全新版 大学英语 快速阅读第一册 Unit10(素文整理)

Unit 10

I. Directions: Read the following passages, and then select the best choice for each of the

questions or incomplete statements.

Passage 1

The world is running out of oil, and energy experts believe that there could be serious shortages in ten years' time. Governments are searching for a suitable alternative, but so far it has been in vain. They are considering how they can make better use of the two other major fuels, coal and natural gas, but they have found that neither can take the place of oil in terms of economy. In recent years, there has been a growing concern for the environment and coal is not a popular fuel with environmentalists. Coal mines are ugly, and their development has a serious effect on animal and plant life; coal itself is a heavy pollutant. Natural gas, the purest of the three fuels, is also the most limited in supply.

The answer would seem to lie in nuclear power stations. They need very little fuel to produce enormous amount of power and they do not pollute the atmosphere. Their dangers, however, are so great and the cost of building them is so high that some governments are unwilling to invest in them. Not only could one accident in a single nuclear power station spread as much radioactivity as a thousand Hiroshima (广岛) atom bombs, but the radioactive waste from these stations is extremely dangerous--for one hundred thousand years. So is there no possible alternative to nuclear power?

Well, there are several, but none of them seems likely to satisfy future world energy demands. Scientists have recently turned their attention to natural sources of energy: the sun, the sea, the wind and hot springs. Of these the sun seems the most promising source for the future. Houses have already been built which are heated entirely by solar (太阳的) energy. However, solar energy can only be collected during daylight hours, and in countries where the weather is unreliable, an alternative heating system has to be included. Another source of energy which could be more widely used is that generated by water or steam from under the earth. This form of energy is already being used in New Zealand, Iceland, and very successfully in Italy, where it in fact generates a quarter of the nation's electricity. Many scientists are optimistic (乐观的) that new ways of generating large amounts of energy will be successfully developed, but at the same time they fear the consequences. If the world population goes on increasing at its present rate, and each

individual continues to use more energy every year, in fifty years' time, we would damage the earth's atmosphere. We can all help to protect the environment by not wasting energy, and make the world a cleaner, healthier place for future generations.

(Words: 441)

1. The energy experts have done the following to find solutions to energy shortages

EXCEPT_____.

A) looking for other fuels to replace oil

B) planning more nuclear power stations

C) considering natural resources

D) considering geothermal energy

2. By saying "coal is not a popular fuel with environmentalists" the writer means

that _____.

A) coal is more expensive than natural gas

B) coal causes environmental problems

C) coal is more and more difficult to find

D) coal mines are ugly

3. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A) Nuclear power is a safe and reliable energy source.

B) Solar energy is always available as a source of energy.

C) Water and steam energy has been successfully used in some countries.

D) The real solution to energy crisis lies in natural sources of energy.

4. What are scientists' attitudes towards new energy exploration?

A) Optimistic. B) Pessimistic. C) Fearful. D) Mixed.

5. What can ordinary people do to help protect the environment?

A) Develop more energy.

B) Keep the population from increasing rapidly.

C) Conserve energy.

D) Clean up the world.

Passage 2

What will cities of the future be like? Will they have the same problems as our present cities? Or will they be wonderful places to live in? What cities of the future will be like depends on how we plan cities today.

People-called city planners look for ways to solve city problems. As city planners are specialists, they look ahead to the future. They look for ways to help cities to grow. Sometimes, they even plan whole new cities.

City planners worry about the problems of CBDs (Central Business District). How can these busy areas meet the needs of both people and businesses? The city of Fresno, California, has worked out good answers to this question. Not long ago, the CBD there was crowded and ugly. It was hard to walk there because there were so many cars and trucks. And shoppers had no room to park.

However, Fresno's city planners decided to change the city's CBD. First, they made it much nicer to look at. They planted trees. They built fountains, walkways, and play areas. Then they fixed up the older buildings in the CBD and even built new ones.

Then the city planners said that no cars could drive into the CBD. People could park their cars in nearby garage, but they either had to walk into the CBD or drive in little electric cars.

Today, Fresno's CBD is a good place to visit. It is very nice to walk in, and it has many pretty things to look at.

Many cities today do not have enough space for new buildings. All their land is used up. One way to find space is to look in a new direction--up. All cities have a lot of unused air space. A few years ago, an airline wanted to put up a new building. They wanted to build it in the center of Manhattan Island. But Manhattan is the most crowded part of New York City. Unused land on Manhattan would have been very hard to find.

