2020年考研英语二模拟题(二).pdf
12020年考研英语二模拟题(二)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 onthe ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)A recent parliamentary report blames the government and the food industry for the growth inobesity. The Department of Transport is blamed for not doing enough to_1_facilities for pedestriansand cyclists while_2_ to pressure from motoring organizations representing car users. The Ministryof Education is_3_of selling off school playing fields and not doing enough to_4_adequatefacilities for physical education and games. Young people in Britain have become crazy about football(soccer and rugby),but too often as_5_“couch potatoes”。The food industry is blamed for promoting junk food to school children and not doing enoughto_6_down on sugar,fats and salt in prepared foods. The industry,_7_by the current popularity ofthe Atkins low-carbohydrate diet,has begun to _8_,but it is trying to protect a huge market and willneed to do_9_more if it is to_10_off increased regulation. Japan seems less_11_so far by theproblem of obesity,_12_ as the Japanese diet becomes increasingly_13_(burgers and doughnuts)the problem will grow. _14_,Japanese cuisine has become highly popular in Britain. It is seen ashealthy in a different way from the Mediterranean diet_15_its emphasis on tomatoes and olive oilcombined with red wine. A fairly small amount of red wine is now_16_as beneficial to the heart,_17_its other encouraging properties. But Britain has to do more to_18_the problems ofalcoholism_19_with the binge-drinking culture including violence and vandalism. Limitedconsumption of alcohol,as long as it is not_20_with driving,is harmless and possibly beneficial.1.A stimulate B commend C promote D elevate2.A submitting B subjecting C subordinating D surrendering3.A charged B denounced C scolded D accused4.A assure B ensure C secure D guard5.A speculating B spectating C specializing D sightseeing6. A fall B get C cut D bring7. A stung B bitten C chewed D licked8.A retort B refute C respond D resolve29.A abundantly B considerably C extensively D principally10. A defend B beat C hold D ward11. A upset B affected C effected D impressed12. A or B for C but D if13. A popularized B globalized C westernized D localized14. A AccordinglyB Interestingly C Surprisingly D Strikingly15. A as B on C but D with16. A accepted B approved C assumed D acknowledged17. A but for B let alone C regardless of D much less18. A cope B challenge C tackle D undertake19. A matched B related C united D associated20. A bonded B combined C merged D incorporatedSection II Reading ComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer thequestions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D.Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)Text 1It is said that people buy contemporary art when they are confident about the future and old artwhen they are not. Conventional wisdom has it that older art holds its value, while contemporary stuffis for risk-lovers. William Goetzmann, a professor at Yale, estimates that during the last art-marketdepression, which set in after 1990, impressionist and contemporary works fell by most (51% and 40%respectively), while Old Masters suffered least (down by 16%). Yet despite the ups and downs,contemporary works have been rewarding for those who are prepared to hang on: according to JianpingMei and Michael Moses, professors at New York University (NYU) since 1970 the returns oncontemporary art have far exceeded those on Old Masters and 19th-century paintings.Since the late 1980s, more sophisticated analysis of the art market and a growing interest inalternative investments have spurred the creation of several new investment funds focused on art. At arecent conference organised by one of these, the Fine Art Fund, Rachel Campbell of MaastrichtUniversity pointed out the low correlation between returns on art and on those other investments.Given that it usually pays to diversify, that is a good argument for investing in art, whatever your taste.The Fine Art Fund, which began buying this April (and has 36% of its money in cash), advises thatinvestors spread their art allocation fairly evenly between Impressionists, Old Masters, modern art andcontemporary works.3Contemporary art, in particular, has served rich investors well in the past few years. Prices stayedstable when stock markets fell. Nevertheless, one recent academic study has found a correlation withanother asset class: during the last world art boom, in the late 1980s, prices were closely tied toproperty values, specifically Japanese land prices. After 1990, art and property fell together. Nowproperty prices in several countries are once again at frightening heights.Investing in art will always be a risky business. Works of art by definition belong to differentcategories; holding periods vary; the market