Part II Reading Comprehension (35 minutes)
Passage One
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage:
Looking back on my childhood. I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made.
Although we were all brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned
their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was
not an early reader and I could not do mental arithmetic.
Before world I we spent our summer holidays in Hungary. I have only the dim memory of
the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of
grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal-clear
memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds and, above all the insects.
I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my
enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy
burning the midnight oil while reading about other people' s observations and discoveries. Then
something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. Suddenly you
fancy you see the answer to the riddle (謎), because it all seems to fit together. This has
resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some might honour with the title of
scientific research.
But curiosity, a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do
not make a scientist: one of the outstanding and essential qualities require is self-discipline,
quality I lack. A scientist requires not only self-discipline but all training, determination
and a goal. A scientist up to a point, can be made. A naturalist is born. If you can combine the
two, you get the best of both worlds.
21. The first paragraph tells us that the author
A) was born to a naturalist's family
B) lost his hearing when he was a child
C) didn' t like his brothers and sisters
D) was interested in flowers and insects in his childhood
22. The author can't remember his relatives clearly because
A) he didn't live very long with them
B) he was fully occupied with observing nature
C) he was too young when he lived with them
D) the family was extremely large
23. It can be infrred from the passage that the author was
A) no more than a born naturalist B) a naturalist but not a scientist
C) a scientist as well as a naturalist D) first of all a scientist
24. The author says that he is a naturalist rather than a scientist probably because he thinks he
A) lacks some of the qualities required of a scientist
B) has a great deal of trouble doing mental arithmetic
C) just reads about other people's observations and discoveries
D) comes up with solutions in a most natural way
25. According to the author, a born naturalist should first of all be
A) full of ambition B) full of enthusiasm
C) knowledgeable D) self-disciplined
Passage Two
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:
Sporting activities are essentially modified forms of hunting behaviour. Viewed
biologically, the modern footballer is in reality a member of a hunting group. His killing
weapon has turned into a harmless football and his prey (獵物) into a goalmouth. If his aim is
accurate and he scores a goal, he enjoys the hunter's triumph of killing his prey.
To understand how this transformation has taken place we must briefly look back at our
forefathers. They spent over a million years evolving (進(jìn)化) as cooperative hunters. Their
very survival depended on success in the hunting-field. Under this pressure their whole way of
life, even their bodies, became greatly changed. They became chasers, runners, jumpers,
aimers, throwers and prey-killers. They cooperated as skillful male-group attackers.
Then about ten thousand years ago, after this immensely long period of hunting their
food, they became farmers. Their improved intelligence, so vital to their old hunting life, was
put to a new use －－ that of controlling and domesticating their prey. The hunt became
suddely out of date. The food was there on the farms, awaiting their needs. The risks and
uncertainties of the hunt were no longer essential for survival.
The skills and thirst for hunting remained, however, and demanded new outlets. Hunting
for sport replaced hunting for necessity. This new activity involved all the original hunting
sequencer but the aim of the operation was no longer to avoid starvation. Instead the
sportsmen set off to test their skill against prey that were no longer essential to their survival,
to be sure, the kill may have been eaten, but there were other, much simpler ways of obtaining
a meaty meal.
26. The author believes that sporting activities
A) are forms of biological development B) are essentially forms of taming the prey
C) have actually developed from hunting D) Have changed the ways of hunting
27. For over a million years, our forefathers were basically
A) any member of the opposing team B) the goal-mouth
C) the goal keeper D) the football
28. For over a million years, our foregathers were basically
A) co-operating hunters , B) successful farmers
C) runners and jumpers D) skillful sportsmen
29. The word "operation" (Para. 4, Line 4) refers to
A) domesticating animals B) hunting
C) prey killing D) sports activities
30. Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
A) It is farming that gives human beings enough leisure time for sporting activities.
B) Farming is very important in human civilization because it saves human beings from
risks and uncertainties of hunting for survival.
C) It is hunting that provides human beings with much simpler ways of obtaining meaty
meals.
D) Sporting activities satisfy the desire of modern man to exercise hunting skills which his
forefathers developed for survival.
