试卷代号：2157 国家开放大学（中央广播电视大学）2015年春季学期“开放专科”期末考试 英语阅读(3)试题 2015年7月 注意事项 一、将你的学号、姓名及分校（工作站）名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场。监考人收完考卷和答题纸后才可离开考场。 二、仔细读懂题目的说明，并按题目要求答题。答案一定要写在答 题纸的指定位置上，写在试卷上的答案无效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题，使用铅笔答题无效。 629
试卷代号 :2157 国家开放大学(中央广播电视大学)2015 年春季学期"开放专科"期末考试 英语阅读 (3) 试题 2015 注意事项 一、将你的学号、姓名及分校〈工作站〉名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场。监考人收完考卷和答题纸后才可离开考场。 二、仔细读懂题目的说明，并按题目要求答题。答案一定要写在答 题纸的指定位置上，写在试卷上的答案元效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题，使用铅笔答题无效。 629
Part I Questions 1-10 are based on Passage 1.(30 points,3 points each) Passage 1 Searching for Utopia 1 While most of the world seems to be motivated by more money,better televisions, more powerful cars,the highest-tech computers,bigger houses,there are some independent souls who are tired of "the rat-race"that is,the stressful pressures of working hard to get ahead.Since around 1990,there has been a slow but steady rise in "intentional communities" in the U.S.An intentional community is a group of people who have chosen to live together with a common purpose.Although quite diverse in philosophy and lifestyle,each of these groups places a high priority on a sense of community,in other words,the feeling of belonging and mutual support.There were 300 intentional communities listed in the 1990 edition of the Intentional Communities Directory;by 1995,this had grown to 600,and it is estimated that there are now several thousand,listed and unlisted,in operation.These communities vary in size,but in the 600 listed communities in 1995,total population, including children,was estimated at 24,000. 2 At first glance,the intentional community movement appears quite diverse.It is multi-generational,i.e.with ages ranging from children to seniors.They may choose to live together on a piece of rural land,in a suburban centre,or in an urban neighbourhood.In some communities,individuals own their own land and house;in others,these things are shared.There is a wide variety of choices regarding standard of living -some embrace voluntary simplicity while others have full access to the products and services of today's society.Even the purposes vary widely.For example,communities have been formed to create great family neighbourhoods,to live ecologically sustainable lifestyles,or simply to live with others who share their values.Some are secular while others are committed to a common religious belief. 3 What unites the intentional community movement is its members'proud rejection of mainstream consumer values.Nearly all communities encourage sharing items members 630
Part 1 Questions 1-10 are based on Passage 1. (30 points, 3 points each) Passage 1 Searching for Utopia 1 While most of the world seems to be motivated by more money , better televisions. more powerful cars, the highest-tech computers, bigger houses, there are some independent souls who are tired of "the rat-race" that is, the stressful pressures of working hard to get ahead. Since around 1990 , there has been a slow but steady rise in "intentional communities" in the U. S. An intentional community is a group of people who have chosen to live together with a common purpose. Although quite diverse in philosophy and lifestyle , each of these groups places a high priority on a sense of community, in other words, the feeling of belonging and mutual support. There were 300 intentional communities listed in the 1990 edition of the Intentional Communities Directory; by 1995 , this had grown to 600 , and it is estimated that there are now several thousand , listed and unlisted , in operation. These communities vary in size , but in the 600 listed communities in 1995 , total population , including children , was estimated at 24 ,000. 2 At first glance , the intentional community movement appears quite diverse. It is multi-generational , i. e. with ages ranging from children to seniors. They may choose to live together on a piece of rural land , in a suburban centre , or in an urban neighbourhood. In some communities, individuals own their own land and house; in others, these things are shared. There is a wide variety of choices regarding standard of living - some embrace voluntary simplicity while others have full access to the products and services of today' s society. Even the purposes vary widely. For example , communities have been formed to create great family neighbourhoods, to live ecologically sustainable lifestyles, or simply to live with others who share their values. Some are secular while others are committed to a common religious belief. 3 What unites the intentional community movement is its members' proud rejection of mainstream consumer values. Nearly all communities encourage sharing items members 630
