(0085)《英语阅读二》(高)

西南大学网络与继续教育学院课程考试 

课程名称：(0085)《英语阅读二》(高) 

考试时间：120分钟 

一、

Vocabulary: Multiple-choice Question(本大题共10小题，每道题2.0分，共20.0分) 

Choose the best answer to explain the underlined parts or complete the sentences.

1. 

Local Motors, the Phoenix-based automotive and industrial design and manufacturing outfit was one of the pioneers of cloud-based co-creation, ...  

 A.getup   

B.equipment   

C.suit   

D.clothing   

2. 

There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair.  

 A.large   

B.space   

C.soft   

D.warm   

3. 

Errors, accidents, injuries, deaths, and catastrophes can be the result, not to mention poor grades.  

 A.sadness   

B.pain   

C.disaster   

D.illness   

4. 

The interests of both parties may not be identical, but they do overlap in a way.  

 A.absolute   

B.exchangeable   

C.exactly the same   

D.distinguishable   

5. 

The elevated sleep tendency together with the associated drowsiness and an intense desire for sleep would ordinarily prevent most people from becoming dangerously sleep deprived.  

 A.diminished   

B.regulated   

C.repressed   

D.increased   

6. 

It was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard’s name leading the list of “killed.”  

 A.intellect   

B.knowledge   

C.information   

D.wisdom   

7. 

“Go away. I am not making myself ill.” No; she was drinking in a very elixir of life through that open window.  

 A.effect   

B.medicine   

C.sweeten water   

D.magic tonic   

8. 

It’s okay to take a step back and focus on yourself for a little while, especially if you are stressed and your academics are at risk.  

 A.at loss   

B.in danger   

C.demanding   

D.practical   

9. 

We shall have to refine on our methods of advertising.  

 A.take on   

B.practice   

C.approve of   

D.improve   

10. 

“I saw the full spectrum, the disparity between the haves and the have-nots,” Blanchard said.  

 A.contrast   

B.difference   

C.gulf   

D.disagreement   

二、

Translation(本大题共10小题，每道题2.5分，共25.0分) 

1. 

The security provided by the authorities cannot just be enjoyed; it must itself be secured, and sometimes against the authorities themselves.  

权威提供的安全不能只是享受，它必须是自身安全的，甚至有时是反对权威的。

2. 

So relaxation techniques, including meditation and hypnosis, might allow people to tolerate pain they would ordinarily describe as unbearable.  

因此，放松的技巧，包括冥想和睡眠，可以让人们忍受他们通常认为不能忍受的痛苦。

3. 

See if you can reserve a classroom or room in the library where you can all work together and share supplies.  

看看你是否可以在图书馆预定一间教室或房间，在那里你们可以一起工作，分享学习用品。

4. 

When Prince Charles remarried, in 2005, it was to his long time companion Camilla Parker-Bowles, however their union was initially met with a mixed response.  

2005年，当查尔斯王子再婚时，他的终身伴侣卡米拉·帕克·鲍尔斯与查尔斯相恋已久，但是他们的结合最初遭到了许多民众的反对

5. 

Most kids are addicted to surfing the net.  

大多数孩子沉迷于上网。

6. 

Plagiarism—use of another's intellectual work without acknowledgement—is a serious offense.  

抄袭--未经同意地使用他人智力成果--是一项严重的罪行。

7. 

Your sleep debt does not go away or spontaneously decrease.  

你的睡眠债不会消失或减少。

8. 

Each vehicle it produces is an updated version of the one before it.  

每一辆车都会产生前一辆车的更新版本。

9. 

I always tried to remain neutral when they started arguing.  

我总是在他们发起争论是保持中立。

10. 

Instead of opposing the two models, we could reasonably see them as complementary.  

我们可以认为，这两种模式是互补的，而非相反的。

三、

Reading Comprehension(本大题共4小题，每道题10.0分，共40.0分) 

Read the following passages and choose the best answer for each question.

