2014年6月大学英语六级考试阅读真题及答案

　　Section C

　　Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A). B). C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

　　Passage One

　　Questions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.

　　Texting has long been bemoaned (哀叹)as the downfall of the written word,””penmanship for illiter,”as one critic called it. To which the proper response is LOL.

　　Texting properly isn′t writing at all. It′s a “spoken” language that is getting richer and more complex by the year.

　　First,some historical perspective. Writing was only invented 5,500 years ago. whereas Ianguage probably traces back at least 80.000 years. Thus talking came first; writing is just a craft that came along later. As such, the first writing was based on the way people talk，with short sentences.

　　However, while talking is largely subconscious and rapid, writing is deliberate and slow, Over time,writers took advantage of this and started cratting long-winded sentences such as this one:The whole engagement lasted above 12 hours, till the gradual retreat of the Per trsians was changed into a disorderly flight, of which the shameful example was given by the principal leaders and……”

　　No one talks like that casually — or should. But it is natural to desire to do so for special occasions. In the old days, we didn’t much write like talking because there was no mechanism to reproduce the speed of conversation. But texting and instant messaging do — and a revolution has begun. It involves the crude mechanics of writing, but in its economy, spontaneity and even vulgaritv. texting is actually a new kind of talking, with its own kind of grammar and conventions.

　　Take LOL. It doesn’t actually mean “laughing out loud” in a literal sense anymore. LOL has evolved into something much subtler and sophisticated and is used even when nothing is remotely amusing. Jocelyn texts “Where have you been?” and Annabelle texts back ，LOL at the library studying for two hours.” LOL signals basic empath)’(同感)between tcxters. easing tension and creating a sense of equality. Instead of having a literal meaning, it docs something - conveying an attitude — just like the -cd ending conveys past tense rather than “meaning.，anything. LOL. of all things, is grammar.

　　Of course no one thinks about that consciously. But then most of communication operates without being noticed. Over time, the meaning of a word or an expression drifts meat used to mean any kind of food, silly used to mean, believe it or not，blessed.

　　Civilization, then，is fine 一 people banging away on their smartphones are fluently using a code separate from the one they use in actual writing, and there is no evidence that texting is ruining composition skills. Worldwide people speak differently from the w ay they write, and texting -quick, casual and only intended to be read once — is actually a way of talking with your fingers.

　　56. What do critics say about texting?

　　A) It is mainly confined to youngsters

　　B) It competes with traditional writing.

　　C) It will ruin the wnttcn language.

　　D) It is often hard to understand.

　　57. In what way does the author say writing is different from talking?

　　A) It is crafted with specific skills.

　　C) It does not have as long a history.

　　B) It expresses ideas more accuratcly.

　　D) It is not as easy to comprehend.

　　58. Why is LOL much used in tcxting?

　　A) It brings textcrs closer to each other.

　　B) It shows the tcxtcr's sophistication.

　　C) It is a trendy way to communicate

　　D) It adds to the humor of the text

　　59. Examples like meat and silly are cited to show

　　A) the difTerencc between writing and talking

　　B) how difTercntly words are used in tcxting

　　C) why people use the words the way they do

　　D) the gradual change of word meaning

　　60.what does the author think of texting?

　　A)It facilitates exchange of ideas among people.

　　B)It is a new form of verbal communication.

　　C)It deteriorates pelple's composition skills.

　　D)It hastens the decline of the written word.

　　Passage Two

　　Questions 61to 65are based on the following passage.

　　it's possible to admire oprah winfrey and still wish Harvard hadn't awarded her an honorary doctor of law degree and the commencement(毕业典礼)speaker spot at yesterday's graduation.There's no question Oprah's achievements place her in the temple of American success stories. Talent,charm,and an exceptional work ethic have rarely hurled anyone of world's most successful entertainment icons and the first African-American female billionaire.