don't need to own privately,for example,washing machines,trucks,swimming pools. Many communities serve as model environmental or teaching centers for sustainable agriculture.For example,"The Farm",a large cooperative community in rural Tennessee does not reject competitive business practices but rather,commits to a vision of environmentally friendly business.Members of "The Farm"work in several small-scale industries including solar electronics,solar car research,and a publishing company for alternative books. 4 An example of an intentional community committed to voluntary simplicity is Vashon Co-Housing Community.Its members choose to live in small unpainted wood houses,shingled with cedar."Uncle Martin"decided to leave New York in 1989 and move his family to the Vashon Co-Housing.He and his family live on little money,don't own a computer,and forbid anything with the Disney label on it.Rather than playing Myst on the computer,the family spends their evening playing old-fashioned card games,or reading. Residents live in separate dwellings but homes are connected by dirt roads,there are 13 acres of communal land,all residents attend bimonthly meetings,and every month there is a work party in which everybody pitches in with outdoor chores. 5 These communities are the newest expression of the 300-year-old American desire to build a non-hierarchical,or equal,community with values uncorrupted by the larger society. It was this desire to form a new,ideal community which brought the Pilgrims to the U.S.in the early 17th century.300 years later,it is still impossible to find a community that has achieved perfection.The problems we see "out there"in the mainstream-greed, dishonesty,egoism,competition,factionalism -all manage to find their way into alternative cultures too.However,intentional communities have a much lower crime rate than their mainstream neighbours,and claim a more caring and satisfying lifestyle.They are committed to ideals of ecology,cooperation,and family,even though they may often fail to reach those ideals perfectly.Their utopian vision provides a challenge to the pace and purpose of modern American society. 631
don' t need to own privately , for example , washing machines, trucks, swimming pools. Many communities serve as model environmental or teaching centers for sustainable agriculture. For example , "The Farm" , a large cooperative community in rural Tennessee does not reject competitive business practices but rather, commits to a vision of environmentally friendly business. Members of "The Farm" work in several small-scale industries including solar electronics, solar car research , and a publishing company for alternative books. 4 An example of an intentional community committed to voluntary simplicity is Vashon Co-Housing Community. Its members choose to live in small unpainted wood houses, shingled with cedar. "Uncle Martin" decided to leave New York in 1989 and move his family to the Vashon Co-Housing. He and his family live on little money , don' t own a computer, and forbid anything with the Disney label on it. Rather than playing Myst on the computer, the family spends their evening playing old-fashioned card games, or reading. Residents live in separate dwellings but homes are connected by dirt roads, there are 13 acres of communal land , all residents attend bimonthly meetings, and every month there is a work party in which everybody pitches in with outdoor chores. 5 These communities are the newest expression of the 300-year-old American desire to build a non-hierarchical , or equal , community with values uncorrupted by the larger society. It was this desire to form a new , ideal community which brought the Pilgrims to the U. S. in the early 17th century. 300 years later, it is still impossible to find a community that has achieved perfection. The problems we see "out there" in the mainstream - greed , dishonesty , egoism , competition , factionalism • all manage to fjnd their way into alternative cultures too. However, intentional communities have a much lower crime rate than their mainstream neighbours, and claim a more caring and satisfying lifestyle. Theyare committed to ideals of ecology , cooperation , and family , even though they may often fail to reach those ideals perfectly. Their utopian vision provides a challenge to the pace and purpose of modern American society. 631