In the past few decades, the popular belief in the area of organizational behavior and organizational psychology has been that happy workers are better workers. However, new research at the University of Alberta shows that sad workers are more productive.Psychologist Dr. Robert Sinclair and his former PhD student Carrie Lavis recently conducted a series of four studies addressing the effects of experimentally induced happiness versus sadness on work productivity by asking the participants to build circuit boards. In the first study, sad people committed significantly fewer errors that did happy people (approximately half the number of errors) but there was no difference in the number of boards completed. Thus, sad people were more productive.In similar studies Sinclair and Lavis found the same results along with evidence that happy people might not devote as much energy to the task in order to maintain their happy moods — they perceived that task as something that might detract from their present feelings. Conversely, sad people appeared to be devoting energy to the task in order to distract themselves from their sad feelings. “It is important to know that the moods were unrelated to the task,” said Sinclair. “Unhappiness is coming from something else.”These findings are not surprising, said Sinclair, since there has been a growing body of literature in the area of social psychology demonstrating that sad moods lead to more contemplation and, often, more thoughtful or accurate judgments.In Sinclair’s subsequent studies, when people believed that the task would make them feel good, they devoted more energy to the job. The bottom line, said Sinclair, is that it is important for organizations to take into account the emotions of their employees. It seems it could be beneficial to creating situations that lead people to believe that performing their jobs will cause them to feel good: this could cause increases in motivation and superior performance. 

1. 

       A.employees should do the task that would make them feel good  

       B.companies should take into consideration employees’ emotions  

       C.companies should create situations that make workers feel good  

       D.increases in motivation and superior performance are important  

2. 

According to the third paragraph, the happy workers might not devote as much energy to the task because _________. 

       A.they want to keep their happy moods  

       B.they never feel sad  

       C.happiness distracts them from their task  

       D.they hate doing the same job for a long time  

3. 

The new research done at the University of Alberta shows __________. 

       A.happiness can make people do well  

       B.sad workers are les engaged in their work  

       C.sad workers produce better  

       D.sadness leads to accurate judgments  

4. 

The purpose of the series of four studies conducted by Dr. Sinclair was __________. 

       A.to explore the ways how to produce happiness or sadness at work  

       B.to ask the subjects to build circus boards  

       C.to prove that happy workers are better workers  

       D.to find out the influence of happiness vs. sadness on work  

Social Problems and the Decline of Family

By Linda & Richard Eyre

The clear connection between the decline of families and the world’s social problems cannot be ignored. The trick is figuring out which is the cause and which is the effect. Most economists and politicians blame both social ills and family instabilities on poverty. Our thesis is that the cause and effect works both ways and that poverty, instability and social problems are often the direct result of declining or poorly functioning families.

A strong case can be made for family (or lack of family) as the cause and everything else as the effect or the result. After all, everything, including each of us, originates with families, with homes, with parents; and how those homes function largely determines the economic, moral and character results that come out of them.        

But of course it is a mistake to oversimplify or to claim that all social problems are directly created by inadequate families. Our social ills have many causes, but the “cause” of the most far-reaching and devastating “effects,” aka “social ills” — and the one we are finally on the verge of understanding — is the decline and breakdown of the family and the accompanying deterioration of basic personal values.

There has been no shortage of comment and speculation about “family decline” and “values deterioration” in recent years, but two things have been wrong, or at least inadequate, in most of what has been written and spoken.

First, most of the dialogue is too theoretical and academic. The statistics about divorce, latchkey children, decreasing parent-child communication, and time spent together are academic parts of sociology courses. Increases in violence, gangs, substance abuse, bullying, teen promiscuity and pregnancy, crime, teen suicide, gang violence, school dropout rate and AIDS are daily headlines, nightly news and the subjects of all kinds of popular discussion and the targets of all kinds of proposed “solutions.” But these are rarely connected clearly to their most predictable cause — the breakdown of the families and values. Common sense tells us of the connection, of the cause and effect, yet we keep talking about, worrying about and working on the effects and ignoring the cause.

