immunologist (免疫学家) Mark Laudenslager, at the University of Denver, gave mild electric shocks to 24 rats. Half the animals could switch off the current by turning a wheel in their enclosure, while the other half could mot. The rats in the two groups were paired so that each time one rat turned the wheel it protected both itself and its helpless partner from the shock. Laudenslager found that the immune response was depressed below normal in the helpless rats but not in those that could turn off the electricity. What he has demonstrated, he believes, is that lack of control over an event, not the experience itself, is what weakens the immune system.Other researchers agree. Jay Weiss, a psychologist at Duke University School of Medicine, has shown that animals who are allowed to control unpleasant stimuli don’t develop sleep disturbances or changes in brain chemistry typical of stressed rats. But if the animals are confronted with situations they have no control over, they later behave passively when faced with experiences they can control. Such findings reinforce psychologists’ suspicions that the experience or perception of helplessness is one of the most harmful factors in depression.One of the most startling examples of how the mind can alter the immune response was discovered by chance. In 1975psychologist Robert Ader at the University of Rochester School of Medicine conditioned (使形成条件反射) mice to avoid saccharin (糖精) by simultaneously feeding them the sweetener and injecting them with a drug that while suppressing their immune systems caused stomach upsets. Associating the saccharin with the stomach pains, the mice quickly learned to avoid the sweetener. In order to extinguish this dislike for the sweetener, Ader reexposed the animals to saccharin, this time without the drug, and was astonished to find that those mice that had received the highest amounts of sweetener during their earlier conditioning died. He could only speculate that he had so successfully conditioned the rats that saccharin alone now served to weaken their immune systems enough to kill them.11. Laudenslager’s experiment showed that the immune system of those rats who could turn off the electricity ________.A) was strengthenedB) was not affectedC) was alteredD) was weakened12. According to the passage, the experience of helplessness causes rats to ________.A) try to control unpleasant stimuliB) turn off the electricityC) behave passively in controllable situationsD) become abnormally suspicious13. The reason why the mice in Ader’s experiment avoided saccharin was that ________.A) they disliked its tasteB) it affected their immune systemsC) it led to stomach painsD) they associated it with stomachaches14. The passage tells us that the most probable reason for the death of the mice in Ader’s experiment was that ________.A) they had been weakened psychologically by the saccharinB) the sweetener was poisonous to themC) their immune systems had been altered by the mindD) they had taken too much sweetener during earlier conditioning15. It can be concluded from the passage that the immune systems of animals ________.A) can be weakened by conditioningB) can be suppressed by drug injectionsC) can be affected by frequent doses of saccharinD) can be altered by electric shocks参考答案：BCDCA。
英语六级冲刺阅读训练及答案(20篇)
一The Earth comprises three principal layers: the dense, iron-rich core, the mantle made of silicate (硅酸盐) that are semi-molten at depth, and the thin,solid-surface crust There are two kinds of crust, a lower and denser oceanic crust and an upper，lighter continental crust found over only about 40 percent of the Earth's surface. The rocks of the crust are of very different ages. Some continental rocks are over 3,000 million years old, while those of the ocean floor are less than 200 million years old. The crusts and the top, solid part of the mantle, totaling about 70 to 100 kilometers in thickness, at present appear to consist of about 15 rigid plates, 7 of which are very large. These plates move over the semi-molten lower mantleto produce all of the major topographical(地形学的)features of the Earth. Active zones where intense deformation occur are confined to the narrow,GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFinterconnecting boundaries of contact of the plates.There are three main types of zones of contact: spreading contacts where plates move apart, converging contacts where plates move towards each other, and transform contacts where plates slide past each other. Newoceanic crust is formed along one or more margins of each plate by material issuing from deeper layers of the Earth' s crust, for example, by volcanic eruptions (爆发) of lava (火山熔岩) at mid-ocean ridges. If at such a spreading contact the two plates support continents，a rift(裂缝) is formed that will gradually widen and become flooded by the tea. The Atlantic Ocean formed like this as the American and Afro-European plates moved in opposite directions. When two plates carrying continents collide, the continentalblocks,too light to be drawn down, continue to float and therefore buckle (起褶皱) to form a mountain chainalong the length of the margin of the plates.GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAF練習題：Choose correct answers to the question:1.The Earth’s crust______.A.can be classified into two typesB.is formed along the margins of the platesC.consists of semi-molten rocksD.is about 70 to 100 kilometers thick2.The 15 plates of the Earth are formed from ___.A.the oceanic crusts and continental crustsB.the crusts and the mantleC.the crusts and the top and solid part of the mantleD.the continental crusts and the solid part of the mantle3.Seriously-deformed zones appear _______A.whenever the crusts move over mantleB.when the plates move towards each otherC.in the narrow boundaries where two plates meetGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFD.to be the major topographical feature of theEarth4.According to the second paragraph, the formation of the Atlantic Ocean is the example of_______.A.spreading contactsB.the influence of volcanic eruptionsC.converging contactsD.transform contacts5.This passage is probably_______.A.a newspaper advertisementB.a chapter of a novelC.an excerpt from a textbookD.a scientific report of new findings二A remarkable variety of insects live in this planet More species of insects exist than all other animal species together. Insects have survived on earth formore than 300 million years, and may possess the abilityGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFto survive for millions more.Insects can be found almost everywhere -- on the highest mountains and on the bottom of rushing streams, in the cold South Pole and in bubbling hot springs. They dig through the ground, jump and sing in the trees,and run and dance in the air. They come in many different colors and various shapes. Insects are extremely useful to humans, pollinating (授粉)our crops as well as flowers in meadows, forests, deserts and other areas. But licks and some insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas, can transmit disease.There are many reasons why insects are so successful at surviving. Their amazing ability to adapt permits them to live in extreme ranges of temperatures and environments. The one place they have not yet been found to any major extent is in the open oceans. Insects can survive on a wide range, of natural and artificialfoods—paint, pepper, glue, books, grain, cotton，otherGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFinsects, plants and animals Because they are small theycan hide in tiny spaces.A strong, hard but flexible shell covers their soft organs and is resistant to chemicals, water and physical impact. Their wings give them the option of flying away from dangerous situations or toward food or males. Also, insects have an enormous reproductive capacity: An African ant queen can lay as many as 43,000 eggs a day.Another reason for their success is the strategy of protective color. An insect may be right before our eyes, but nearly invisible because it is cleverly disguised like a green leaf, lump of brown soil, gray lichen (青苔),a seed or some other natural object Some insects use bright, bold colors to send warning signals that they taste bad,sting or are poison.Others have wing patterns that look like the eyes of a huge predator,bitter-tasting insects; hungry enemies are fooled intoGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFavoiding them.練習題：Choose correct answers to the question:1.Insects can be found in large amounts in the following places EXCEPT _____.A.on the mountains with little airB.in the cold polar areasC.in the hot desert areasD.in the open oceans2.Insects protect themselves from chemicals by _______A.hiding in tiny spacesB.having a strong shellC.flying away when necessaryD.changing colors or shapes3.Some insects disguise like natural objects so as to ______A.frighten away their enemiesGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFB.avoid being discoveredC.send warning signalsD.look bitter-tasting4.The passage mentions that insects ______.A.can be found in any extreme environmentsB.have survived longer than any other creaturesC.can be fed on any natural or man-made foodsD.are important for the growth of crops and flowers5.The passage is mainly about ______A.how insects survive in different placesB.why insects can survive so successfullyC.what insects can do to the environmentD.where insects can be found in quantity三The fridge is considered necessary. It has been so since the 1960s when packaged food list appeared withthe label: "Store in the refrigerator."GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFIn my fridge less Fifties childhood, 1 was fedwell and healthy. The milkman came every day, the grocer, the butcher (肉商), the baker, and the ice-cream man delivered two or three times each week. The Sunday meat would last until Wednesday and surplus(剩余的) bread and milk became all kinds of cakes. Nothing was wasted, and we were never troubled by rotten food. Thirty years on food deliveries have ceased, fresh vegetables are almost unobtainable in the country.The invention of the fridge contributed comparatively little to the art of food preservation. Many well-tried techniques already existed -- natural cooling, drying, smoking, salting, sugaring, bottling...What refrigeration did promote was marketing --- marketing hardware and electricity, marketing soft drinks, marketing dead bodies of animals around theworld in search of a good price.GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFConsequently, most of the world's fridges are to be found, not in the tropics where they might prove useful, but in the rich countries with mild temperatures where they are climatically almost unnecessary. Every winter, millions of fridges hum away continuously, and at vast expense, busily maintaining an artificially-cooled space inside anartificially-heated house -- while outside, nature provides the desired temperature free of charge.The fridge's effect upon the environment has been evident, while its contribution to human happiness has been not important. If you don't believe me, try it yourself, invest in a food cabinet and mm off your fridge next winter. You may not eat the hamburgers(汉堡包), but at least you'll get rid of that terrible hum.