Read Passage 1 and find the definitions for each of the following in the passage.Write your answers on your answer sheet, 1.the rat-race: 2.an intentional community: 3.sense of community: 4.multi-generational: 5.“The Farm”: Read Passage 1 again and find which the underlined word(s)in each of the following sentences refer to. 6....by 1995,this had grown to 600,and it is estimated that there are now several thousand...(paragraph 1) 7....in others,these things are shared.(paragraph 2) 8.Its members choose to lie in small unpainted wood houses...(paragraph 4) 9.He and his family live on little money,...(paragraph 4) 10.They are committed to ideas of ecology,cooperation,and family...(paragraph 5) Part II Questions 11-20 are based on Passage 2.(30 points,3 points each) Passage 2 The Most Innovative City 1 (11)Problems such as poverty,crime,public education,and pollution control plague the majority of the world's cities.Each one,it seems,is struggling to avoid urban disaster.But Curitiba,Brazil,a city of 1.6 million people,is dealing with these problems. This little-known city in southeast Brazil is being recognized as the place that has solutions to many of the world's growing urban problems. 2 (12)Through this program,more than 70%of its trash is recycled-compared with the 25%in Los Angeles.Christano Pinheiro,a seven-year-old boy shows how it's done.At the start of the school year,Pinheiro traded 8 pounds of recyclable garbage for a 632
Read Passage 1 and find the definitions for each of the following in the passage. Write your answers on your answer sheet. 1. the rat-race: 2. an intentional community: 3. sense of community: 4. multi-generational: 5. "The Farm" : Read Passage 1 again and find which the underlined word(s) in each of the following sentences refer to. 6. . ., by 1995 , this had grown to 600 , and it is estimated that there are now several thousand. .. (paragraph 1) 7. . .. in others, these things are shared. (paragraph 2) 8. Its members choose to lie in small unpainted wood houses. .. (paragraph 4) 9. He and his family live on little money , '" (paragraph 4) 10. 旦旦 are committed to ideas of ecology , cooperation , and family... (paragraph 5) Part II Questions 11 20 are based on Passage 2. (30 points, 3 points each) Passage 2 The Most Innovative City 1 (11) Problems such as poverty , crime , public education , and pollution control plague the majority of the world' s cities. Each one , it seems, is struggling to avoid urban disaster. But Curitiba , Brazil , a city of 1. 6 million people , is dealing with these problems. This little-known city in southeast Brazil is being recognized as the place that has solutions to many of the world' s growing urban problems. 2 (12) Through this program, more than 70% of its trash is recycled - compared with the 25% in Los Angeles. Christano Pinheiro , a seven-year-old boy shows how it' s done. At the start of the school year, Pinheiro traded 8 pounds of recyclable garbage for a 632
packet of new notebooks.Each week,he and his two older brothers exchange trash for fresh fruit or 2 pounds of protein-rich beans.The program helps the poor.In 1995,the city exchanged nearly 2 million pounds of food,348,000 Easter eggs and 26,000 Christmas cakes for recyclable trash.Hundreds of quilts for the needy were stuffed with crushed styrofoam. Christiano was one of 25,000 poor children who received these supplies.(13) 3 (14)Old worn out equipment was frequently being replaced with new technology and equipment.Like every other city,old,yet usable materials were being dumped around the city of Curitiba.This gave engineers and architects an opportunity to work together to use the materials creatively.Old wooden telephone poles are now reused in office buildings, bridges and public squares.Retired buses have become mobile classrooms for adult education."Virtually everything has more than one use,said Mayor Rafael Greca,whose airy office overlooking a park is made of old poles and glass."It's just a matter of figuring out how to reuse things and then teaching people how to do it. 4 (15)The latest additions are the Lighthouses of Learning,based on the great lighthouse and library in Alexandria.Egypt,one of the ancient world's seven wonders.The first lighthouse was built as an experiment in 1995 to determine exactly who would use it, and the effect it would have on the surrounding neighborhood.Within six months of being opened,it was clear that it was popular.Soon after,a lighthouse was built in each of the city's neighborhoods. 5 (16)"One of the lighthouses is three blocks from my home,so I use it for all my school projects,"said Deucina Costa,a high school senior who stops in every couple of weeks."So do my 10-year-old brother and 12-year-old sister.Mom lets them come because it's safe.Now,the lighthouses have become the focal point of neighborhoods and have cut crime rates.They each cost about $180,000.(17) 6 (18)Unlike other cities where government buildings are located in an often isolated,high rent area,government offices in Curitiba are accessible to everyone on what is known as Citizen Streets.These Citizen Streets are colorful covered avenues of government offices and shops where residents can pay utility bills,get a marriage license,have a haircut, buy groceries or file a police report.And instead of zoning the city into commercial, institutional and leisure facilities as most cities do,Curitiba's planners have merged them all together so that people can use their time effectively at a minimum cost.The Citizen Streets 633