Passage Three
Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passages:
The world is known to us through many senses, not just hearing, smell, vision, and at
close range, touch and taste.
Our skins let us know whether the air is moist or dry, whether surfaces are wet without
being sticky or slippery. From the uniformity of slight pressure, we can be aware how deeply a
finger is thrust into water at body temperature, even if the finger is enclosed in a rubber glove
that keeps the skin completely dry. Many other animals, with highly sensitive skins, appear to
be able to learn still more about their environment. Often they do so without employing any of
the five senses.
By observing the capabilities of other members of the animal kingdom, we come to realise
that a human being has far more possibilities than are utilised. We neglect ever so many of our
senses in concentrating on the five major ones. At the same time, a comparison between
animals and man draws attention to the limitations of each sense. The part of the spectrum (光
譜) seen by colour-conscious man as red is non-existent for honey-bees. But a bee can see far
more in flowers than we, because the ultra-violet (紫外線) to which our eyes are blind is a
stimulating (刺激的) part of the insect's spectrum, and, for honey-bees at least, constitutes
a separate colour.
31. From the passage, we realise that
A) man possesses as many senses as animals
B) man possesses a few more senses than animals
C) man possesses far more senses than the five major ones
D) man has fully utilised his senses
32. Which of the following is TRUE?
A) The honey-bee is blind to red.
B) Man is more colour-conscious than the honey-bee.
C) The honey-bee can see far more colours than man.
D) Man is sensitive to the ultra-violet.
33. We can realise how deeply a finger is put into water at body temperature
A) from the sense of direct touch
B) through skin contact
C) from the even distribution of pressure
D) through the difference in temperture
34. The phrase "sensitive skins" (Para.2 Line 6) most probably means
A) skins that are sticky or slippery
B) skins that are delicate
C) skins that are completely dry
D) skins that are quick to feel and respond
35. What is the main idea of the passage?
A) All senses have their limitations.
B) Man has not fully utilized all his senses.
C) Insects are more sensitive to colours than man.
D) Man is not as good as animals in learning about the environment.
Passage Four
Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage:
America is a country on the move. In unheard-of numbers, people of all ages are exercising
their way to better health. According to the latest figures, 59 percent of American adults
exercise regularly-up 12 percent from just two years ago and more than double the figure of 25
years ago. Even non-exercisers believe they would be more attractive and confident if they were
more active.
It is hard not to get the message. The virtues of physical fitness are shown on magazine
covers, postage stamps, and television ads for everything from beauty soaps to travel books.
Exercise as a part of daily life did not catch on until the late 1960s when research by military
doctors began to show the health benefits of doing regular physical exercises. Growing
publicity (宣傳) for races held in American cities helped fuel a strong interest in the ancient
sport of running. Although running has leveled off in recent years as Americans have discovered
equally rewarding-and sometimes safer-forms of exercise, such as walking and swimming,
running, remaing the most popular form of exercise.
As the popularity of exercise continues to mount, so does scientific evidence of its health
benefits. The key to fitness is exercising the major muscle groups vigorously (強(qiáng)有力的)
enough to approximately double the heart rate and keep it doubled for 20 to 30 minutes at a
time. Doing such physical exercises three times or more a week will produce considerable
improvements in physical health in about three months.
36. According to the passage, what was the percentage of American adults doing regular
physical exercises two years ago?
A) About 70% B) Almost 50% C) Nearly 60% D) More than 12%
37. A growing interest in sports developed after
A) research showed their health benefits
B) people got the message from magazine covers and postage stamps
C) scientific evidence of health benefits was shown on TV ads
D) an increasing number of races were held in American cities
38. Which of the following is colsest in meaning to the phrase "leveled off" (Para. 2, Line 8)?
A) "become very popular"
B) "stopped being popular"
C) "stopped increasing in popularity"
D) "reached its lowest level in popularity"
39. It can be learnt from the passage that the health benefits of exercise
A) are yet to be proved B) are to be further studied
C) are self-evident D) are supported by scientific evidence
40. Which of the following would be the best TITLE for the passage?
A) Exercise-The Road to Health.
B) Different Forms of Exercise.
C) Scientific Evidence of Health Benefits.
