英语四级改革后到15年12月阅读真题及答案

1四级改革后到 15年 12月阅读真题及答案1.Passage OneGlobal warming may or may not be the great environmental crisis of the 21st century, but regardless of whether it is or isnt we wont do much about it. We will argue over it and may even, as a nation, make some fairly solemn-sounding commitments to avoid it. But the more dramatic and meaningful these commitments seem, the less likely they are to be observed.Al Gore calls global warming an “inconvenient truth,” as if merely recognizing it could put us on a path to a solution. But the real truth is that we dont know enough to relieve global warming, and without major technological breakthroughswe cant do much about it.From 2003 to 2050, the worlds population is projected to grow from 6.4 billion to 9.1 billion, a 42% increase. If energy use per person and technology remain the same, total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (mainly, CO2) will be 42% higher in 2050. but thats too low, because societies that grow richer use more energy. We need economic growth unless we condemn the worlds poor to their present poverty and freeze everyone elses living standards. With modest growth, energy use and greenhouse emissions more than double by 2050.No government will adopt rigid restrictions on economic growth and personal freedom (limits on electricity usage, driving and travel) that might cut back global warming. Still, politicians want to show theyre “doing something.” Consider the Kyoto Protocol (京都议定书). It allowed countries that joined to punish those that didnt. But it hasnt reduced CO2 emissions (up about 25% since 1990), and many signatories (签字国) didnt adopt tough enough policies to hit their 2008-2012 targets.The practical conclusion is that if global warming is a potential disaster, the only solution is new technology. Only an aggressive research and development program might find ways of breaking dependence on fossil fuels or dealing with it.The trouble with the global warming debate is that it has become a moral problem when its really an engineering one. The inconvenient truth is that if we dont solve the engineering problem, were helpless.57. What is said about global warming in the first paragraph?A) It may not prove an environmental crisis at all. B) It is an issue requiring world wide commitments.C) Serious steps have been taken to avoid or stop it.D) Very little will be done to bring it under control.58. According to the authors understanding, what is Al Gores view on global warming?A) It is a reality both people and politicians are unaware of.B) It is a phenomenon that causes us many inconveniences.C) It is a problem that can be solved once it is recognized.D) It is an area we actually have little knowledge about.59. Green house emissions will more than double by 2050 because of _.A) economic growthB) the widening gap between the rich and poorC) wasteful use of energyD) the rapid advances of science and technology60. The author believes that, since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, _.A) politicians have started to do something to better the situationB) few nations have adopted real tough measures to limit energy useC) reductions in energy consumption have greatly cut back global warmingD) international cooperation has contributed to solving environmental problems61. What is the message the author intends to convey?A) Global warming is more of a moral issue than a practical one.B) The ultimate solution to global warming lies in new technologyC) The debate over global warming will lead to technological breakthroughs.D) People have to give up certain material comforts to stop global warming.2Passage TwoSomeday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Websites youve visited. Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchase or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.In fact, its likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girlfriend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked.Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that its important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times. But few boundaries remain. The digital bread crumbs (碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simple cannot keep a secret.The key question is: Does that matter?When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found an overwhelming pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”But people sa