The airline solved its problem by using air space. That is, they put up their building over another building. The company's new building was built over a train station.

(Words: 367)

1. According to the passage, city planners do the following jobs EXCEPT _____.

A) solving city problems

B) designing city spaces

C) building modem houses

D) planning whole new cities

2. From the passage, we learn that a fine city depends on _____.

A) future planners

B) careful planning

C) the improvement of CB D

D) house construction

3. Which of the following was NOT adopted by city planners to change the Fresno's CBD?

A) They built more parking lots.

B) They planted more trees.

C) They built areas for entertainment.

D) They made it more beautiful.

4. How did the airline solve the problem of constructing a building in crowded Manhattan?

A) They built more walkways.

B) They fixed up older buildings.

C) They found space underground.

D) They used the air space above an existing building.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that __________.

A) the same city problems of today will exist with future cities

B) future cities will be pleasant places to live in

C) the look of future cities depends on how we use air space today

D) there will be more tall buildings in future cities

II. Directions: Read the following passages, and then decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

Passage 3

Just look around at any school or shopping mall and you'll see (and hear) one thing for sure' Teens are head over heels for cell phones. By 2005, two out of three Americans between the ages of 10 and 19 will be mobile, say experts at the Boston-based research firm, Yankee Group. Yet a troubling question dogs (困绕，纠缠) cell phone use: Do the phones possibly cause brain cancer?

Two new studio--- one funded by the cell phone industry and the US government, the other by the National Cancer institute--- claim' Probably not.

The studies compared 1,251 brain cancer patients with 1,221 cancer-free people. All subjects were short-term cell phone users who chatted less than three hours per month and owned a cell phone for three years. Neither study proved a conclusive (决定性的) link between using cell phones and brain cancer. "But these studies don't answer the question, is it absolutely impossible for cell phones to cause brain cancer?" says John Molders, a cancer specialist at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Yet not all scientists agree cell phones are harmless. Previous research has shown a possible link between cell phones and brain cancer in animals, says Louis Slewing, editor of Microwave News. The issue is far from settled, he says.

Cell phones emit all invisible type of energy called radiowaves. When you speak into a digital cell phone, your vocal vibrations are convened into digital signals (a series of on-off pulses). The phone's antenna (天线) then transmits the signals as radiowaves, which bounce between radio towel's and satellites in orbit above Earth.

While both sending and receiving calls, your cell phone emits a tiny amount of energy--- less than one watt (energy unit per second)--- next to your head. Many experts think radiowaves are harmless, even at that close range. Others, however, think, "The jury (裁决) is still out."

(Words: 304)

( ) 1. Two-thirds of Americans will use mobile phone by 2005.

( ) 2. There's still no definite conclusion as to whether cell phones cause brain cancer. ( ) 3. A research proves that the use of cell phones causes brain cancer in animals. ( ) 4. Cell phones transmit vocal vibrations from one to another.

( ) 5. Experts are divided about the harmlessness of radiowaves.

Passage 4

Electronic computers are among the fastest and most useful instruments for sorting and comparing now in use. Computers provide the means for greater speed and accuracy in working with ideas than had previously been possible. With the development of these new tools, it is as if we have suddenly become millionaires of the mind.

Although we have been growing mentally richer ever since we developed the ability to think, the electronic computer allows and will continue to allow us to perform tremendous "mental" tasks in a relatively short time. Great scientists of the past produced ideas which were the foundation for great advances, but their ideas sometimes had to wait for years before they were sufficiently (足够地) well-understood to be of practical use. With the computer, the ideas of today's scientists can be studied, tested, distributed, and used more rapidly than ever before.

Old lines and methods of communication do not work easily or efficiently with the great amount of information we have now. The repeated actions of preparing, sorting, filing, distributing, and keeping track of records and publications can be as troublesome as calculating. Errors occur because humans can grow tired and can be distracted (分心的).

The basic job of computers is the tireless processing of such information. For this reason, computers can be defined as devices which accept information, perform mathematical or logical operations with the information, and then supply the results of these operations as new information.

The future use and development of computers will depend on our own cleverness and skills. After all, we created computers, and we will continue to improve them.

(Words: 265)

( ) 1. The new tool of computer helps many people become millionaires.

( ) 2. Today, ideas of scientists may be put into practical use much more quickly. ( ) 3. Errors may occur in calculations because some calculations are too troublesome. ( ) 4. The writer believes that the computer is a revolutionary tool.

