年考研英語真題及解析

1、2010年全國碩士研究生入學統(tǒng)一考試英語試題Section I Use of EnglishDirections:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points)In 1924 America's National Research Council sent two engineers to supervise a series of industrial experiments at

2、a large telephone-parts factory called the Hawthorne Plant near Chicago. It hoped they would learn how stop-floor lighting workers' productivity. Instead, the studies ended giving their name to the "Hawthorne effect", the extremely influential idea that the very to being experimented u

3、pon changed subjects' behavior.The idea arose because of the behavior of the women in the Hawthorne plant. According to of the experiments, their hourly output rose when lighting was increased, but also when it was dimmed. It did not what was done in the experiment; something was changed, produc

4、tivity rose. A(n) that they were being experimented upon seemed to be to alter workers' behavior itself.After several decades, the same data were to econometric the analysis. Hawthorne experiments has another surprise store the descriptions on record, no systematic was found that levels of produ

5、ctivity were related to changes in lighting.It turns out that peculiar way of conducting the experiments may be have let to interpretation of what happened. , lighting was always changed on a Sunday. When work started again on Monday, output rose compared with the previous Saturday and to rise for t

6、he next couple of days. , a comparison with data for weeks when there was no experimentation showed that output always went up on Monday, workers to be diligent for the first few days of the week in any case, before a plateau and then slackening off. This suggests that the alleged "Hawthorne ef

7、fect" is hard to pin down.1.A affected B achieved C extracted D restored2.A at B up C with D off3.A truth B sight C act D proof4.A controversial B perplexing C mischievous D ambiguous5.A requirements B explanations C accounts D assessments6.A conclude B matter C indicate D work7.A as far as B f

8、or fear that C in case that D so long so8.A awareness B expectation C sentiment D illusion9.A suitable B excessive C enough D abundant10.A about B for C on D by11.A compared B shown C subjected D conveyed12.A Contrary to B Consistent withC Parallel with D Peculiar to13.A evidence B guidance C implic

9、ation D source14.A disputable B enlightening C reliable D misleading15.A In contrast B For example C In consequenceD As usual16.A duly B accidentally C unpredictably D suddenly17.A failed B ceased C started D continued18.A Therefore B Furthermore C However D Meanwhile19.A attempted B tended C chose

10、D intended20.A breaking B climbing C surpassing D hittingSection IIReading ComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (40 points)Text 1Of all the changes that have taken place in Eng

11、lish-language newspapers during the past quarter-century, perhaps the most far-reaching has been the inexorable decline in the scope and seriousness of their arts coverage. It is difficult to the point of impossibility for the average reader under the age of forty to imagine a time when high-quality

12、 arts criticism could be found in most big-city newspapers. Yet a considerable number of the most significant collections of criticism published in the 20th century consisted in large part of newspaper reviews. To read such books today is to marvel at the fact that their learned contents were once d

13、eemed suitable for publication in general-circulation dailies.We are even farther removed from the unfocused newspaper reviews published in England between the turn of the 20th century and the eve of World War II, at a time when newsprint was dirt-cheap and stylish arts criticism was considered an o

14、rnament to the publications in which it appeared. In those far-off days, it was taken for granted that the critics of major papers would write in detail and at length about the events they covered. Theirs was a serious business, and even those reviewers who wore their learning lightly, like George B

15、ernard Shaw and Ernest Newman, could be trusted to know what they were about. These men believed in journalism as a calling, and were proud to be published in the daily press. “So few authors have brains enough or literary gift enough to keep their own end up in journalism,” Newman wrote, “that I am

16、 tempted to define journalism as a term of contempt applied by writers who are not read to writers who are.”Unfortunately, these critics are virtually forgotten. Neville Cardus, who wrote for the Manchester Guardian from 1917 until shortly before his death in 1975, is now known solely as a writer of

17、 essays on the game of cricket. During his lifetime, though, he was also one of Englands foremost classical-music critics, a stylist so widely admired that his Autobiography (1947) became a best-seller. He was knighted in 1967, the first music critic to be so honored. Yet only one of his books is no

18、w in print, and his vast body of writings on music is unknown save to specialists.Is there any chance that Carduss criticism will enjoy a revival? The prospect seems remote. Journalistic tastes had changed long before his death, and postmodern readers have little use for the richly upholstered Vicwa

19、rdian prose in which he specialized. Moreover, the amateur tradition in music criticism has been in headlong retreat.21. It is indicated in Paragraphs 1 and 2 that .A arts criticism has disappeared from big-city newspapersB English-language newspapers used to carry more arts reviewsC high-quality ne

