II. Grammar and Vocabulary
Section A
The Problem with Top-School Lists
There are around 4,000 accredited universities and other higher education institution in the United States. They offer an immense range of educational experiences, ______ large research universities to small, friendly liberal arts colleges. This helps explain _______ the United States attracts more international students than any other country, says Allan E. Goodman, president of the Institute of International Education, ______ non-profit group promoting student exchanges to and from American.
“_________ elite U.S. programs are among the TOP ten in the world,” Goodman says, “the unique strength of the U.S. higher education system is diversity.”
There is no official ranking system to indicate which institutions are better than others, _______ several unofficial rankings are listed by magazines and associations. However, educators urge caution in using a ranking table and emphasize that ______ choice for one student may be very different for another.
Institutions of all types ______ across the United States. Some students want a campus _______ will give them the excitement and rich cultural life of a big city such as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. _______ value the peace and beauty of a rural setting, whether the quiet forests and snowy winters of the Northeast, subtropical Florida, the dry expanse of the West, or the Pacific coast with its seashore and nearby mountains.
Many institutions have particular strengths in certain academic areas, _______ them a good choice for students interested in those fields.
Section B
Rain forests, found in Earth’s temperate and tropical zones, are some of the most biologically varied ecosplayystems on the planet. All rain forests share certain ___31___ features, including a closed canopy, the dense vegetation of the TOP branches that forms a roof above the forest floor, a damp and warm climate, and ___32___ constant temperatures throughout the year. Most of the forest’s insect and animal life grows well in the canopy’s leafy and sunlit environment. The forest’s groundcover, by comparison, is small. Less than 2 percent of the sun’s light makes its way through the canopy and the darkness below. This darkness, along with the poor quality of the soils, ___33___ plant growth.
Rain forests are a ___34___ part of Earth’s total ecology. Huge amounts of water are absorbed into tree roots and ___35___ into the atmosphere from the tree leaves through a process called transpiration . Tree roots also fix the soil in place and slow the runoff of rains into rivers and oceans. Through the process of photosynthesis , rain forests absorb more carbon dioxide and give off more oxygen than any other ecosplayystem.
The rain forests are ___36___ shrinking at a rapid rate as a result of the profitable ventures of farming, logging, and mining. When tropical rain forests are ___37___ in order to raise cattle and crops, the nutrient-poor soils are quickly ___38___. When farmers move on to new areas, heavy rains and baking sun leave the land fruitless and lifeless. Logging and mining cause similar damage to the land and destroy the territory of ___39___ millions of birds, insects and animals. By some ___40___, an area of tropical rain forest the size of the state of Delaware disappears in this way every month.
III. Reading Comprehension
Section A
Digital fingerprinting, fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate, and a mass of online information are some of the ways making travel to the United Nations in 2010 a different __41__ for international visitors than it was earlier in the 21st century.
These __42__ are evident before the visitors leaves his or her country.
In 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security（DHS）--a department of the federal government established by laws and regulations in late 2002, after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks--established a new series of security __43__ for the international visitors holding non-U.S. passports or visas.
__44__ when these visitors apply for a visa, the officer __45__ them reviews their application and supporting papers and collects both digital fingerprints and a digital photograph.
Recently, the waiting time for these interviews has been significantly __46__. According to Geoff Freeman, a senior vice president of public affairs of U.S. Travel, the trade organization for the U.S. travel industry, many prospective visa applicants now wait fewer than 30 days for an interview, __47__ more than 100 days in the past.
The Visa Waiter Program（VWP）--which __48__ citizens from countries that meet various security and other requirements from obtaining a visa for visits to the United States of 90 days or fewer for business or pleasure-- __49__ 36 countries such as Australia, Austria, Belgium and so on.
A traveler from a country __50__ in the VWP must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization（ESTA）, an online travel authorization, established by DHS. ESTA determines, before the traveler boards a flight, whether the traveler is __51__ to travel to the United States under the VWP and whether such travel poses any law implementation or security risks.
