2022-2023年贵州省铜仁地区大学英语6级大学英语六级知识点汇总（含答案）

2022-2023年贵州省铜仁地区大学英语6级大学英语六级知识点汇总（含答案）学校:________班级:________姓名:________考号:________

一、2.ReadingComprehension(SkimmingandScanning)(20题)1.OnlyasmallpercentageofAmerica'shighschoolseniorsplantomajorinengineeringatcollege.

2.

ThePegMethodisalsosuitableforrememberingotheritemsbesidesthenumberedlists.

A.YB.NC.NG

3.Whatproportionoftheworld'selectricitysupplyisprovidedbyhydroelectricpower?

A.6%.B.9%.C.15%.D.60%.

4.AccordingtoMr.deWahl,whyisJoostignoringthetwobusinessmodels?

A.AllpeoplearenotfondofsimplywatchingTV.

B.TheyareirrelatedwithpleasuresderivedfromwatchingTV.

C.TheyarethesameasthepracticesthatTVhaslongbeenusing.

D.JoostwantsaninnovativebusinessmodeldifferentfromYouTube.

5.

Whatisthemainfunctionofcyanobacteria?

A.Tomakemoreduststorms.

B.Tokeepthesoilflying.

C.Tokeepthesoiltotheground.

D.Tocreatemorerocks.

6.

Freud'sinfluenceon______,______,and______cannotbemeasured.

7.

Generallyspeaking,malesputonabdominalweight,whichendangersthemofgetting______.

8.

Hossinterpretsthecolorsindreamsbyacomputerbasedapproachcalled______.

9.WhetherBeijing2008issuccessfulornotcanbeascertainedby______onBeijingafteritisover.

10.CrossCulturalConflictResolutioninTeams

Teammembersworkinincreasinglydiverseenvironments:intermsofage,gender,race,language,andnationality.Beyondthesedifferences,therearealsodeeperculturaldifferencesthatinfluencethewayconflictisapproached.

Theuseofteamsrepresentsanimportantchangeinthewaywework.Thetheoryisthatthroughtheinterdependencyofthepartsgreaterproductivityisachievedbythewhole.Experiencehasbeenlesskind.Onereasonthatteamsfailtomeetperformanceexpectationsistheirparalysisthroughunresolvedconflict.

TeamsDynamics

Overtimesuccessfulteamsdevelopculturallydistinctpathwaystocommunicate,problemsolving,makedecisions,andresolveconflict.Mostliteratureonteamssuggeststhattheyrealizehighperformancelevelsbypassingthroughfourdistinctdevelopmentphases,'forming','storming','norming'and'performing'.

Thedevelopmentofteamnormsdoesnottakeplaceinavacuum,butisembeddedinthewidersocial,politicalandeconomiccontextoftheday;Anotherrealityisthatteammembersdonothaveaccesstothesamepower.Sourcesofpowerdiffer,asdoexpectationsabouthowandwhenitwillbeused.Itissuggestedthatasuccessfulteamwill:

becomfortabledealingwithconflict

becommittedtoresolvingdisputesclosetothesource

resolvedisputesbasedoninterestsbeforerightsandpower

learnfromexperiencewithConflicts.

Thistiesinwithresearchontheeffectsofinterpersonalconflictinteams.Ateammember'scommitmenttotheteamandtheteammissiondecreasesifconflictgoesunresolved,butcanincreaseifconflictiswell-managedandresolved.Ifunhealthyconflictgoesunresolvedfortoolong,teammembersarelikelytoquitortosearchforalternatives.

DefiningCulture

Socialanthropology,astheacademicfieldresponsibleforthestudyofculture,hasyettosettleonadefinitionofculture.However,forourpracticalpurposes,cultureisdefinedasthesharedsetofvalues,beliefs,norms,attitudes,behaviors,andsocialstructuresthatdefinerealityandguideeverydayinteractions.

Thisdefinitionimpliesthatcultureisanattributeofagroup,andalsocontemplatesthefactthattheremaybeasmuchvariationwithinthegroupasbetweendifferentgroups:Weoftenassociateculturewithanationalgroup,however,cultureincludesethnicgroups,clans,tribesandorganizations.Teamswithinorganizationsalsohavebeliefs,attitudesandbehaviorsthatconstituteuniquecultures.

