2019年成考高起点英语精选试题及答案9_第4页

　　Passage 3

　　A major new development in systems of work in Britain is taking place. Flexible working hours, or “flextime”, are catching on fast, and this trend is continuing. In 1973, over 500 organizations had adopted the idea, and by 1974, its number had risen to over 200,000.

　　Flexible working hours were invented in Germany in the late 1960s but reached Britain only in 1972. The system allows workers to start and finish work whenever they want, with only two requirements. These are, firstly, that all workers must be present for certain “key” times in the day and secondly, that all workers must work an agreed total number of hours per week.

　　The system has proved an almost total success wherever it has been tried. A survey of 700 workers on flexible hours showed three main advantages: a better balance between working and private life, avoidance of the need to travel during rush hours, and the ability to be able to finish a certain task before leaving.

　　From the employers’ point of view, the system tends to increase productivity, reduce labor turnover and give the workers a greater sense of duty.

　　31. According to the passage, the ______ invented “flexible working hours”.

　　A) Japanese B) Americans C) Germans D) British

　　32. The phrase “catch on” (in Para. 1) most probably means ______.

　　A) understand B) seize C) perceive D) become popular

　　33. What is one of the advantages of “flextime” for workers?

　　A) They can earn more money. B) They can avoid busy traffic.

　　C) They will do less work. D) They can avoid working hard.

　　34. Which one is NOT an advantage of “flextime” for employers?

　　A) A better balance between working and private life.

　　B) It reduces labor turnover.

　　C) It gives the workers a greater sense of duty.

　　D) It tends to increase productivity.

　　35. The author ______ “flextime” according to the passage.

　　A) supports B) is against C) criticizes D) hates

　　31-35 CDBAA

　　Passage 4

　　What will man be like in the future—in 5,000 years from now? We can only make a guess, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today. For man is slowly changing all the time.

　　Let us take an obvious example. Man, even 500 years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average, men are about three inches taller. 500 years is a relatively short period of time, so we may assume that man will continue to grow taller.

　　Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still make use of only about 20% of the brain's capacity. As time goes on, however, we shall have to use our brains more and more, and eventually we shall need larger ones. This is likely to bring about a physical change in the head, in particular the forehead, which will grow larger.

　　Nowadays our eyes are in constant use. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over a very long period of time it is likely that man's eyes will grow stronger.

　　On the other hand, we tend to make less use of our arms and legs. These, as a result, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a great deal in modern life.

　　But what about hair? It will probably disappear from the body altogether in the course of time because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both sexes are likely to be bald.

　　Perhaps all this gives the impression that future man will not be a very attractive creature to look at. This may well be true. All the same, in spite of all these changes, future man will still have a lot in common with us. He will still be a human being, with thoughts and emotions similar to our own.

　　36. The passage is mainly about ________.

　　A) what future man's life will be

　　B) what future man will look like

　　C) future man's attractive appearance

　　D) future man's thoughts and emotions

　　37. According to the passage, man in the future will ________.

　　A) continue to grow shorter

　　B) continue to grow taller

　　C) not change in height

　　D) be about three inches taller

　　38. Why will our forehead grow larger?

　　A) Because we make use of only about 20% of the brain's capacity.

　　B) Because it's the tendency as time passes.

　　C) Because man had a very large forehead 500 years ago.

　　D) Because we use our brains more and more so we shall need a larger forehead.

　　39. Which of the following is NOT true?

　　A) In the future, both man and woman are likely to have no hair.

　　B) It is likely that man's eyes will grow stronger in the future.

　　C) Our fingers will grow more sensitive in the future.

　　D) All future men will have to wear glasses.

　　40. In the last paragraph, the author believes that ________.

　　A) man in the future grows very ugly

　　B) future man has little in common with us

　　C) future man’s thoughts and emotions are similar to ours

　　D) future man is not a human being

　　36-40 BBDDC