电子科技大学（成都）考博英语真题,考博英语试题

电子科技大学2008年博士研究生（秋季）入学试题

考试科目：1002 英语考试时间：180分钟考试总分：100分

Part I Vocabulary & Structure (15%; 0.5 for each)
Directions: There are 30 incomplete sentences in this part. For each sentence there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Choose the ONE that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
1. ____ dull he may be, he is certainly a very successful top executive.
[A] Although
[B] whatever
[C] As
[D] However
2. If only I ____ play the guitar as well as you!
[A] would
[B] could
[C] should
[D] might
3. The party, ____ I was the guest of honour, was extremely enjoyable.
[A] by which
[B] for which
[C] to which
[D] at which
4. It's high time we ____ cutting down the rainforests.
[A] stopped
[B] had to stop
[C] shall stop
[D] stop
5. The student said there were a few points in the essay he ____ impossible to comprehend.
[A] has found
[B] was finding
[C] had found
[D] would find
6. Loudspeakers were fixed in the hall so that everyone ____ an opportunity to hear the speech.
[A] ought to have
[B] must have
[C] may have
[D] should have
7. I am surprised ____ this city is a dull place to live in.
[A] that you should think
[B] by what you are thinking
[C] that you would think
[D] with what you were thinking
8. Susan is very hardworking, but her pay is not ____ for her work.
[A] enough good
[B] good enough
[C] as good enough
[D] good as enough
9. It is imperative that the government ____ more investment into the shipbuilding industry.
[A] attracts
[B] shall attract
[C] attract
[D] has to
10. Land belongs to the city; there is ____ thing as private ownership of land.
[A] no such a
[B] not such
[C] not such a
[D] no such
11. My daughter has walked eight miles today. We never guessed that she could walk ____ far.
[A] /
[B] such
[C] that
[D] as
12. The statistics ____ that living standards in the area have improved drastically in recent times.
[A] proves
[B] is proving
[C] are proving
[D] prove
13. There are only ten apples left in the baskets, ____ the spoilt ones.
[A] not counting
[B] not to count
[C] don't count
[D] having not counted
14. It was ____ we had hoped.
[A] more a success than
[B] a success more than
[C] as much of a success as
[D] a success as much as
15. There used to be a petrol station near the park, ____?
[A] didn't it
[B] doesn't there
[C] usedn't it?
[D] didn't there
16. It is an offence to show ____ against people of different races.
[A] distinction
[B] difference
[C] separation
[D] discrimination
17. A great amount of work has gone into ____ the Cathedral to its previous splendour.
[A] refreshing
[B] restoring
[C] renovating
[D] renewing
18. The thieves fled with the local police close on their ____.
[A] backs
[B] necks
[C] toes
[D] heels
19. The economic recession has meant that job ____ is a rare thing.
[A] security
[B] safety
[C] protection
[D] secureness
20. Many people nowadays save money to ____ for their old age.
[A] cater
[B] supply
[C] provide
[D] equip
21. The tone of the article ____ the writer's mood at the time.
[A] reproduced
[B] reflected
[C] imagined
[D] imitated
22. This is not the right ____ to ask for my help; I am far too busy even to listen.
[A] time
[B] opportunity
[C] chance
[D] case
23. The job of a student accommodation officer ____ a great many visits to landladies.
[A] concerns
[B] offers
[C] asks
[D] involves
24. Our family doctor's clinic ____ at the junction of two busy roads.
[A] rests
[B] stands
[C] stays
[D] seats
25. She was so fat that she could only just ____ through the door.
[A] assemble
[B] appear
[C] squeeze
[D] gather
26. After the heavy rain, a builder was called to repair the roof, which was ____.
[A] leaking
[B] trickling
[C] prominent
[D] noticeable
27. The reception was attended by ____ members of the local community.
[A] excellent
[B] conspicuous
[C] prominent
[D] noticeable
28. Share prices on the Stock Exchange plunged sharply in the morning but ____ slightly in the afternoon.
[A] regained
[B] recovered
[C] restored
[D] revived
29. His ____ brain has worked away on the idea of a universal cure.
[A] rich
[B] quick
[C] productive
[D] fertile
30. The couple has donated a not ____ amount of money to the foundation.
[A] inconsiderable
[B] inconsiderate
[C] inaccurate
[D] incomparable
Part II Reading Comprehension (50 scores; two for each)
Directions: There are six 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 with a single line through the centre.