packet of new notebooks. Each week , he and his two older brothers exchange trash for fresh fruit or 2 pounds of protein-rich beans. The program helps the poor. In 1995 , the city exchanged nearly 2 million pounds of food , 348 ,000 Easter eggs and 26 ,000 Christmas cakes for recyclable trash. Hundreds of quilts for the needy were stuffed with crushed styrofoam. Christiano was one of 25 ,000 poor children who received these supplies. (1 3) 3 (1 4) Old worn out equipment was frequently being replaced with new technology and equipment. Like every other city , old , yet usable materials were being dumped around the city of Curitiba. This gave engineers and architects an opportunity to work together to use the materials creatively. Old wooden telephone poles are now reused in office buildings, bridges and public squares. Retired buses have become mobile classrooms for adult education. "Virtually everything has more than one use ," said Mayor Rafael Greca , whose airy office overlooking a park is made of old poles and glass. "It' s j ust a matter of figuring out how to reuse things and then teaching people how to do it. " 4 (1 5) The latest additions are the Lighthouses of Learning , based on the great lighthouse and library in Alexandria. Egypt , one of the ancient world's seven wonders. The first lighthouse was built as an experiment in 1995 to determine exactly who would use it , and the effect it would have on the surrounding neighborhood. Within six months of being opened , it was clear that it was popular. Soon after, a lighthouse was built in each of the city' s neighborhoods. 5 (16) "One of the lighthouses is three blocks from my home , so 1 use it for all my school projects," said Deucina Costa , a high school senior who stops in every couple of weeks. "So do my 10-year-old brother and 12-year-old sister. Mom lets them come because it' s safe. " Now , the lighthouses have become the focal point of neighborhoods and have cut crime rates. They each cost about $ 180 ,000. (1 7) 6 (18) Unlike other cities where government buildings are located in an often isolated , high rent area , government offices in Curitiba are accessible to everyone on what is known as Citizen Streets. These Citizen Streets are colorful covered avenues of government offices and shops where residents can pay utility bills, get a marriage license , have a haircut , buy groceries or file a police report. And instead of zoning the city into commercial , institutional and leisure fa
have 600-seat open theaters,sports areas,and classrooms that offer professional training for $1 a course.In one recent computer class,Marta Penha,a 28-year-old teacher,said she enrolled because "the price is right.With my income,this is the only route to advancement..” 7 (19)Short courses on how to make better use of the environment are tailored for homemakers,contractors and merchants.Taxi drivers have to take a course to get an operator's license.By the end of 1993,34 environmentally friendly daycare centers were up and running.Children get a chance to interact,and learn about their environment.The activities include making masks of animals facing extinction from magazine pages.They are then sold in a string of souvenir shops,with profits helping to pay for the facilities.In small gardens out back,the kids grow vegetables for their snacks. 8 "We're trying to create a whole new set of attitudes and a sense of involvement in this City,"Greca said.(20) Skim Passage 2 and then choose from the following list an appropriate sentence to fill in each of the blanks in the passage. A.Environmental efforts were only a small part of the plan for Curitiba. B."To the people of Curitiba,this city is the best human invention there is." C.Continual migration and lack of city planning has created an unfriendly environment for many cities in the world today. D.Household garbage was not the only reason to begin a recycle program. E."It's cheaper to build libraries than prisons,"said Greca. F.The brightly coloured lighthouses have 5,000-volume libraries on the first floor, reading rooms on the second and a guard in a light tower that transmits a strong beam to provide community security. G.Like most other overcrowded and poor cities in the world,Curitiba had a serious garbage problem,until it introduced its"garbage that is not garbage"program. H.In 1991,Curitiba built the Free University for the Environment -from old telephone poles. I.Curitiba is now known as the world's recycling capital. J.Curitiba is also taking government to the people. 634