The fundamental question that always arises is, “Are social problems ravaging our families, or are failing marriages and troubled families making social problems inevitable?”

The real answer, of course, is, “Both.”

In a classic vicious cycle, more of one breeds more of the other, and more of the other breeds more of the one.

But chicken-and-egg dilemmas are not entirely imponderable or unsolvable. In fact, the metaphor is perfect for this discussion. Viewing social problems as the chicken and ineffective, uncommitted dysfunctional families as the egg should make it clear that we must focus our efforts on the micro if we want to impact the macro. The “chicken” is running around, hard to catch, hard to effectively examine or fully diagnose, as well as being expensive and complicated to deal with. Social problems are as elusive as a wild, erratic chicken. We try to deal with them with more money, more police, more jails and more public education. More often than not, we seem to make them worse. Eventually, we bankrupt ourselves and exhaust our well-intentioned idea. Once the “chicken” is hatched — out of the “egg” and into our court system, our welfare system, our legislative system — it becomes impossibly expensive. It is estimated that, in the United States, we spend over $20 billion annually dealing with the “chicken” of teen pregnancy (the preventive programs, the educational decline, the abortions, the huge welfare payments to unwed mothers and poverty-stricken children ... the list doesn’t stop). Similar “run amuck” scenarios exist with drugs, violence, abuse, gangs and with every social problem.

The egg, on the other hand, is small, stationary, right under our noses, and can be positively impacted by our solutions. We have to reach the egg. Solutions to most social problems lie in the home. The home-egg must be valued, prioritized, strengthened so that it produces solutions rather than problems, contributors rather than abusers, builders rather than destroyers.  

1. 

In the chicken-egg metaphor, what do “chicken” and “egg” refer to respectively? 

        A.Social problem and dysfunctional families.  

        B.One and the other.  

        C.Teen pregnancy and unwed mothers.  

        D.Effects and cause.  

2. 

What will the article talk about next? 

        A.The statistics about divorce, latchkey children, decreasing parent-child communication and time spent together.  

        B.The second thing that has been wrong, or at least inadequate, in most of what has been written and spoken.  

        C.Similar “run amuck” scenarios that exist with drugs, violence, abuse, gangs and with every social problems.  

        D.The connection between the decline of families and the world’s social problems.  

3. 

What does the underlined word “imponderable” mean? 

        A.impossible  

        B.unsolvable  

        C.unimaginable  

        D.irresistible  

4. 

The authors argue that social problems are direct result of_____. 

        A.the widening gap between the rich and the poor  

        B.social instability  

        C.declining or poorly functioning families  

        D.poverty  

5. 

According to the authors, what is the cause of the most far-reaching and devastating social ills? 

        A.Increase in violence, gangs, substance abuse, teen promiscuity and pregnancy.  

        B.Crime, teen suicide, gang violence, school dropout rate.  

        C.Divorce, latchkey children, decreasing parent-child communication.  

        D.Family decline and values deterioration.  

Clothes play a critical part in the conclusions we reach by providing clues to who people are, who they are not, and who they would like to be. They tell us a good deal about the wearer’s background, personality, status, mood, and social outlook.Since clothes are such an important source of social information, we can use them to manipulate people’s impression of us. Our appearance assumes particular significance in the initial phases of interaction that is likely to occur. An elderly middle-class man or woman may be alienated by a young adult who is dressed in an unconventional manner, regardless of the person’s education, background, or interests.People tend to agree on what certain types of clothes mean. Adolescent girls can easily agree on the lifestyles of girls who wear certain outfits, including the number of boyfriends they likely have had and whether they smoke or drink. Newscasters, or the announcers who read the news on TV, are considered to be more convincing, honest, and competent when they are dressed conservatively. And college students who view themselves as taking an active role in their interpersonal relationships say they are concerned about the costumes they must wear to play these roles successfully. Moreover, many of us can relate instances in which the clothing we wore changed the way we felt about ourselves and how we acted. Perhaps you have used clothing to gain confidence when you anticipated a stressful situation, such as a job interview or a court appearance.In the workplace, men have long had well-defined procedures and role models for achieving success. It has been otherwise for women. A good many women in the business world are uncertain about the appropriate mixture of “masculine” and “feminine” attributes they should convey by their professional clothing. The variety of clothing alternatives to women has also been greater than that available for men. Male administrators tend to judge women more favorably for managerial positions when the women display less “feminine” grooming—shorter hair, moderate use of make-up, and plain tailored clothing. As one male administrator confessed, “An attractive woman is definitely going to get a longer interview, but she won’t get a job. 

