考研英语阅读unit17.docx

1、考研英语阅读unit17Unit 17All things are difficult before they are easy.万事开头难。学习内容题 材词 数建议时间得分统计做题备忘Part AText 1商业经济425/10Text 2科普知识397/10Text 3社会生活413/10Text 4文化教育391/10Part B社会生活602/10Part C科普知识442/10Part ADirections：Read the following texts. Answer the questions blow each text by choosing A,B,C or D.Tex

2、t 1The United States Interstate Highway System is an infrastructure feat of unprecedented proportions. Not only does it join all fifty states in the union together allowing for rapid transport of goods and people, but it also has legitimate claim to the title of the largest public worker program in

3、history. The project was motivated by both military and economic goals. Interest in the project existed since the early 1940s, but was delayed by the outbreak of World War II, followed by the postwar recovery. Although approved by Congress in 1944, the building did not actually begin until 1956.The

4、postwar prosperity in America accentuated the need for such a massive infrastructure project. After Americas success in World War II and recovery of its economy from the Great Depression, the populations disposable income soared, allowing most families to purchase automobiles, previously thought of

5、as luxury items. With the sudden boom of cars, a more efficient road on which to travel was desperately needed, and the interstate highway system provided that, allowing travelers to safely and reliably visit other states or destinations closer to home.The same surge in car ownership that created th

6、e need for the interstate highway system also provided the means by which to pay for the project. A new tax on gasoline provided 90 percent of the funding for the project, and state taxes covered the remaining 10 percent. With the new highway system in place, not only could travelers visit previousl

7、y unfeasible destinations on their holidays and vacations, but businesses could transport their products to markets in other states, increasing competition across the country, to the benefit of consumers and product quality alike.The military had a keen eye on the system as well. Troop transport was

8、 now possible to all corners of America in a rapid and efficient manner, and the long stretches of straight highways instantly provided runways for military aircraft in times of emergency. The country, linked together by a network, of roads that greatly reduced travel time, could now more efficientl

9、y be defended. In the last forty years alone, 17 trillion miles have been traveled on the US Interstate Highway System. Those miles can be equated to three trips around the world for every American, a trip to the moon for 75 million people, or three light years in space. No matter what figure is use

10、d, the numbers are stunning. The interstate highway has gotten and continues to get people where they need to go in America, and at a fraction of the time it would otherwise take.1. The outbreak of World War II A wasted precious time by delaying the Interstate Highway project.B had a positive impact

11、 by contributing to the means by which the Interstate Highway System was built.C delayed the start of the project but resulted in more money by which to fund it. D spurred the military to throw their support in favor of the Interstate Highway project. 2. The US Interstate Highway System was built ma

12、inly A to respond to urgent needs that had arisen.B in order to better defend a country in a time of war. C with economic and businesses in mind.D from state taxpayer dollars.3. What can we infer from the Paragraph 3?A The tax on gasoline was the most efficient way by which to fund the building of t

13、he interstate highway system.B The interstate highway system was an immense financial burden that required huge amounts of resources to complete.C Without the postwar surge in car ownership, funding for the interstate highway system would have been insufficient.D Those who stood to benefit most from

14、 the interstate highway system provided the majority of the funding for its construction.4. By “Those milesin space”(Line 2-3, Para.5), the author intends to A stress the effects of the interstate highway system that continue to this day.B highlight the incredible distances that have been traveled o

15、n the interstate highway system.C state the distances traveled on the interstate highway system in more comparable terms. D make a final statement attesting to the greatness of the interstate highway system. 5. The author views the United States Interstate Highway System with A whole-hearted approva

16、l.B a judgment of the good outweighing the bad.C positive feelings on its economic impact.D critical support.Text 2The word science is heard so often in modern times that almost everybody has some notion of its meaning. On the other hand, its definition is difficult for many people. The meaning of t

17、he term is confused, but everyone should understand its meaning and objectives. Just to make the explanation as simple as possible, suppose science is defined as classified knowledge (facts).Even in the true sciences distinguishing fact from fiction is not always easy. For this reason great care sho

18、uld be taken to distinguish between beliefs and truths. There is no danger as long as a clear difference is made between temporary and proved explanations. For example, hypotheses and theories are attempts to explain natural phenomena. From these positions the scientist continues to experiment and o

19、bserve until they are proved or discredited. The exact status of any explanation should be clearly labeled to avoid confusion.The objectives of science are primarily the discovery and the subsequent understanding of the unknown. Man cannot be satisfied with recognizing that secrets exist in nature o

20、r that questions are unanswerable; he must solve them. Toward that end specialists in the field of biology and related fields of interest are directing much of their time and energy. Actually, two basic approaches lead to the discovery of new information. One, aimed at satisfying curiosity, is refer

21、red to as pure science. The other is aimed at using knowledge for specific purposesfor instance, improving health, raising standards of living, or creating new consumer products. In this case knowledge is put to economic use. Such an approach is referred to as applied science.Sometimes practical-min

22、ded people miss the point of pure science in thinking only of its immediate application for economic rewards. Chemists responsible for many of the discoveries could hardly have anticipated that their findings would one day result in applications of such a practical nature as those directly related t

23、o life and death. The discoveries of one bit of information opens the door to the discovery of another. Some discoveries seem so simple that one is amazed they were not made years ago; however, one should remember that the construction of the microscope had to precede the discovery of the cell. The

24、hosts of scientists dedicating their lives to pure science are not apologetic about ignoring the practical side of their discoveries; they know from experience that most knowledge is eventually applied.6. We may simply define science as A the study of unrelated subjects.B an attempt to explain natur

25、al phenomena. C the study of related fields.D labelled knowledge.7. A scientist interested in adding to our general knowledge about oxygen would probably call his approachA applied science.B agriculture science.C pure science.D environmental science.18. Pure science, leading to the construction of a

26、 microscope, A may lead to antiscientific, “impure” results.B necessarily precedes applied science, leading to the discovery of a cell.C is not always as pure as we suppose.D necessarily results from applied science and the discovery of a cell.9. On which of the following statements would the author

27、 most probably agree?A Scientists engaged in theoretical research should not be blamed for ignoring the practical side of their discoveries.B Today few people have any notions of the meaning of science.C In science, it is not difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.D Practical-minded people can u

28、nderstand the meaning and objectives of pure science.10. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?A The Nature of Science and ScientistsB Biology and the Science and ScientistC Hypotheses and TheoriesD On Distinguishing Fact from FictionText 3Great emotional and intellectual resou

29、rces are demanded in quarrels; stamina helps, as does a capacity for obsession. But no one is born a good quarreler, the craft must be learned. There are two generally recognized apprenticeships. First, and universally preferred, is a long childhood spent in the company of fractious siblings. After

30、several years of rainy afternoon, brothers and sisters develop a sure feel for the tactics of attrition and the niceties of strategy so necessary in first-rate quarreling. The only child, or the child of peaceful or repressed households, is likely to grow up failing to understand that quarrels, unli

31、ke arguments, are not about anything, least of all the pursuit of truth. The apparent subject of a quarrel is a mere pretext; the real business is the quarrel itself. Essentially, adversaries in a quarrel are out to establish or rescue their dignity; hence the elementary principle: anything may be s

32、aid.The unschooled, may spend an hour with knocking heart, sifting the consequences of calling this old acquaintance a lying fraud. Those who miss their first apprenticeship may care to enroll in the second, the bad marriage, This can be perilous for the neophyte; the mutual intimacy of spouses makes them at once more vulnerable and more dangerous in attack. O