have 600-seat open theaters, sports areas, and classrooms that offer professional training for $ 1 a course. In one recent computer class, Marta Penha , a 28-year-old teacher. said she enrolled because "the price is right. With my income , this is the only route to advancement. " 7 (1 9) Short courses on how to make better use of the environment are tailored for homemakers. contractors and merchants. Taxi drivers have to take a course to get an operator' s license. By the end of 1993 , 34 environmentally friendly daycare centers were up and running. Children get a chance to interact. and learn about their environment. The activities include making masks of animals facing extinction from magazine pages. They are then sold in a string of souvenir shops, with profits helping to pay for the facilities. In small gardens out back , the kids grow vegetables for their snacks. 8 "We' re trying to create a whole new set of attitudes and a sense of involvement in this City ," Greca said. (20) Skim Passage 2 and then choose from the following Iist an appropriate sentence to fill in each of the blanks in the passage. A. Environmental efforts were only a small part of the plan for Curitiba. B. "To the people of Curitiba , this city is the best human invention there is. " C. Continual migration and lack of city planning has created an unfriendly environment for many cities in the world today. D. Household garbage was not the only reason to begin a recycle program. E. "It' s cheaper to build libraries than prisons," said Greca. F. The brightly coloured lighthouses have 5. OOO-volume libraries on the first floor , reading rooms on the second and a guard in a light tower that transmits a strong beam to provide community security. G. Like most other overcrowded and poor cities in the world , Curitiba had a serious garbage problem , until it introduced its "garbage that is not garbage" program. H. In 1991 , Curitiba built the Free University for the Environment - from old telephone poles. 1. Curitiba is now known as the world' s recycling capital. J. Curitiba is also taking government to the people. 634
PartⅢ Read Passage 3 and decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write T for true and F for false on your answer sheet.(20 points,2 points each) Passage 3 The English Character 1 The English,as a race,have the reputation of being very different form all other nationalities,including their closest neighbors,the French,Belgians and Dutch.It is claimed that living on an island separated from the rest of Europe has much to do with it. Whatever the reasons it may be fairly stated that the Englishman has developed many attitudes and habits which distinguish him from other nationalities. 2 Broadly speaking,the Englishman is a quiet,shy,reserved person who is fully relaxed only among people he knows well.When he encounters strangers or foreigners he often seems uneasy,even embarrassed.You have only to witness a commuter train any morning or evening to see the truth of this.Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or dozing in a corner;no one speaks.In fact,to do so would seem most unusual.An English wit,pretending to be giving advice to overseas visitors,once suggested,"On entering a railway compartment shake hands with all the passengers. Needless to say,he was not being serious.There is an unwritten but clearly understood code of behaviour,which,if broken,makes the person immediately the object of suspicion. 3 It is a well-known fact that the English have an obsession with their weather and that,given half a chance,they will talk about it at length.Some people argue that it is because English weather defies forecast and hence is a source of interest to everyone.This may be so.Certainly Englishmen cannot have much faith in the meteorological experts- the weathermen-who,after promising glorious,sunny weather for the following day,are often proved wrong when an anti-cyclone over the Atlantic brings rainy weather to all districts!The man in the street seems to be as accurate -or as inaccurate-as the weathermen in his prediction.This helps to explain the seemingly odd sight of an Englishman leaving home on a bright,sunny summer morning with a raincoat slung over his arm and an umbrella in his hand.So variable is the weather that by lunchtime there could be thunder and lightning. 635
