2016年6月大学英语四级考前冲刺预测题(八)_第2页

　　Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage:

　　Telephone, television, radio, and telegraph all help people communicate with　each other. Because of these devices, ideas and news of events spread quickly all　over the world. For example, within seconds, people can know the results of an　election in another country. An international football match comes into the homes　of everyone with a television set.News of a disaster such as an earthquake or a　flood can bring help from distant countries within hours, help is on the way. Because of modern technology like the satellites that travel around the world, information travels fast.

　　How has this speed of communication changed the world? To many people,the world has become smaller. Of course this does not mean that the world is actually physically smaller. It means that the world seems smaller. Two hundred years ago,communication between the continents took a long time. All news was carried on ships that took weeks or even months to cross the ocean. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries,it took six weeks for news from Europe to reach America.This time difference influenced people's actions. For example, one battle, or fight, in the War of 1812 between England and the United States could have been avoided. A peace agreement had already been signed. Peace was made in England, but the news of peace took six weeks to reach America. During these six weeks, the large and serious Battle of New Orleans was fought. Many people lost their lives after a peace treaty had been signed.They would not have died if news had come in time.In the past,communication took much time than it does now.

　　There was a good reason why the world seemed so much larger than it does today.

　　31. News spreads fast because of____.

　　A.modern transportation B.new technology

　　C.the change of the world D.a peace agreement

　　32. According to this passage,____is very important to people in a disaster area.

　　A.fast communication B.modern technology

　　C.latest news D.new ideas

　　33. Which of the following statements is true?

　　A.The world now seems smaller because of faster communication.

　　B.The world is actually smaller today.

　　C.The world is changing its size.

　　D. The distance between England and America has changed since the War of 1812

　　34. Two hundred years ago,news between the continents was carried____.

　　A.by telephone and telegraph B.by land

　　C.by air D.by sea

　　35. The New Orleans Battle could have been avoided if the peace agreement had been signed____.

　　A.by both sides B.in time

　　C.in America D.in England

　　Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage:

　　The concept of personal choice in relation to health behaviors is an important one.An estimated 90 percent of all illnesses may be preventable if individuals would make sound personal health choices based upon current medical knowledge.

　　We all enjoy our freedom of choice and do not like to see it restricted when it is within the legal and moral boundaries of society.[ZZ)]The structure of American society allows us to make almost all our own personal decisions that may concern our health.If we so desire,we can smoke,drink excessively, refuse to wear seat　belts,eat whatever foods we want,and live a completely sedentary life-style without any excuse.The freedom to make such personal decisions is a fundamental aspect of our society,although the wisdom of these decisions can be questioned.Personal choices relative to health often cause a difficulty.As one example,a teenager may know the facts relative to smoking cigarettes and health but may be pressured by friends into believing it is the socially accepted thing to do. A multitude of factors,both inherited and environmental,influence the development of heal threlated behaviors,and it is beyond the scope of this text to discuss all these factors as they may affect any given individual.However,the decision to adopt a particular health-related behavior is usually one of personal choices.

　　There are healthy choices and there are unhealthy choices.In discussing the moral of personal choice,Fries and Crapo drew a comparison.[ZZ(Z]They suggest that to knowingly give oneself over to a behavior that has a statistical probability of shortening life is similar to attempting suicide.[ZZ)]Thus,for those individuals　who are interested in preserving both the quality and quantity of life,personal health choices should reflect those behaviors that are associated with statistical probability of increased vitality and longevity.

　　36. The concept of personal choice concerning health is important because____.

　　A.personal health choices help cure most illnesses

　　B.it helps raise the level of our medical knowledge

　　C.it is essential to personal freedom in American society

　　D.wrong decisions could head to poor health

　　37. To “live a completely sedentary life style”(Para. 1) in the passage means____.”

　　A.to live an inactive life B.to live a decent life

　　C.to live a life with complete freedom

　　D.to live a life of vice

　　38. Sound personal health choice is often difficult to make because____.

　　A.current medical knowledge is still insufficient

　　B.there are many factors influencing our decisions

　　C.few people are willing to trade the quality of life for longevity

　　D.people are usually influenced by the behavior of their friends

　　39. To knowingly allow oneself to pursue unhealthy habits is compared by Fries and Crapo to____.

　　A.improving the quality of one's life

　　B.limiting one's personal health choice

　　C.deliberately ending one's life

　　D.breaking the rules of social behavior

　　40. According to Fries and Crapo sound health choices should be based on____.

　　A.personal decisions B.laws of society

　　C.statistical evidence D.opinions of friends