練習題：Choose correct answers to the question:1.The statement "In my fridgeless fiftiesGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFchildhood, I was fed well and healthily." suggeststhat______.A.the author was well-fed and healthy even without a fridge in his fifties.B.the author was not accustomed to fridges even in his fifties.C.there was no fridge in the author's home in the 1950s.D.the fridge was in its early stage of development in the 1950s.2.Why does the author say that nothing was wasted before the invention of fridges?A.People would not buy more food than was necessary.B.Food was delivered to people two or three times a week.C.Food was sold fresh and did not get rotteneasily.GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFD.People had effective ways to preserve their food.3.Who benefited the least from fridges according to the author?A. Inventors.B. Consumers.C. Manufacturers.D. Travelling salesmen.4.Which of the following phrases in the fifth paragraph indicates the fridge's negative effect on the environment?A.“Hum away continuously”.B.“Climatically almost unnecessary”.C.“Artificially-cooled space”.D.“With mild temperatures”.5.What is the author's overall attitude toward fridges?A. Neutral.GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFB. Critical.C. Objective.D. Compromising.四Moreover, insofar as any interpretation of its author can be made from the five or six plays attributed to him, the Wake field Master is uniformly considered to be a man of sharp contemporary observation. He was, formally, perhaps clerically educated, as his Latin and music, his Biblical and patristic lore indicate. He is, still, celebrated mainly for his quick sympathy for the oppressed and forgotten man, his sharp eye for character, a ready ear for colloquial vernacular turns of speech and a humor alternately rude and boisterous, coarse and happy. Hence despite his conscious artistry as manifest in his feeling for intricate metrical and stanza forms, he is looked upon as a kind of medievalSteinbeck, indignantly angry at, uncompromisingly andGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFeven brutally realistic in presenting the plight of theagricultural poor.Thus taking the play and the author together, it is mow fairly conventional to regard the former as a kind of ultimate point in the secularization of the medieval drama. Hence much emphasis on it as depicting realistically humble manners and pastoral life in the bleak hills of the West Riding of Yorkshire on a typically cold bight of December 24th. After what are often regarded as almost “documentaries” given in the three successive monologues of the three shepherds, critics go on to affirm that the realism is then intensified into a burlesque mock-treatment of the Nativity. Finally as a sort of epilogue orafter-thought in deference to the Biblical origins of the materials, the play slides back into an atavistic mood of early innocent reverence. Actually, as we shallsee, the final scene is not only the culminating sceneGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFbut perhaps the raisond’ etre of introductory“realism.”There is much on the surface of the present play to support the conventional view of its mood of secular realism. All the same, the “realism” of the Wake field Master is of a paradoxical turn. His wide knowledge of people, as well as books indicates no cloistered contemplative but one in close relation to his times. Still, that life was after all a predominantly religious one, a time which never neglected the belief that man was a rebellious and sinful creature in need of redemption, So deeply (one can hardly say “naively”of so sophisticated a writer) and implicitly religious is the Master that he is less able (or less willing) to present actual history realistically than is the author of the Brome “Abraham and Isaac”. His historical sense is even less realistic than that of Chaucer whojust a few years before had done for his own time costumeGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFromances, such as The Knight’s Tale, Troilus and Cressida, etc. Moreover Chaucer had the excuse of highly romantic materials for taking liberties with history.1. Which of the following statements about the Wake field Master is NOT True?[A]. He was Chaucer’s contemporary.[B]. He is remembered as the author of five or six realistic plays.[C]. He write like John Steinbeck.[D]. HE was an accomplished artist.2. By “patristic”, the author means[A]. realistic. [B]. patriotic[C]. superstitious. [C]. pertaining to the Christian Fathers.3. The statement about the “secularization of the medieval drama” refers to the[A]. introduction of mundane matters inGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFreligious plays.[B]. presentation of erudite material.[C]. use of contemporary introduction of religious themes in the early days.4. In subsequent paragraphs, we may expect the writer of this passage to[A]. justify his comparison with Steinbeck.[B]. present a point of view which attack the thought of the second paragraph.[C]. point out the anachronisms in the play.[D]. discuss the works of Chaucer.五The earliest controversies about the relationship between photography and art centered on whether photograph’s fidelity to appearances and dependence on a machine allowed it to be a fine art as distinct from merely a practical art. Throughout the nineteenthcentury, the defence of photography was identical withGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFthe struggle to establish it as a fine art. Against thecharge that photography was a soulless, mechanical copying of reality, photographers asserted that it was instead a privileged way of seeing, a revolt against commonplace vision, and no less worthy an art than painting.Ironically, now that photography is securely established as a fine art, many photographers find it pretentious or irrelevant to label it as such. Serious photographers variously claim to be finding, recording, impartially observing, witnessing events, exploring themselves—anything but making works of art. They are no longer willing to debate whether photography is or is not a fine art, except to proclaim that their own work is not involved with art. It shows the extent to which they simply take for granted the concept of art imposed by the triumph of Modernism: the better the art,the more subversive it is of the traditional aims ofGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFart.Photographers’ disclaimers of any interest in making art tell us more about the harried status of the contemporary notion of art than about whether photography is or is not art. For example, those photographers who suppose that, by taking pictures, they are getting away from the pretensions of art as exemplified by painting remind us of those Abstract Expression ist painters who imagined they were getting away from the intellectual austerity of classical Modernist painting by concentrating on the physical act of painting. Much of photography’s prestige today derives from the convergence of its aims with those of recent art, particularly with the dismissal of abstract art implicit in the phenomenon of Pop painting during the1960’s. Appreciating photographs is a relief to sensibilities tired of the mental exertions demandedby abstract art. Classical Modernist painting—that is,GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFabstract art as developed indifferent ways by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Matisse—presupposes highly developed skills of looking and a familiarity with other paintings and the history of art. Photography, like Pop painting, reassures viewers that art is not hard; photography seems to be more about its subjects than about art.Photography, however, has developed all the anxieties and self-consciousness of a classic Modernist art. Many professionals privately have begun to worry that the promotion of photography as an activity subversive of the traditional pretensions of art has gone so far that the public will forget that photography is a distinctive and exalted activity—in short, an art.1. What is the author mainly concerned with? The author is concerned with[A]. defining the Modernist attitude towardGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFart.[B]. explaining how photography emerged as a fine art.[C]. explaining the attitude of serious contemporary photographers toward photography as art and placing those attitudes in their historical context.[D]. defining the various approaches that serious contemporary photographers take toward their art and assessing the value of each of those approaches.2. Which of the following adjectives best describes “the concept of art imposed by the triumph of Modernism” as the author represents it in lines 12—13?[A]. Objective [B]. Mechanical. [C]. Superficial. [D]. Paradoxical.3. Why does the author introduce AbstractExpressionist painter?GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAF[A]. He wants to provide an example of artistswho, like serious contemporary photographers, disavowed traditionally accepted aims of modern art.[B]. He wants to set forth an analogy between the Abstract Expressionist painters and classical Modernist painters.[C]. He wants to provide a contrast to Pop artist and others.