Part m Read Passage 3 and decide whether the following statements are true or false. Write T for true and F for false on your answer sheet. (20 points I 2 points each) Passage 3 The English Character 1 The English , as a race , have the reputation of being very different form all other nationalities, including their closest neighbors, the French , Belgians and Dutch. It is claimed that living on an island separated from the rest of Europe has much to do with it. Whatever the reasons it may be fairly stated that the Englishman has developed many attitudes and habits which distinguish him from other nationalities. 2 Broadly speaking , the Englishman is a quiet , shy , reserved person who is fully relaxed only among people he knows well. When he encounters strangers or foreigners he often seems uneasy , even embarrassed. You have only to witness a commuter train any morning or evening to see the truth of this. Serious-looking businessmen and women sit reading their newspapers or dozing in a corner; no one speaks. 1n fact , to do so would seem most unusual. An English wit , pretending to be giving advice to overseas visitors, once suggested , "On entering a railway compartment shake hands with all the passengers." Needless to say , he was not being serious. There is an unwritten but clearly understood code of behaviour, which , if broken , makes the person immediately the object of suspicion. 3 It is a well-known fact that the English have an obsession with their weather and that , given half a chance , they will talk about it at length. Some people argue that it is because English weather defies forecast and hence is a source of interest to everyone. This may be so. Certainly Englishmen cannot have much faith in the meteorological experts - the weathermen - who , after promising glorious, sunny weather for the following day , are often proved wrong when an anti-cyclone over the Atlantic brings rainy weather to all districts! The man in the street seems to be as accurate - or as inaccurate - as the weathermen in his prediction. This helps to explain the seemingly odd sight of an Englishman leaving home on a bright , sunny summer morning with a raincoat slung over his arm and an umbrella in his hand. So variable is the weather that by lunchtime there could be thunder and lightning. 635
4 The overseas visitors may be excused for showing surprise at the number of references to weather that the English make to each other in the course of a single day.Very often conventional greetings are replaced by comments on the weather."Nice day,isn't it?" “Beautiful!”may well be heard instead of“Good morning,how are you?”Although the foreigner may consider this exaggerated and comic,it is worthwhile pointing out that it could be used to his advantage.If he wants to start a conversation with an Englishman (or woman)but is at a loss to know where to begin,he could do well to mention the state of the weather.It is a safe subject which will encourage even the most reserved of Englishmen to enter into a discussion. 5 In many parts of the world it is quite normal to show frank extremes of enthusiasm, emotion,passion,etc.,often accompanied by appropriate gestures.The Englishman is somewhat different.Of course,an Englishman feels no less deeply than any other nationality,but he tends to display his feelings far less.This is reflected in his use of language.Imagine a man commenting on the great beauty of a young girl.Whereas a man of a more emotional nature might describe her as“a priceless jewel”,“diving”or“precious'”, the Englishman will flatly state "um,she's all right",An Englishman who has seen a highly successful and enjoyable film recommends it to a friend by commenting:"It's not bad,you know.Or on seeing a breathtaking landscape he might show his pleasure by saying:"Nice, yes,very nice.The overseas visitor must not be disappointed by this apparent lack of interest and involvement;he must realize that“all right'”,“not bad”,and“nice',are very often used as superlatives with the sense of“first--class"”,“excellent'”,“beautiful”.This special use of language,particularly common in English,is known as understatement. Questions 21-30 are based on Passage 3. 21.It is living on an island separated from the rest of Europe that makes the Englishman very different from all other nationalities. 22.Travelling in commuter trains the English people like to read newspapers to relax. 23.According to an unwritten rule of behaviour people do not shake hands with each other in railway compartments. 636
