老托福阅读0408

1、2004年8月TOEFL试题PART THREE READINGPeople living today in the northwestern state of Washington who have many sourcesof news in addition to newspapers must stretch their imaginations to understand theimportance of the press during much of the state's history. Beginning in 1852 with The Cohumblan. th

2、e first paper in Washington Territory, ,lewspapers served to connectsettlers in frontier communities with each other and with the rnajor events of their times.Unlike many mid-century papers, The Columbian, published every Saturday in Olympia,one of Washington's larger towns, was "neutral in

3、 politics," meaning that it was not theorgan of a particular political party or religious group. For its first few years, it was theonly newspaper in the territory, but during the following decades, enterprisingWashingtonians founded many other papers. Few of these papers lasted long. Until the

4、turn of the century, most were the production of an individual editor, who might beginwith insufficient capital or fail to attract a steady readership. Often working with nostaff at all, these editors wrote copy, set type, delivered papers, oversaw billing, andsold advertising. Their highly personal

5、 journals reflected their own tastes, politics, andknown as the "Oregon style"-graphic, torrid, and potentially libelous.Early newspapers were thick with print, carrying no illustrations or cartoons.Advertising was generally confined to the back pages and simply listed commoditiesreceived

6、by local stores. Toward the end of the century, newspapers in Washingtonbegan to carry national advertising, especially from patent medicine companies, whichbought space from agencies that brokered ads in papers all over the country. By 1900,Washington boasted 19 daily and 176 weekly papers. Especia

7、lly in the larger cities, theyreflected less the personal opinions of the editor than the interests of the large businessesthey had become. They subscribed to the Associated Press and United Press newsservices, and new technology permitted illustrations. Concentrating on features, crimereporting, an

8、d sensationalism, they imitated the new mass-circulation papers that WilliamRandolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were making popular throughout the United States.1. What does the passage mainly discuss?(A) Ways in which various newspapers were advertised in Washington(B) The history of newspapers in

9、Washington(C) Editors of the first Washington newspapers(D) The illustrations in early Washington newspapers2. What does the passage imply about early Washington newspapers?(A) People relied on them as their primary source of news.(B) They contained important historical articles.(C) They were not as

10、 informative as today's newspapers.(D) They rarely reflected the views of any particular religion.3. ln line 7. the word “'it” refers to    (A) The Columbian  (B) Olympia    (C) religious group (D) political party4. In line 13, the word "oversaw" is closest

11、 in meaning to(A) estimated    (B) supervised   (C) collected (D) provided5. In line 15, the word "'delivered'" is closest in meaning to (A) confirmed  (B) compared    (C) questioned (D) presented6. According to the passage, which of the following was

12、true of curly Washington newspapers?    (A) Most were owned by part-time editors who worked at other jobs.    (B) Most were run by editors who had little or no earlier newspaper experience.    (C) Most received financial support from the town in which they were publishe

13、d.    (D) Most stayed in business for only a short while.7. What does the author mention as typical of early newspaper editors from Washington?    (A) Their capital grew rapidly.    (B) Their political opinions changed with time.    (C) They had many types of

14、responsibilities.(D) They were generally members of the same political party.8. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about advertising in Washington newspapers of the mid-nineteenth century?    (A) It contained information about patent medicines.(B) It focused on local r

15、ather than national products.    (C) It was printed on entire pages distributed in local stores.(D) It was the only part of the paper containing cartoons.9. In line 22, the word "boasted" is closest in meaning to(A) planned    (B) financed  (C) was forced to c

16、lose (D) took pride in havingEuropa is the smallest of planet Jupiter's four largest moons and the second moonout from Jupiter. Until 1979, it was just another astronomy textbook statistic. Thencame the close-up images obtained by the exploratory spacecraft Voyager 2, and within days, Europa was

17、 transformed-in our perception, at least-into one of the solar system'smost intriguing worlds. The biggest initial surprise was the ahnost total lack of detail,especially from far away. Even at close range, the only visible features are thin, kinkedbrown lines resembling cracks in an eggshell. A

18、nd this analogy is not far offthe mark.The surface of Europa is almost pure water ice, but a nearly complete absence ofcraters indicates that Europa's surface ice resembles Earth's Antarctic ice cap. Theeggshell analogy may be quite accurate since the ice could be as little as a few kilomete

19、rsthick-a tree shell around what is likely a subsurface liquid ocean that, in turn, encasesa rocky core. The interior of Europa has been kept warm over the cons by tidal forcesgenerated by the varying gravitational tugs of the other big moons as they wheel aroundJupiter. The tides on Europa pull and

20、 relax in an endless cycle. The resulting internal heatkeeps what would otherwise be ice melted almost to the surface. The cracklike marks onEuropa's icy face appear to be fractures where water or slush oozes from below.Soon after Voyager 2's encounter with Jupiter in 1979, when the best ima

21、ges ofEuropa were obtained, researchers advanced the startling idea that Europa's subsurfaceocean might harbor life. Life processes could have begun when Jupiter was releasing avast store of internal heat. Jupiter's early heat was produced by the compression of thematerial forming the giant

22、planet. Just as the Sun is far less radiant today than the primalSun, so the internal heat generated by Jupiter is minor compared to its former intensity.During this warm phase, some 4.6 billion years ago, Europa's ocean may have been liquidright to the surface, making it a crucible for life.10.