[D]. He wants to provide an explanation of why serious photography, like other contemporary visual forms, is not and should not pretend to be an art.4. How did the nineteenth-century defenders of photography stress the photography?[A]. They stressed photography was a means of making people happy.[B]. It was art for recording the world.[C]. It was a device for observing the worldimpartially.GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAF[D]. It was an art comparable to painting.六The past ages of man have all been carefully labeled by anthropologists. Descriptions like‘ Palaeolithic Man’, ‘Neolithic Man’, etc., neatly sum up whole periods. When the time comes for anthropologists to turn their attention to the twentieth century, they will surely choose the label ‘Legless Man’. Histories of the time will go something like this: ‘in the twentieth century, people forgot how to use their legs. Men and women moved about in cars, buses and trains from a very early age. There were lifts and escalators in all large buildings to prevent people from walking. This situation was forced upon earth dwellers of that time because of miles each day. But the surprising thing is that they didn’t use their legs even when they went on holiday. They built cablerailways, ski-lifts and roads to the top of every hugeGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFmountain. All the beauty spots on earth were marred bythe presence of large car parks. ’The future history books might also record that we were deprived of the use of our eyes. In our hurry to get from one place to another, we failed to see anything on the way. Air travel gives you a bird’s-eye view of the world – or even less if the wing of the aircraft happens to get in your way. When you travel by car or train a blurred image of the countryside constantly smears the windows. Car drivers, in particular, are forever obsessed with the urge to go on and on: they never want to stop. Is it the lure of the great motorways, or what? And as for sea travel, it hardly deserves mention. It is perfectly summed up in the words of the old song: ‘I joined the navy to see the world, and what did I see? I saw the sea.’ The typical twentieth-century traveler is the man whoalways says ‘I’ve been there. ’ You mention theGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFremotest, most evocative place-names in the world likeEl Dorado, Kabul, Irkutsk and someone is bound to say ‘I’ve been there’– meaning, ‘I drove through it at 100 miles an hour on the way to somewhere else. ’When you travel at high speeds, the present means nothing: you live mainly in the future because you spend most of your time looking forward to arriving at some other place. But actual arrival, when it is achieved, is meaningless. You want to move on again. By traveling like this, you suspend all experience; the present ceases to be a reality: you might just as well be dead. The traveler on foot, on the other hand, lives constantly in the present. For him traveling and arriving are one and the same thing: he arrives somewhere with every step he makes. He experiences the present moment with his eyes, his ears and the whole of his body. At the end of his journey he feels adelicious physical weariness. He knows that sound.GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFSatisfying sleep will be his: the just reward of all true travellers.1、Anthorpologists label nowaday’s men‘Legless’ because________.A people forget how to use his legs.B people prefer cars, buses and trains.C lifts and escalators prevent people from walking.D there are a lot of transportation devices.2、Travelling at high speed means________.A people’s focus on the future.B a pleasure.C satisfying drivers’ great thrill.D a necessity of life.3、Why does the author say ‘we are deprived of the use of our eyes’ ?A People won’t use their eyes.B In traveling at high speed, eyes becomeGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFuseless.C People can’t see anything on his way of travel.D People want to sleep during travelling.4、What is the purpose of the author in writing this passage?A Legs become weaker.B Modern means of transportation make the world a small place.C There is no need to use eyes.D The best way to travel is on foot.5. What does ‘a bird’s-eye view’ mean?A See view with bird’s eyes.B A bird looks at a beautiful view.C It is a general view from a high position looking down.D A scenic place.七Advertisers tend to think big and perhaps this isGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFwhy they’re always coming in for criticism. Theircritics seem to resent them because they have a flair for self-promotion and because they have so much money to throw around. ‘It’s iniquitous,’ they say, ‘that this entirely unproductive industry (if we can call it that) should absorb millions of pounds each year. It only goes to show how much profit the big companies are making. Why don’t they stop advertising and reduce the price of their goods? After all, it’s the consumer who pays…’The poor old consumer! He’d have to pay a great deal more if advertising didn’t create mass markets for products. It is precisely because of the heavy advertising that consumer goods are so cheap. But we get the wrong idea if we think the only purpose of advertising is to sell goods. Another equally important function is to inform. A great deal of the knowledgewe have about household goods derives largely from theGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFadvertisements we read. Advertisements introduce us to new products or remind us of the existence of ones we already know about. Supposing you wanted to buy a washing machine, it is more than likely you would obtain details regarding performance, price, etc., from an advertisement.Lots of people pretend that they never read advertisements, but this claim may be seriously doubted. It is hardly possible not to read advertisements these days. And what fun they often are, too! Just think what a railway station or a newspaper would be like without advertisements. Would you enjoy gazing at a blank wall or reading railway bye laws while waiting for a train? Would you like to read only closely printed columns of news in your daily paper? A cheerful, witty advertisement makes such a difference to a drab wall or a newspaper full of the daily ration of calamities.We must not forget, either, that advertising makesGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFa positive contribution to our pockets. Newspapers,commercial radio and television companies could not subsist without this source of revenue. The fact that we pay so little for our daily paper, or can enjoy so many broadcast program mes is due entirely to the money spent by advertisers. Just think what a newspaper would cost if we had to pay its full price!Another thing we mustn’t forget is the ‘small ads.’which are in virtually every newspaper and magazine. What a tremendously useful service they perform for the community! Just about anything can be accomplished through these columns. For instance, you can find a job, buy or sell a house, announce a birth, marriage or death in what used to be called the ‘hatch, match and dispatch’ column but by far the most fascinating section is the personal or‘agony’ column. No other item in a newspaper provides such entertaining readingor offers such a deep insight into human nature. It’GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFs the best advertisement for advertising there is!1. What is main idea of this passage?A. Advertisement.B. The benefits of advertisement.C. Advertisers perform a useful service to communities.D. The costs of advertisement.2. The attitude of the author toward advertisers is______.A. appreciative.B. trustworthy.C. critical.D. dissatisfactory.3. Why do the critics criticize advertisers?A. Because advertisers often brag.B. Because critics think advertisement is a “waste of money”.C. Because customers are encouraged to buy moreGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFthan necessary.D. Because customers pay more.4. Which of the following is Not True?A. Advertisement makes contribution to our pockets and we may know everything.B. We can buy what we want.C. Good quality products don’t need to be advertised.D. Advertisement makes our life colorful.5. The passage is______.A. Narration.B. Description.C. Criticism.D. Argumentation.八Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet of our life, educatedpeople need at least some acquaintance with itsGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFstructure and operation. They should also have anunderstanding of the subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific concepts is easier to attain if one knows something about the things that excite and frustrate the scientist.This book is written for the intelligent student or lay person whose acquaintance with science is superficial; for the person who has been presented with science as a musty storehouse of dried facts; for the person who sees the chief objective of science as the production of gadgets; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to supplement a course in any science, to accompany any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or – independently of any course –simply to provide a better understanding of science.GAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFWe hope this book will lead readers to a broaderperspective on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an awareness and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. In addition, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are pervasive in our culture.We have tried to present in this book an accurate and up-to-date picture of the scientific community and the people who populate it. That population has in recent years come to comprise more and more women. This increasing role of women in the scientific subculture is not an unique incident but, rather, part of the trend evident in all segments of society as more women entertraditionally male-dominated fields and makeGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAFsignificant contributions. In discussing these changes and contribution, however, we are faced with a language that is implicitly sexist, one that uses male nouns or pronouns in referring to unspecified individuals. To offset this built-in bias, we have adopted the policy of using plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible and, when absolutely necessary, alternating he and she. This policy is far form being ideal, but it is at least an acknowledgment of the inadequacy of our language in treating half of the human race equally.We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative. Our approach is usually informal. We feel, as do many other scientists, that we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime rather than as a grim and dreary way to earna living.1. According to the passage, ‘scientificGAGGAGAGGAFFFFAFAF。
