2017考研英语(一)真题.doc

　　　Text 1　　First two hours, now three hours — this is how far in advance authorities are recommending people show up to catch a domestic flight, at least at some major U.S. airports with increasingly massive security lines.　　Americans are willing to tolerate time-consuming security protocols in return for increased safety. The crash of Egypt Air Flight 804, which terrorists may have downed over the Mediterranean Sea, provides another tragic reminder of why. But demanding too much of air travelers or providing too little security in return undermines public support for the process. And it should: Wasted time is a drag on Americans' economic and private lives, not to mention infuriating.　　Last year, the Transportation Security Administration(TSA) found in a secret check that undercover investigators were able to sneak weapons — both fake and real — past airport security nearly every time they tried. Enhanced security measures since then, combined with a rise in airline travel due to the improving economy and low oil prices, have resulted in long waits at major airports such as Chicago's O'Hare International. It is not yet clear how much more effective airline security has become — but the lines are obvious.　　Part of the issue is that the government did not anticipate the steep increase in airline travel, so the TSA is now rushing to get new screeners on the line. Part of the issue is that airports have only so much room for screening lanes. Another factor may be that more people are trying to overpack their carry-on bags to avoid checked-baggage fees, though the airlines strongly dispute this.　　There is one step the TSA could take that would not require remodeling airports or rushing to hire: Enroll more people in the PreCheck program. PreCheck is supposed to be a win-win for travelers and the TSA. Passengers who pass a background check are eligible to use expedited screening lanes. This allows the TSA to focus on travelers who are higher risk, saving time for everyone involved. TSA wants to enroll 25 million people in PreCheck.　　It has not gotten anywhere close to that, and one big reason is sticker shock: Passengers must pay $85 every five years to process their background checks. Since the beginning, this price tag has been PreCheck's fatal flaw. Upcoming reforms might bring the price to a more reasonable level. But Congress should look into doing so directly, by helping to finance PreCheck enrollment or to cut costs in other ways.　　The TSA cannot continue diverting resources into underused PreCheck lanes while most of the traveling public suffers in unnecessary lines. It is long past time to make the program work.　　21. The crash of Egypt Air Flight 804 is mentioned to____　　[A] explain American’s tolerance of current security checks.　　[B] stress the urgency to strengthen security worldwide.　　[C] highlight the necessity of upgrading major U.S. airports.　　[D] emphasize the importance of privacy protection.　　　　22. Which of the following contributes to long waits at major airports?　　[A] New restrictions on carry-on bags.　　[B] The declining efficiency of the TSA.　　[C] An increase in the number of travellers.　　[D] Frequent unexpected secret checks.　　23. The word “expedited” (Liner 4, Para. 5) is closet in meaning to____　　[A] quieter.　　[B] cheaper.　　[C] wider.　　[D] faster.　　　　24. One problem with the PreCheck program is____　　[A] a dramatic reduction of its scale.　　[B] its wrongly-directed implementation.　　[C] the government’s reluctance to back it.　　[D] an unreasonable price for enrollment.　　　　25. Which of the following would be the best for the text?　　[A] Less Screening for More Safety　　[B] PreCheck – a Belated Solution　　[C] Getting Stuck in Security Lines　　[D] Underused PreCheck Lanes　　　　Text 2　　“The ancient Hawaiians were astronomers,” wrote Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii's last reigning monarch, in 1897. Star watchers were among the most esteemed members of Hawaiian society. Sadly, all is not well with astronomy in Hawaii today. Protests have erupted over construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), a giant observatory that promises to revolutionize humanity's view of the cosmos.　　At issue is the TMT's planned location on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano worshiped by some Hawaiians as the piko, that connects the Hawaiian Islands to the heavens. But Mauna Kea is also home to some of the world's most powerful telescopes. Rested in the Pacific Ocean, Mauna Kea's peak rises above the bulk of our planet's dense atmosphere, where conditions allow telescopes to obtain images of unsurpassed clarity.　　Opposition to telescopes on Mauna Kea is nothing new. A small but vocal group of Hawaiians and environmentalists have long viewed their presence as disrespect far sacred land and a painful reminder of the occupation of what was once a sovereign nation.　　Some blame for the current controversy belongs to astronomers. In their eagerness to 。