1. 

By saying that “it has been otherwise for women”, the author means that ________. 

        A.women enjoy more freedom in the choice of clothing  

        B.women don’t have a well-defined dress code  

        C.women have to merge “masculine” attributes into clothing  

        D.women couldn’t achieve success as easily as men  

2. 

According to the last paragraph, male administrators tend to hire ________. 

        A.an attractive and femininely-dressed woman  

        B.a woman with a masculine appearance  

        C.a woman with some masculine attributes  

        D.a woman without feminine attributes  

3. 

It is commonly agreed that ________. 

        A.job interviews and court appearances are stressful situations  

        B.college students play an active role in interpersonal relationships  

        C.clothes enables people to be confident  

        D.newscasters should be conservative  

4. 

The author believes that we can use clothes to ________. 

        A.influence people’s mood  

        B.make a correct judgment on people’s personalities  

        C.improve our social status  

        D.lead other to believe we are who we appear to be  

5. 

The phrase “agree on” in the third paragraph can best be replaced by ________. 

        A.follow the example of  

        B.be influenced by  

        C.be unanimous in  

        D.sing high praise of  

What Your Professors Expect

by Anna Hecht

No two professors are the same. While some are sticklers about arriving to class on time and assignment deadlines, others couldn’t seem to care less about punctuality and will gladly hand out assignment extensions upon request. However, when striving for top-notch grades, it’s important to understand what your professors expect of you, and to be aware of what works and what doesn’t in a classroom setting.

Over the years, I’ve learned how to be a stand-up student, even at times when I’m less than enthusiastic about the subject of the class. This is not to say I am a genius or anything; sometimes it pays to simply know proper classroom conduct. The better you act around your professors, the more willing they will be to work with you – even if you are not a whiz in a given course. It all comes down to first knowing what teachers expect, and then working to meet their expectations.

First is the most basic rule of all: no texting in the classroom. Ok, I know I sound a little bit like your mother here, but honestly, the quickest and most sure way to offend your professor is to use your phone while he or she is lecturing. We’re all guilty of it, and I know it may seem like the text you’ve just received will burn a hole in your pocket if you don’t answer it right now, but trust me, it’s not worth losing your teacher’s respect over.

Next is the issue of punctuality. It may seem obvious that one should arrive on time to class and turn in assignments by the set deadline. But, obvious or not, there are many students who just can’t make it on time. Being late communicates that you don’t value the course or the material being taught. If there is a situation that makes it hard for you to be on time, such as having classes located on opposite ends of campus, let the teacher know. Then, they can at least take this into consideration should you arrive a few minutes late.

As for handing in assignments on time, use your best judgment on whether or not to request a deadline extension. If the teacher informed your class of the due date months in advance, it’s likely that he or she will say you should have planned ahead better. But, if something comes up that is completely beyond your control, communicate that to your professor — in a respectful manner — and it’s likely that they will be able to accommodate for your situation. And, in the end, know what your professor’s policy is for deadlines; some will be stricter than others.

If you want to go the extra mile and make your professor’s job more fun, try actually participating. From my experience, professors do not enjoy lecturing at you for an hour straight; they also want to see that you are listening and engaging with the course material. Jason Chan is an assistant professor at the University of Iowa, and he recommends participating as one way to succeed academically.