英语六级考前冲刺阅读练习试题
英语六级考前冲刺阅读练习试题英语六级考前冲刺阅读练习试题大学英语六级考试不但信度高，而且效度高，符合大规模标准化考试的质量要求，能够按教学大纲的要求反映我国大学生的英语水平，因此有力地推动了大学英语教学大纲的贯彻实施，促进了我国大学英语教学水平的提高。
下面是小编分享的英语六级考前冲刺阅读练习试题，一起来看一下吧。
英语六级考前冲刺阅读练习试题篇一：Now custom has not been commonly regarded as a subject of any great importance.The inner workings of our own brains we feel to be uniquely worthy of investigation, but custom,we have a way of thinking,is behavior at its most commonplace.As a matter of fact,it is the other way around. Traditional custom, taken the world over,is a mass of detailed behavior more astonishing than what any one person can ever evolve in individual actions.Yet that is a rather trivial aspect of the matter. The fact of firsi-rate importance is the predominant role that custom plays in experience and in belief and the very great varieties it may manifest.No man ever looks at the world with pristine(未受外界影响的)eyes.He sees it edited by a definite set of customs and institutions and ways of thinking.Even in his philosophical probings he cannot go behind these stereotypes; his very concepts of the true and the false will still have reference to his particulartraditional customs.John Dewey has said in all seriousness that the part played by custom in shaping the behavior of the individual as over against any way in which he can affect traditional custom, is as the proportion of che total vocabulary of his mother tongue over against those words of hisown baby talk that are taken up into the language of his family.When one seriously studies social orders that have had the opportunity to develop independently,the figure (比喻)becomes no more than an exact and matter-of-fact observation.The life history of the individual is first and foremost an adjustment to the patterns and standards traditionally handed down in his community.From the moment of his birth the customs into which he is born shape his experience and behavior.By the time he can talk,he is the little creature of his culture,and by the time he is grown and able to take part in its activities,its habits are his habits,its beliefs his beliefs,its impossibilities his impossibilities.1.What is the author's attiude towards custom as behavior at its most commonplace?2.The great varieties of custom are taken by the author as the_________aspect of the issue.3.According to John Dewey, we can impose______________influence on our cultural tradition.4.The author tends to regard John Dewey's idea as___________________.5.An individual's experience and behavior are influenced by the customs since he_____________.答案：1.[Negative./Disapproving.][定位]根据a its most commonplace查找到首段第2句。
六级级冲刺试题一及答案解析
六级级冲刺试题⼀及答案解析冲刺试题⼀Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled The Safety of Food. You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below in Chinese:1. ⽬前⾷品安全问题屡见不鲜2. 分析产⽣这些现象可能的原因3. 提出⾃⼰解决问题的意见The Safety of Food________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions:In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A] , [B], [C] and [D]. For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.How to Create a Home Library“I cannot live without books,” declared U.S. President Thomas Jefferson to his friend John Adams. Indeed, Jefferson was an obsessive book collector from a young age, amassing (收集) three separate home libraries in his lifetime. The first collection was destroyed when his family home burned down in 1770. When the Library of Congresswas destroyed in the War of 1812, Jefferson sold his second collection of about 6,000 books to the federal library. Jefferson’s librar y was considered the finest in the country, and his collection doubled the holdings of the Library of Congress. Still, Jefferson didn’t let the shelves at Monticello sit empty. By the time he died 11 years later, he had more than 2, 000 volumes in his library.Jefferson’s library might fit your conception of an old-fashioned home library with leather-bound books, wood paneling and uncomfortable furniture. But home libraries can be a dynamic expression of the owner’s pers onality. Creating a home library is a fun way to display your interests while establishing a special space for reading.Home Library OrganizationWhen you started using the public library, you probably learned about Melvil Dewey and his system for ordering libraries. The Dewey Decimal Classification System has ten broad categories for organizing books, including philosophy, religion and the arts. Each category is assigned a number, so for example, when you want a book on modern art, you head to the 700 block. Larger libraries, such as those at universities, tend to use the Library of Congress Classification System because it offers a more specific array of subjects for categorization, adding subjects such as medicine and law for a total of 21 categories.Your home library may or may not be as large as your local public library, but a good system of organization willstill help you find the book you want quickly. You could take a page from Dewey and the Library of Congress and sort books by subject matter. Sections for subjects such as history, technology or fiction might make their retrieval easier.This system also would allow you to highlight a particular passion, such as an extensive collection of World War II history. Here are some other ways to organize a collection.·Alphabetizing by author works well for fiction but not necessarily for nonfiction books of various subjects.·Judging a book by its cover is usually frowned upon, but sorting by color can be aesthetically pleasing to some. Those generally forgetful about the colors of their books might disagree.·After a painful breakup, the main character in Nick Hornby’s book “High Fidelity” organizes his record collection autobiographically in the order he acquired them. A chronological organization might include shelves that track the progress of your life, from beloved childhood reading and college textbooks to parenting books.·To some readers, there are two ways to look at books: read and unread. Prioritizing (区分优先次序) when you might need the book will allow you to keep unread books at the forefront of your collection, as well as books you reach for frequently, such as reference books or favorite novels.Library FurnitureWhile it might be difficult for a book lover to spend money on something other than books, at some point, you will need some bookshelves. Built-in bookshelves can provide floor-to-ceiling storage and space savings. They can be tucked under staircases or other out-of-the-way spaces; however, the y’re not a good choice for renters, and they can represent a big investment in terms of price and installation. Freestanding bookcases are widely available in a variety of sizes, colors and price points. You can also mount hanging bookshelves onto the wall or buy glass cases, which might be preferable if your collection includes antique books that you want to preserve.Sagging poses the main threat to bookshelves. A bookshelf that is 36 inches long should have shelves at least one inch thick. If it’s longer, then it should be thicker so that it won’t droop under the weight. One tip for maximizing space on the shelves is to use adjustable bookshelves, so that very small books don’t take up space that can be better used for taller coffee table books. You can also decorate bookshelves with personal items, such as photographs and souvenirs. Not only will this break up the rows of books visually, it will also give you room to expand as your collection grows.As your bookshelves creep up the wall, you may need a library ladder to reach them. While any step stool or ladder will do, rolling library ladders add an elegant, whimsical (异想天开的) touch. The ladders attach to the shelf on a tracking rod, and the bottom of the ladder has wheels, so that you can move effortlessly from one end of the library to the other.When considering other library furniture, think about how you’ll be using the room. If you’ll be writing and taking notes on your reading, you may want a desk or a lap desk. Desks and bookstands are also helpful for reading those big volumes that are too heavy to hold up comfortably. Overstuffed couches and chairs will beckon guests to spend a few hours reading, but if you fall asleep as soon as you hit the couch, you may need to consider other option, particularly if you’ll be doing scholarly or professional reading.Wherever you’re sitting, it will be hard to enjoy a library if you’re suffering from eyestrain, fatigue and headaches, which can all be brought on by poor lighting. When selecting lighting, look for a lamp that will help you see the smallest text you read. The lamp should be positioned over your shoulder, so that the light is not directly in your eyes. Positioning it this way will also help to minimize glare. Your lamp should be brighter than the rest of the room but not that much brighter. However, all light will eventually damage books, so use it at a minimum.Book CareDo you devour books quickly? You’re not the only one. Some insects love books, but not for a good story. Bookworms are not just those readers that have their nose in a book all the time. The more dangerous kind will tunnel through the book, eat the pages and lay eggs in it.Once you identify an infestation, isolate the affected books. In some cases, you can seal the books in plastic bags and freeze them to kill the insects. Keeping your library free of excess moisture and dust will help to prevent an attack by these insets and vermin (害⾍).Controlling moisture and dust doesn’t just keep away the book bugs though. Moisture in the air will also promote the growth of fungus and mold. Mold develops at temperatures greater than 70℉, and with 65 percent relative humidity. Dehumidifiers will suck excess moisture out of the air, moisture that could otherwise lead to loose bindings, stains andmildew. Oppositely, too little humidity can dry out books, so use a humidifier in the drier winter months. Dust is also a magnet for moisture and mildew, so periodically dusting the tops of books will keep them clean.In addition to a humidifier, you also might need a fan to keep the library well ventilated. Books should be stored away from radiators and kept in a room between 60℉ and 70℉. Air conditioners and fans are fine to use to keep the temperature down. Extreme heat will damage books; if heat occurs in a room with low humidity, the fibers in the books will dehydrate, turning the pages brittle. In combination with high humidity, heat creates ideal growing conditions for mold.As we mentioned in the last section, lighting can damage books because it leads to bleaching (漂⽩), fading and eventual deterioration. Natural lighting is the most dangerous. If your library has windows, draw the blinds or curtains to minimize injury. Limiting the intensity of light and duration of exposure will help to preserve the books.1. During his whole life, U.S. President Thomas Jefferson ______.