is illiquid; art yields no income, producing only capitalgain or loss; transaction costs are high. As for contemporary art in particular, it is a sobering thoughtthat, according to Mr Moses, each year an average of only two artists emerge whose work increases invalue over time. All this speaks against a big commitment to speculating in art; better, maybe, simplyto buy what you like, if you can: treat your money, in other words, not as invested but as consumed.21. By saying that the market is illiquid (Line 2, Para. 4), the author suggests that .Aart works seldom lose their value in the marketBinvestment in art does not have guaranteed return of profitsCthe difficulty to trade art works is obvious and evidentDthe art market tends to be responsive to the economic situation22. The Fine Art Fund advise that investors need to spread their art allocation because .AOld Masters always promise a high return of profitsBdifferent art works are valued differently in the marketCbuying art works is always a good way of investmentDpeople should be aware of the risks of investment in art23. The returns on contemporary art indicate .Apeople have come to see the value of contemporary artBthe economic prospects are positively assessedCthere is a growing interest in alternative art investmentsDinvestors have learned to spread their art allocation24. We can learn from the text that .Athe two NYU professors advise people against buying Old MastersBcautious investors are advised to stay away from the art marketCthe real estate market is a good indicator of the art marketDart investors should not speculate in the art market25. What is the possible attitude of Mr Moses toward investing in contemporary art?AInvestors in contemporary art should be more patient.BA supplicated analysis of the art market is always a must.CContemporary art seems to promise greater returns of profits.DIt is dangerous to speculate in the contemporary art market.4Text 2They have been writers and actors, entertainers and creators. They have won Academy Awardsand received critical acclaim. They have graced the covers of magazines.In the arts and entertainment world, women have made a myriad of contributions to what we knowas popular culture. Although many female celebrities may be known more for their figures than theirtalents, women remain more than just pretty faces. Womens History Month promises to take a lookback at the influential female lives and legacies that have shaped our society.In this century alone, a number of famous females have made their artistic marks. In the literaryworld, women such as Sylvia Plath and Colette composed celebrated works, establishing themselves ascreative writers to be reckoned with. Colette, a prolific French novelist, tackled weighty themes such asthe womans struggle for independence. Her catalog of works includes celebrated novels such as Cheriand The Pure and the Impure. Plath, renowned for her suicide as much as for her writing, wrote TheBell Jar as well as a wealth of poetry.Within the realm of fashion, influential designers such as Coco Chanel changed the face of femaledressing. The Chanel name has become synonymous with high style. Coco invented the little blackdress, perfected a trademark scent-Chanel No. 5-and became famous for her tweed suits and quiltedhandbags.Hollywood starlets such as Katharine Hepburn transformed the film world. She was known for herportrayal of strong, spirited females in her films, clearly embodying what it means to be an independentwoman. As Hepburn once said, “I never realized until lately that women were supposed to be theinferior sex. “The music industry has also seen its share of barrier-breaking female stars. Women such as BillieHoliday and Ella Fitzgerald endure as revered names within the jazz world. Similarly, Joan Baez tookthe folk music genre by storm. She was one of the most outspoken performers during the social turmoilof the 1960s, establishing herself not only as an acclaimed singer/songwriter but also as an activist forcivil rights and nonviolence.Undeniably, women have contributed to our culture in immeasurable ways. From the silver screento the record-store shelves, the most talented stars exhibit a wealth of creativity, a fan charisma and aunique dedication to their respective crafts-and many of them also happen to be female.26. Who may be considered as a feminist writer according to the passage?ASylvia Plath.BColettle.CBoth Plath and Colette.DNeither Plath nor Colette.527. From the passage, we can learn that Chanel No. 5 is .Aa typical style of little black dressBa perfume marketed by ChanelCa high class way of life advocated by CocoDthe chanel tweed suits and quilted handbags.28. By saying “women remain more than just pretty faces“, the author means .Asome women have nothing but pretty facesBbeauty for many female celebrities is necessaryCsome women dont