When an international traveler arrives in the United States, he or she must subject one of the two __52__ to the U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection（CBP）officer: either a white Form I-94, if the traveler has a visa, or a green Form I-94W, if the traveler is a VWP participant. The CBP officer asks the traveler questions about his or her stay, scans the traveler’s fingerprints, and takes a digital photograph. __53__, VWP travelers, who are not required to obtain a visa, will soon need to pay a fee. The travelers keeps a portion of the I-94 or I-94W form after the CBP __54__ and returns it to CBP upon departure from the United States.
In 2007 Congress authorized the consumption of $40 million on a “Model Ports of Entry” program, designed to improve the __55__ procedures of foreign travelers at the 20 U.S. airports with the highest number of international visitors. The program aims to improve staffing, queue management, signage, and infrastructure at the TOP 20 U.S. international airports and to hire at least 200 new CBP officers.
41. A. experiment B. examination C. experience D. excursion
42. A. changes B. fluctuations C. fingerprints D. communications
43. A. explanations B. registrations C. procedures D. applications
44. A. Surprisingly B. Specifically C. Hopefully D. Occasionally
45. A. inspecting B. instructing C. investigating D. interviewing
46. A. reduced B. resolved C. reviewed D. released
47. A. owing to B. added up C. according to D. compared to
48. A. protects B. relieves C. promises D. stimulates
49. A. leads to B. depends on C. applies to D. makes up
50. A. persevering B. participating C. previewing D. promoting
51. A. acceptable B. accessible C. available D. adaptable
52. A. participants B. documents C. decisions D. photographs
53. A. For instance B. As a result C. On the contrary D. In addition
54. A. design B. project C. check D. proposal
55. A. arrival B. program C. queue D. departure
Section B
Against the supposition that forest fires in Alaska, Canada and Siberia warm the climate, scientists have discovered that cooling may occur in areas where burnt trees allow more snow to mirror more sunlight into space.
This finding suggests that taking steps to prevent northern forest fires to limit the release of greenhouse gases may warm the climate in northern regions. Usually large fires destroyed forests in these areas over the past decade. Scientists predict that with climate warming, fires may occur more frequently over the next several centuries as a result of a longer fire season. Sunlight taken in by the earth tends to cause warming, while heat mirrored back into space tends to cause cooling.
This is the first study to analyze all aspects of how northern fires influence climate. Earlier studies by other scientists had suggested that fires in northern regions speed up climate warming because greenhouse gases from burning trees and plants were released into the atmosphere and thus trap heat.
Scientists found that right after the fire, large amounts of greenhouse gases entered the atmosphere and caused warming. Ozone levels increased, and ashes from the fire fell on faroff sea ice, darkening the surface and causing more radiation from the sun to be taken in. The following spring, however, the land within the area of the fire was brighter than before the fire, because fewer trees covered the ground. Snow on the ground mirrored more sunlight back into space, leading to cooling.
“We need to find out all possible ways to reduce the growth of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” scientists tracked the change in the amount of radiation entering and leaving the climate system as a result of the fire, and found a measurement closely related to the global air temperature. Typically, fire in northern regions occurs in the same area every 80 to 150 years. Scientists, however, found that when fire occurs more frequently, more radiation is lost from the earth and cooling results. Specifically, they determined when fire returns 20 years earlier than predicted, 0.5 watts per square meter of area burned are __________ by the earth from greenhouse gases, but 0.9 watts per square meter will be sent back into space. The net effect is cooling. Watts are used to measure the rate at which energy is gained or lost from the earth.