[A] built three libraries for Congress[B] donated books for three libraries[C] built three separate libraries at his home[D] donated all his collections to the Library of Congress2. Why do university libraries usually use the Library of Congress Classification System?[A] Because it is the base of all other systems.[B] Because it is more efficient than other systems.[C] Because it is a fun way to display one’s interests.[D] Because it categorizes subjects in a more specific way.3. The idea of arranging books by their colors might be disagreed by those who ______.[A] are color-blind[B] tend to judge a book by its content[C] tend to alphabetize books by author works[D] usually cannot remember the colors of the books4. If you rank books according to the frequency they might be reached, yo u’d better keep ______.[A] read and dog-earned books at the most important position[B] reference books or favorite novels at the most important position[C] brand-new and best-colored books at the most important position[D] nonfiction books of various subjects at the most important position5. Those who own collection of antique books might prefer to put the books in ______.[A] glass cases[B] under staircases[C] built-in bookshelves[D] out-of-the-way spaces6. If you are doing scholarly or profession al reading in your library, you’re advised ______.[A] not to hit the couch and chairs[B] not to use a desk or a lap desk[C] not to use overstuffed couches and chairs[D] to select a lamp as bright as possible but no glare7. How do you select proper lighting for your reading in the library?[A] The light should be positioned over your shoulder.[B] The light should be bright enough to read everything in the room.[C] The light should not be brighter than other lights in the room.[D] The light should be with minimal glare and focus on the smallest text.8. To prevent your books from being attacked by bookworms, you should keep your library free of______________________.9. The proper temperature advised for library keepers for storing books is between ______________________.10. To minimize the injury of books in a library with windows, you’d better ______________________.Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D], and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D], and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 witha single line through the centre.11. [A] She wants the man to stay home all his life.[B] She doesn’t want to keep the man at home.[C] She doesn’t think that the man must lead his own life.[D] She doesn’t want anybody to suggest that the man stay home.12. [A] The weather is still cool so they don’t sell fans.[B] The woman is an exception who won’t be fined.[C] Anyone returning overdue books this week faces no fine.[D] The fine will be deducted from the woman’s credit card13. [A] The woman will go home for dinner.[B] The woman won’t go to the concert.[C] The man and the woman will eat together.[D] Both of them will go home before going to the concert14. [A] He didn’t buy anything while Tommy b ought a lot.[B] He got some medicine for his hurting foot.[C] He twisted his foot and couldn’t go shopping.[D] He bought everything except the storybook15. [A] He approves of the action[B] He feels sorry for those students.[C] He considers the punishment excessive[D] He has no opinion about the action16. [A] He thinks that the speaker won’t show up.[B] He thinks the seminar won’t be open to the public.[C] He thinks that there won’t be enough seats for everybody.[D] He thinks that there might not be any more tickets available.17. [A] The TV set is usually on sale.[B] They have to bargain on the sale.[C] They advertise to sell their TV set.[D] They go to buy a TV set at a bargain price18. [A] Have an interview[B] Relax on the beach.[C] Take an important exam[D] Have a physical examinationQuestions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. [A] How to learn languages well.[B] How to do research on language learning.[C] How to write a book on language learning.[D] How to find out a language learner’s learning style.20. [A] Developing good note-taking skills.[B] Doing some reading every morning.[C] Exposing oneself to the target culture.[D] Drawing up a good language program regularly.21. [A] A realistic goal for learners is to reach a certain level of language proficiency.[B] Learners can achieve native-like pronunciation through intensive study.[C] Learners should communicate with native speakers to gain greater fluency.[D] Teachers need to help learners foster self-esteem and confidence.22. [A] Dr. Adams’ learning style is visual.[B] Dr. Adams’ learning style is auditory.[C] People usually have similar ways to learn languages.[D] Knowing about one’s own learning style is important to language learning. Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. [A] Because she hasn’t got ready yet.[B] Because she is waiting for David.[C] Because she is waiting for a taxi to pick her up.[D] Because it is raining very hard and she doesn’t have an umbrella24. [A] See film downtown.[B] Call on the Johnsons.[C] Packing for their holiday.[D] Buy an umbrella since it is raining very hard25. [A] It was left in David’s office.[B] It was left in Kate’s office.[C] It was lost in the train some day.[D] It was left in the JohnsonsSection BDirections:In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. [A] She made Teddy feel ashamed.[B] She asked the children to play with Teddy.[C] She changed Teddy’s seat to the front row.[D] She told the class something untrue about herself.27. [A] He often told lies[B] He was good at math.[C] He needed motherly care.[D] He enjoyed playing with others.28. [A] She taught fewer school subjects.[B] She became stricter with her students.[C] She no longer liked her job as a teacher.[D] She cared more about educating students.29. [A] She had kept in touch with him.[B] She had given him encouragement.[C] She had sent him Christmas presents.[D] She had taught him how to judge people.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. [A] Students understand personal finances differently.[B] University tuition fees in England have been rising.[C] Teenagers tend to overestimate their future earnings.[D] The students’ payback ability has become a major issue.31. [A] Learn to manage their finances well.[B] Maintain a positive attitude when facing loans.[C] Benefit a lot from lessons on personal finance.[D] Be too young to be exposed to financial issues.32. [A] Young people should become responsible adults.[B] Financial planning is a required course at college.[C] Teenagers in Britain are heavily burdened with debts.[D] Many British teenagers do not know money matters well.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. [A] They seldom put models on the cover.[B] They no longer put models on the cover.[C] They need not worry about celebrities’ ma rket potential.[D] They judge the market potential of every celebrity correctly.34. [A] That price rather than brand name is more concerned.[B] That producers prefer models to celebrities for achievements.[C] That producers prefer TV actresses to film stars for advertisements.[D] That quality rather than the outside of products is more concerned.35. [A] Celebrity and personal style[B] Celebrity and fashion design.[C] Celebrity and market potential[D] Celebrity and clothing industry.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.Ninety percent of Americans know that most of their compatriots are overweight, but just 40 percent believe themselves to be too fat. Government (36) _______ show that more than 60 percent of the U.S. population isoverweight, and half is (37) _______, meaning they are at serious risk of health effects from their weight. But the Pew Research Center telephone (38) _______ of more than 2,000 adults finds that many people overestimate how tall they are and (39) _______ how much they weigh — and thus do not rate themselves as overweight, even when they are. The survey finds that most Americans, (40) _______ those who say they are overweight, agree that personal behavior —rather than (41) _______ disposition or marketing by food companies — is the main reason people are overweight. In particular, the public says that a failure to get enough exercise is the most important reason, (42) _______ by a lack of willpower about what to eat. About half of the public also says that the kinds of foods marketed at restaurants and grocery stores are a very important cause, and roughly a third says the same about the effects of genetics and (43) _______. (44)______________________________________________________________________________________. One in four respondents in the survey say they are currently dieting, and 52 percent say they have dieted at some point in their lives. (45) ______________________________________________________________________________________. Those surveyed agree that maintaining a healthy weight is important. (46)______________________________________________________________________________________.Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer Sheet 2.Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.Motorways are no doubt the safest roads in the country. Mile for mile, vehicle for vehicle you are much less likely to be killed or seriously injured than on an ordinary road. On the other hand, motorways have a far better accident record than any other part of our national road system because of the speed and volume of traffic. If you do have a serious accident on a motorway, fatalities are much more likely to occur than in a comparable accident elsewhere on the roads. It is reported that motorway accidents account for some 10% of all injuries outside urban areas.Motorways have no sharp bends, no roundabouts or traffic lights and thus speeds are much greater than on other roads. Though the 70 m.p.h, limit is still in force, it is often treated with the contempt that most drivers have for the 30 m.p.h, limit applied in built-up areas in Britain. Added to this is the fact that motorway drivers seem to like traveling in convoys with perhaps barely ten meters between each vehicle. The resulting horrific pile-ups involving maybe hundred vehicles when one vehicle stops for some reason —mechanical failure, driver error and so on —have become all too familiar through pictures in newspapers or on television. How many of these drivers realize that it takes a car about one hundred meters to brake to a stop from 70 m.p.h.? Drivers also seem to think that motorway driving gives them complete immunity from the variations of the weather. However wet the road, whatever the visibility in mist or fog, they plough at ludicrous (滑稽的) speeds oblivious (不以为然的) of police warnings or speed restrictions until their journey comes to a premature conclusion.Perhaps one remedy for this motorway madness would be better driver education. Twenty-eight per cent of the motorcyclists polled for National Motorway Month wanted motorists to receive formal training in motorway driving before being allowed down a slip road. At present, learner drivers are barred from motorways and are thus as far as this kind of driving is concerned, thrown in at the deep end. However much more efficient policing is required of, it is the duty of the police not only to enforce the law but also to protect the general public from its own folly.47. Motorways are seen as the roads that are the safest as well as the most dangerous due to______________.48. With no sharp bends, no roundabouts or traffic lights, speeds on motorways are __________ than on other roads.49. What may the stopping of one vehicle on a motorway for certain reason result in?50. In spite of the terrible weather conditions, motorway drivers tend not to be aware of police warnings or_______________.51. According to the last passage, what measure should be taken to keep driver’s madness in good control?Section BDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.Millions of U.S. college students will have to shoulder more of the cost of their education under federal rules imposed late last month through a bureaucratic (官僚政治的) adjustment requiring neither Congressional approval nor public comment of any kind. The changes, only a slight alteration in the formula governing financial aid, are expected to diminish the government’s contribution to higher education by hundreds of millions of dollars, starting in the autumn of 2004. But they will also have a ripple effect across almost every level of financial aid, shrinking the pool of students who qualify for federal awards, tightening access to billions of dollars in state and institutional grants, and heightening the reliance on loans to pay for college.How much more money this may require of students and their parents will vary widely, changing with each family’s set of circumstances. Some families may be expected to pay an extra $100 or less each year, while others may owe well over $1,000 more. While many college administrators characterized the change as a backdoor way to cut education spending, without public discussion, the Department of Education said it was simply executing its responsibilities under federal law. Whether furnished by colleges, states or the federal government, the vast majority of the nation’s $90 billion in financial aid is dictated by a single, intricate equation known as the federal need analysis. Its purpose is to make out how much of a family’s income is truly discretionary (⾃由⽀配的), and therefore fair game for covering college expenses. Much like the federal income tax, the formula allows families to deduct some of what they pay in state and local taxes. But, this year, the department significantly reduced that amount, in some cases cutting it in half. On paper, at least, that leaves families with more money left over to pay for college, even though state and local taxes have gone up over the last year, not down. In the 2004 2005 academic year, when the changes first take effect, parents who earn $50,000 a year may be expected tocontribute $700 or so beyond what they are already paying, according to an independent analysis conducted by a consulting firm that helps universities set enrollment and aid. Those earning about $25,000 may owe only an extra $165 or less, while families earning $80,000 could be expected to pay an additional $1,100 or more.52. The expression “ripple effect” (Line 6, Para 1) most probably means “_____”.[A] chain reaction[B] cumulative effect[C] immediate response[D] long-lasting impact53. According to the passage, some have criticized the changes because they _____.[A] ignore local and state taxes[B] were not discussed in public[C] are not in accordance with federal law[D] leave many families unable to pay for college54. According to the passage, the rule changes are likely to _____.[A] provide $90 billion in financial aid[B] cost each family an average of $1,000 per year[C] have a ripple effect across federal income taxes[D] lower the amount of financial aid provided by the government55. The purpose of the federal needs analysis is to determine _____.[A] whether a family is on financial aid[B] how much of a family’s income is discretionary[C] whether or not a family is below the poverty line[D] how much families should pay in state and local taxes56. The author’s attitude towards changes in the financial aid to higher education by government is _____.[A] positive [B] indifferent [C] critical [D] neutralPassage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.What our society suffers from most today is the absence of consensus about what the society and life in it ought to be. Such consensus cannot be gained from society’s present stage, or from fantasies about what it ought to be. For that the present is too close and too diversified, and the future too uncertain, to make believable claims about it. A consensus in the present hence can be achieved only through a shared understanding of the past, as Homer’s epics informed those who lived centuries later what it meant to be Greek, and by what images and myth they were to live their lives and organize their societies.Most societies derive consensus from a long history, a language all their own, a common religion, or common ancestry. The myths by which they live are based on all of these. But the United States is a country of immigrants, coming from a great variety of nations. Lately, it has been emphasized that an asocial narcissistic (⾃我陶醉的) personality has become characteristic of Americans, and that it is this type of personality that makes for the lack of well-being, because it prevents us from achieving consensus that would counteract a tendency to withdraw into private worlds. In this study of narcissism, Christopher Lasch says that modern man, “tortured by self-consciousness, turns to new therapies not to free himself of his personal worries but to find meaning and purpose in life, to find something to live for.” There is widespread distress because national morale has declined, and we have lost an earlier sense of national vision and purpose.。
英语六级阅读理解考前练习
英语六级阅读理解考前练习英语六级阅读理解考前练习大学英语六级考试是由国家统一出题的，统一收费，统一组织考试，用来评定应试人英语能力的全国性的'考试，每年各举行两次。
下面是小编分享的英语六级阅读理解考前练习，一起来看一下吧。
英语六级阅读理解考前练习篇1It is a curious paradox that we think of the physical sciences as “hard”, the social sciences as “soft,” and the biological sciences as somewhere in between. This is interpreted to mean that our knowledge of physical system is more certain than our knowledge of biological systems, and these in turn are more certain than our knowledge of social systems. In terms of our capacity of sample the relevant universes, however, and the probability that our images of these universes are at least approximately correct, one suspects that a reverse order is more reasonable. We are able to sample earth’s social systems with some degree of confidence that we have a reasonable sample of the total universe being investigated. Our knowledge of social systems, therefore, while it is in many ways extremely inaccurate, is not likely to be seriously overturned by new discoveries. Even the folk knowledge in social systems on which ordinary life is based in earning, spending, organizing, marrying, taking part in political activities, fighting and so on, is not very dissimilar from the more sophisticated images of the social system derived form the social sciences, even though it is built upon the very imperfect samples of personal experience.In contrast, our image of the astronomical universe, or even if earth’s geological history, ca easily be subject to revolutionary changes as new data come in and new theories are worked out.If we define the “security” of our image of various parts of the total system as the probability of their suffering significant changes, then we would reverse the order for hardness and as the most secure, the physical sciences as the least secure, and again the biological sciences as somewhere in between. Our image of the astronomical universe is the least secure of all simply because we observe such a fantastically small sample of it and its record-keeping is trivial records of biological systems. Records of the astronomical universe, despite the fact that we learnt things as they were long age, are limited in the extreme.Even in regard to such a close neighbor as the moon, which we have actually visited, theories about its origin and history are extremely different, contradictory, and hard to choose among. Our knowledge