第三章 阅读理解
Passage 1
On Monday, October 9th, ProLert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will begin preliminary testing of the mechanical prototype for the packaging and labeling assembly line. If the prototype is successful, this sector will begin using automated production on the first of November, with other departments to follow when the timing is appropriate. Packaging and Labeling will be the first of the company’s divisions to make the switch to automated production.
The automated technology is an industry standard and is being adopted by ProLert Pharmaceuticals in accordance with the decision reached by the board of directors. After two years of decreased profits and diminishing returns, the board voted to streamline the company, which includes implementing the automated process. The technology has been shown to lower labor costs, and maximize output.
For details on the automated process and broader streamlining measures, you can visit our employee notice page under www.prolert.employees.com. For questions regarding how the new technology is forecast to affect employee status, click on “streamlining measures”, or speak to the Human Resources Manager, Richard Beacon.
1.What is this notice mainly about? ( )
A. The new guidelines for product packaging
B. A change in the method of manufacturing
C. Early retirement package deals
D. The efficiency of the packaging staff
【答案】B
【解析】从第一段可以看出通知的主要内容是执行包含automated process(自动化程序)在内的使运营合理化的相关措施，故选B项。
2.How can readers find out more about the new processes? ( )
A. By visiting the company’s main marketing web site
B. By speaking to the Human Resources manager
C. By reading the memo entitled “streamlining measures”
D. By looking up the employee notice page online
【答案】D
【解析】根据第3段第1句For details on the automated process and broader streamlining measures, visit our employee notice page under www.prolert.employees.com可知答案为D项。
Passage 2
From: Sarah Pannelli
To: Jorge Ruiz
Jorge, in light of the new budget mandates we received from the corporate office last week, I'd like to call a gathering of the entire financial department. With everyone together, you and I can introduce the directives and we can all discuss how best to implement them. Shall we divide the duties? I can prepare a presentation on the changes regarding overtime pay, bonuses, and other wage issues. In that case, would you mind taking on those that have to do with advertising contracts? I can ask my assistant to help you analyze them if you're short on time.
My original thought was to hold this meeting next Friday, January 20. But now that I’ve started to get more specific about our plans, I'm worried we might have to push that back another week. What are your feelings on the matter? Is this something we need to do as soon as possible, or can it wait till the 27th? I'm open to your suggestions.
Sarah
1.Why did Ms. Pannelli write the email? ( )
A. To thank a colleague for his assistance
B. To explain new corporate directives
C. To report on the success of a gathering
D. To propose a departmental meeting
【答案】D
【解析】文中第一句“I'd like to call a gathering of the entire financial department”提到要召集开会，第一段后面是对她自己的工作计划陈述，第二段商议会议时间。所以写邮件的原因是提议开部门会议。
2.Which topic is Mr. Ruiz asked to research? ( )
A. Possible ways of cutting wages
B. The firm's current hiring plans
C. Changes to the overtime policy
D. The company's marketing agreement
【答案】D
【解析】第一段倒数第二句“would you mind taking on those that have to do with advertising contracts”提议Mr. Ruiz研究一下公司的广告宣传合同，故D项符合题意。
3.Which opinion does Ms. Pannelli hold? ( )
A. The financial department should gather on the 20th.
B. Her assistant should be responsible for running the meeting.
C. The mandates issued by the corporate office are unfair.
D. Preparation will take longer than she first assumed.
【答案】D
【解析】根据第二段中提到原计划在1月20举行会议，但是在具体准备时要花时间，所以需要推迟开会时间，可知Ms. Pannelli的观点是准备会花较长时间。
Passage 3
From: Fiona Parsons
To: Jerome Patel
Subject: Delivery
Dear Mr. Patel,
Thank you for calling me to let me know that the building supplies you ordered have not yet arrived. I'm sorry for this delay, and I hope it does not cause you too much inconvenience. I was very surprised to hear the message you left on my voicemail this morning. I called the delivery company immediately afterwards and spoke to a representative there. She said that a mechanical fault with one of the trucks has caused a backlog, and she promised that your delivery would be made top priority. They expect to get the supplies to you by this afternoon. If the delivery does not arrive by the end of the day, please inform me so I can follow up on the matter once again.
At Online Building Depot, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. So, as a result of this problem, we would like to offer you compensation to show that you are a valued customer. I suggest that the delivery fee be waived for this order, and that your company get $1oo worth of vouchers to use on your next purchase. Does that sound fair?
I look forward to hearing back from you. Regards,
Fiona Parsons
Customer Liaison, Online Building Depot
1.When did Ms. Parsons most probably write this email? ( )
A. Straight after Mr. Patel made the order
B. Before speaking to the supplier
C. Sometime after the due shipping date
D. Before signing off on the delivery
【答案】C
【解析】第一句提到写信人之前接到电话说订的物品没到，所以写信时间是在预定送货时间之后，选择C项。
2. What will Mr. Patel receive? ( )
A. A $100 rebate on the purchase
B. A reduced delivery fee
C. A credit on the next order
D. Some complimentary supplies
【答案】C
【解析】第二段提到为了补偿Mr. Patel，本次的运费不用付，并且Mr. Patel的公司会获得下次购货100美元的抵用券，故C项正确。
3. After hearing the telephone message, what did Ms. Parsons do immediately? ( )
A. Call Mr. Patel back
B. Hire a new truck
C. Approve the shipment
D. Contact the delivery firm
【答案】D
【解析】第一段中间部分“I called the delivery company immediately afterwards and spoke to a representative there”提到收到电话留言马上就联系物流公司。
Passage 4
From the beginning of the coming year, all Budget Airlines passengers must redeem their frequent flier miles within two calendar years of making their flight. Passengers who fail to redeem any of these miles will lose them permanently. Furthermore, the number of flights upon which passengers may redeem free tickets is now restricted. Flights during holiday periods are completely blacked out for free tickets, and flights during certain peak times are off limits as well. And finally, passengers may no longer use their frequent flier miles to upgrade their coach class tickets to business or first class. Frequent flier miles may be used only for redeeming free tickets. Consult your Budget Airlines office or local travel agent for more details.