Althoughtherearemanysimilaritiesbetweencultures,itisimportantnottominimizerealdifferencesthatdoexist.

Ausefultoolforconsideringtheculturesofdifferentgroupsisthebellcurve.Themajorityofagroupculturewillconfirmtoadominantsetofbeliefs,attitudesandbehaviors,buttherewillbemembersoftheculturalgroupthatdifferinsignificantwaysfromthenorm.

IndividualisticandCollectivistDimensionsofaCulture

Animportantdimensionofcultureistheextenttowhichmembersidentifywiththegroup(inthiscasetheteam)ratherthanthemselvesasindividuals.Individualisticculturesplaceahighvalueon"autonomy,initiative,creativity,andauthorityindecisionmaking."Individualintereststrumpgroupinterests,andanygroupcommitmentisafunctionofaperceivedself-benefit.Collectivistcultures,ontheotherhand,valuethegroupabovetheindividual.Groupconformityandcommitmentismaintainedattheexpenseofpersonalinterests.Harmony,gettingalongandmaintaining'faceareseenascrucial'.

ThedominantcultureintheUSA,Canada,WesternEurope,Australia,andNewZealandisindividualistic,whilecollectivismpredominatestherestofthe

A.YB.NC.NG

11.

Tocompetewithforeigners,Chineseretailersaretakingmeasurestoimprove______bycuttingdownonthenumberoftheirstaffandtoimprovemanagementbybringinginforeignexperts.

12.

Stranglersaresocalledbecausethey______byblockingthesunlightandcompetingforthenutrients.

13.

Overfishing,pollution,andalterationoftheenvironmentare______tothefinitefishesresouce.

14.

Howdidthewriter'scolleaguesreactwhentheygottoknowhisdecision?

A.Theyofferedhimalotofmoralsupport.

B.Theythoughtitwasagoodidea.

C.Theyrefusedtogivehimanyfinancialhelp.

D.Theirresponsesweremostlynegative.

15.

InTheTaleofTwoPebbles,withthecreativewayofthinking,thegirleventuallyreversedtheunfavorableconditionandgained______.

16.AprilFools'Special:History'sHoaxes

HappyAprilFools'Day.Tomarktheoccasion,NationalGeographicNewshascompiledalistofsomeofthemorememorablehoaxesinrecenthistory.Theyarethelies,darned(可恨的)lies,andwhoppers(弥天大谎)thathavebeenperpetratedonthegullible(易受骗的)andunsuspectingtofulfillthatage-olddesireheldbysometoputthejokeonothers.

InternetHoaxes

TheInternethasgivenbirthtoaproliferation(增填)ofhoaxes.E-mailinboxesarebombardedonanalmostdailybasiswithmessageswarningofterriblecomputervirusesthatcauseuserstodeletebenign(良性)chunksofdatafromtheirharddrives,orofcreditcardseamsthatenticethenaivetogivealltheirpersonalinformation,includingpasswordsandbankaccountdetails,toidentitythieves.Othere-mallsgiverisetowry(歪曲的)chuckles,whichiswherethislistbegins.

BanDihydrogenMonoxide(一氧化二氢)

CityofficialsinAlisoViejo,California,weresoconcernedaboutdiedangersofdihydrogenmonoxidethattheyscheduledavotelastmonthonwhethertobanfoam(泡沫)cupsfromcity-sponsoredeventsaftertheylearnedthechemicalwasusedinfoam-cupproduction.

Officialscalledoffthevoteafterlearningthatdihydrogenmonoxideisthescientifictermforwater.

"It'sembarrassing,"citymanagerDavidJ.NormantoldtheAssociatedPress."Wehadaparalegal(律师助手)whodidbadresearch."

Indeed,theparalegalhadfallenvictimtoanofficial-lookingWebsitetoutingthedangersofdihydrogenmonoxide.Anemailoriginallyauthoredin1990byEricLechner,thenagraduatestudentattheUniversityofCalifornia,SantaCruz,claimedthatdihydrogenmonoxide"isusedasanindustrialsolventandcoolant,andisusedintheproductionofStyrofoam(聚苯乙烯泡沫塑料)."