4 The overseas visitors may be excused for showing surprise at the number of references to weather that the English make to each other in the course of a single day. Very often conventional greetings are replaced by comments on the weather. "Nice day , isn' t it?" "Beautiful!" may well be heard instead of "Good morning , how are you?" Although the foreigner may consider this exaggerated and comic , it is worthwhile pointing out that it could be used to his advantage. If he wants to start a conversation with an Englishman (or woman) but is at a loss to know where to begin , he could do well to mention the state of the weather. It is a safe subject which will encourage even the most reserved of Englishmen to enter into a discussion. 5 In many parts of the world it is quite normal to show frank extremes of enthusiasm , emotion , passion , etc. , often accompanied by appropriate gestures. The Englishman is somewhat different. Of course , an Englishman feels no less deeply than any other nationality , but he tends to display his feelings far less. This is reflected in his use of language. lmagine a man commenting on the great beauty of a young girl. Whereas a man of a more emotional nature might describe her as "a priceless jewel" , "diving" or "precious" , the Englishman will flatly state "um, she' s all right" , An Englishman who has seen a highly successful and enjoyable film recommends it to a friend by commenting: "It' s not bad , you know. " Or on seeing a breathtaking landscape he might show his pleasure by saying: " Nice , yes, very nice." The overseas visitor must not be disappointed by this apparent lack of interest and involvement; he must realize that "all right" , "not bad" , and "nice' , are very often used as superlatives with the sense of "first-class" , "excellent" , "beautiful". This special use of language , particularly common in English , is known as understatement. Qu tioos 21-30 are based 00 Passage 3. 21. It is living on an island separated from the rest of Europe that makes the Englishman very different from all other nationalities. 22. Travelling in commuter trains the English people like to read newspapers to relax. 23. According to an unwritten rule of behaviour people do not shake hands with each other in railway compartments. 636
24.In England if a person doesn't talk about the weather he immediately becomes the object of suspicion. 25.Englishmen do not have faith in weather forecasting because the weather in England often changes by hours. 26.In England the weather specialist's prediction is often as inaccurate as the layman's. 27.The overseas visitors may be excused if they don't like to talk about the weather. 28.It is surprising to overseas visitors that the English may talk to each other about weather many times in a single day. 29.In England if you feel embarrassed when encountering strangers the best thing to do is to mention the state of the weather. 30.The understatement in the English language shows that the English lack deep feelings. Part IV Read Passage 4 and answer the following questions.Make your answers as short and clear as possible.(20 points,4 points each) Passage 4 Christmas 1 December 25 is celebrated as the birthday of Christ.No one is certain why this day was chosen.It was probably because,according to the calendar then in use,December 25 was the time of the year when winter days begin to grow longer in the Northern Hemisphere.The sun-worshippers had celebrated this day as the promise of spring. 2 Over the years,a number of special customs associated with Christmas have grown up.Many of these have been introduced from Europe,while others have their origin in America. 3 Christmas music is loved by all who hear and sing it every year.Christmas songs, bells,and merry music have been a part of Christmas for centuries.The Christmas tree is the symbol of the spirit of Christmas in many homes.Trees were not used in English homes until a German prince married Queen Victoria.The prince had the first decorated Christmas 637
24. In England if a person doesn' t talk about the weather he immediately becomes the object of suspicion. 25. Englishmen do not have faith in weather forecasting because the weather in England often changes by hours. 26. In England the weather specialist' s prediction is often as inaccurate as the layman' s. 27. The overseas visitors may be excused if they don't like to talk about the weather. 28. It is surprising to overseas visitors that the English may talk to each other about weather many times in a single day. 29. In England if you feel embarrassed when encountering strangers the best thing to do is to mention the state of the weather. 30. The understatement in the English language shows that the English lack deep feelings. Part N Read Passage 4 and answer the following questions. Make your answers as short and c1ear as possible. (20 points. 