1.What does this announcement concern? ( )
A. Changes being instituted in an airline program.
B. How to redeem frequent flier miles.
C. Various blackout dates for traveling on the airline.
D. How to contact the offices of Budget Airlines.
【答案】A
【解析】公告第一句“价廉航空公司的所有乘客须将两年之内的累计飞行里程数兑换成机票”提到了里程兑换，后面讲了飞行里程数兑换的具体变更事项，故A项正确。
2.When will this new program be initiated? ( )
A. Immediately.
B. At the start of the next month.
C. On the first day of the new year.
D. The announcement does not say.
【答案】C
【解析】公告第一句“价廉航空公司的所有乘客须将两年之内的累计飞行里程数兑换成机票”提到了里程兑换，后面讲了飞行里程数兑换的具体变更事项，故A项正确。
3. Under the new policy, how may a person use his/her air miles? ( )
A. To upgrade to first class.
B. To fly for free during holiday periods.
C. To receive free plane tickets.
D. To travel at reduced prices.
【答案】C
【解析】公告第一句“价廉航空公司的所有乘客须将两年之内的累计飞行里程数兑换成机票”提到了里程兑换，后面讲了飞行里程数兑换的具体变更事项，故A项正确。
Passage 5
Department of Returns
Snap Photography Equipment, Inc.
23580 Wooliver Rd.
Dublin, Iowa
Dear Sir or Madam:
Last week I purchased a UX-15 Underwater Camera from your company, but it turned out to be quite a disappointment. The camera did not perform as promised in the advertisement.
According to your company’s IV commercial, the UX-15 Underwater Camera is designed to take pictures at underwater depths of up to ten feet. However, after using the camera in a swimming pool for twenty minutes at only five feet, I noticed that water had leaked inside it. The film was mined, along with the camera’s electrical components.
I am returning the camera, along with my sales receipt, in the same package as this letter. I would ask that you issue me a full refund, as I have no interest in receiving a replacement product.
Thank you,
Scott Hyatt
1. Why was this letter written? ( )
A. To order a replacement for a damaged item
B. To ask about the rules at a swimming pool
C. To request reimbursement for a purchase
D. To inquire about a product advertised on TV
【答案】C
【解析】根据第3段第2句I would ask that you issue me a full refund可知写信人要求对相机提供全额退款，故选C。
2. The word "issue" in paragraph 3, line 2 is closest in meaning to ( )
A. resolve
B. appear
C. provide
D. publish
【答案】C
【解析】根据issue后面的a full refund可知句子表示“要求提供全额退款”，issue在此处意为“提供，给”，与之意思最接近的是provide。
3.At what depth did Mr. Hyatt use the camera? ( )
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 20 feet
【答案】A
【解析】根据第2段第2句after using the camera in a swimming pool for twenty minutes at only five feet可知Mr. Hyatt在水深5英尺的游泳池中使用了照相机，故A项为正确答案。
4. What will accompany the letter? ( )
A. An underwater photograph
B. The defective product
C. The camera’s original packaging
D. A copy of the sales flyer
【答案】B
【解析】最后一段第1句I am returning the camera, along with my sales receipt指出要退回相机，故选B项。
Passage 6
To: All staff members, Sales Department
From: John Alderson
Subject: Upcoming seminar
Date: Thursday, March 9
I would like to ensure that all members of the Sales Department are aware of the seminar that will be held tomorrow night. The program is entitled “Getting Maximum Results Through Maximum Effort.” The main speaker will be Deborah Sadowski, who was once a saleswoman at our own company until she went on to make a name for herself by accomplishing bigger and better things. Ms. Sadowski was the best salesperson I have ever employed, and I’m sure that all of us have much to learn from her. She is going to present some of her theories on how to get the most from your efforts. Given our dismal performance of late, I’m sure that we can all use as much help as we can get. Following her presentation, there will be a roundtable discussion with Ms. Sadowski, Rohit Pappu, Scoff Bobek, and Dr. Neil Bergeron. They will expound upon her presentation and will surely provide some ideas worth considering.
I would like everyone to attend the seminar so long as time permits. You must pay a small fee at the door, but the Accounting Department will reimburse you if you provide them with a receipt. I will be in attendance taking notes, and I hope that you will be doing the same. The seminar starts at 7 and should finish around 9. We can all compare notes afterwards if you like. We need something to help improve our production, and this seminar might just be able to do it.
1. Why does John Alderson want everyone to attend the seminar? ( )
A. Because the Accounting Department will reimburse them
B. Because everyone should have enough free time
C. Because they need to improve upon their performance
D. Because Ms. Sadowski always hosts interesting seminars
【答案】C
【解析】原文的倒数第三句“鉴于我们最近的业绩不是很好，我很确定我们需要学以致用”而主讲人的销售业绩非常好，所以他希望员工可以从她的研讨会中学到东西，提到销售业绩，故C项正确。
2. What happened to Deborah Sadowski after she left the company? ( )
A. She became a great saleswoman.
B. She founded her own company.
C. She became famous.
D. She started giving lectures full-time.
【答案】C
【解析】第三句“主讲人是德博拉·萨多夫斯基，她曾是我们公司的销售人员，后来因为取得更大的成就而出名”提到萨多夫斯基女士在离开公司之后变得有名了。故C项符合题意。
3. What does John Alderson suggest they do after the seminar? ( )
A. Ask questions at the roundtable conference
B. Discuss what they learned at the conference
C. Have their funds reimbursed by the Accounting Department
D. Attend the roundtable conference with Dr. Bergeron
【答案】B
【解析】文中倒数第二句“如果大家愿意，在会后我们可以对比笔记”提到会后大家可以交换意见，讨论会上的心得。故B项正确。
4.What could a person attending the seminar hope to learn? ( )
A. How to become more productive
B. How to own a company
C. How to become a better salesperson
D. How to give a better effort
【答案】A
【解析】本篇文章的主题是通知“以最大的努力获取最优效果”的研讨会，提到研讨会希望所有人员参加，以自己的努力去的最优效果，因此参加这次研讨会的人是想要学习提高生产率的方法。故A项符合题意。
Passage 7
With ANY new Delta desktop or Excel notebook purchase. Own one of the best computers in the world, and get REWARDED for your smart purchase! Offer Ends February 7*!