　　Honorary degrees are often conferred on non-academic leaders in the arts,business,and politics.Harvard's list in recent years has included Kofi fi Annan,Bill Gates,Meryl Streep,and David Souter.But Oprah's list in recent years has included Kofi Annan,Bill Gates,Mery1 Streep,and david souter.But Oprah's particular brand of celebrity is not a good fit for the values of a university whose motto(座右铭),Veritas,means truth.Oprah's passionate advocacy extends,unfortunately,to a hearty embrace of fake science.Most notoriously,Oprah's validation of jenny McCarthy's claim that vaccines cause autism(自闭症)has no doubt contributed to much harm through the foolish avoidance of vaccines.

　　Famous people arc entitled to a few failings, like the rest of us. and the choice of commencement speakers often reflects a balance of insututional pnonties and aspirations. Judging from our conversations with many students. Oprah was a widely popular choice.

　　But this vote of confidence in Oprah sends a troubling message at precisely the time when American univereities need to do more to advance the cause of reason. As former Dean of Harvard College. Harry Lewis, noted in a blog post about his objections. “It seems vcrv odd for Harvard to honor such a high profile popularizer of the irrational…… at a time when political and religious nonsense so jeopardize the rule of reason in this allegedly enlightened democracy and around the world.”

　　As America′s oldest and most visible university. Harvard has a spccial opportunity to convey its respcct for science not only through its research and teaching programs but also in its public affirmation of evidence-based inquiry.

　　Unfortunately，many American universities seem awfully busy protecting their brand name and not nearly busy enough protecting the pursuit of knowledge. A recent article in The Harvard Crimson noted the shocking growth of Harvard′s public relations arm in the last five years and it questioned whether a focus on risk management and avoiding controversywas really the best outward-looking face of this great institution.

　　As American research universities begin to resemble profit centers and entertainment complexes, it’s easy to lose sight of their primary mission; to produce and spread knowledge.This mission depends on traditions of rational discourse and vigorous defense of the scientific method.Oprah Winfrey’s honoray doctorate was a step in the wrong direction.

　　61.what do we learn about Oprah Winfrey from the passage?

　　A)She was a distinguished graduate of H arvard School of LaW.

　　B)She worked her way to success in the entertainment industry.

　　C)She used to abuse her children when she was a young mother.

　　D)She achieved her fame through persistent advocacy of fake science.

　　62.Why does the author deem it inappropriate for Harvard to confer an honorary degree on Oprah winfrey?

　　A) She did not specialize in the study of law.

　　B)She was known as a supporter of fake science.

　　C)She was an icon of the entertainment industry

　　D)She had not distinguished herself academically.

　　63.How did Harry Lewis react to Harvard’s decision in his blong post ?

　　A)He was strongly against it.

　　B)He considered it unpopular.

　　C)He thought it would help enhance Harvard’s reputation.

　　D)He thought it represented the will of the Harvard community.

　　64.What is the author’s regret about many American universities?

　　A)They show inadequate respect for evidence-based inquiry

　　B)They fall short of expectations in teaching and research

　　C)They attach too much importance to public relations

　　D)They are tolerant of political and religious nonsense

　　65.What does the author think a prestigious university like H arvard should focus on?

　　A)Cultivation of student creativity

　　B)Liberation of the human mind

　　C)Liberation of the human mind

　　D)Pursuit of knowledge and truth

　　参考答案

　　56. C. It will ruin the written language.

　　解析：题干问到批评者对短消息的评价，这出现在首段首句。这里批评者哀叹短消息是downfall of the written word(书面文字的衰落)。downfall对应ruin(毁坏、堕落)，written word对应written language。

　　57. A. It is crafted with specific skills.

　　解析：题干所问的书面语与口语的区别出现在第二段。本段，作者用两者历史长短的差异引出了两者特点的差异：书面语是出现在口语之后的一种工艺 (writing is just a craft that came along later)。下文具体举例，体现了书面语突出句子的技术性(crafting long-winded sentences)。这都对应A选项。C选项所说的“书面语历史不如口语久”(It does not have as long a history)在本段有提及，但并非是作者强调的两者的区别。其它选项未提及。