of physical evolution is incomplete and insecure.1.The word “paradox” (Line 1, Para. 1) means “_____”.A.implicationB.contradictionC.interpretationD.confusion2.Accroding to the author, we should reverse our classification of the physical sciences as “hard” and the social sciences as “soft” because _______.A.a reverse ordering will help promote the development of the physical sciencesB.our knowledge of physical systems is more reliable than that of social systemsC.our understanding of the social systems is approximately correctD.we are better able to investigate social phenomena than physical phenomena3.The author believes that our knowledge of social systems is more secure than that of physical systems because______.A.it is not based on personal experienceB.new discoveries are less likely to occur in social sciencesC.it is based on a fairly representative quantity of dataD.the records of social systems are more reliable4.The chances of the physical sciences being subject to great changes are the biggest because _____.A.contradictory theories keep emerging all the timeB.new information is constantly coming inC.the direction of their development is difficult to predictD.our knowledge of the physical world is inaccurate5.We know less about the astronomical universe than we don about any social system because ______.A.theories of its origin and history are variedB.our knowledge of it is highly insecureC.only a very small sample of it has been observedD.few scientists are involved in the study of astronomy答案：ACDAD英语六级阅读理解考前练习篇2What most people don’t realize is that wealth isn’t the same as income. If you make $ 1 million a year and spend $ 1 million, you’re not getting wealthier, you’re just living high. Wealth is what you accumulate, not what you spend.The most successful accumulators of wealth spend far less than they can afford on houses, cars, vacations and entertainment. Why? Because these things offer little or no return. The wealthy would rather put their money into investments or their businesses. It’s an attitude.Millionaires understand that when you buy a luxury house, you buy a luxury life –style too. Your property taxes skyrocket, along with the cost of utilities and insurance, and the prices ofnearby services, such as grocery stores, tend to be higher.The rich man’s attitude can also be seen in his car. Many drive old unpretentious sedans. Sam Walton, billionaire founder of the Wal – Mart Store, Inc., drove a pickup truck.Most millionaires measure success by net worth, not income. Instead of taking their money home, they plow as much as they can into their businesses, stock portfolios and other assets. Why? Because the government doesn’t tax wealth; it taxes income you bring home for consumption, the more the government taxes.The person who piles up net worth fastest tends to put every dollar he can into investments, not consumption. All the while, of course, he’s reinvesting his earnings from investments and watching his net worth soar. That’s the attitude as well.The best wealth-builders pay careful attention to their money and seek professional advice. Those who spend heavily on cars, boats and buses, I’ve found, tend to skimp on investment advice. Those who skimp on the luxuries are usually more willing to pay top dollar for good legal and financial advice.The self-made rich develop clear goals for their money. They may wish to retire early, or they may want to leave an estate to their children. The goals vary, but two things are consistent: they have a dollar figure in mind-the amount they want to save by age 50, perhaps – and they work unceasingly toward that goal.One thing may surprise you. If you make wealth – not just income –your goal, the luxury house you’ve been dreaming about won’t seem so alluring. You’ll have the attitude.1.Which of the following statements is true?A.Wealth is judged according to the life style one has.B.Inheritance builds an important part in one’s wealth.C.High income may make one live high and get rich t the same time.D.Wealth is more of what one has made than anything else.2.By the author’s opinion, those who spend money on luxury houses and cars_____.A.will not be taxed by the governmentB.have accumulated wealth in another senseC.live high and have little savedD.can show that they are among the rich3.The rich put their money into business because_____.A.they can get much in return to build their wealthB.they are not interested in luxury houses and carsC.their goal is to develop their companyD.that is the only way to spend money yet not to be taxed by the government4.The U.S. government doesn’t tax what you spend mo ney on _____.A.cars Bhouses C.stock D.boats5.To become wealthy, one should______.A.seek as much income as he canB.work hard unceasinglyC.stick to the way he livesD.save up his earnings答案：DCACB英语六级阅读理解考前练习篇3In the last 12 years total employment in the United States grew faster than at any time in the peacetime history of any country – from 82 to 110 million between 1973 and 1985 – that is, by a full one third. The entire growth, however, was in manufacturing, and especially in no – blue-collar jobs…This trend is the same in all developed countries, and is, indeed, even more pronounced in Japan. It is therefore highly probable that in 25 years developed countries such as the United States and Japan will employ no larger a proportion of the labor force I n manufacturing than developed countries now employ in farming – at most, 10 percent. Today the United States employs around 18 million people in blue-collar jobs in manufacturing industries. By 2010, the number is likely to be no more than 12 million. In some major industries the drop will be even sharper. It is quite unrealistic, for instance, to expect that the American automobile industry will employ more than one –third of its present blue-collar force 25 years hence, even though production might be 50 percent higher.If a company, an industry or a country does not in the next quarter century sharply increase manufacturing production and at the same time sharply reduce the blue-collar work force, it cannot hope to remain competitive –or even to remain “developed.” The attempt to preserve such blue – collar jobs is actually a prescription for unemployment…This is not a conclusion that American politicians, labor leaders or indeed the general public can easily understand or accept. What confuses the issue even more it that the United States is experiencing several separate and different shifts in the manufacturing economy. One is the acceleration of the substitution of knowledge and capital for manual labor. Where we spoke of mechanization a few decades ago, we now speak of “robotization “ or “automation.” This is actually more a change in terminology than a change in reality. When Henry Ford introduced the assembly line in 1909, he cut the number of man – hours required to produce a motor car by some 80 percent intwo or three years –far more than anyone expects to result from even the most complete robotization. But there is no doubt that we are facing a new, sharp acceleration in the replacement of manual workers by machines –that is, by the products of knowledge.1.According to the author, the shrinkage in the manufacturing labor force demonstrates______.A.the degree to which a country’s production is robotizedB.a reduction in a country’s manufacturing industriesC.a worsening relationship between labor and managementD.the difference between a developed country and a developing country2.According to the author, in coming 25years, a developed country or industry, in order t remain competitive, ought to ______.A.reduce the percentage of the blue-collar work forceB.preserve blue – collar jobs for international competitionC.accelerate motor –can manufacturing in Henry Ford’s styleD.solve the problem of unemployment3.American politicians and labor leaders tend to dislike_____.A.confusion in manufacturing economyB.an increase in blue – collar work forceC.internal competition in manufacturing productionD.a drop in the blue – collar job opportunities4.The word “prescription” in “a prescription for unemployment” may be the equivalent to ______A.something recommended as medical treatmentB.a way suggested to overcome some difficultyC.some measures taken in advanceD.a device to dire5.This passage may have been excepted from ________A.a magazine about capital investmentB.an article on automationC.a motor-car magazineD.an article on global economy答案：AADCD英语六级阅读理解考前练习篇4What does the future hold for the problem of housing? A good deal depends, of course, on the meaning of “future”. If one is thinking in terms of science fiction and the space age, it is at least possible to assume that man will have solved such trivial and earthly problems as housing. Writers of science fiction, from H.G. Wells onwards, have had little to say on the subject. They have conveyed the suggestion that men will live in great comfort, with every conceivable apparatus to make life smooth, healthy and easy, if not happy. But they have not said what his house will be made of. Perhaps some new building material, as yet unimagined, will have been discovered or invented at least. One may be certain that bricks and mortar(泥灰，灰浆) will long have gone out of fashion.But the problems of the next generation or two can more readily be imagined. Scientists have already pointed out that unless something is done either to restrict the world’s rapid growth in population or to discover and develop new sources of food (or both), millions of people will be dying of starvation or at the best suffering from underfeeding before this century is out. But nobody has yet worked out any plan for housing these growing populations. Admittedly the worst situations will occur in the hottest parts of the world, where housing can be light structure or in backward areas where standards are traditionallylow. But even the minimum shelter requires materials of some kind and in the teeming, bulging towns the low-standard “housing” of flattened petrol cans and dirty canvas is far more wasteful of ground space than can be tolerated.Since the war, Hong Kong has suffered the kind of crisis which is likely to arise in many other places during the next generation. Literally millions of refugees arrived to swell the already growing population and emergency steps had