You can’t beat FREE! Purchase ANY new Delta desktop or Excel notebook and when you customize & price your system, we’ll give you your choice of one of the following FREE(shipping extra; while supplies last)! Or save up to $100 on a select upgraded Printer, Scanner or PDA.
* New Delta desktop computer or Excel notebook must be purchased on or before February 7, Eastern Standard Time.
1. What is one of the main items being featured in this advertisement? ( )
A. A printer
B. A scanner
C. A notebook computer
D. A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
【答案】C
【解析】从第—段第—句“只需购买任意一台新款Delta台式机或Excel笔记本，你就拥有了世界上最棒的电脑，并会为这一明智的选择得到奖赏”可知，这是为电脑做的广告，从后文中也可以看出是为电脑做广告，故选择C项。
2. Which of the following is a requirement of this promotion? ( )
A. A Delta or Excel notebook must be purchased on or before February 7.
B. A printer must be bought by the end of February.
C. The scanner must cost less than $100.
D. The deluxe Excel notebook model must be purchased.
【答案】A
【解析】广告最后一句话“请在东部标准时间2月7日之前购买新款Delta台式机或Excel笔记本”提到了促销的时间限制，故A项正确。
3. What may encourage people to buy a new Delta or Excel computer? ( )
A. They will not have to pay for shipping for their new computer.
B. The new computer purchase will not be taxed if purchased before February 7, 2009.
C. A free printer, scanner or PDA will be available to consumers who purchase a computer.
D. Customers will receive a $100 rebate.
【答案】C
【解析】根据广告的标题“免费赠送打印机、扫描仪或PDA”，及第一句话可知买电脑可以获得赠品，故选择C项。
Passage 8
To: Staff of the Marketing Department
From: Colleen Dane, Director of Marketing
Date: November 6th
This memo is to inform all marketing staff that there will be a mandatory meeting on Tuesday, November 14th at 2:00 p.m.
The meeting will be conducted via a video-conference with our company headquarters in Seattle. From the head office, Joe Lamond, our company vice president, will give us feedback and ask questions regarding our proposals for the new advertising strategy.
What do we, the marketing team, want to accomplish in this meeting? The goal is simple: We hope to elicit the vice president’s consent for our print media campaign on the new Spring Shoe. Once we receive his approval, we can go ahead and offer our proposal to the advertising firm. If any staff member cannot attend this meeting, that employee is obliged to submit, in writing, a reason for their absence.
Colleen Dane
Director of Marketing
To: Colleen Dane, Director of Marketing
From: Keith Wilson, Senior Marketing Consultant
Date: November 7th
Dear Ms. Dane,
I’m writing in response to your department-wide memo of November 6th.
Upon review of my schedule, I have to report that I cannot accommodate your request for attending the meeting on the 14th. I have a long-standing commitment on that same afternoon to attend the opening ceremony of our new factory in Wichita.
As a consultant, I regret having to miss the meeting, as it’s necessary for me to be actively involved in our new advertising campaign. Unfortunately, the president himself insisted that I be present at the upcoming ceremony.
What I propose is a sort of compromise for my absence. Sheila Parks, a junior on our marketing team, is willing to transcribe the minutes for me so I can review the meeting’s content in detail when I return to the office. If the vice president addresses a question to me directly, I will respond promptly by contacting him by email or phone. Also, I will ask Joe Dunn, senior manager of the marketing team, to brief me on the meeting’s outcome.
Please understand my position. I wait for your reply.
Keith Wilson
1. What does the marketing director want to get from the meeting? ( )
A. The nomination for a new department head
B. Permission to begin a print advertising plan
C. An agreement on the content of a TV commercial
D. Funding approval for the production of a new item
【答案】B
【解析】根据第3段第2句We hope to elicit the vice president’s consent for our print media campaign on the new Spring Shoe可知答案为B项。
2. How will the Marketing Department communicate with the vice president?( )
A. In person
B. Through email
C. Through a video-link
D. Over a speaker phone
【答案】C
【解析】根据第2段第1句提到的The meeting will be conducted via a video-conference可知市场部职员和副总裁通过电视会议的方式进行论议，故选C项。
3.Why did Mr. Wilson write the memo?( )
A. To apply for a vacation during November
B. To ask for an extension on the project deadline
C. To get approval for a new research proposal
D. To explain why he will not attend a meeting
【答案】D
【解析】第2份邮件第2段指出Mr. Wilson要出席本公司典礼而不能参加会议，故选D。
4. Which of the following does Mr. Wilson NOT mention as part of his compromise?( )
A. A colleague will record the meeting.
B. He will meet the vice president directly in Wichita.
C. A colleague will summarize the outcome of the meeting.
D. He will quickly answer inquiries made by the vice president.
【答案】B
【解析】根据第4段第2句可知A项被提到了。第4段最后1句是C项的内容。第4段倒数第2句与D项相符。只有B项没有被提到。
5. The word “accommodate” in paragraph 2, line 1 of the second memo is closest in meaning to ( )
A. oblige
B. reject
C. reside
D. present
【答案】A
【解析】句子表示“不能接受您的要求”，可知accommodate意为“答应”。与其意思最接近的是oblige 满足；答应。故选A。
Passage 9
Questions 1-5 refer to the following advertisement and review.
Don’t miss the most anticipated book of the year
The Burton Affair: revealing the facts behind the biggest financial scandal in history.
How did former CEO Anne Burton defraud the biggest technology company on the planet for millions of dollars, and then disappear without a trace?
Find out in John Sparks’ new book.
Sparks unveils the secrets behind the Burton affair.., the clues that led senior executives to suspect her behavior, and the reasons they didn’t follow through with their own investigation.
Includes exclusive interviews with Damian Pottsberg, Cache Inc.’s financial advisor, and Courtney Rosen, Burton’s former executive assistant.
In Books & More Stores Sept. 25th.
The Dally News
Editorials & Book Reviews
To the editor,
Though the story itself may be sensational, the authorship of The Burton Affair is extremely poor. In his latest, highly anticipated book, Sparks has shown his inability to be impartial, which is a crucial part of investigative reporting.