56. According to the new findings, taking steps to prevent northern forest fires may _______.
A. result in a warming climate B. cause the forest fires to occur more frequently
C. lead to a longer fire season D. protect the forests and the environment there
57. Earlier studies about northern forest fires __________.
A. analyze all aspects of how northern fires influence climate
B. indicate that forest fires will pollute the atmosphere
C. suggest that people should take measures to protect environment
D. suggest that the fires will speed up climate warming
58. The underlined phrase “__________” in the last paragraph most probably means _______.
A. released B. absorbed C. created D. disturbed
59. From the passage we can conclude that forest fires in Alaska, Canada and Siberia may ______.
A. warm the climate as the supposition goes
B. allow more snow to reflect more sunlight into space and thus cool the climate
C. destroy large areas of forests and pollute the far-off sea ice
D. help to gain more energy rather than release more energy
GETTING __________ Who pays? The local education authority for the area in which the student is living. Who Can Get the Money? Anyone who gets a place on a first-degree course, although a student who has already attended a course of advanced further education may not. Students must also have been resident in the UK for at least three years, which can exclude some students from overseas. SPECIAL CASES If a student has worked before going to college? A student who is 26 or more before the course starts and who has worked for at least three of the previous six years will get extra money -- £ 155 a year at 26, increasing to a maximum of £ 615 at 29 or more. If a student Is handicapped? LEAs will give up to £ 500 to help meet extra expenses -- such as buying a tape recorder for blind students, extra heating or special food. Banking? Most of the big banks offer special services to students who open accounts . A student won’t usually have to pay bank charges as long as the account stays in credit. Some banks allow students to overdraw by £ 100 or so, and still don’t make charges . |
60. The underlined phrase “__________” in the first line most probably means ________.
A. bank interest B. a credit card C. an education fee D. financial aid
61. A 31-year-old nurse wishes to qualify as a doctor at a university. She has worked since she was 25. How much extra money will she get a year?
A. None B. £ 155 C. £ 615 D. £ 515
62. A big bank offers a new student special services because ________.
A. they need student accounts badly B. they charge students extra interest
C. they know he can get money regularly D. they hope he’ll be a potential customer
Throughout the centuries, various writers have contributed greatly to the literary treasure trove of books lining the shelves of today’s libraries. In addition to writing interesting material, many famous writers, such as Edgar Allan Poe, were larger-than-life characters with personal histories that are as interesting to read as the stories they wrote. Poe’s rocky life included being driven off from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1831 and an ongoing battle with alcohol. Yet, despite heavy gambling debts, poor health, and terrible unemployment, Poe managed to produce a body of popular works, including “The Raven” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, once lived among the man-eaters in the Marquesas Islands and wrote unusual tales inspired by his years of service in the U.S. Navy. Dublin-born Oscar Wilde was noted for his charmatic personality, his outrageous lifestyle, and creating witty phrases such as, “Nothing succeeds like excess.” D.H. Lawrence wrote shameful novels that were often cut, and Anne Rice led a double life writing bestselling horrible novels under her real name and using “A.N. Roquelaure” for the lowbrow unhealthy novels she penned on the side.
Nonconformistauthor and naturalist Henry David Thoreau once fled to the woods and generated enough interesting material to fill his noted book Walden. Thoreau wrote on the issue of passive resistance protest in his essay “Civil Disobedience” and served time in jail for refusing tax payments in protest of the United States government’s policy towards slavery. American short story writer O. Henry’s colorful life was ruined by tragic events, such as being accused and sentenced for stealing money from an Austin, Texas bank. Despite his success selling his short stories, O. Henry struggled financially and was nearly bankrupt when he died.
As diverse as these famous authors’ backgrounds were, they all led unconventional lives while writing great literary works that will endure throughout the ages. The next time you read an interesting book, consider learning more about the author by reading his or her biography so you can learn about the unique life experiences that shaped his or her writing.
63. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Edgar Allan Poe?
A. He had his own interesting personal history as other famous writers.
B. He graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point in 1831.
C. He once had heavy gambling debts and fell down with illness.
D. He managed to produce popular works no matter how rocky his life was.
64. What can you infer from Para. 2?
A. D.H. Lawrence and Anne Rice once wrote similar type of novels.
B. Anne Rice used a pen name because her novels were quite popular.
C. Anne Rice used different names when she wrote bestselling novels.
D. Henry David Thoreau enriched his books by living in the forests.
65. Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Henry David Thoreau was passionately opposed to horrible events.