Otherdangerspranksters(爱开玩笑的人)associatedwiththechemicalincludedacceleratedcorrosionandrusting,severeburns,anddeathfrominhalation.

Versionsofdiee-mailcontinuetocirculatetoday,andseveralWebsites,includingthatoftheCoalitiontoBanDHMO,warn,tongue-in-cheek,ofwater'sdangers.

AlabamaChangesValueofPi

TheApril1998newsletterputoutbyNewMexicansforScienceandReasoncontainsanarticletitled"AlabamaLegislatureLaysSiegetoPi".ItwaspennedbyAprilHolidayoftheAssocimatedPress(sic)andtoldthestoryofhowtheAlabamastatelegislaturevotedtochangethevalueofthemathematicalconstantPifrom3.14159totheroundnumberof3.

Theersatz(假的)newsstowwaswrittenbyLosAlamosNationalLaboratoryphysicistMarkBosloughtoparody(滑稽地模仿)legislativeandschoolboardattacksontheteachingofevolutioninNewMexico.

AtBoslough'ssuggestion,DaveThomas,thepresidentofNewMexicansforScienceandReason,postedthearticleinitsentiretytotheInternetnewsgroupTalk.OriginsonApril1.(Thenewsgrouphostsalivelydebateoncreationvs.evolution.)LaterthateveningThomaspostedafullconfessiontothehoax.Hethoughthehadputallrumorstobed.

ButtoThomas'ssurprise,however,severalnewsgroupreadersforwardedthearticletofriendsandposteditonothernewsgroups.

WhenThomascheckedinonthestoryafewweekslater,hewassurprisedtolearnthatithadspreadlikewildfire.Thetelltalesignsofthearticle'ssatiricalintent,suchastheApril1dateandmisspelled"AssocimatedPress"dateline,hadbeenreplacedordeleted.

Alabamalegislatorswerebombardedwithcallsprotestingthelaw.Thelegislatorsexplainedthatthenewswasahoax.Therewasnotandneverhadbeensuchalaw.

TVandNewspaperHoaxes

BeforetheadventoftheInternet,andeventoday,traditionalmediaoutletssuchasnewspapers,radio,andtelevision,havesometimeshoaxedtheiraudiences

A.YB.NC.NG

17.Theestablishmentofthemoderncorporatestructurestarted______.

A.fromearlyseventeenthcentury

B.fromtheMiddleAges

C.underancientRomanlaw

D.fromtheendingoftheindustrialrevolution

18.

Accordingtotheplatinumrule,weshouldtreatourteammembersaswewouldhavethemtreatus.

A.YB.NC.NG

19.

Oneofthetrickstriedbythemoneylaunderswastousetheorganizations'offshorecompaniesto______.

20.

Duetosoilerosion,peoplelivingintheforestregionshavetomigrateannuallyinorderto______.

二、3.ListeningComprehension(20题)21.(24)

A.Tohighlightthedifficultiesoffindingaffordablehousinginthefuture.

B.Toillustrateaproblemwitholdercitizens.

C.Todescribethelackofpublicfacilitiesdesignedfortheelderly.

D.Toindicatetheterriblelivingconditionsofretirementhomes.

22.

【B6】

23.听力原文：W:Excuseme,Sir.I'vebeenwaitingherefornearly20minutesjusttopaymytelephonebill.

M:I'msorryaboutthat.Butthecomputerisdown,andeverybodyhashadtowaittiffsafternoon.

Q:What'sthewomanComplainingabout?

(19)

A.Thelongwait.

B.Themistakesinhertelephonebill.

C.Thebroken-downcomputer.

D.Thebadtelephoneservice.

24.SectionB

Directions:Inthissection,youwillhear3shortpassages.Attheendofeachpassage,youwillhearsomequestions.Boththepassageandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaquestion,youmustchoosethebestanswerfromthefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.