mange to be successful for beautyDeach female celebrity has her own success story29. Joan Baez is called an outspoken performer because she .Astunned the world by the message her music expressedBwas expressive for her performance on the stageChad to suffer the social turmoil of the 1960sDopenly voiced her opinions on the major social issues30. Womens contributions to pop culture are NOT caused by .Atheir enthusiasm they have toward what they doBthe physical appeal they have to the publicCtheir understanding of the importance of pop cultureDthe display of their natural talents and giftsText 3Old people are always saying that the young are not what they were. The same comment is madefrom generation to generation and it is always true. It has never been truer than it is today. The youngare better educated; they have a lot more money to spend and enjoy more freedom. They grow up morequickly and are not so dependent on their parents. They think more for themselves and do not blindlyaccept the ideals of their elders. Events which the older generation remembers vividly are nothing morethan past history. This is as it should be. Every new generation is different from the one that preceded it.Today the difference is very marked indeed. The old always assume that they know best for the simple6reason that they have been around a bit longer. They dont like to feel that their values are beingquestioned or threatened. And this is precisely what the young are doing. They are questioning theassumptions of their elders and disturbing their sense of feeling contended. They doubt that the oldergeneration has created the best of all possible worlds.What they reject more than anything is conformity. Office hours, for instance, are nothing morethan enforced slavery. Wouldnt people work best if they were given complete freedom andresponsibility? And what about clothing? Who said that all the men in the world should wear dull graysuits and convict haircuts? If we turn our minds to more serious matters, who said that humandifferences can best be solved through conventional politics or by violent means? Why have the oldergeneration so often used violence to solve their problems? Why are they so unhappy and guilt-ridden intheir personal lives; so obsessed with mean ambitions and the desire to amass more and more materialpossessions? Can anything be right with the rat-race? Havent the old lost touch with all that isimportant in life?These are not questions the older generation can shrug off lightly. Their record over the past fortyyears or so hasnt been exactly spotless. Traditionally, the young have turned to the older for guidance.Today, the situation might be reversed. The old-if they are prepared to admit it-could learn a thing ortwo from their children. One of the biggest lessons they could learn is that enjoyment is not sinful.Enjoyment is a principle one could apply to all aspects of life. It is surely not wrong to enjoy your workand enjoy your leisure; to shed restricting inhibitions. It is surely not wrong to live in the present ratherthan in the past or future. The world is full of uncertainty and tension. This is their glorious heritage.Can we be surprised that they should so often question the sanity of the generation that passed itdown?31. Which of the following features in the young is NOT mentioned?ABetter educatedBMore money and freedom.CGreater independence.DRespect for work.32. What do the young have an attitude for?AThe differences between the old and young.BThe assumption of the old generation.CThe emphasis on violence as a solution to social problems.DThe social conventions that they are expected to follow.33. Why do the young stress on the present because .Athe past is full of sanity that should be done withBthe present is more secure than the pastCthe present world is substantial and sustainingDthe present is made up of a glorious heritage34. What can the old learn from the young generation?AEnjoyment is not despicable for what it isBPeople should have more time for leisure.CIt is a blessing that people can learn to enjoy life7DOne should break free of the restrictions that life imposes35. How do the young think about office hours?AThey are more painful than enforced slaveryBThey are happier than enforced slaveryCThey are almost as painful as enforced slaveryDThey are the most painful enforced slaveryText 4Researchers are finding that boys and girls really are from two different planets. Experts say boysand girls have different “crisis points“, stages in their emotional and social development where thingscan go very wrong. Until recently, girls got all the attention. But boys are much more likely than girlsto have discipline problems at school and to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).Boys far outnumber girls in special-education classes. Theyre also more likely to commit violent