B. Anne Rice always used a pen name to conceal her true identity.
C. Herman Melville stayed with man-eaters during his naval service.
D. O Henry’s life was colorful though he had lots of difficulties.
66. The passage mainly tells us that _______.
A. many famous writers lived nontraditional lives
B. most famous writers were usually troublemakers
C. writers had to lead interesting lives to generate materials
D. the biographies of famous writers are always inspirational
In 1851, Auguste Comte, the French philosopher and father of sociology, coined the new word altruism as part of a drive to create a non-religious religion based on scientific principles. He defined it as “intentional action for the welfare of others that involves at least the possibility of either no benefit or a loss to the actor”. At that time, studies of animal behavior and phrenology led him to locate egotistical instincts at the back of the brain, altruistic ones at the front.
Today, we have a far more sophisticated knowledge of the neurological and biochemical factors that underpin kind behavior. And this science forms the bases of two books aimed at general readers—but also at those who, despite the research, still doubt the existence of altruism.
However, the books may end up providing more information for the naysayers. Take The Altruistic Brain by neuroscientist Donald Pfaff. On solid scientific ground, he builds a five-step theory of how altruism occurs, which depends on an idea that is unconvincing and may achieve the opposite result. Pfaff argues that to act altruistically you should first visualize the receiver of your good will, then mentally transform their image into your own, “from angle to angle and curve to curve”. Does it really work?
At the core of evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson’s Does Altruism Exist? is another contentious idea: altruism has evolved as the result of group selection. But Wilson argues his corner masterfully, providing a clever reply to the belief that natural selection occurs only at the level of the selfish gene: “Selfishness beats altruism within groups. Altruistic groups beat selfish groups,” he says.
In other words, we cooperate when doing so gives our team the advantage. That doesn’t sound very selfless either.
Wilson acknowledges this, but argues that thoughts and feelings are less important than actions. According to evolutionary theory, pure altruists do exist, but it doesn’t matter why people choose to help others—their reasons may be difficult even for themselves to understand. What matters is that humans can coordinate their activities in just the right way to achieve common goals. Other animals do this too, but we are masters. “Teamwork is the signature adaptation of our species,” he says.
Pfaff goes further, insisting that our brain biology “urges us to be kind”. He believes this knowledge alone will inspire individuals to be more altruistic. His desire to create a better world is admirable and some of his ideas are interesting, but Wilson’s analysis is clearer.
While it is in our nature to be altruistic, Wilson says, we also have a healthy regard for self-interest and a resistance to being pushed around. Which one comes to the fore depends on the environment in which we find ourselves. Ethics, he says, cannot be taught at individual level, but are “a property of the whole system”.
67. Which of the following can be considered an altruistic behaviour according to Comte’s definition?
A. A person offers to donate his liver to another who needs one.
B. A clerk returns the umbrella to his colleague which he has kept for a long time.
C. A student volunteers to work in the orphanage to collect data for his research.
D. A police officer spots a car parking in the no-parking area, finding a child in the trunk.
68. The word “naysayers” most probably means ________.
A. people who take a positive attitude B. people who doubts something
C. people who have no say in an area D. people who are experts in an area
69. What does Donald Pfaff think people should do in order to altruistically?
A. Draw a picture of the person they are going to help.
B. Transform the receiver into a kind person.
C. Visualize what they are going to do in mind first.
D. Imagine they themselves are to be helped.
70. Which of the following statements is David Sloan most likely to agree with in his book?
A. Being kind is not something people are born with.
B. People in groups are less likely to be selfish.
C. People may well act selflessly because of where they are.
D. Most people know clearly why they are ready to help others.
71. What can be concluded from the passage?
A. Figuring out what makes us behave selflessly is a tricky business.
B. Unlike Donald Pfaff’s book, David Sloan’s book aims at professional readers.
C. Comte’s definition of altruism proves to be impractical in modern times.
D. Figuring out what makes us behave selflessly is a tricky business.