4 points each) Passage 4 Christmas 1 December 25 is celebrated as the birthday of Christ. No one is certain why this day was chosen. It was probably because , according to the calendar then in use , December 25 was the time of the year when winter days begin to grow longer in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun-worshippers had celebrated this day as the promise of spring. 2 Over the years. a number of special customs associated with Christmas have grown up. Many of these have been introduced from Europe , while others have their origin in America. 3 Christmas music is loved by all who hear and sing it every year. Christmas songs, bells. and merry music have been a part of Christmas for centuries. The Christmas tree is the symbol of the spirit of Christmas in many homes. Trees were not used in English homes until a German prince married Queen Victoria. The prince had the first decorated Christmas 637
tree set up at Windsor Castle in 1841.The first Christmas trees in the New World were introduced by Hessian soldiers in 1776,during the Revolutionary War.Later German immigrants brought the tradition into wider use in the United States. 4 The custom of decorating a community tree for outdoor display began in the early 1900's and is a favourite custom all over America today.Since 1933,Rockefeller Plaza,in New York City,has put up a giant tree,beautifully decorated with lights.The trees are about 30 metres tall. 5 Some families open their present on Christmas Eve;others wait for the next morning.Some Boys'and girls'presents are placed in stockings and hung at the foot of their beds;others find their gifts under the Christmas tree. 6 Greeting cards began in England.One of the first artists to design and send a Christmas card in 1843 was John C.Horsley.The cards were printed in black and white and colored by hand.About 1,000 of them were sold in London that year.At about the same time,another English artist,William Egley,designed a card and had it printed.He sent it to his friend with the now familiar message "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 7 A German immigrant,Louis Prang,designed and sold colored Christmas cards in 1874.In less than 10 years his shop was turning out 5,000,000 cards a year. 8 Today greeting cards have become a big industry and billions of cards are sent all over the world every Christmas.Whatever language the greetings are written in,the message is the same-a wish for peace and goodwill among all people. Questions 31-35 are based on Passage 4. 31.Where are most of the Christmas customs from? 32.From when were trees used at Christmas time in English homes? 33.Since when has Rockefeller Plaza,in New York City,put up a giant Christmas tree? 34.Where can boys and girls usually find their Christmas presents? 35.Who was the first artist to design and send a Christmas card? 638
tree set up at Windsor Castle in 1841. The first Christmas trees in the New World were introduced by Hessian soldiers in 1776 , during the Revolutionary War. Later German immigrants brought the tradition into wider use in the United States. 4 The custom of decorating a community tree for outdoor display began in the early 1900's and is a favourite custom all over America today. Since 1933 , Rockefeller Plaza , in New York City , has put up a giant tree , beautifully decorated with lights. The trees are about 30 metres tall. 5 Some families open their present on Christmas Eve; others wait for the next morning. Some Boys' and girls' presents are placed in stockings and hung at the foot of their beds; others find their gifts under the Christmas tree. 6 Greeting cards began in England. One of the first artists to design and send a Christmas card in 1843 was John C. Horsley. The cards were printed in black and white and colored by hand. About 1 , 000 of them were sold in London that year. At about the same time. another English artist , William Egley , designed a card and had it printed. He sent it to his friend with the now familiar message "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. " 7 A German immigrant , Louis Prang , designed and sold colored Christmas cards in 1874. In less than 10 years his shop was turning out 5 ,000 ,000 cards a year. 8 Today greeting cards have become a big industry and billions of cards are sent all over the world every Christmas. Whatever language the greetings are written in , the message is the same - a wish for peace and goodwill among all people. Questions 31-35 are based on Passage 4. 31. Where are most of the Christmas customs from? 32. From when were trees used at Christmas time in English homes? 33. Since when has Rockefeller Plaza , in New York City , put up a giant Christmas tree? 34. Where can boys and girls usually find their Christmas presents? 350 Who was the first artist to design and send a Christmas card? 638