Sparks has not presented facts; he has simply compiled stories from various sources and made conjectures about the role of Burton’s colleagues in the scandal. He barely gives the authorities any mention, while federal prosecutors have yet to press charges, and police and the FBI have yet to say whether they have any leads on Button’s whereabouts.
The most unprofessional aspect of the book is how Sparks bases so many of his conclusions on the claims of Burton’s former executive assistant, Courmey Rosen. In fact, Ms. Rosen is a very unreliable source who has been caught changing her account of Button’s actions several times since the story made headline news six months ago.
It seems the only attempt Sparks makes to show the reader that he took notes and documented testimony is the appendix at the back of the book, in which he lists all his sources, along with the date and place of the interviews.
Marion Weatherall, NJ
1. What kind of book is “The Burton Affair”?( )
A. Science fiction
B. An autobiography
C. Journalistic non-fiction
D. A suspense and thriller novel
【答案】C
【解析】通过广告的整体内容可知该书揭露了某高级主管侵吞公款事件，并包含了人物访谈，Journalistic non-fiction意为“新闻界事件”，故选C项。
2.What is the scandal about?( )
A. An employee stealing money from his or her company
B. A technician blackmailing his or her president
C. A venture firm making an unexpected leap to success
D. A politician and a famous executive having a love affair
【答案】A
【解析】通过广告的第2段可知，丑闻是指身为公司代表的Anne Burton侵吞了大量公款并携款而逃。
3. What does the review state about the book?( )
A. It has been comprehensively researched.
B. It is not a professional piece of work.
C. It deals with the subject impartially.
D. It does not have a list of sources.
【答案】B
【解析】通过书评的整体内容可知是对Sparks的著作进行的批判，第3段第1句指出，the most unprofessional aspect是书中大部分内容是根据Courtnery Rosen的证言写的。
4. What does the reviewer say about Courtney Rosen?( )
A. She has lied about what happened.
B. She was not involved in the scandal.
C. She refused to give her account of the story.
D. She helped the police with their investigation.
【答案】A
【解析】根据review的第3段第2句Ms. Rosen is a very unreliable source可知the reviewer认为Courtnery Rosen是不能信任的人，故选A项。
5. What does Ms. Weatherall mention about the book?( )
A. It does not compile stories from various sources.
B. It does not give any leads on Burton’s whereabouts.
C. It does not disclose the truth of the story.
D. It does not include an appendix at the end.
【答案】C
【解析】第2段第1句提到Sparks has not presented facts，可知Weatherall认为Sparks没有揭露准确的事实，只是对事件进行猜测。故选C项。
Passage 10
Questions 196-200 refer to the following email and advertisement.
From: Lisa Forsyth
To: Ben Rhodes
Subject: Buying a car
Dear Mr. Rhodes,
I am contacting you on the recommendation of my close friend, Dallas West, who bought a vehicle from you earlier this year. The car I own now—a 1999 Datsun 350 hatchback—keeps breaking down, so I am looking to replace it. I hope you can help me find something suitable at a reasonable price.
While my Datsun 350 has served me well, I really want to upgrade to a larger vehicle. I am an events coordinator so I often have to transport audiovisual equipment and other cumbersome items in my car. Accordingly, I would prefer something with a lot of trunk space, like a wagon or
SUV. But, at the same time, I'm concerned about the environment, so I'd like the car to be fuel- efficient. Finally, my experience with the Datsun 350 has taught me that older vehicles often have mechanical problems. This time, I want to get something more modern, even if it is more expensive.
If you find any cars that may interest me, please let me know.
Regards,
Lisa Forsyth
1999 Jervais XTL. $13.000
You won't find a top-quality SUV for a better price than this. It comes with power steering, electric windows, a sunroof, a powerful sound system and a spacious trunk, It has a metallic silver exterior and trendy black leather upholstery. Don't be fooled by this vehicle's age. It is an ex-rental car that received regular servicing.
It will outperform a car 5 years younger, guaranteed. Moreover, the Jervais XTL is incredibly cheap to run. It does nearly 15 miles per gallon, meaning it consumes 30% less gas than most SUVs. For a car that looks great, drives well, and won't let you down, call Rhodes Motors at 03-778-909.
1. What is the main purpose of Ms. Forsyth’s email?( )
A. To attempt to sell a second—hand vehicle
B. To place an order for a vehicle part
C. To describe the kind of car she is looking for
D. To request a mechanical service
【答案】C
【解析】文中第一段提到Ms. Forsyth打算换车，希望可以得到一些建议。第二段描述了她理想的车。所以邮件的目的是描述她所需的车，并希望得到建议。
2. What is suggested about Ms. Forsyth?( )
A. She is knowledgeable about cars.
B. Her employer will pay for her vehicle.
C. She is planning to buy her first vehicle
D. Her current car is unreliable.
【答案】D
【解析】根据邮件第二句“The car I own now --- a 1999 Datsun 350 hatchback --- keeps breaking down, so I am looking to replace it”，可知她现在的车总是出故障。
3. The word “cumbersome” in paragraph 2, line 2 of the email is closest in meaning to( )
A. bulky
B. mechanized
C. fragile
D. technical
【答案】A
【解析】cumbersome笨重的；累赘的；麻烦的。选项中与之意义接近的为A。bulky庞大的；笨重的；体积大的。mechanized机械化的；呆板的。fragile脆的；易碎的。technical工艺的；技术上的。
4. What can be inferred about the advertised vehicle?( )
A. It has recently been reupholstered.
B. It has additional unlisted accessories.
C. It was manufactured 5 years ago.
D. It has been well maintained.
【答案】D
【解析】广告第一段最后一句“It is an ex-rental car that received regular servicing”提到这种车会接受常规检查维修，所以D项正确。
5. What feature of the advertised vehicle may a problem for Ms. Forsyth?( )
A. Its age
B. Its size
C. Its fuel efficiency
D. Its price
【答案】A
【解析】邮件中女士说老车经常会有技术性问题，所以希望买一辆更好的车。而在广告第一段，“Don’t be fooled by this vehicle’s age”提到车可能会比较老，所以A项符合题意。
Passage 11
Flood Devastates Bangladesh
A massive flood caused by heavy monsoon rains has devastated large parts of Bangladesh. Representatives of relief agencies such as the Red Cross are estimating that as many as 5 million people have been affected by the flooding. Temporary shelters constructed by UN authorities just outside the capital of Dhaka have filled with thousands of refugees whose homes have been destroyed. Power lines, roads and other infrastructure have sustained major damage as well. Hundreds of people have been killed in the initial flood, and there is concern that thousands more will die due to water-borne diseases and other hygiene-related health problems.
