第4部分：阅读理解

　　下面有3篇短文，每篇短文后有5道题。请根据短文内容，为每题确定1个最佳选项。

　　第一篇

Two People, Two Paths

　　You must be familiar with the situation: Dad's driving. Mum's telling him where to go. He's sure that they need to turn left. But she says it's not for another two blocks. Who has the better sense of direction? Men or women.

　　They both do, a new study says, but in different ways.

　　Men and women, Canadian researchers have found, have different methods of finding their way. Men look quickly at landmarks （地标） and head off in what they think is the right direction. Women, however, try to picture the whole route in detail and then follow the path in their head.

　　Men and Women tend to be more detailed," said Edward Cornell, who led the study, "while men tend to be a little bit faster and……a little bit more intuitive （直觉感知的）."

　　In fact, said Cornell, "sense of direction" isn't one skill but two.

　　The first is the "survey method". This is when you see an area from above, such as a printed map. You can see, for example, where the hospital is, where the church is and that the supermarket is on its right.

　　The second skill is the "route method". This is when you use a series of directions. You start from the hospital, then turn left, turn right, go uphill - and then you see the supermarket.

　　Men are more likely to use the survey method while women are more likely to use one route and follow directions.

　　Both work, and neither is better.

　　Some scientists insist that these different skills have a long history. They argue it is because of the difference in traditional roles.

　　In ancient times, young men often went far away with the older men to fish or hunt. The trip took hours or days and covered unfamiliar places. The only way to know where you were was to use the survey method to remember landmarks —— the mountains, the lakes and so on.

　　The women, on the other hand, took young girls out to find fruits and plants. These activities were much closer to home but required learning well-used paths. So, women's sense of space was based on learning certain routes.

　　1 When finding his way, Dad tends to rely on

　　A his intuitive knowledge.

　　B his book knowledge.

　　C Mum's assistance.

　　D the police's assistance

　　2 Women are more likely to use

　　A the survey method.

　　B the traditional method.

　　C the route method.

　　D the right method.

　　3 Which works better, the route method or the survey method?

　　A The survey method.

　　B The route method.

　　C Either.

　　D Neither.

　　4 Which of the following is NOT a landmark?

　　A A long river.

　　B A high mountain.

　　C A magnificent church.

　　D A path in your head.

　　5 Women developed a sense of space out of the need

　　A to go fishing.

　　B to go hunting.

　　C to learn well-used paths.

　　D to go swimming.

　　第二篇

Dancing in the Streets

　　If there is one thing certain to get Brazilians on their feet, it is the Rio Carnival （狂欢书）. Held in Rio de Janeiro, the country's biggest city, the carnival began on February 20 when the mayor gave key of the city to Rei Momo —— the Lord of Misrule （无序之皇）.

　　On his orders, each year people turn the city into a paradise of dance and music. The following six days are so full of parades, street dancing, fantastic clothes and partying （聚会） that many people forget about eating and sleeping.

　　"It was the passion of the carnival that attracted me to Brazil and made me settle

　　down in Rio," said Bob Nadkarni, a British man who has lived in the city for several years. For many Brazilians, the centrepiece of the carnival is Samba （桑巴舞）, a typical Brazilian dance. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors and locals show off their passion and energy in the streets, following the beat （节拍） of the Latin music.

　　The climax to this street party is the float （彩车） parade, in which floats decorated with tons of fresh flowers by various samba schools and local communities move through the city. On the top of each float stands the candidate for the Drum Queen, who is chosen at the end of the party.

　　While most people are free to enjoy the celebrations, Rio's police officers have to keep a clear head. Following the murder of three officers in a gunfight early last week, tile Brazilian Government has tightened security in Rio. The street fighting, robbery and sex crimes that accompany the carnival are very difficult to police.

　　Carnivals began in ancient Rome as a celebration at which people fed wild wolves, in honour of the city's founder who was said to have been raised by a she-wolf. Brazil gave new life to this tradition and so, despite the troubles, the carnival will remain a symbol of the country's culture.