23、 What does the passage mainly discuss?    (A) The effect of the tides on Europa's interior    (B) Temperature variations on Jupiter's moons(C) Discoveries leading to a theory about one of Jupiter's moons(D) Techniques used by Voyager 2 to obtain close-up images11. The

24、 word "intriguing" in line 5 is closest in meaning to    (A) changing    (B) perfect    (C) visible    (D) fascinating12. In line 7, the author mentions "cracks in an eggshell" in order to help readers    (A) visualize Europa as s

25、cientists saw it in the Voyager 2 images    (B) appreciate the extensive and detailed informalion available by viewing Europa from far away    (C) understand the relationship of Europa to the solar system(D) recognize the similarity of Europa to Jupiter's other moons13. It ca

26、n be inferred from the passage that astronomy textbooks prior to 1979(A) provided many contradictory statistics about Europa (B) considered Europa the most important of Jupiter's moons(C) did not emphasize Europa because little information of interest was available (D) did not mention Europa bec

27、ause it had not yet been discovered14. What does the author mean by stating in line 7 that "this analogy is not far off the mark"?    (A) The definition is not precise.    (B) The discussion lacks necessary information.    (C) The differences are probably sign

28、ificant.(D) The comparison is quite appropriate.15. It can be inferred from the passage that Europa and Antarctica have in common which of the following?    (A) Both appear to have a surface with many craters.    (B) Both may have water beneath a thin, hard surface.(C) Both have

29、an ice cap that is melting rapidly.(D) Both have areas encased by a rocky exterior.16. The word "endless" in line 14 is closest in meaning to    (A) new    (B) final    (C) temporary    (D) continuous17. According to the passage, what is the effect o

30、f Jupiter's other large moons on Eurnpa?    (A) They prevent Europa's subsurface waters from freezing.    (B) They prevent tides that could damage Europa's surface.    (C) They produce the very hard layer of ice that characterizes Europa.    (D) Th

31、ey assure that the gravitational pull on Europa is maintained at a steady level.18. According to the passage, Voyager 2's images Ied rcsearchers to develop which of the following theories'?     (A) Jupiter may be hotter today than it once was.     (B)

32、Europa is far older than scientists originally thought     (C) Europa's temperature is maintained by Jupiter's vast store of internal heat.(D) The ocean waters of Europa could contain some forms of life.19 The word "it" in line 24 refers to (A) internal heat

33、0;   (B) warm phase    (C) Europa's ocean    (D) surfaceThe term "print" has several meanings, so it is important to understand exactly what ismeant by the artistic terminology. A print in the artistic sense is not a reproduction of awork of art done in some ot

34、her medium, such as painting or drawing. That can in no sense be considered a work of art, since the artist had no involvement with it. A print is an originalwork of art created by an indirect method. Instead of making an image directly on a surface,as in drawing or painting, the artist works on a m

35、aster surface, which may be a sheet ofmetal, a block of stone, wood, plastic, or linoleum. From this master surface, numerousimpressions may be made by inking the surface, laying a sheet of paper on it, and thensubjecting both surface and paper to pressure, generally by means of a printing press.A p

36、rint may exist in several versions. Sometimes the printmaker alters the image betweenimpressions, so that each print is slightly different from the others. Any series of such printsis referred to as multiples. The number of impressions (known as the edition) that arepossible from a single original v

37、aries with the material. Prints made from linoleum, whichwears readily, will be fewer than those made from a metal plate, which is capable of strikingfine-quality prints in the thousands. It is customary to number prints as they come off thepress, the earlier impressions being the finest and therefo

38、re the most desirable.Prints incorporate the same compositional principles, as paintings. Line, shape, or texturemay be the predominant element according to the printing technique used. Some prints haveobvious decorative qualities while others may be filled with emotional impact.Printmaking derives

39、from two historical sources: early woodblocks into which animage was cut and used to illustrate a book or playing cards, and the medieval practice ofdecorating metal with incised designs, as in armor. Today most techniques fall into one offour categories: relief( intaglio, lithography, and serigraph

40、y. However, there are manyvariations, combinations with photographic techniques, and considerable overlapping.20. In the artistic sense, a print is a work of art created by    (A) making a painting from an original drawing    (B) drawing or painting similar images many times 

41、;   (C) transferring an original image from one surface to another(D)copying an original image made on paper onto a hard surface21. The word "That" in line 3 refers to     (A) terminology   (B) sense    (C) reproduction   (D) medium22. Which of the follow