The Bangladeshi government is appealing to the international community for increased aid. The basic clean-up operation is expected to take months, if not years. Observers say it could even take decades for this developing nation to fully recover from this disaster.
From: Jamie Peterson
To: Hitro Vagana
Subject: Flood
Dear Mr. Vagana,
As I'm sure you have seen on the news, the people of Bangladesh are struggling to recover from a massive flood. I think it would be a good idea for us to make a small gesture for the people suffering in this terrible tragedy. Instead of holding our annual office fundraiser to help out local community projects, how about we donate the proceeds to one of the agencies that is working to aid the Bangladeshi people? I think this is a more appropriate and deserving cause, given the circumstances.
I have a number of thoughts about what sort of fundraising event we might like to hold. I'm sure other employees have interesting suggestions as well. I think it would be a good idea to post something on the company intranet about this and get people to contribute their ideas.
I look forward to hearing your response on this matter.
Thanks.
Jamie Peterson
1. According to the report, what are people worried about?( )
A. The lack of international aid
B. The absence of infrastructural planning
C. The potential for diseases to spread
D. The damage to historical buildings
【答案】C
【解析】第一段最后一句“and there is concern that thousands more will die due to water-borne diseases and other hygiene-related health problems”提到由于洪水可能会带来传染病的发生，所以C项正确。
2. The word “sustained” in paragraph l. 1ine 5 of the report is closest in meaning to ( )?
A. maintained
B. survived
C. recovered
D. suffered
【答案】D
【解析】sustain维持；承担；忍受。文中表示“一些基础设施遭受了损失”，所以选项中D项符合文意。
3. What is the main purpose of Mr. Peterson’s email?( )
A. To raise awareness of a humanitarian crisis
B. To make a suggestion about a fundraising activity
C. To inquire about company sponsorship funds
D. To recommend that employees do some charity work
【答案】B
【解析】邮件第一段提到想要为灾区人们捐款，“how about we donate the proceeds to one of the agencies that is working to aid the Bangladeshi people”，后面主要讲筹款事宜，所以主要目的是关于筹款的提议，选择B项。
4. Where would Mr. Peterson most likely prefer to direct proceeds?( )
A. To the Bangladeshi government
B. To the Red Cross
C. To UN authorities
D. To local community groups
【答案】B
【解析】在报道中“Representatives of relief agencies such as the Red Cross”提到红十字会等救援机构做出伤亡人数估计，可以推测捐款会发给红十字会，再由其援助灾区，所以选择B。
5. What does Mr. Peterson suggest?( )
A. Raising the issue with the board
B. Meeting with Mr. Vagana
C. Presenting ideas online
D. Setting up an informal network
【答案】C
【解析】邮件第二段最后一句“I think it would be a good idea to post something on the company intranet about this and get people to contribute their ideas”建议员工在公司内联网上提出自己的想法和建议，所以C项正确。
Passage 12
Questions 1-5 refer to the following article and email.
There has been a lot of activity recently in the Hodgson Desert. About 35 miles off Highway2, dozens of miles from the nearest town, British firm Illuminated Solutions is constructing a state-of-the-art power generation facility using the latest in photovoltaic solar technology. When completed, the facility, dubbed ECV-12 by government planners, will provide up to75% of the electricity needs to every home, office, and store within a 400-mile radius. Power generated at the station will be distributed to the regional electrical grid by a series of buried transmission lines.
In many ways, the Hodgsou Desert is the perfect site for such a project. Its lack of inhabitants means that construction and operation of ECV-12 will not be disruptive, and its hot, dry climate ensures a high solar energy output. However, there have been concerns raised by local environmental groups about the potential for damage to the desert ecosystem. The plants and animals that live in the Hodgson Desert, they say, depend on a very fragile balance of natural conditions. The increased traffic that ECV-12 will bring into it threatens to upend that balance. On the whole, though, environmentalists say they are pleased to see such serious investment being made in clean, renewable solar energy.
From: T. Patil, Illuminated Solutions
To: Editor, Hodgson Press Herald
Subject: May 7 article
Hello, my name is Tim Patil, and I am a public relations officer with Illuminated Solutions. I want to thank you for your article of May 7 introducing the ECV-12 project to your readers. While reading, though, I did note a few issues I feel need to be addressed. For instance, you say the project will utilize photovoltaic solar technology, but this is incorrect. The primary technology to be featured at the ECV-12 facility will be thermoelectric. Also, new estimates recently confirmed by government scientists suggest that the electricity generated will provide for as much as 80% of the region's electricity needs.
And finally, I was most troubled by your mention of negative reactions on the part of environmental groups. The people who have expressed concerns about damage to the desert ecosystem represent a very small minority, and most environmental organizations have endorsed our efforts. I hope you will take this information into consideration and print either a follow-up article or an addendum to the original.