TEXT A
In the case of mobile phones, change is everything. Recent research indicates that the mobile phone is changing not only our culture, but our very bodies as well.
First. Let's talk about culture. The difference between the mobile phone and its parent, the fixed-line phone, you get whoever answers it.
This has several implications. The most common one, however, and perhaps the thing that has changed our culture forever, is the "meeting" influence. People no longer need to make firm plans about when and where to meet. Twenty years ago, a Friday night would need to be arranged in advance. You needed enough time to allow everyone to get from their place of work to the first meeting place. Now, however, a night out can be arranged on the run. It is no longer "see you there at 8", but "text me around 8 and we'll see where we all are".
Texting changes people as well. In their paper, "Insights into the Social and Psychological Effects of SMS Text Messaging", two British researchers distinguished between two types of mobile phone users: the "talkers" and the "texters"—those who prefer voice to text message and those who prefer text to voice.
They found that the mobile phone's individuality and privacy gave texters the ability to express a whole new outer personality. Texters were likely to report that their family would be surprised if they were to read their texts. This suggests that texting allowed texters to present a self-image that differed from the one familiar to those who knew them well.
Another scientist wrote of the changes that mobiles have brought to body language. There are two kinds that people use while speaking on the phone. There is the "speakeasy": the head is held high, in a self-confident way, chatting away. And there is the "spacemaker": these people focus on themselves and keep out other people.
Who can blame them? Phone meetings get cancelled or reformed and camera-phones intrude on people's privacy. So, it is understandable if your mobile makes you nervous. But perhaps you needn't worry so much. After all, it is good to talk.
31. When people plan to meet nowadays, they
[A] arrange the meeting place beforehand.
[B] postpone fixing the place till last minute.
[C] seldom care about when and where to meet.
[D] still love to work out detailed meeting plans.
32. According to the two British researchers, the social and psychological effects are mostly likely to be seen on
[A] talkers
[B] the "speakeasy"
[C] the "spacemaker"
[D] texters
33. We can infer from the passage that the texts sent by texters are ____.
[A] quite revealing
[B] well written
[C] unacceptable by others
[D] shocking to others
34. According to the passage, who is afraid of being heard while talking on the mobile?
[A] talkers
[B] the speakeasy
[C] the spacemaker
[D] texters
35. An appropriate title for the passage might be ____.
[A] the SMS effect
[B] cultural implication of mobile use
[C] change in the use of the mobile
[D] body language and the mobile phone!
TEXT B
Over the last 25 years, British society has changed a great deal—or at least many parts of it have. In some ways, however, very little has changed, particularly where attitudes are concerned. Ideas about social class—whether a person is "working-class" or "middle-class"—are one area in which changes have been extremely slow.
In the past, the working-class tended to be paid less than middle-class people, such as teachers and doctors. As a result of this and also of the fact that workers' jobs were generally much less secure, distinct differences in life-styles and attitudes came into existence. The typical working man would collect his wages on Friday evening and then, it was widely believed, having given his wife her "housekeeping", would go out and squander the rest on beer and betting.
The stereotype of what a middle-class man did with his money was perhaps nearer the truth. He was—and still is—inclined to take a longer-term view. Not only did he regard buying a house as a top priority, but he also had the security of a stable income. Only in very few cases did workers have the opportunity (or the education and training) to make such long-term plans.