听力原文：Facialexpressionscarrymeaningthatisdeterminedbysituationsandrelationships.Forinstance,inAmericanculture,thesmileistypicallyanexpressionofpleasure.Yetitalsohasotherfunctions.Asmilemayshowaffection,conveypoliteness,ordisguisetruefeelings.Itisalsoasourceofconfusionacrosscultures.Forexample,manypeopleinRussiaconsidersmilingatstrangersinpublictobeunusualandevensuspiciousbehavior.YetmanyAmericanssmilefreelyatstrangersinpublicplaces.SomeRussiansbelievethatAmericanssmileinthewrongplace;someAmericansbelievethatRussiansdon'tsmileenough.InSoutheastAsiancultures,asmileisfrequentlyusedtocoveremotionalpainorembarrassment.

Ourfacesrevealemotionsandattitudes,butweshouldnotattemptto"read"peoplefromanothercultureaswewould"read"someonefromourownculture.Thedegreeoffacialexpressivenessoneexhibitsvariesamongindividualsandcultures.Thefactthatmembersofoneculturedonotexpresstheiremotionsasopenlyasdomembersofanotherdoesnotmeanthattheydonotexperienceemotions.Rather,thereareculturalrestraintsontheamountofnon-verbalexpressivenesspermitted.

Ifwejudgepeoplewhosewaysofshowingemotionsaredifferentaccordingtoourownculturalnorms,wemaymakethemistakeof"reading"theotherpersonincorrectly.

(27)

A.Themeaningoffacialexpressionsdependsonsituations.

B.Facialexpressionscancausemisunderstandingacrossculture.

C.Peoplefromoneculturemaylackfacialexpressionsbecausetheyexperiencelessemotion.

D.Facialexpressionsmaydisguisetruefeelings.

25.

【B7】

26.(35)

A.Theybecamemorepoplar.

B.Theyweremoreregulated.

C.Theybecamebetterproduced.

D.Theybecamelesshonest.

27.听力原文：W:Idon'tthinkIwanttoliveinthedormitorynextyear.Ineedmoreprivacy.

M:Iknowwhatyoumean.Butcheckoutthecostofrentinganapartmentfirst.Iwouldn'tbesurprisedifyouchangedyourmind.

Q:Whatdoesthemanthinkthewomanwilldo?

(16)

A.Askforareductioninherrent.

B.Moveintoanapartmentwitharoommate.

C.Stayinthedormitory.

D.Findoutthecostoflivinginthedormitory.

28.

【B4】

29.听力原文：W：Idon'tknowhowyoucaneatsomuchyetneverputonanyweight,son.Yourfather'sgotthesameluck.Ican'ttakeabitewithoutcalculatinghowmanycaloriesIamtakingin.

M：ButrememberAuntLouise,Mom?Sheatealotandnevergainedapound.

Q：Whoisworriedaboutgamingweight?

(15)

A.Theson.B.Thefather.C.Themother.D.AuntLouise.

30.(31)

A.Toyshavechangedgreatlyoverthecenturies.

B.Toyshaveremainedmostlythesame.

C.Toyshavebeenspreadintoallthecountries.

D.Variationsdevelopedgraduallyduringtheyears.

31.(28)

A.Thecanoescan'tholdmanypeople.

B.Thevisitorswilleasilylosetheirways.

C.Themosquitoeswilleatthemalive.

D.Thegrassissotallthatit'shardforthecanoestopass.

32.

【B2】

33.SectionA

Directions:Inthissection,youwillhear8shortconversationsand2longconversations.Attheendofeachconversation,oneormorequestionswillbeaskedaboutwhatwassaid.Boththeconversationandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Aftereachquestiontherewillbeapause.Duringthepause,youmustreadthefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD,anddecidewhichisthebestanswer.

听力原文：M:Jane,I'mhavingdifficultywithallthetheoreticstuffwearegettinginourcomputercourse.

W:Oh,thatpartIunderstand.WhatIcan'tfigureoutishowtomakeitworkinourprogram.

Q:Whatisthewoman'sproblem?

(11)

A.Hercomputerdoesn'tworkwell.

B.Sheisn'tgettingalongwithherstaff.

C.Shedidn'tregisterforapropercourse.

D.Shecan'tapplythetheorytoherprogram.

34.

【B8】

35.

【B3】

36.听力原文：Yearsagobeforetherewererefrigerators,anicehousewasabuildingusedforstoringice.Thefirsticehouseswereinthecellarsoffarmhouses.Piecesofice,mixedwithsnowandmeadowgrass,werepiledinwinterandkeptuntilthefollowingsummer.Soonfarmersbegantobuildseparatehousesforstoringice.Theseicehouseshaddoublewallswithhaystuffedbetweentokeepoutanyheat.Blocksoficewereputinsidetheicehouseandpackedwithstraworsawdust.