Sincerely yours,
Tim Patil, Public Relations Officer
1. What does the article indicate about ECV-12?( )
A. It will replace the regional electrical grid.
B. It lies 400 miles from the nearest road system.
C. It is based on a power station in Britain.
D. It will send out power via underground cables.
【答案】D
【解析】第一段最后一句“Power generated at the station will be distributed to the regional electrical grid by a series of buried transmission lines”提到该电厂通过地下电网将电力输出。故D项正确。
2. According to the article, what do some worry the Illuminated Solutions project will do?( )
A. Generate too little power
B. Harm desert species
C. Malfunction under high temperatures
D. Disrupt the beauty of nature
【答案】B
【解析】第二段倒数第二、三句“The plants and animals that live in the Hodgson Desert，they say, depend on a very fragile balance of natural conditions. The increased traffic that ECV-12 will bring into it threatens to upend that balance”提到一些人担心发电厂会破坏沙漠生态系统，故B项符合题意。
3. In the article，the word “raised” in paragraph 2.line 4.is closest in meaning to ( ).
A. lifted
B. built
C. created
D. brought
【答案】D
【解析】根据上下文可知，此处意为“当地环保组织提出担心”，所以D项符合文意。
4. What is the purpose of Mr. Patil’s email?( )
A. To thank the newspaper for its coverage
B. To request that information be corrected
C. To introduce his company to the newspaper
D. To question the safety of a construction project
【答案】B
【解析】邮件中第三句话“While reading, though, I did note a few issues I feel need to be addressed”提到有问题要讲，后文中提出了问题，要求主编更正信息，写一篇随后的文章，所以他写邮件是要求更正一些信息。
5. Which point is Mr. Pat NOT concerned about?( )
A. Coverage of environmental opposition
B. The article's figure of 75%
C. Technical terminology related to the project
D. The article's doubts about solar power output
【答案】D
【解析】邮件第二段开头提到了电厂的负面影响，但是反对的声音只是很小部分，对应A项；第一篇文章的数据是75%，而邮件第一段最后一句提到的数据是80%，对应B项；邮件第一段中间“you say the project will utilize photovoltaic solar technology, but this is incorrect. The primary technology to be featured at the ECV-12 facility will be thermoelectric”可知电厂使用的热电技术，对应C项；只有D项在文中未提及。
Passage 13
Middle East turmoil makes the global oil market instable, and whether it is the arrival of the fourth oil crisis is still uncertain.
World crude oil supply as the market worried about the future, there may be a large-scale disruption in intraday trading in New York, crude oil prices of more than $100 per barrel. This is the first time the crude oil prices of the United States reached $100 since October 2008.
Libya's crude oil production accounts for 2% of the world oil production and its own supply of world crude oil production is insufficient to cause a tremendous impact. But the market is worried about Libya's conflict, unrest in other oil-producing countries of Algeria will also appear, and then spread to Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich countries. With the deteriorating security situation in Libya, employees and suppliers of security concerns is the biggest problem, a number of international oil gas operators are leaving the country and temporarily shut down production. Libya is now estimated at 1/3 of oil was cut off. However, OPEC announced that they will compensate for the shortage of oil production about Libya.
The situation is reminiscent of the Middle East over the past three times "oil crisis". The first occurred in 1973, the year in October the fourth Middle East War broke out, OPEC Arab members of the order to fight against Israel and its supporters, in December announced there assumption of the right of the oil price and volume increase more than twice the price of crude oil which is from warehouse, led to the most serious global economic crisis after the World War II, and continued for 3 years. The second was the end of 1978, Iran's moderate pro-US Shah King to step down, as the world's second largest oil exporter, Iran's political upheaval, coupled with the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war, when world oil production from 580 million barrels a day at first reduced to 100 million barrels below. The following year, soaring international oil prices doubled. In 1980, crude oil prices have been from the original $13 per barrel soared to $34 per barrel, and lasted more than six months. The third was in August 1990, Iraq captured Kuwait, the United States war against lraq, but also by international economic sanctions against Iraq, the Iraqi oil supply disruptions along the way the international oil price soared, from 3 months soared to $14 per barrel high of $42.
The "oil crisis" but also to the world economy has brought about tremendous negative impact. Continued for three years the first "oil crisis" to the developed countries resulted in serious economic impact, all developed countries economic growth is slowing down, statistics show, in which the U.S. industrial production fell by 14%, while Japan's industrial production plummeted by more than 20% the second crisis has become the late 70s of last century developed one of the main general economic recession; the third crisis that developed countries, especially Britain and the United States accelerated in recession, global economic growth in 1991 below 2%, but due to the Saudi-led OPEC to increase production to stabilize oil prices, the continued high oil prices not long compared to the previous two, the global economic impact is relatively smaller.
1. People worry about the occurrence of the fourth oil crisis, mainly because ( )
A. Algerian conflict
B. Afghan war
C. Libyan conflict
D. Proliferation of conflicts Libya
【答案】D
【解析】本题属于推导题，由第三段第一、二句话可知，利比亚的原油产量占全球原油生产的2%，其本身的产量不足以对世界原油供给造成巨大影响。但是市场担心的是利比亚的冲突之后，另一个产油国阿尔及利亚也会出现动乱，进而扩散到沙特阿拉伯等石油大国。
2. _____ caused the second oil crisis. ( )
A. Middle East War
B. Iran War
C. Iraq War
D. the World War II
【答案】B
【解析】由第四段第三句话可知，第二次石油危机是1978年年底。伊朗亲美的温和派国王巴列维下台，作为世界第二大石油出口国的伊朗的政局剧变，加之两伊战争的爆发，令全球石油产量从每天580万桶骤减到100万桶以下。
3. The highest price of a barrel of oil is $ _____ when the third oil crisis hit. ( )
A. 34
B. 42
C. 58
D. 110
【答案】B
【解析】由第四段最后一句话可知，第三次石油危机是1990年8月，伊拉克攻占科威特，美国对伊拉克开战，伊拉克也遭到国际经济制裁，伊原油供应中断，国际油价随之一路猛涨，3个月内从每桶14美元飙到42美元高点。
4. The economy of _____ was mainly affected by oil crisis in history. ( )
A. Developed countries
B. Developing countries
C. Middle East
D. Backward countries
【答案】A
【解析】由第五段可知，每次石油危机都造成了发达国家经济的大幅下滑。
5. The least serious effect has been made by the _____ oil crisis. ( )
A. first
B. second
C. third
D. fourth
【答案】C
【解析】由最后一句话可知。第三次危机也令发达国家，尤其是英国和美国加速陷入衰退，全球经济增速在1991年跌破2%。不过，由于以沙特为首的OPEC增产稳定石油价格，此次高油价持续的时间不长，和前两次相比，全球经济受到的影响也相对小一些。而第四次石油危机还没有实际发生。
Passage 14
Many things make people think artists are weird. But the weirdest may be this：artists’ only job is to explore emotions，and yet they choose to focus on the ones that feel bad.
