自考英语二高分考前练习18（附详解答案）_第3页

　　III Reading comprehension (20)

　　Passage 1

　　Colds are very common. The symptoms of the common cold include a sore throat, runny nose, stuffed-up nose, and tiredness. Colds are caused by viruses, but scientists cannot explain the exact cause. There is no cure. Many people, however, believe that they know the causes of and cures for the common cold. For example, they believe that it is possible to get a cold if we get chilled, if we get extra tired, or if we are too close to a person with a cold. In other words, if we want to prevent catching cold, we should stay warm and dry; we should avoid getting too tired and we should not be in close contact with people who have colds.

　　Meanwhile, there are probably hundreds of “cures” throughout the world for the common cold. For example, the following suggestions are popular in quite a number of societies: (1) drink plenty of water; (2) get extra rest; (3) take a lot of vitamin; (4) take aspirin; (5) keep warm.

　　Each year people spend a lot of money on cold medicines—pills, liquids, lozenges. But these medicines do not cure colds; they can only relieve cold symptoms. In other words, they make us feel better.

　　21. The passage is mainly about______.

　　A. looking for the causes of the common cold

　　B. introducing some cures for the common cold

　　C. some facts about the common cold

　　D. new medicines for curing the common cold

　　22. According to the passage, people with colds feel ______.

　　A. stuffy B. tired C. thirsty D. dizzy

　　23. Which of the following is NOT suggested as a way to prevent catching cold?

　　A. You should not go out on a rainy day.

　　B. You should not wash your hair in cold weather.

　　C. You should keep away from a person who has a cold.

　　D. You should not make yourself tired.

　　24. Which of the following is NOT a “cure” for the common cold?

　　A. Take a lot of vitamin C.

　　B. Get more rest.

　　C. Drink plenty of water.

　　D. Put on as many clothes as possible.

　　25. Which of the following is true about the common cold?

　　A. There are no medicines that can cure colds.

　　B. There are hundreds of symptoms of the common cold.

　　C. Many people know what causes the common cold.

　　D. Scientists are close to finding a cure for colds.

　　Passage 2

　　Jack London was a famous American writer. He was born on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco, California. His family was very poor, and Jack had to leave school to make money. He worked hard in many different jobs.

　　Later, Jock returned to school, but he didn’t stay. He wrote his stories.

　　In 1897, he went to Alaska to find gold. Instead, he found ideas there for his books and stories. He returned home and started to write. His writings were successful, and he became rich and famous in his twenties.

　　Jack London was not a happy man, however. In poor health, he took his own life in 1916. He was only 40 years old.

　　26. As a child, Jack left school because ______.

　　A. he didn’t like books

　　B. he had to make a living by himself

　　C. he wanted to find gold

　　D. he liked to be free

　　27. He went to Alaska because ______.

　　A. there were beautiful sights there

　　B. gold was found there

　　C. his parents lived there

　　D. he needed a rest there

　　28. He found ______ in Alaska.

　　A. ideas for selling books and stories

　　B. ideas for writing his books and stories

　　C. books and stories

　　D. gold

　　29. Which of the following statements is true?

　　A. Jack London was born in London.

　　B. Jack London enjoyed the first job he found.

　　C. Jack was a successful writer but he didn’t live happily.

　　D. He died of illness in Alaska.

　　30. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

　　A. Jack London had a little schooling when he was young.

　　B. He went to Alaska and found gold there.

　　C. He became a successful writer when he was young.

　　D. On the whole, Jack London was an unhappy man.