D) Running A Popular Form of Sport.
Passage One
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage:
Looking back on my childhood. I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made.
Although we were all brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned
their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was
not an early reader and I could not do mental arithmetic.
Before world I we spent our summer holidays in Hungary. I have only the dim memory of
the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of
grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal-clear
memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds and, above all the insects.
I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my
enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy
burning the midnight oil while reading about other people' s observations and discoveries. Then
something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. Suddenly you
fancy you see the answer to the riddle (謎), because it all seems to fit together. This has
resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some might honour with the title of
scientific research.
But curiosity, a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do
not make a scientist: one of the outstanding and essential qualities require is self-discipline,
quality I lack. A scientist requires not only self-discipline but all training, determination
and a goal. A scientist up to a point, can be made. A naturalist is born. If you can combine the
two, you get the best of both worlds.
21. The first paragraph tells us that the author
A) was born to a naturalist's family
B) lost his hearing when he was a child
C) didn' t like his brothers and sisters
D) was interested in flowers and insects in his childhood
22. The author can't remember his relatives clearly because
A) he didn't live very long with them
B) he was fully occupied with observing nature
C) he was too young when he lived with them
D) the family was extremely large
23. It can be infrred from the passage that the author was
A) no more than a born naturalist B) a naturalist but not a scientist
C) a scientist as well as a naturalist D) first of all a scientist
24. The author says that he is a naturalist rather than a scientist probably because he thinks he
A) lacks some of the qualities required of a scientist
B) has a great deal of trouble doing mental arithmetic
C) just reads about other people's observations and discoveries
D) comes up with solutions in a most natural way
25. According to the author, a born naturalist should first of all be
A) full of ambition B) full of enthusiasm
C) knowledgeable D) self-disciplined
Passage Two
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:
Sporting activities are essentially modified forms of hunting behaviour. Viewed
biologically, the modern footballer is in reality a member of a hunting group. His killing
weapon has turned into a harmless football and his prey (獵物) into a goalmouth. If his aim is
accurate and he scores a goal, he enjoys the hunter's triumph of killing his prey.
To understand how this transformation has taken place we must briefly look back at our
forefathers. They spent over a million years evolving (進(jìn)化) as cooperative hunters. Their
very survival depended on success in the hunting-field. Under this pressure their whole way of
life, even their bodies, became greatly changed. They became chasers, runners, jumpers,
aimers, throwers and prey-killers. They cooperated as skillful male-group attackers.
Then about ten thousand years ago, after this immensely long period of hunting their
food, they became farmers. Their improved intelligence, so vital to their old hunting life, was
put to a new use －－ that of controlling and domesticating their prey. The hunt became
suddely out of date. The food was there on the farms, awaiting their needs. The risks and
uncertainties of the hunt were no longer essential for survival.
The skills and thirst for hunting remained, however, and demanded new outlets. Hunting
for sport replaced hunting for necessity. This new activity involved all the original hunting
sequencer but the aim of the operation was no longer to avoid starvation. Instead the
sportsmen set off to test their skill against prey that were no longer essential to their survival,
to be sure, the kill may have been eaten, but there were other, much simpler ways of obtaining
a meaty meal.
26. The author believes that sporting activities
A) are forms of biological development B) are essentially forms of taming the prey
C) have actually developed from hunting D) Have changed the ways of hunting
27. For over a million years, our forefathers were basically
A) any member of the opposing team B) the goal-mouth
C) the goal keeper D) the football
28. For over a million years, our foregathers were basically
A) co-operating hunters , B) successful farmers
C) runners and jumpers D) skillful sportsmen
29. The word "operation" (Para. 4, Line 4) refers to
A) domesticating animals B) hunting
C) prey killing D) sports activities
30. Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
A) It is farming that gives human beings enough leisure time for sporting activities.
B) Farming is very important in human civilization because it saves human beings from
risks and uncertainties of hunting for survival.
C) It is hunting that provides human beings with much simpler ways of obtaining meaty
meals.
D) Sporting activities satisfy the desire of modern man to exercise hunting skills which his
forefathers developed for survival.
Passage Three
Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passages:
The world is known to us through many senses, not just hearing, smell, vision, and at
close range, touch and taste.