　　6 According to the passage, during the Carnival people in Rio did all of the following EXCEPT

　　A dancing in the streets.

　　B putting on colorful clothes.

　　C eating a lot of food.

　　D holding exciting parades.

　　7 How long does the carnival last?

　　A Six days.

　　B A whole week.

　　C Eight days.

　　D The whole of February.

　　8 The word "centerpiece" in the 3rd paragraph means

　　A the most important part.

　　B the middle part.

　　C the central part of the city.

　　D the most attractive decoration.

　　9 According to the passage, Bob Nadkami is

　　A a Brazilian who has come back from Britain.

　　B a British man who visits Rio for the carnival.

　　C a British man who has come to live in Brazil.

　　D a Brazilian who is attracted by the carnival.

　　10 Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

　　A The earliest carnivals were held in ancient Rome.

　　B Carnivals were originally a tradition of the Brazilians.

　　C Carnivals were originally a tradition of the Romans.

　　D The Brazilians have integrated the Roman carnival into their culture.

　　第三篇

More Than a Ride to School

　　The National Education Association claims, "The school bus is a mirror of the community." They further add that, unfortunately, what appears on the exterior （外部） does not always reflect the reality of a chosen community. They are right, and sometimes it reflects more! Just ask Liesl Denson. Riding the school bus has been more than a ride to school for Liesl.

　　Bruce Hardy, school bus driver for Althouse Bus Company has been Liesl's bus

　　driver since kindergarten. Last year when Liesl's family moved to Parkesburg, knowing her bus went by her new residence, she requested to ride the same bus.

　　This year Liesl is a senior and will enjoy her last year riding the bus. She says, "It's been a great ride so far! My bus driver is so cool and has always been a good friend and a good listener. Sometimes when you're a child, adults do not think that what you have to say is important. Mr. Hardy always listens to what you have to say and makes you feel important." Her friends Ashley Batista and Amanda Wolfe agree.

　　Bruce Hardy has been making Octorara students feel special since 1975. This year

　　he will celebrate 30 years working for Althouse Bus Transportation. Company President, Larry Althouse acknowledges Bruce Hardy's outstanding record. "You do not come by employees like Bruce these days; he has never missed a day of work and has a perfect driving record. Recognized in 2000 by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association for driving 350,000 accident free miles, Hardy's reputation is made further evident through the relationships he has made with the students that ride his bus."

　　Althouse further added, "Althouse Bus Transportation was established 70 years ago and has been providing quality transportation ever since. My grandfather started the business with one bus. Althouse Bus Transportation is delighted to have the opportunity to bring distinctive and safe service to our local school and community and looks forward to continuing to provide quality service for many more years to come."

　　Three generations of business is not all the company has enjoyed. Thanks to drivers like Bruce Hardy, they have been building relationships through generations. Liesl's mother Carol also enjoys fond memories of riding Bruce Hardy's bus to the Octorara School District.

　　11 The word "mirror" in the first line could be best replaced by

　　A "vehicle".

　　B "device".

　　C "company".

　　D "reflection".

　　12 How long has Bruce Hardy been working for Althouse Bus Transportation?

　　A For 30 years.

　　B For 70 years.

　　C Since last year.

　　D Since 2000.

　　13 Which of the following statements is NOT true of Bruce Hardy?

　　A He is cool.

　　B He is a good friend.

　　C He is impatient.

　　D He has driven 350,000 accident free miles.

　　14 Who founded Althouse Bus Transportation?

　　A Larry Althouse.

　　B Althouse's grandfather.

　　C Liesl's mother.

　　D Ashley Batista.

　　15 What has Althouse Bus Transportation been mainly aiming at?

　　A Making as much money as possible.

　　B Building up its fame.

　　C Developing its business.

　　D Providing the local community with quality service.

　　【参考答案】

　　1. A 2. C 3. D 4. D 5. C

　　6. C 7. B 8. A 9. C 10. B

　　11. D 12. A 13. C 14. B 15. D