to be taken rapidly to prevent squalor(肮脏)and disease and the spread crime. The city is tackling the situation energetically and enormous blocks of tenements(贫民住宅)are rising at an astonishing aped. But Hong Kong is only one small part of what will certainly become a vast problem and not merely a housing problem, because when population grows at this rate there are accompanying problems of education, transport, hospital services, drainage, water supply and so on. Not every area may give the same resources as Hong Kong to draw upon and the search for quicker and cheaper methods of construction must never cease.1.What is the author’s opinion of housing problems in the first paragraph?A.They may be completely solved at sometime in the future.B.They are unimportant and easily dealt with.C.They will not be solved until a new building material has been discovered.D.They have been dealt with in specific detail in books describing the future.2.The writer is sure that in the distant future ___.A.bricks and mortar will be replaced by some other building material.B.a new building material will have been invented.C.bricks and mortar will not be used by people who want their house to be fashionable.D.a new way of using bricks and mortar will have been discovered.3.The writer believes that the biggest problem likely to confront the world before the end of the century ___.A.is difficult to foresee.B.will be how to feed the ever growing population.C.will be how to provide enough houses in the hottest parts of the world.D.is the question of finding enough ground space.4.When the writer says that the worst situations will occur in the hottest parts of the world or in backward areas, he is referring to the fact that in these parts ___.A.standards of building are low.B.only minimum shelter will be possible.C.there is not enough ground space.D.the population growth will be the greatest.5.Which of the following sentences best summarizes Paragraph 3?A.Hong Kong has faced a serious crisis caused by millions of refugees.B.Hong Kong has successfully dealt with the emergency caused by millions of refugees.C.Hong Kong’s crisis was not only a matter of housing but included a number of other problems of population growth.D.Many parts of the world may have to face the kind of problems encountered by Hong Kong and may find it much harder to deal with them.答案：AABDD英语六级阅读理解考前练习篇5The word religion is derived from the Latin noun religio, which denotes both earnest observance of ritual obligations and an inward spirit of reverence. In modern usage, religion covers a wide spectrum of meaning that reflects the enormous variety of ways the term can be interpreted. At one extreme, many committed believers recognize only their own tradition as a religion, understanding expressions such as worship and prayer to refer exclusively to the practices of their tradition. Although many believers stop short of claiming an exclusive status for their tradition, they may nevertheless use vague or idealizing terms in defining religion for example, true love of God, or the path of enlightenment. At the other extreme, religion may be equated with ignorance, fanaticism, or wishful thinking.By defining religion as a sacred engagement with what is taken to be a spiritual reality, it is possible to consider the importance of religion in human life without making claims about what it really is or ought to be. Religion is not an object with a single, fixed meaning, or even a zone with clear boundaries. It is an aspect of human experience that may intersect, incorporate, or transcend other aspects of life and society. Such a definition avoid the drawbacks of limiting the investigation of religion to Western or biblical categories such as monotheism (belief in one god only) or to church structure, which are not universal. For example, in tribal societies, religion unlike the Christian church usually is not a separate institution but pervades the whole of public and private life.In Buddhism, gods are not as central as the idea of a Buddha. In many traditional cultures, the idea of a sacred cosmic order isthe most prominent religious belief. Because of this variety, some scholars prefer to use a general term such as the sacred to designate the common foundation of religious life.Religion in this understanding includes a complex of activities that cannot be reduced to any single aspect of human experience. It is a part of individual life but also of group dynamics. Religion includes patterns of behavior but also patterns of language and thought. It is sometimes a highly organized institution that sets itself apart from a culture, and it is sometimes an integral part of a culture. Religious experience may be expressed in visual symbols, dance and performance, elaborate philosophical systems, legendary and imaginative stories, formal ceremonies, and detailed rules of ethical conduct and law. Each of these elements assumes innumerable cultural forms. In some ways there are as many forms of religious expression as there are human cultural environments.1.What is the passage mainly concerned about?A.Religion has a variety of interpretation.B.Religion is a reflection of ignorance.C.Religion is not only confined to the Christian categories.D.Religion includes all kinds of activities.2.What does the word “observance” probably convey in Para. 1?A.noticeB.watchingC.conformityD.experience3.According to the passage what people generally consider religion to be?A.Fantastic observanceB.Spiritual practiceC.Individual observance of traditionD.A complex of activities4.Which of the following is not true?A.It is believed by some that religion should be what it ought to be.B.“The path of enlightenment” is a definition that the author doesn’t agree to.C.According to the author, the committed believers define religion improperly.D.The author doesn’t speak in favor of the definition of “the sacred”.5.Which of the following is religion according to the passage?A.Performance of human beings.B.Buddha, monotheism and some tribal tradition.C.Practice separated from culture.D.All the above.答案：ACBDB。
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A lot of animals are afraid during an eclipse1 of the sun. Birds stop singing. Sometimes people too are afraid. Astronomers2 know the dates of eclipses and they are not afraid. The old astronomers of Babylon and Egypt had no telescopes3; but the sky in those countries is usually clear，and so they could watch the stars easily. They studied everything in the sky and they also noticed both total and partial eclipses.Because they knew the dates of eclipses，they had great power. People believed that the sky was important. They believed that an eclipse could kill a man.About 2500 years ago there was a very long war. One battle followed another， and the end never came. During one of the battles， there was a partial eclipse of the sun. The day got very dark，and the soldiers on both sides were filled with fear. They believed that the gods were angry. So they stopped fighting，and ended their long war.The sun is a star. It appears to be bigger than any other star. That is because it is near us; but the other stars are far away. The sun shines because it is very hot，but the moon shines because it reflects the sun's light. It is like a big mirror. If we visited the moon，we should see the earth. It is also like a mirror and it reflects the light of the sun.Does the sun ever get dark during the day? It does so when the moon hides it. Sometimes the moon goes in front of the sun. We can watch its edge when it slowly crosses the sun's disc5. Everything gets darker and darker; then，at last，we cannot see any part of the sun's disc. The moon is hiding it completely. That is a total eclipse of the sun; sometimes only part of the sun's disc is hidden; that is not a total eclipse. It is a partial eclipse of the sun.Questions 1 to 5 are based on the passage above.1.The passage is mainly about____.A.the old astronomersB.eclipse of the sunC.the eclipses in Babylon and EgyptD.the correlation between the sun and the earth2.We can conclude from the passage that_____.A.all people are afraid of eclipse of the sunB.the old astronomers could watch the stars easily with telescopesC.the old astronomers had mo interest in the skyD.the date of eclipse could be forecast3.The war mentioned in the third paragraph ended because_____.A.the astronomers used their great power to stop itB.an eclipse killed the soldiers on both sidesC.the war took so long time that the soldiers felt tiredD.a partial eclipse of the sun happened during one of the battles4.Which of the following statements is TRUE?A.The sun is very hot because it shines.B.The moon can shine because it is a star.C.Other stars appear to be smaller than the sun because they are far away.D.The earth cannot reflect the light of the sun because it isn't a real mirror.5.It can be concluded that an eclipse of the sun happens because_____.A.the moon passes between the sun and the earthB.the sun gets dark during the dayC.the earth's shadow falls on the moonD.no light from the sun can reach the moon文章精要说明文。
本文首先介绍了日食对动物和人类的影响，然后解释了日食发生的原因。
斟词酌句eclipse n./vt. (日、月)食;(地位、声誉登的)消失，黯然失色*Our happiness was eclipsed by the terrible news. 我们的快乐被可怕的消息蒙上了一层阴影。
试题解析1.选B.本题为主旨归纳题。
本文主要介绍了日食对动物和人类的影响以及日食发生的原因，都和日食有关。
所以选B.2.选D.本题为推断题。
原文第一段说“Astronomers know the dates of eclipses……”，由此可知，日食发生的日期可以推测出。
3.选D.本题为主要细节题。
从第三段可知，日偏食发生后，双方士兵以为天神发怒了，“So they stopped fighting,and ended their long war.”，所以D选项是战争结束的原因。
4.选C.本题为文章细节正误题。
第四段说“It appears to be bigger than any other star.That is because it is near us;but the other stars are far away.”，由此可知他星球看上去比太阳小是因为它们离我们很遥远。
5.选A.本题为主要细节正误题。
聪最后一段可知，当月亮在地球和太阳之间，遮挡住太阳时，太阳就变黑了，这称为日食，所以A选项为正确答案。
B选项为干扰项，它只是日食的现象，而不是原因。
全文翻译不少动物在遇到日食时会感到恐惧。
比如鸟儿会停止鸣唱。
有时人也会感到恐慌。
天文学家能预知日食和月食的日期，所以他们没有恐惧心理。
古巴比伦和古埃及的天文学家没有天文望远镜，但这些国家的天空通常晴朗，所以他们能很容易地观测星体。
他们研究星空中的一切现象，他们也观察到了日全食和月全食以及日偏食和月偏食。
由于这些天文学家能预知日食和月食的日期，他们便有着相当大的权力。
当时人们相信天空是重要的，他们还相信一次日食或月食能夺去一个人的生命。
大约2500年以前，有一场旷日持久的战争。
战役接连不断，尾声遥遥无期。
一场战役中发生了日偏食。
天暗下来，双方士兵都充满了恐惧，他们深信天神发怒了。
结果他们停止战斗，结束了漫长的战争。
太阳是一颗恒星，它看上去比其他星球要大，这是因为它离我们比较近，而其他星球则很遥远。
太阳会发光，这是因为它自身很热。
而月亮发光却是因为它反射了太阳光。
月亮就像一面大镜子。
如果我们能去游览月球，我们就可以在那里看到地球。
地球也像一面大镜子一样反射太阳光。
太阳白天也会变黑吗?答案是当月亮遮挡了它时就会变黑。
有时，月亮运转到太阳的前面。
当月亮慢慢地越过日轮时我们还能看到它的边缘。
万物变得越来越黑，最终，日轮的所有部分从我们的视线消失。
月亮把它完全遮挡住了。
这就是日全食。
有时候，只有部分日轮被遮挡住，那就不是日全食，而是日偏食。