Mary Rose Cottingham is a senior instructor in the English department at the University of Illinois. She also says that one of the best ways for students to show their concern for academic success is to be alert and participate in class.

“[Students should] cultivate curiosity about the subject, even if one doesn't initially have curiosity about it,” Cottingham said.

Finally, communication is the key to any successful teacher-student relationship. Should you miss a class altogether, explain the situation to your professor. Let them know what happened, and express that you will work to make up whatever you missed as soon as possible. If you show that you care, your instructors will be more willing to help you.

Even if you already have the brains to ace tests and speed through assigned readings, these tips for classroom conduct will serve you well as your college career progresses. It’s likely that you will need of letters of recommendation from your professors, and you don’t want to be remembered as the student sneaking into class 10 minutes late, or constantly texting. Treat the classroom setting like you would a job; making a good impression on your teachers will pay off in the long run. 

1. 

How many pieces of advice are given by the writer? 

        A.Five.  

        B.Three.  

        C.Four.  

        D.Two.  

2. 

Which statement is TRUE about the last paragraph? 

        A.It’s sure that you will need letter of recommendation from your professors.  

        B.You can’t treat the classroom setting like you would treat a job.  

        C.Constantly texting will make a good impression on your teachers.  

        D.These tips for classroom conduct also work for top students.  

3. 

Why does Mary Rose Cottingham say one should cultivate curiosity about the subject? 

        A.Because it shows that you are listening and engaging with the course material.  

        B.Because it can make your professor’s job more fun.  

        C.Because it enhances communication between you and your professor.  

        D.Because it shows your interests in academic success.  

4. 

What’s the quickest and most sure way to offend your professor? 

        A.To use your phone texting while he or she is lecturing.  

        B.To be over 10 minutes late for class.  

        C.To show your interests in academic success.  

        D.To be alert and participate in class.  

5. 

What does the writer say about requesting a deadline extension? 

        A.Communicate with your professor months in advance in a respectful manner.  

        B.Use your best judgment on whether or not to request a deadline extension.  

        C.Think hard and come up with good excuses to request a deadline extension.  

        D.Never irritate your teachers by requesting a deadline extension.  

四、

Short-answer Question(本大题共1小题，每道题15.0分，共15.0分) 

Answer the following questions based on the reading material briefly.

1. 

In this part there is a short passage with five questions. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words (NOT EXCEEDING 10 WORDS).Recreation is for everyone regardless of age, shape, fitness level or ethnicity. Too often recreation is considered something that is fine for children, but an indication of unwillingness to work on the part of adults. The recreative experience brings balance into man’s life, and can be the most dominant social force in modern society.There are three principal factors in the daily life of every adult: his work, by which he earns his living; his leisure, in which he gains much of his reason for living; and his sleep, through which he recovers to be ready once more for work and leisure. This, of course, is an oversimplification of life, but it is an indication of the board components that make it up. Within each of these, however, there are many lesser components.The work of a large majority of our employed population is relatively dull, and often frustrating. In addition, the work of a large percentage of our population is prescribed by an authority who says, “Do this or else.” This means that relatively few people have the opportunity to make choices in their work time. Even though men may not be ruled by machines in their work, they are automatons to some degree because prescribed methods give them few opportunities to exercise their initiative.Although there is considerable disagreement among scientists about the activity that takes place during sleep, there seems to be good evidence that man is not conscious of his actions while he is asleep. This means that another segment of daily living is not directed by the individual, except in the degree that it is directed through subconscious or unconscious thought. This, therefore, leaves leisure as that component of daily living in which man has the opportunity to make choices about his activity. Since he has the opportunity for choice, man may follow either a constructive or a destructive path. There are many ways in which man shapes his leisure, that is, the time when he is not working or sleeping. Questions:1. What is the common misunderstanding about leisure for adults?2. What are the three principal factors in the components of adults’ life?3. Why are the employees considered as automatons?4. What is discovered about the activity that takes place during sleep?5. In which sense is people’s leisure different from work?  

QQ截图20181211164821.jpg