Nowadays, a great deal has changed. In a large number of cases factory workers earn as much, if not more, than their middle-class supervisors. Social security and laws to improve working conditions have made it less necessary than before to worry about "tomorrow". Working-class people seem slowly to be losing the feeling of inferiority they had in the past. In fact there has been a growing tendency in the past few years for the middle-classes to feel slightly ashamed of their position.
The changes in both life-styles and attitudes are probably most easily seen amongst younger people. They generally tend to share very similar tastes in music and clothes, they spend their money in having a good time, and save for holidays or longer-term plans when necessary. There seems to be much less difference than in previous generations. Nevertheless, we still have a wide gap between the well-paid (whatever the type of job they may have) and the low-paid. As long as this gap exists, there will always be a possibility that new conflicts and jealousies will emerge, or rather that the old conflicts will re-appear, but between different groups.
36. Which of the following is seen as the cause of class differences in the past?
[A] life style and occupation
[B] attitude and income
[C] income and job security
[D] job security and hobbies
37. The writer seems to suggest that the description of ____ is closer to truth?
[A] middle-class ways of spending money
[B] working-class ways of spending the weekend
[C] working-class drinking habits
[D] middle-class attitudes
38. According to the passage, which of the following is not a typical feature of the middle-class?
[A] desiring for security
[B] making long term plans
[C] having priorities in life
[D] saving money
39. Working-class people's sense of security increased as a result of all the following factors except?
[A] better social security
[B] more job opportunities
[C] higher living standard
[D] better legal protection
40. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
[A] Changes are slowly taking place in all sectors of the British society.
[B] The gap between working-class and middle-class young people is narrowing.
[C] Differences in income will remain but those in occupation will disappear.
[D] Middle-class people may sometimes feel inferior to working-class people.
TEXT C
For several days I saw little of Mr. Rochester. In the morning he seemed much occupied with business, and in the afternoon gentlemen from the neighbourhood called and sometimes stayed to dine with him. When his foot was well enough, he rode out a great deal.
During this time, all my knowledge of him was limited to occasional meetings about the house, when he would sometimes pass me coldly, and sometimes bow and smile. His changes of manner did not offend me, because I saw that I had nothing to do with the cause of them.
One evening, several days later, I was invited to talk to Mr. Rochester after dinner. He was sitting in his armchair, and looked not quite so severe, and much less gloomy. There was a smile on his lips, and his eyes were bright, probably with wine. As I was looking at him, he suddenly turned, and asked me, "Do you think I'm handsome, Miss Eyre?"
The answer somehow slipped from my tongue before I realized it: "No, sir."
"Ah, you really are unusual! You are a quiet, serious little person, but you can be almost rude."
"Sir, I'm sorry. I should have said that beauty doesn't matter, or something like that."
"No, you shouldn't! I see, you criticize my appearance, and then you stab me in the back! You have honesty and feeling. There are not many girls like you. But perhaps I go too fast. Perhaps you have awful faults to counterbalance your few good points."
I thought to myself that he might have too. He seemed to read my mind, and said quickly, "Yes, you're right. I have plenty of faults. I went the wrong way when I was twenty-one, and have never found the right path again. I might have been very different. I might have been as good as you, and perhaps wiser. I am not a bad man, take my word for it, but I have done wrong. It wasn't my character, but circumstances which were to blame. Why do I tell you all this? Because you're the sort of person people tell their problems and secrets to, because you're sympathetic and give them hope."
It seemed he had quite a lot to talk to me. He didn't seem to like to finish the talk quickly, as was the case for the first time.
"Don't be afraid of me, Miss Eyre." He continued. "You don't relax or laugh very much, perhaps because of the effect Lowood school has had on you. But in time you will be more natural with me, and laugh, and speak freely. You're like a bird in a cage. When you get out of the cage, you'll fly very high. Good night."