42、ing is mentioned as an example of a master surface?    (A) a drawing or painting  (B) a block of stone    (C) a sheet of paper (D) a printing press23. The word "versions" in line 10 is closcst in meaning to    (A) ideas  (B) numbers  (C) functio

43、ns (D) forms24. Which of the following terms is NOT defined in the passage?    (A) "print" (line I)  (B) "impressions" (line 8)(C) "multiples" (line 12) (D) "edition" (line 12)25. A metal plate is compared favorably with linoleum as a meter surf

44、ace because a metal plate (A)lasts longer    (B) is less expensive    (C) makes prints more quickly    (D) produces a greater variety of prints26. The word "customary" in line 15 is closest in meaning to    (A) necessary    (B) attractive&#

45、160;   (C) legal(D) usual27. The phrase "according to" in line 18 is closest in meaning to    (A) in addition to   (B) in order to    (C) regardless of (D) depending on28. It can be inferred that prints may differ from other works of art in terms of all of the

46、 following EXCEPT    (A) compositional principles(B) use of line, shape, or texture    (C) decorative qualities    (D) emotional impactWater projects in the United States gained a new rationale in the 1930's as the nationsuffered its worst cconomic depression and th

47、e Great Plains region suffered its worst droughtin recorded history. As the economy sank into a deep depression and unemployment ratesincreased, the political climate for direct federal govermnent involvement in water projectsimproved. President Franklin Rooseveh's first 100 days in office broug

48、ht a number of newlaws to deal with the severe economic depression that became known as the GreatDepression. Two of these laws, the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 and theNational Recovery Act of I933 (NIRA), had particular significance for water resourcedevelopment.The natural pattern of the

49、 Tennessee River was characterized by large spring flows thatproduced destructive floods and low summer flows that inhibited navigation. The intensilyand frequency of the events discouraged development and contributed to persistent povertyin the valley. To counter these natural obstacles, the Tennes

50、see Valley Authority Act of 1933created the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a public agency with broad powers topromote development in the region, including the authority to build dams and reservoirsand to generate and sell hydroelectric power. The TVA is a unique institution in that itbrings all

51、the water-related functions of the federal government under a single body. TheTVA used its authority to transform the Tennessee River into one of the most highlyregulated rivers in the world within about two decades. The TVA inherited the Wilson Dam,and by the beginning of the Second World War it ha

52、d completed six additional multipurposedams with power plants and locks for navigation. Investments in dams and hydropowerfacilities within the Tennessee Valley also received high priority during the war.The NIRA authorized the creation of the Public Works Administration to create jobswhile undertak

53、ing work of benefit to the community. The NIRA also gave the United StatesPresident unprecedented powers to initiate public works, including water projects. ThePublic Works Administration provided loans and grants to state and local governments andto federal agencies for municipal waterworks, sewage

54、 plants, irrigation, flood control, andwaterpower projects.29. All of the following are mentioned as resulting from the Great Depression EXCEPT     (A) an increase in unemployment     (B) a change in political thinking     (C) a different a

55、pproach to water projects(D) a new study of the history of droughts30. It can be inferred from the passage that before the 1930's the role of the federal government in water projects was     (A) restricted to the Great Plains region (B) more important than its role in other c

56、onservation projects     (C) more limited than it was after 1930     (D) designed to help with drought recovery31. The word "'significance'" in, lieu 8 is closest in meaning to     (A) difference   (B) distu

57、rbance   (C) importance    (D) excellence32. Which of the following discouraged development of the Tennessee Valley prior to 1933 ?     (A) Laws imposed by the local government     (B) The effects of seasonal flows of the river  &

58、#160;  (C) The lack of suitable building materials(D) The geographical features of the valley33. The word "counter" in line 13 is closest in meaning to   (A) explain  (B) measure  (C) exploit (D) overcome34. The passage mentions "the authority t

59、o build dams and reservoirs" in line 15 as an example of the    (A) wide powers of the Tennessee Valley Authority    (B) responsibilities of regional governments    (C) federal government's interests in profit-making water projects    (D) development

60、needed to generate hydroelectric power35 The word "transform" in line 18 is closest in meaning to      (A) clean   (B) change     (C) control    (D) widen36. According to the passage, the Tennessee Valley Authority decided to(A) introduce rules

61、to control the use of the Tennessee River(B) build the Wilson Dam  (C) reduce investment in hydropower facilities in the Tennessee Valley(D) increase the price of electricity37. The word "it" in line 20 refers to (A) the Tennessee River (B) the TVA(C) the Wilson Dam (D) the Secon

62、d World War38. The word "unprecedented" in line 25 is closest in meaning to        (A) not extensive (B) not used often     (C) not existing before   (D) not needing money39. According to the passage, one of the functions of the Public Works Administration was to   (A) replace the NIRA  (B) regulate federal agencies   (C) influence presidential policy  (D) give financial support to state and local governmentsMany of the most flexible examples of tool use in