Wheredidtheicefortheseicehousescomefrom?Workerstookitfromafrozenpondorriver.Theysawedtheiceintoevenblocks.Thentheypulledtheiceblocksfromthewaterwithhooksandcarriedthemtotheicehousesonsleds.Specialtoolshelpedtheworkerscutandhandletheice.Iceaxeschoppedlargeholesintheice.Icesawscuttheiceintoevenblocks.Choppersloosenedtheseblocksfromoneanother.Icehooksfastenedthemselvesintothelargeblocks.Thentheycouldbecarriedoverthefrozensurfaceofthepondorriver.Tongswereusedtopickupthesmallerblocksofice.Shipscarriediceallovertheworld.In1799thefirstboatloadintheUnitedStateswassentfromNewYorkCitytoicehousesinNewOrleans,Louisiana.AboatloadwassentfromBoston,Massachusetts,totheWestIndiestohelpfightyellowfeverin1805.IcemerchantsinBostonalsoshippedtonsoficefrompondsandriverstocitiesinEurope.

(30)

A.Separatehouseswerebuiltforstoringice.

B.Doublewallswerebuiltinicehousestokeepcool.

C.Blocksoficewerepackedwithweedinicehouses.

D.IcewasputintoicehousesInwinter.

37.听力原文：Ingeneral,Americanfoodismildtasting;mostAmericansdonotseasontheirfoodtoanygreatdegree.Saladsareverypopularandareservedallyear,butespeciallyinthesummer.Waiterstendtoassumethateveryonedrinkscoffee,butsimplytellthemifyouwishsomethingelse.Ifawaitersays"Noworlater?"hemeans"Doyouwantcoffeewithyourmealorafterit?"Many,butcertainlynotall,Americansdrinkcoffeeorteawiththeirmeals.Eitherwayisperfectlyacceptable.Whendiningout,youcanaskfortea,milk,"coke",wineorbeerifyouprefer.Restaurantscanonlyservebeer,wine,orotheralcoholicdrinksiftheyhavealicense,thatis,permissionfromthelocalgovernmenttoservealcoholicdrinks.Normally,wheneatinginaprivatehome,itisconsideredbettermannerstotakewhateverisbeingservedandnottoaskforsomethingdifferent,unlessthehostessgivesyouachoice.

ThemaincourseservedinAmericanmealsisusuallymeat,fish,orpoultry,butrarelyismorethanoneoftheseservedatthesamemeal.Seafoodissometimesservedasafirstcourse,however.

(33)

A.Seasonedfoods.B.Salads.C.Seafish.D.Sweets.

38.(17)

A.Movehisplantsawayfromthewindow.

B.Watertheplantsmoreoften.

C.Lettheplantshavemoresunlight.

D.Lethertakecareoftheplantsforawhile.

39.听力原文：M:AfterKathycamebackfromherhoneymoon,shehasbeenupsetthesedays.Doyouknowthereason?

W:Herhusbandhadtoleaveheraloneinthehotelbecausehiscompanyassignedhimanurgentmission.Soshedidnothingbutwentshoppingwithoutherhusband'scompany.

Q:WhyhasKathybeenupsetthesedays?

(19)

A.Shehadtoworkthroughoutherhoneymoon.

B.Shehadnothingtododuringherhoneymoon.

C.Shecouldn'tgoshoppinginherhoneymoon.

D.Shespentherhoneymoonallbyherself.

40.(15)

A.Becausetheyhavesomefinancialproblems.

B.BecausetherewillbemuchraininMay.

C.Becausetheywon'thavefreetimeinMay

D.Becausetheycan'thaveeverythinggotreadybythen.

三、4.ReadingComprehension(ReadinginDepth)(20题)41.

Theauthorwantstoconveytheideainthelastparagraphthat______.

A.theflavorofchickengravyaddedtopotatoescanprovidebettertaste

B.thepotatohasitsownspecificroletoplay

C.potatoesmaybemadeuseofinmanyways

D.noonecanmakepotatoestastelikechicken

42.(55)

43.Theproblemmentionedinthelastparagraphrefersto______.