41. At the beginning Miss Eyre's impressions of Mr. Rochester were all except
[A] busy
[B] sociable
[C] friendly
[D] changeable
42. In "…and all my knowledge of him was limited to occasional meetings about the house,…" the word "about" means
[A] around
[B] on
[C] outside
[D] concerning
43. Why did Mr. Rochester say "…and then you stab me in the back!" (7th para.)?
[A] Because Jane had intended to kill him with a knife.
[B] Because Jane had intended to be more critical.
[C] Because Jane had regretted having talked to him.
[D] Because Jane had said something else to correct herself.
44. From what Mr. Rochester told Miss Eyre, we can conclude that he wanted to
[A] tell her all his troubles
[B] tell her his life experience
[C] change her opinion of him
[D] change his circumstances
45. At the end of the passage, Mr. Rochester sounded
[A] rude
[B] cold
[C] friendly
[D] encouraging
TEXT D
The ideal companion machine—the computer—would not only look, feel, and sound friendly but would also be programmed to behave in a pleasant manner. Those qualities that make interaction comfortable, and yet the machine would remain slightly unpredictable and therefore interesting. In its first encounter it might be somewhat hesitant, but as it came to know the user it would progress to a more relaxed and intimate style. The machine would not be a passive participant but would add its own suggestions, information, and opinions; it would sometimes take the initiative in developing or changing the topic and would have a personality of its own.
Friendships are not made in a day, and the computer would be more acceptable as a friend if it imitated the gradual changes that occur when one person is getting to know another. At an appropriate time it might also express the kind of affection that stimulates attachment and intimacy. The whole process would be accomplished in a subtle way to avoid giving an impression of over-familiarity that would be likely to produce irritation. After experiencing a wealth of powerful, well-timed friendship indicators, the user would be very likely to accept the computer as far more than a machine and might well come to regard it as a friend.
An artificial relationship of this type would provide many of the benefits that could continue from previous discussions. It would have a familiarity with the user's life as revealed in earlier contact, and it would be understanding and good-humored. The computer's own personality would be lively and impressive, and it would develop in response to that of the user. With features such as these, the machine might indeed become a very attractive social partner.
46. Which of the following is not a feature of the ideal companion machine?
[A] Active in communication
[B] Attractive in personality
[C] Enjoyable in performance
[D] Unpredictable in behaviour
47. The computer would develop friendships with humans in a(n) ____ way.
[A] quick
[B] unpredictable
[C] productive
[D] inconspicuous
48. Which of the following aspects is not mentioned when the passage discusses the benefits of artificial relationships?
[A] Being able to pick up an interesting conversation.
[B] Being sensitive to earlier contact.
[C] Being ready to learn about the person's life.
[D] Having a pleasant and adaptable personality.
49. Throughout the passage, the author is ____ in his attitude toward the computer.
[A] favorable
[B] critical
[C] vague
[D] hesitant
50. Which might be the most appropriate title of the passage?
[A] Artificial Relationships.
[B] How to Form Intimate Relationships.
[C] The Affectionate Machine.
[D] Humans and Computers.
Text E
Thousands of years ago man used handy rocks for his surgical operations. Later he used sharp bone or horn, metal knives and more recently, rubber and plastic. And that was where we stuck, in surgical instrument terms, for many years. In the 1960s a new tool was developed, one which was, first of all, to be of great practical use to the armed forces and industry, but which was also, in time, to revolutionize the art and science of surgery.
The tool is the laser and it is being used by more and more surgeons all over the world, for a very large number of different complaints. The word laser means: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Light. As we all know, light is hot; any source of light—from the sun itself down to a humble match burning—will give warmth. But light is usually spread out over a wide area. The light in a laser beam, however, is concentrated. This means that a light with no more power than that produced by an ordinary electric light bulb becomes intensely strong as it is concentrated to a pinpoint-sized beam.