This wasn’t always so. The earliest forms of art，like painting and music，are those best suited for ex-pressing joy. But somewhere from the 19th century onward，more artists began seeing happiness as meaningless，phony or，worst of all，boring，as we went from Wordsworth’s daffodils to Baudelaire’s flowers of evi1.
You could argue that art became more skeptical of happiness because modern times have seen so much misery. But it’s not as if earlier times didn’t know perpetual war，disaster and the massacre of innocents.
The reason，in fact，may be just the opposite：there is too much damn happiness in the world today.
After all，what is the one modern form of expression almost completely dedicated to depicting happiness ? Advertising . The rise of anti-happy art almost exactly tracks the emergence of mass media，and with it，a commercial culture in which happiness is not just an ideal but an ideology.
People in earlier eras were surrounded by reminders of misery. They worked until exhausted，dived with few protections and died young. In the West，before mass communication and literacy，the most Powerful mass medium was the church，which reminded worshippers that their souls were in danger and that they would someday be meat for worms. Given all this，they did not exactly need their art to be a bummer too.
Today the messages the average Westerner is surrounded with are not religious but commercial，and forever happy. Fast-food eaters，news anchors，text messengers，all smiling，smiling，smiling. Our magazines feature beaming celebrities and happy families in perfect homes. And since these messages have an agenda-to lure us to open our wallets-they make the very idea of happiness seem unreliable. “Celebrate!” commanded the ads for the arthritis drug Celebrex，before we found out it could increase the risk of heart attacks. But what we forget--what our economy depends on us forgetting-is that happiness is more than pleasure without pain. The things that bring the greatest joy carry the greatest potential for loss and disappointment. Today，surrounded by promises of easy happiness，we need art to tell us，as religion once did，Memento mori：remember that you will die，that everything ends，and that happiness comes nut in denying this but in living with it. It’s a message even more bitter than a clove cigarette，yet，somehow，a breath of fresh air. [中国农业银行真题]
1. By citing the examples of poets Wordsworth and Baudelaire. the author intends to show that ( ).
A. poetry is not as expressive of joy as painting or music
B. art grows out of both positive and negative feelings
C. poets today are less skeptical of happiness
D. artists have changed their focus of interest
【答案】D
【解析】由第二段可知：但是从19世纪的某个时候开始，当我们从华兹华斯的《水仙花》转向波德尔的《恶之花》时，越来越多的艺术家开始把快乐看做毫无意义的、虚假的甚至是令人厌倦的东西。想要表达的是艺术家们兴趣焦点的改变。.
2. The word “bummer”(Line 5，Paragraph 5)most probably means something. ( )
A. religious
B. unpleasant
C. entertaining
D. commercial
【答案】B
【解析】本题要结合第五段倒数第二句理解：在西方，教堂会经常提醒它的信徒，他们的灵魂处于危险中。对此他们已经十分了解，没有必要再用艺术来表示这种失落感了。
3. In the author’s opinion，advertising ( )
A. emerges in the wake of the anti-happy art
B. is a cause of disappointment for the general public
C. replaces the church as a major source of information
D. creates an illusion of happiness rather than happiness itself
【答案】D
【解析】由第四段可知，Advertising. . . a commercial culture in which happiness is not just an ideal but an ideology. 即快乐不仅是一种理想，而且是一种意识形态。
4. We can learn from the last paragraph that the author believes ( )
A. happiness more often than not ends in sadness
B. the anti-happy art is distasteful but refreshing
C. misery should be enjoyed rather than denied
D. the anti-happy art flourishes when economy booms
【答案】B
【解析】最后一段是对全文的总结，即作者的观点。正如宗教所说，你终将面对死亡，幸福不会否定这一点到来，只能接受。这一启示比丁香花叶烟还要苦，但不知怎么带来了一股清新的气息。结合全文理解可知，作者认为反快乐艺术虽令人耳目一新，但也让人厌恶。
5. Which of the following is true of the text? ( )
A. Religion once functioned as a reminder of misery.
B. Art provides a balance between expectation and reality.
C. People feel disappointed at the realities of modern society.
D. Mass media are inclined to cover disasters and deaths.
【答案】A
【解析】由第五段In the west，before mass communication and literacy，the most powerful mass medium was the church…可知，在大众媒体出现之前，最强大的媒介是教堂，并提醒人们的灵魂处于危险中。
Passage 15
When a savings account is opened in a bank，the depositor must sign a deposit agreement，By signing the agreement，the depositor agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the bank. These rules and regulations vary with different banks and may be altered and amended from time to time. At this time，a passbook may be given to the depositor. This is a small book in which the bank teller enters the date and amount of each deposit or withdrawal and initials the entry. The passbook is to be presented at the bank or mailed to the bank along with a deposit or withdrawal slip each time when money is deposited or withdrawn from the account. An alternative practice for depositing or withdrawing money from a savings account is to give the depositor a small register for recording deposits and withdrawals and a pad of deposit-withdrawal forms.
This procedure eliminates the use of the passbook. Each time a deposit or withdrawal from savings is made. The appropriate part of one of the forms is filled in，signed，recorded in the register and presented or mailed to the bank with deposit items or other documents. The bank gives a machine-printed receipt to the depositor or returns it by mai1. There should be a separate savings account in the ledger to record these activities.