Our skins let us know whether the air is moist or dry, whether surfaces are wet without
being sticky or slippery. From the uniformity of slight pressure, we can be aware how deeply a
finger is thrust into water at body temperature, even if the finger is enclosed in a rubber glove
that keeps the skin completely dry. Many other animals, with highly sensitive skins, appear to
be able to learn still more about their environment. Often they do so without employing any of
the five senses.
By observing the capabilities of other members of the animal kingdom, we come to realise
that a human being has far more possibilities than are utilised. We neglect ever so many of our
senses in concentrating on the five major ones. At the same time, a comparison between
animals and man draws attention to the limitations of each sense. The part of the spectrum (光
譜) seen by colour-conscious man as red is non-existent for honey-bees. But a bee can see far
more in flowers than we, because the ultra-violet (紫外線) to which our eyes are blind is a
stimulating (刺激的) part of the insect's spectrum, and, for honey-bees at least, constitutes
a separate colour.
31. From the passage, we realise that
A) man possesses as many senses as animals
B) man possesses a few more senses than animals
C) man possesses far more senses than the five major ones
D) man has fully utilised his senses
32. Which of the following is TRUE?
A) The honey-bee is blind to red.
B) Man is more colour-conscious than the honey-bee.
C) The honey-bee can see far more colours than man.
D) Man is sensitive to the ultra-violet.
33. We can realise how deeply a finger is put into water at body temperature
A) from the sense of direct touch
B) through skin contact
C) from the even distribution of pressure
D) through the difference in temperture
34. The phrase "sensitive skins" (Para.2 Line 6) most probably means
A) skins that are sticky or slippery
B) skins that are delicate
C) skins that are completely dry
D) skins that are quick to feel and respond
35. What is the main idea of the passage?
A) All senses have their limitations.
B) Man has not fully utilized all his senses.
C) Insects are more sensitive to colours than man.
D) Man is not as good as animals in learning about the environment.
Passage Four
Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage:
America is a country on the move. In unheard-of numbers, people of all ages are exercising
their way to better health. According to the latest figures, 59 percent of American adults
exercise regularly-up 12 percent from just two years ago and more than double the figure of 25
years ago. Even non-exercisers believe they would be more attractive and confident if they were
more active.
It is hard not to get the message. The virtues of physical fitness are shown on magazine
covers, postage stamps, and television ads for everything from beauty soaps to travel books.
Exercise as a part of daily life did not catch on until the late 1960s when research by military
doctors began to show the health benefits of doing regular physical exercises. Growing
publicity (宣傳) for races held in American cities helped fuel a strong interest in the ancient
sport of running. Although running has leveled off in recent years as Americans have discovered
equally rewarding-and sometimes safer-forms of exercise, such as walking and swimming,
running, remaing the most popular form of exercise.
As the popularity of exercise continues to mount, so does scientific evidence of its health
benefits. The key to fitness is exercising the major muscle groups vigorously (強(qiáng)有力的)
enough to approximately double the heart rate and keep it doubled for 20 to 30 minutes at a
time. Doing such physical exercises three times or more a week will produce considerable
improvements in physical health in about three months.
36. According to the passage, what was the percentage of American adults doing regular
physical exercises two years ago?
A) About 70% B) Almost 50% C) Nearly 60% D) More than 12%
37. A growing interest in sports developed after
A) research showed their health benefits
B) people got the message from magazine covers and postage stamps
C) scientific evidence of health benefits was shown on TV ads
D) an increasing number of races were held in American cities
38. Which of the following is colsest in meaning to the phrase "leveled off" (Para. 2, Line 8)?
A) "become very popular"
B) "stopped being popular"
C) "stopped increasing in popularity"
D) "reached its lowest level in popularity"
39. It can be learnt from the passage that the health benefits of exercise
A) are yet to be proved B) are to be further studied
C) are self-evident D) are supported by scientific evidence
40. Which of the following would be the best TITLE for the passage?
A) Exercise-The Road to Health.
B) Different Forms of Exercise.
C) Scientific Evidence of Health Benefits.
D) Running A Popular Form of Sport.