　　58. A. It brings texters closer to each other.

　　解析：题干问到LOL在短信中的功能，出现在第四段。该段开头指出LOL并不是简单的字面意思(doesn’t mean…in a literal sense anymore)，而是演变为了更微妙、复杂的含义(evolve into something much subtler and sophisticated)。我该段中间进一步举例指出，LOL可以消除对话双方的紧张、创造公平感(easing tension and creating a sense of equality)。这即被改写为brings texters closer(将双方拉得更近)。

　　59. D. the gradual change of word meaning

　　解析：题干问到meat和silly的例子被引用是为了说明什么。文中meat和silly出现在第五段末的破折号后，而破折号前即是这两个词作为例子要论证的观点：词与表达的意思会随着时间变化(Over time, the meaning of a word or an expression frits)。这对应的即是D选项。

　　60. B. It is a new form of verbal communication.

　　解析：本题所问的作者对短信息的观点集中出现在末段。末段首句作者提出发短信并不会导致写作技能的衰退(there is no evidence that texting is ruining composition skills)。第二句提到发短信事实上是一种用手指说话的方式(is actually a way of talking with your fingers)，这对应的就是B选项的意思。

　　61. B. She worked her way to success in the entertainment industry.

　　解析：文章首段介绍了关于Oprah Winfrey的信息。首段末提到她为one of the world’s most successful entertainment icons(世界上最著名的娱乐偶像之一)，这对应的就是B选项。其它几个选项，A称其为“哈佛大学法学院”的著名毕业生(a distinguished graduate of Harvard School of Law)，但首段首句明确提出哈佛只是给她办法荣誉博士学位(honorary doctor of law degree)，可知她本人并非哈佛毕业。C说她曾“虐待自己的小孩”(abuse her children)，但首段末句只是提到她本人曾被虐待、且曾是一位年轻的母亲(this former abused teenage mother)。D称她通过长期支持伪科学而有名(achieved her fame through advocacy of fake science)。第二段第四句确实提及Opera支持伪科学理论，但这并非她成名之道;她是由娱乐界的身份而成名的。

　　62. B. She was known as a supporter of fake science.

　　解析：题干问到作者认为哈佛不应该给Oprah颁发荣誉学位的原因，作者在第二段第三句中提到了这个观点(Oprah’s particular brand of celebrity is not a good fit)。原因出现在第四句，作者提出Oprah一致相当拥护伪科学理论(Oprah’s passionate advocacy extends to a hearty embrace of fake science)。这对应的即是B选项。

　　63. A. He was strongly against it.

　　解析：题干问到的Harry Lewis在Blog spot中对哈佛行为的评价出现在文章第四段第二句，这里明确说道Harry表示了他对此行为的反对(objection)，并举他具体的话强调了他认为哈佛决定的不妥以及不合时宜。这对应的是A选项。其它选项都无法体现Harry的强烈负面态度。

　　64. A. They show inadequate respect for evidence-based inquiry.

　　解析：题干问到作者对许多美国大学的遗憾，这直接对应第六段段首的unfortunately，其后面的内容应该就是令作者感到遗憾的事。这里作者提到许多美国大学只忙于维护品牌，对追求知识的保护则不足够(not busy enough protecting the pursuit of knowledge)。这里的not enough即对应inadequate。考虑到上段末作者曾提到哈佛这类大学应该要公开肯定基于证据的质询(public affirmation of evidence-based inquiry)，而affirmation对应respect。结合上述信息与本段首的unfortunately，可知这里作者想表达的也就应该是这些大学对于evidence-based inquiry的肯定做得不够。

　　65. D. Pursuit of knowledge and truth.

　　解析：题干问到作者认为像哈佛这种著名大学应该关注的方面是什么，这对应末段首句作者提到的primary mission(首要任务)，因此这里提到的produce and spread knowledge(制造与传播知识)即应该是正确答案信息，对应的也只有D 选项。