( ) 5. In the future, computers can improve and update themselves.

III. Directions: Read the following passages, and then fill in the blanks with the missing information.

Passage 5

Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning. They can solve the most complex mathematical problems or put thousands of unrelated facts in order. These machines can be put to varied uses. For instance, they can provide information on the best way to prevent traffic accidents, or they can count the number of times the word "and" has been used in the Bible. Because they work accurately and at high speeds, they save research workers years of hard work.

This process by which machines can be used to work for us has been called automation. "Automation" was a word coined in the 1940s, and while the word was new, the idea was not. We know of the automatic valves (阀门) and their role in the develop- ment of the steam engine. Long before that, during the Middle Ages, windmills (风车) had been made to turn by taking advantage of changes in the wind by means of devices that worked automatically.

We now use the term "automation" for specific techniques combined to operate automatically in a complete system. In the future, automation may enable human beings to enjoy far more leisure than they do today. The coming of automation is bound to have important social consequences.

Some time ago an expert on automation, Sir Leon Bagrit, pointed out that it was a mistake to believe that these machines could "think." That is, there is no possibility that human beings will be "controlled by machines." Though computers are capable of learning from their mistakes and improving on their performance, they need detailed instructions from human beings in order to operate. They can never, as it were, lead independent lives, or "rule the world" by making decisions of their own.

Sir Leon said that in the future, computers would be small enough to carry in the pocket. Computers could be plugged (插入) into a national network and be used like radios. For instance, people going on holiday could be informed about weather conditions; car drivers could be given alternative routes when there are traffic jams. It will also be possible to make tiny translating machines. This will enable people who do not share a common language to talk to each other without any difficulty or to read foreign publications. Computers are the most efficient servants we have ever had, and there is no

limit to the way they can be used to improve our lives.

(Words: 403)

1. With the computer's __________ scientists save years of hard work.

2. The writer used automatic valves and windmills as examples to show __________.

3. The computers need __________ in order to operate.

4. The size of future computers would be __________.

5. The last paragraph is mainly about __________.

Passage 6

We are an expanding company, and we are now moving into the world market.

We require:

(1) Manufacturing Manager

●Higher Certificate/Diploma, or above, in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronic

Engineering, or relevant discipline (学科)

●Minimum 10 years working experience in manufacturing management, and familiar

with computer planning and production scheduling. Knowledge of BPCS is a plus.

●Must manage about 500 workers.

(2) Material Purchasing Manager

●Experience in marketing would be an advantage.

●Good communication skills and excellent customer skills are a must.

(3) Project Manager

●Experience in Mechanical/Electrical~lectronic Engineering or relevant field

(4) Software Engineer/Computer Programmer

●At least 4 years' experience in MS-DOS and MS-Windows programming

●Familiarity with MRP system and knowledge of Lotus, as well as Windows BPCS for

workgroup will be an advantage. Must program in C, C++.

(5) Designer

●Polytechnic (综合性工艺大学) I. graduate

●Three years' working experience and familiarity with office equipment and electronic

products design. Understanding of Europe and Asia markets is preferred.

(6) Secretary to Board of Directors

●Good command of spoken English and French

●Shorthand, operation of PC, and typing are required.

●At least 3 years' experience related to the management field

●We offer excellent pay and prospects (~~), with 5 weeks of holiday a year plus public

holidays, a company car, and a company pension scheme.

●Write, with CV, to the Personnel Manager, Box 43257, Daily News, Kemsworth Street,

London.

(Words: 213)

1. If you apply for the position of manufacturing manager, you should be familiar with __________.

2. If you apply for the position of material purchasing manager, you must __________.

3. The company prefers the designer who __________.

4. If you apply for the position of secretary to Board of Directors, you'd better be fluent __________.

5. The company offers an annual holiday of __________.

Key

Unit 10

Passage1

B B

C

D C

Passage 2

C B A

D D

Passage 3

F T F F T

Passage 4

F T F T F

Passage 5

1. accurate and high-speed work

2. "automation" was not a new idea

3. detailed instructions from human beings

4. small enough to carry in our pockets

5. the possible uses of small-sized computers in the future Passage 6

1. computer planning and production scheduling

2. have good communication skills and excellent customer skills

3. understands the markets in Europe and Asia

4. in spoken English and French

5.5 weeks plus public holidays