A.theseparationofteachingfromresearch

B.raisingthestatusofacademicresearch

C.professors'reluctancetoteach

D.thecombinationofteachingandresearch

44.

Theoristsaimatmakingnon-theoristsdosomeresearchabout______withintheframeworksetbythem.

45.

Whatpossiblyresultedintheevolutionfromleaflesstreetoflatleaves?

A.ThedecreaseCO2inlevels.

B.Theincreaseofforests.

C.Thedropoftemperatures.

D.Thechangeofclimatesliketoday.

46.

Thephrase"catchon"(Line1,Para.3)mostprobablymeans______.

A.interfereB.prevailC.perceiveD.continue

47.BeforeDNAfingerprintingisused,suspects______.

A.wouldhavetoleavetheirfingerprintsforfurtherinvestigations

B.couldeasilyescapeconvictionofguilt

C.wouldhavetosubmitevidencefortheirinnocence

D.couldbeconvictedofguiltaswell

48.Theauthorsaysthatinthecurrentworld,SesameStreet______.

A.hasslightedgeoverothershowstargetingchildren

B.hasmadesomechangessoastokeepupwiththetimes

C.triestocatertoadultswhoaccompanytheirchildrentotheshow

D.isdoomedtofailduetoitsout-datedcontentandpresentation

49.

TheMexicangovernmenttakeshalfmeasurestosolvethepollutionproblembecause______.

A.Mexicaneconomydependsverymuchoncarsandfactories

B.itisnotwiseenoughtocomeupwitheffectivemeasures

C.Mexicansareabletoadaptthemselvestothecurrentemergency

D.Mexicansenjoyplayingdangerousgameswiththeirhealth

50.

【C7】

51.

【C4】

52.

IntheUnitedStates,theblackwere______.

A.ofthelowestsocialstatusandsufferedfrompovertyinthelate1960s

B.mostlylivinginslumswheretheywerehauntedbycriminalsinthelate1960s

C.livingaquietandpeacefullifeinlargecitiesinthelate1960s

D.enjoyingequalitywiththewhitepeopleinthelate1960s

53.

Atpresent,aprobableinducementforcountriestoinitiatelarge-scalespaceventuresis______.

A.internationalcooperation

B.nationalisticreasons

C.scientificresearch

D.long-termprofits

54.

Theauthor'sattitudetowardsRussiangovernmentis______.

A.affirmativeB.nostalgicC.neutralD.negative

55.SectionA

Directions:Inthissection,thereisashortpassagewith5questionsorincompletestatements.Readthepassagecarefully.Thenanswerthequestionsorcompletethestatementsinthefewestpossiblewords.

AsPresidentObamaandhiscriticspreparefortheclimacticbattleoverhealthcare,theyfaceaseemingparadox:MillionsofAmericanssaythesystemtheydependonforeverythingfromroutineflushotstolife-savingheartsurgeryisbrokenandneedsfixing.YetmostAmericansalsosaythey'reprettysatisfiedwiththeirhealthcare.Theexplanationfortheapparentcontradiction-andabigreasonhealthcarehasturnedintosuchanincendiaryfight—isthatit'snotonecrisis,it'sabundleofcrises.And,sincemostpeoplearefairlyhealthymostofthetime,problemscangolargelyunnoticeduntilcalamitystrikes.

Medicalcostsarespiralingupmuchfasterthaninflationorpersonalincome,forinstance,buttheimpactiscushionedforamajorityofAmericansbecausetheystillhavejob-relatedinsurance.Whileemployersareshiftingmoreandmoreofthepremiums'costontoworkers,theincreasesaregradualandlumpedinwithotherpayrolldeductions.Formany,it'sonlyafteramedicalproblemoccursthattheydiscoverthecoveragegapsandotherlimitationsintheirinsurancecanturnsicknessintofinancialcalamity.Thereareproblemswithqualityaswell.Americansliketothinktheyhavethebesthealthcareintheworld,andatitsbest,Americanmedicinemaystillbeaworldleader.Butoverall,theevidencesuggeststhatalmosteveryotherdevelopednationdeliversbetterhealthcareatsubstantiallylesscost.ItisagainstthisbackgroundthatOhamaaddressesCongresstonightonhealthcareoverhaul.