Traditionally，the principal differences between a savings account and a checking account are that interest is paid regularly by the bank on a savings account and withdrawals from a savings account may be made at the bank or by mail by the depositor or an authorized agent. Depositors use checking accounts primarily as a convenient means of making payments，while savings accounts are used primarily as a means of accumulating funds with interest. An increasingly common practice is for the bank to combine savings and checking accounts and get depositors’ permission to make automatic transfers of funds from the savings portion to the checking portion whenever the latter falls below a specified minimum balance. This amounts to giving the depositor an interest-earning checking account. [中国工商银行真题]
1. What is the primary purpose of a savings account? ( )
A. For interest.
B. For transfer of funds.
C. For accumulating funds with interest.
D. For making profits.
【答案】C
【解析】从第二段的句子“savings accounts are used primarily as a means of accumulating funds with interest”可直接得出答案为C项。
2. What is the aim of a small register and a pad of deposit-withdrawal forms? ( )
A. To attract deposits.
B. To improve bank services.
C. To eliminate the use of the passbook.
D. To promote banking business.
【答案】C
【解析】本题可从文中直接找出答案，根据第一段的句子“This procedure eliminates the use of the passbook”可知答案为C项，即这一做法是为了取消银行存折的使用。
3. What is the purpose of signing a deposit agreement? ( )
A. To follow the bank’s rules and regulations.
B. To have the right to make full use of the bank’s facilities.
C. To open an account in the bank.
D. To protect the depositor’s interest.
【答案】A
【解析】由首段第二句话“the depositor agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the bank”可知答案为A项，即签订保障金协议目的是使存款人遵守银行的规则。
4. What does a depositor do with a passbook? ( )
A. He makes deposits with a bank.
B. He withdraws money from a savings account.
C. He withdraws money from a checking account.
D. Both A and
B.
【答案】D
【解析】由第一段“The passbook is to be presented at the bank or mailed to the bank along with a deposit or withdrawal slip each time money is deposited or withdrawn from the account”可知，存款人可以使用银行存折在银行存、取款。
5. For what purpose does a bank try to combine a savings account and a checking account? ( )
A. For holding more funds.
B. For covering the checking account falling below the specified minimum balance.
C. For automatic transfer of funds.
D. Both B and
C.
【答案】D
【解析】由文章倒数第二句“An increasingly common practice is for the bank to combine savings and checking accounts and get depositors’ permission to make automatic transfers of funds from the savings portion to the checking portion whenever the latter falls below a specified minimum balance”可知答案为D项。
Passage 16
A scorching sun，an endless sea of sand and a waterless，forbiddingly lonely land—that is the image most people have of deserts. But how true is this picture? Deserts are dry lands where rainfall is low. This is not to say rain never falls in deserts：it may fall once or twice a year in a fierce torrent that fades almost as soon as it has begun，or which evaporates in the hot air long before it has got anywhere near the earth. It may fall in a sudden sweeping flood that carries everything in its path. Rains may only come once in five or six years or not fall for a decade or more. The Mojave Desert in the United States remained dry for twenty-five years.
Without water no living thing can survive，and one feature of the true desert landscape is the absence of vegetation. With little rain and hardly any vegetation the land suffers under the sun. There are virtually no clouds or trees to protect the earth’s surface and it can be burning hot. Under the sun，soils break up and crack. Wind and torrential rain sweep away and erode the surface further. Eight million square kilometers of the world’s land surface is desert. Throughout history deserts have been expanding and retreating again. Cave paintings show that parts of the Sahara Desert were green and fertile about 10，000 years ago，and even animals like elephants and giraffes roamed the land. Fossil and dunes found in fertile and damp parts of the world show that these areas were once deserts. But now the creation of new desert areas is happening on a colossal scale. Twenty million square kilometers，an area twice the size of Canada，is at a high to very high risk of becoming desert, with a further 1.25 million square kilometers under moderate risk. An area covering 30%of the earth’s land surface is desert，becoming desert，or in danger of becoming desert. The rate of growth of deserts is alarming. The world’s dry lands which are under threat include some of the most important stock-rearing and wheat-growing areas and are the homes of 600，700 million people.
These regions are becoming deserts at the rate of more than 58，000 square kilometers a year or 44 hectares a minute. In North Africa at least l 00，000 hectares of cropland are lost each year. At this rate there is a high risk that we will be confined to living on only 50%of this planet’s land surface within one more century unless we are able to do something about it. [中国银行真题]
1. What does the passage tell US about rainfall in the desert? ( )
A. It never rains.
B. It rains so little that nothing can live.
C. It rains unexpectedly.
D. It rains very infrequently.
【答案】D
【解析】根据第一段的最后一句“Rains may only come once in five or six years or not fall for a decade or more. The Mojave Desert in the United States remained dry for twenty-five years. ”可知，沙漠地区五六年或十多年下一次雨，即很少降雨，但不是不下雨。infrequently意为“罕见的，稀少的”，因此D项正确。
2. Desert soils break up and crack because of ( )
A. the effects of wind and min
B. the lack of protection from the sun
C. the tropical location of deserts
D. the absence of rain
【答案】B
【解析】根据第二段第三句“There are virtually no clouds or trees to protect the earth’s surface and it can be burning hot. Under the sun，soils break up and crack. ”可知，在沙漠地区没有云、没有树保护地面，地面很容易暴晒，因此裂开。B项说地面缺乏保护，符合句意。
3. What do we learn about deserts from this text? ( )
A. Deserts can change into green and fertile areas.
B. Certain areas have always been desert.
C. Deserts were once the home of elephants and giraffes.
D. Deserts have been growing since the beginning of the world.
【答案】A
【解析】由文章第二段第六行“Throughout history deserts have been expanding and retreating again. ”可知，一些肥沃的地方以前曾经是沙漠，而现在的沙漠以前也曾经是沃土和绿洲，所以A项正确。
4. How much of the world’s land surface is at risk of becoming desert? ( )
A. Less than ten million square kilometers.
B. Twenty million square kilometers
C. More than twenty million square kilometers
D. 30%of the world’s land surface.
【答案】C
【解析】根据文章第二段中间的一句话“Twenty million square kilometers，an area twice the size of Canada，is at a high to very high risk of becoming desert, with a further 1.25 million square kilometers under moderate risk. ”可知，2000万平方公里的土地面临着成为沙漠的高危险，而125万平方公里的土地有中度危险，因此C项正确。
5. What does the writer think about the creation of new desert areas? ( )
A. It is a natural development.
B. The problem is not very serious.
C. It is a very worrying problem.
D. The situation will improve in time.
【答案】C
【解析】文章最后一句话“At this rate there is a high risk that we will be confined to living on only 50%of this planet land surface within one more century unless we are able to do something about it. ”的意思是“如果我们不采取措施我们将会面临很严重的危机”。而C项“这是一个非常令人担忧的问题”，符合题意。