20、wspapers retain a large body of readersD young readers doubt the suitability of criticism on dailies22. Newspaper reviews in England before World War II were characterized by .A free themesB casual styleC elaborate layoutD radical viewpoints23. Which of the following would Shaw and Newman most proba

21、bly agree on?A It is writers duty to fulfill journalistic goals.B It is contemptible for writers to be journalists.C Writers are likely to be tempted into journalism.D Not all writers are capable of journalistic writing.24. What can be learned about Cardus according to the last two paragraphs?A His

22、music criticism may not appeal to readers today.B His reputation as a music critic has long been in dispute.C His style caters largely to modern specialists.D His writings fail to follow the amateur tradition.25. What would be the best title for the text?A Newspapers of the Good Old DaysB The Lost H

23、orizon in NewspapersC Mournful Decline of JournalismD Prominent Critics in MemoryText 2Over the past decade, thousands of patents have been granted for what are called business methods. A received one for its "one-click" online payment system. Merrill Lynch got legal protection for an asse

24、t allocation strategy. One inventor patented a technique for lifting a box.Now the nation's top patent court appears completely ready to scale back on business-method patents, which have been controversial ever since they were first authorized 10 years ago. In a move that has intellectual-proper

25、ty lawyers abuzz the U.S. court of Appeals for the federal circuit said it would use a particular case to conduct a broad review of business-method patents. In re Bilski, as the case is known , is "a very big deal", says Dennis D. Crouch of the University of Missouri School of law. It &quo

26、t;has the potential to eliminate an entire class of patents."Curbs on business-method claims would be a dramatic about-face, because it was the federal circuit itself that introduced such patents with is 1998 decision in the so-called state Street Bank case, approving a patent on a way of pooli

27、ng mutual-fund assets. That ruling produced an explosion in business-method patent filings, initially by emerging internet companies trying to stake out exclusive rights to specific types of online transactions. Later, move established companies raced to add such patents to their files, if only as a

28、 defensive move against rivals that might beat them to the punch. In 2005, IBM noted in a court filing that it had been issued more than 300 business-method patents despite the fact that it questioned the legal basis for granting them. Similarly, some Wall Street investment films armed themselves wi

29、th patents for financial products, even as they took positions in court cases opposing the practice.The Bilski case involves a claimed patent on a method for hedging risk in the energy market. The Federal circuit issued an unusual order stating that the case would be heard by all 12 of the court'

30、;s judges, rather than a typical panel of three, and that one issue it wants to evaluate is whether it should "reconsider" its state street Bank ruling.The Federal Circuit's action comes in the wake of a series of recent decisions by the supreme Court that has narrowed the scope of pro

31、tections for patent holders. Last April, for example the justices signaled that too many patents were being upheld for "inventions" that are obvious. The judges on the Federal circuit are "reacting to the anti-patent trend at the Supreme Court", says Harold C. Wegner, a patent at

32、torney and professor at George Washington University Law School.26. Business-method patents have recently aroused concern because of .A their limited value to businessB their connection with asset allocationC the possible restriction on their grantingD the controversy over authorization27. Whic

33、h of the following is true of the Bilski case?A Its ruling complies with the court decisions.B It involves a very big business transaction.C It has been dismissed by the Federal Circuit.D It may change the legal practices in the U.S.28. The word “about-face” (Line 1, Para 3) most probably means 

34、;.A loss of good willB increase of hostilityC change of attitudeD enhancement of dignity29. We learn from the last two paragraphs that business-method patents.A are immune to legal challengesB are often unnecessarily issuedC lower the esteem for patent holdersD increase the incidence of risks30. Whi

35、ch of the following would be the subject of the text?A A looming threat to business-method patentsB Protection for business-method patent holdersC A legal case regarding business-method patentsD A prevailing trend against business-method patentsText 3In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell a

36、rgues that social epidemics are driven in large part by the acting of a tiny minority of special individuals, often called influentials, who are unusually informed, persuasive, or well-connected. The idea is intuitively compelling, but it doesn't explain how ideas actually spread.The supposed im

37、portance of influentials derives from a plausible sounding but largely untested theory called the "two step flow of communication": Information flows from the media to the influentials and from them to everyone else. Marketers have embraced the two-step flow because it suggests that if the

38、y can just find and influence the influentials, those selected people will do most of the work for them. The theory also seems to explain the sudden and unexpected popularity of certain looks, brands, or neighborhoods. In many such cases, a cursory search for causes finds that some small group of pe

