第二部分：阅读理解(共25小题：每小题2分，满分50分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A，B、c和D)中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

Money is the root of all evil and new study claims there may be some truth behind the saying.Scientists at the  University of California.Berkeley, US，announced on February 27 that rich people are more likely to do unethical (不道德的)things.such as lie or cheat，than poorer people.

The scientists did a series of eight experiments.They published their findings online in the Proceedings of  the  NationalAcademyofSciences(PNAS，《美国国家科学院院刊》).

They carried out the first two experiments from the sidewalk near Berkeley.They noted that drivers of newer and more expensive cars were more likely to cut off other cars and pedestrians at crosswalks.Nearly 45 percent of people driving expensive cars ignored a peaestrian compared with only 30 percent of people driving more modest  (不豪华的)cars.

In another experiment，a group of college students was asked if they would do unethical things in various everyday situations.Examples included taking printer paper from work and not telling a salesperson when he or she gave back more change.Students from higher-class families were more likely to act dishonestly.

According to the scientists，rich people often think money call get them out of trouble.This makes them less afraid to take risks.It also means they care less about other people’s feelings.

Finally，it simply makes them greedier.“Higher wealth status seems to make you want even more，and that increased want leads you to bend the rules or break the rules to serve your self-interest，’’said Paul Piif,lead scientist of the study.

Piff pointed out that the findings don’t mean that all rich people are untrustworthy(不能信赖的)or all poor people honest.He said the experiments were to show how people living in different social situations express their instincts and values in different ways.

41.By saying“money is the root ofall evil”，the author wants to    .

A.draw readers’attention to the research    B.1ink wealth with bad behavior

C.show how the saying proves the findings D.defend rich people who do unethical things

42.Which of the following is TRUE about the experiments the scientists did，according to the scientist quoted?

A.Most wealthy people are not trustworthy.

B.The findings were not persuasive enough and the scientists will do further experiments.

C.Drivers of more expensive cars are more likely to break traffic rules.

D.Students from poorer families are not as honest as studentsfrom richerfamilies.

43.What makes rich people unethical according to the scientists7.

a.they become more selfish   b.they have more desires

c.they’believe money talks  d.they welcome risks

A.ab    B.abd    C.bc     D.abc

44.Why did the scientists do the experiments?

A.To show how social status affects people's ethics.

B.To show people’s instincts and values in different ways.

C. To test whether the saying“money is the root of all evil”is true.

D.To show the difference between higher-class people and lower-class people.

45.What does the article really want to show us?

A.Money is the root of all evil.  B.The rich are more likely to actbadly.

C.The saying is reasonable.     D.All rich people are untrustworthy.

B

It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it.The word“huh?”is in worldwide use, a study found.

Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include‘‘huh?”,or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly，the word is an absolutely necessary part of speech.Without it and similar words，it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would 1cad to constant misunderstandings.

But while other words used in the same context，such as‘‘sotry'’or‘‘what”，vary widely across languages，“huh?”remains unchanged.

The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world，including Siwu,which is spoken in Ghana,and an Australian Aboriginal language，as well as Italian，Spanish，Dutch and Mandarin Chinese.

They analysed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like‘‘huh?”and were used to request that whatever had Just been said be repeated.All contained a version of“huh?”.The word was also found in another21 languages.While there were subtle differences in each country,a11 sounded basically the same.

This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing.For instance，the Japanese for“dog’’is‘‘inu”，while the French is‘‘chien”.It is thought that languages around the world have developed their own version of“huh?’’because the sound is quick and simple to form，as well as being easily undertood.

The researchers，said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like“huh?'’but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication.They also have an answer for those who claim  that‘‘huh?’’isn’t a word.They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages.It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say，rather than a grunt or crythat we  are born knowing how to make.

46.According to researchers，the word“huh?”is very important in speech because 0I——.

A. its stable meaning in language development B.its important function in communication

C.its simple and easy sound and spelling    D.its popularity in every language

47.What is the natural response if you hear the lady you’re speaking to say“huh?”?

A.You should ask her to repeat what she says before that：

B.You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice.

C.You should invite her to share her different views politely.

D. You should try to repeat what you’ve just said in a clearer way.

48.The main method used in the research of“huh?”was_____________.

A.interviewing language experts in universities

B.talking with people from ten different countries

C.analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages

D.comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages

49.According to researchers，‘‘huh?”should be considered a word.rather than a sound because __________ .

A.it is listed in most dictionaries                   B.it is something humans learn to say

C.there is a clear and consistent spelling ofthe word D.it is pronounces quite differently around the world

50.What is the purpose of the text?

A.To inform readers about research on the worldwide used word“huh?”.

B.To argue that“huh?”is the most important word in every language.

C.To entertain readers by relating similar idioms in different languages.

D.To instruct readers of the differences of“huh?”in different languages.

C

When I was young I wanted to be a model，so when a national contest was staged，I convinced my parents to take me for an audition(试演). I was selected and told I had potential.They said that for only$900 I could attend a weekend event which dozens of the most prestigious(有声望的)modeling agencies from around the world would attend.At l 3，my hopes of fame and fortune clouded all judgment and I begged my parents to let me go.We have  never been rich，but they saw my enthusiasm and agreed.

I imagined being signed by some famous model companies.For months，any boredom or disappointment I faced was pushed aside because I knew I would soon have the chance to be a real model.I thought I would grace the covers of famous magazines!

Of course，I wasn’t signed，but what hurt the most was being told that if I grew to 5'9”(about 1.75metres)I could be a success.I prayed for a growth spurt(冲刺)because I could not imagine giving up my dream.I made an appointment with a local modeling agency and the agent demanded$500 for classes.$500 for a photo shoot and $300 for other expenses.My parents only agreed after hours and hours of me begging.

The agency sent me out on a few auditions，but with every day I didn’t receive a call，I grew more depressed.

The final straw came in July after I had decided to focus on commercial modeling.There was an open call in New York City.We spent hours driving and another few hours waiting.only to be told that I was too short.I was devastated(感到难以承受的).

Years later，I realized that the trip to New York was good as it made me notice I didn’t actually love modeling，just the idea of it.I wanted to be special and 1 was innocently determined to reach an impossible goal.The experience has made me stronger and that will help me in the future.

51.What’s the main reason why the author wanted to be a model?

A.She won a national contest.

B.She wanted to get reputation and wealth.

C.She was urged by some modeling agencies.

D.She had full potential to be a successful model.

52.What’s the author’s parents’attitude toward her dream?

A.Encouraging.    B.Worried.    C.Doubtful.D.Enthusiastic.

53.What was it that made the author end her attempt to become a model?

A.Her parents were strongly against it.

B.She realized that it was impossible for her.

C.Even a local modeling agency turned her down.

D.She didn’t actually love the idea of modeling.

54.The underlined phrase‘'The final straw”probably means __________ .

A.the refusal in spite ofher long hours ofwaiting and working

B.the final result that she was admired by the model company

C.the final audition given by the famous agency

D.the decision she made at last not to be a model

55.What did the author learn from her experience of struggling to be a model?

A.Where there’s a will，there’s a way.

B.Being a model is not that easy.

C.We should have our own judgment and should not just follow others.

D.we might set unpractical goals but the experiences earl help us grow.