Costsareexpectedtorise71%inthenextdecade,accordingtotheCentersforMedicare&MedicaidServices.Insurancepremiumsarerisingwiththem.Evenwithhigherpremiums,largecompaniesarenarrowingthescopeofwhat'scovered.And,amongsmallercompaniesinsomestates,onemajorcancercasecanpushpremiumssohighthattheemployerisforcedtodrophealthbenefitsaltogether.What'sdrivingupcosts?Partlyit'stheabundanceofnewtechnologies,whicharebotheffectiveandexpensive.Inefficiencies"defensivemedicine"designedtoprotectagainstlawsuits,failuretousebestpractices,andariseinfor-profithealthcareentities—alsocontribute.Someexperts,suchasHarvardUniversityeconomistDavidCutler,arguethatmodernizingthehealthcaresystemcouldsavehundredsofbillionsofdollarsannually.Evena1%dropincostswouldmakeitpossibletocovertheuninsured,hecalculates.

Costsforemployer-basedinsurancepremiumshaverisen119%overthelastdecade,morethanthreetimesfasterthanwageincreases.Atthatpace,theaveragefamilypremiumcouldreach$23,842by2020,accordingtoastudybytheCommonwealthFund,anonpartisanhealthcarepolicythinktank.Risingcostshavedrainedresourcesemployersmightotherwisehavedevotedtowageincreases;somecompanieshavecutbenefitsandshiftedpremiumcoststoemployees.

Accordingtothewriter,thehealthcaresystemisconfrontedwith______.

56.SectionB

Directions:Thereare2passagesinthissection.Eachpassageisfollowedbysomequestionsorunfinishedstatements.ForeachofthemtherearefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.Youshoulddecideonthebestchoice.

Spendingtimeinabookshopcanbemostenjoyable,whetheryouareabook-loverormerelygotheretobuyabookasapresent.Youmayevenhaveenteredtheshopjusttofindshelterfromasuddenshower.Whateverthereason,youcansoonbecometotallyunawareofyoursurroundings.Thedesiretopickupabookwithanattractivedust-jacketisirresistible,althoughthismethodofselectionoughtnottobefollowed,asyoumightendupwitharatherdullbook.Yousoonbecomeengrossedinsomebookorother,andusuallyitisonlymuchlaterthatyourealizeyouhavespendtoomuchtimethereandmustdashofftokeepsomeforgottenappointment—withoutbuyingabook,ofcourse.

Thisopportunitytoescapetherealitiesofeverydaylifeis,Ithink,themainattractionofabookshop.Themarenotmanyplaceswhereitispossibletodothis.Amusicshopisverymuchlikeabookshop.Youcanwanderroundsuchplacestoyourheart'scontent.Ifitisagoodshop,noassistantwillapproachyouwiththeinevitablegreeting:"CanIhelpyou,sir?"Youneedn'tbuyanythingyoudon'twant.Inabookshopanassistantshouldremaininthebackgrounduntilyouhavefinishedbrowsing.Then,andonlythen.arehisservicesnecessary.Ofcourse,youmaywanttofindoutwhereaparticularsectionis,butwhenhehasledyouthere,theassistantshouldretirediscreetlyandlookasifheisnotinterestedinsellingasinglebook.Youhavetobecarefulnottobeattractedbythevarietyofbooksinabookshop.Itisveryeasytoentertheshoplookingforabookon,say,ancientcoinsandtocomeoutcarryingacopyofthelatestbest-sellingnovelandperhapsabookaboutbrass-rubbing—somethingwhichhadonlyvaguelyinterestedyouuptillthen.Thisvolumeonthesubject,however,happenedtobesowellillustratedandthepartofthetextyoureadprovedsointeresting,thatyoujusthadtobuyit.Thissortofthingcanbeverydangerous.Apartfromrunningupahugeaccount,youcanwasteagreatdealoftimewanderingfromsectiontosection.

Book-sellermustbebothlong-sufferingandindulgent.Thereisastorywhichwellillustratesthis.Amedicalstudenthadtoreadatext-bookwhi