39、ople was wearing, promoting, or developing whatever it is before anyone else paid attention. Anecdotal evidence of this kind fits nicely with the idea that only certain special people can drive trendsIn their recent work, however, some researchers have come up with the finding that influentials have

40、 far less impact on social epidemics than is generally supposed. In fact, they don't seem to be required of all.The researchers' argument stems from a simple observing about social influence, with the exception of a few celebrities like Oprah Winfreywhose outsize presence is primarily a func

41、tion of media, not interpersonal, influenceeven the most influential members of a population simply don't interact with that many others. Yet it is precisely these non-celebrity influentials who, according to the two-step-flow theory, are supposed to drive social epidemics by influencing their f

42、riends and colleagues directly. For a social epidemic to occur, however, each person so affected, must then influence his or her own acquaintances, who must in turn influence theirs, and so on; and just how many others pay attention to each of these people has little to do with the initial influenti

43、al. If people in the network just two degrees removed from the initial influential prove resistant, for example from the initial influential prove resistant, for example the cascade of change won't propagate very far or affect many people.Building on the basic truth about interpersonal influence

44、, the researchers studied the dynamics of populations by conducting thousands of computer simulations of populations, manipulating a number of variables relating to peoples ability to influence others and their tendency to be influenced. They found that the principal requirement for what is called “

45、global cascades”the widespread propagation of influence through networksis the presence not of a few influentials but, rather, of a critical mass of easily influenced people.31. By citing the book The Tipping Point, the author intends to .Aanalyze the consequences of social epidemicsBdiscu

46、ss influentials function in spreading ideasCexemplify peoples intuitive response to social epidemicsDdescribe the essential characteristics of influentials32. The author suggests that the “two-step-flow theory” .Aserves as a solution to marketing problemsBhas helped explain certain prevalent trendsC

47、has won support from influentialsDrequires solid evidence for its validity33. What the researchers have observed recently shows that .A the power of influence goes with social interactionsB interpersonal links can be enhanced through the mediaC influentials have more channels to reach the publicD mo

48、st celebrities enjoy wide media attention34. The underlined phrase “these people” in Paragraph 4 refers to the ones who .A stay outside the network of social influenceB have little contact with the source of influenceC are influenced and then influence othersD are influenced by the initial influenti

49、al35. What is the essential element in the dynamics of social influence?AThe eagerness to be accepted.BThe impulse to influence others.CThe readiness to be influenced.DThe inclination to rely on others.Text 4Bankers have been blaming themselves for their troubles in public. Behind the scenes, they h

50、ave been taking aim at someone else: the accounting standard-setters. Their rules, moan the banks, have forced them to report enormous losses, and it's just not fair. These rules say they must value some assets at the price a third party would pay, not the price managers and regulators would lik

51、e them to fetch.Unfortunately, banks' lobbying now seems to be working. The details may be unknowable, but the independence of standard-setters, essential to the proper functioning of capital markets, is being compromised. And, unless banks carry toxic assets at prices that attract buyers, reviv

52、ing the banking system will be difficult.After a bruising encounter with Congress, America's Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) rushed through rule changes. These gave banks more freedom to use models to value illiquid assets and more flexibility in recognizing losses on long-term asset

53、s in their income statement. Bob Herz, the FASB's chairman, cried out against those who "question our motives." Yet bank shares rose and the changes enhance what one lobby group politely calls "the use of judgment by management."European ministers instantly demanded that the

54、International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) do likewise. The IASB says it does not want to act without overall planning, but the pressure to fold when it completes it reconstruction of rules later this year is strong. Charlie McCreevy, a European commissioner, warned the IASB that it did "n

55、ot live in a political vacuum" but "in the real word" and that Europe could yet develop different rules.It was banks that were on the wrong planet, with accounts that vastly overvalued assets. Today they argue that market prices overstate losses, because they largely reflect the tempo

56、rary illiquidity of markets, not the likely extent of bad debts. The truth will not be known for years. But bank's shares trade below their book value, suggesting that investors are skeptical. And dead markets partly reflect the paralysis of banks which will not sell assets for fear of booking l

57、osses, yet are reluctant to buy all those supposed bargains.To get the system working again, losses must be recognized and dealt with. America's new plan to buy up toxic assets will not work unless banks mark assets to levels which buyers find attractive. Successful markets require independent and even combative standard-setters. The FASB and IASB have been exactly that, cleaning up rules on stock options and pensions, for example, against hostility from special interests. But by giving in to critics now they are inviting pressure to make more concessions.36.