Experiments with these pinpoint beams showed researchers that different energy sources produce beams that have a particular effect on certain living cells. It is now possible for eye surgeons to operate on the back of the human eye without harming the front of the eye, simply by passing a laser beam right through the eyeball. No knives, no stitches, no unwanted damage—a true surgical wonder.
Operations which once left patients exhausted and in need of long periods of recovery time now leave them feeling relaxed and comfortable. So much more difficult operations can now be tried.
The rapid development of laser techniques in the past ten years has made it clear that the future is likely to be very exciting. Perhaps some cancers will be treated with laser in a way that makes surgery not only safer but more effective. Altogether, tomorrow may see more and more information coming to light on the diseases which can be treated medically.
51. Up until the 1960s the instruments used to perform surgical operations were ____.
[A] fashionable
[B] extraordinary
[C] special
[D] basic
52. After the development of the laser in the 1960s, we find that ____.
[A] medical help became available for industrial workers.
[B] the study of art went through a complete revolution.
[C] more and more surgeons began using surgical instruments.
[D] man's whole approach to surgery changed completely.
53. The laser beam is so strong because ____.
[A] it is composed of a concentrated beam of light
[B] its heat is increased by the heat of the sun
[C] it can be plugged into an ordinary light fitting
[D] it sends out heat in many different directions
54. Surgeons can now carry out operations which ____.
[A] can be performed successfully only on the human eye
[B] result in long periods of recovery time for patients
[C] are made much more complicated by using the laser beam
[D] result in very little damage to the patients themselves
55. The rapid development of laser techniques has meant that ____.
[A] in another ten years we shall be able to cure cancer
[B] surgery is likely to improve considerably
[C] we shall be able to treat all the diseases we suffer from
[D] we are now able to treat most forms of cancer
Part III Cloze (20 scores; one for each)
Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
In the United States, older people rarely live with their adult children. But in many other cultures children are expected to care (56) ________ their aged parents. In some parts of Italy, the percentage of adult children who (57) ________ with their parents (58) ________ 65 to 70 percent. In Thailand, too, children are expected to care for their elderly parents; few Thai elderly live (59) ________.
What explains these differences in living arrangements (60) ________ cultures? Modernization theory (61) ________ the extended family household to low levels of economic development. In traditional societies, the elderly live with their children in large extended family units for economic reasons. But with modernization, children move to urban areas, leaving old people (62) ________ in (63) ________ rural areas. Yet modernization theory cannot explain why extended family households were never common in the United States or England, or why families in Italy, which is fully modernized, (64) ________ a strong tradition of intergenerational living. Clearly, economic development alone cannot explain (65) ________ living arrangements.
Another theory associated intergenerational living arrangements with inheritance patterns. In some cultures, the stem family pattern of inheritance (66) ________. (67) ________ this system, parents live with a married child, usually the oldest son, who then (68) ________ their property when they die. The stem family system was once common in Japan, but changes in inheritance laws, (69) ________ broader social changes brought (70) ________ by industrialization and urbanization, have (71) ________ the (72) ________. In 1960 about 80 percent of Japanese over 65 lived with their children; by 1990 only 60 percent did—a figure that is still high (73) ________ U.S. standards, but which has been (74) ________ steadily. In Korea, too, traditional living arrangements are (75) ________: the percentage of aged Koreans who live with a son declined from 77 percent in 1984 to 50 percent just 10 years later. Although most elderly Koreans still expect to live with a son, their adult children do not expect to live with their children when they grow old.
56. [A] about    [B] after    [C] for    [D] over
57. [A] reside    [B] recite    [C] redeem    [D] rebel
58. [A] amasses    [B] amounts    [C] attains    [D] reaches
59. [A] lone    [B] alone    [C] lonesome    [D] lonely
60. [A] over    [B] across    [C] within    [D] above
61. [A] associated    [B] linked    [C] united    [D] combined
62. [A] aside    [B] after    [C] over    [D] behind
63. [A] isolated    [B] segregated    [C] idealized    [D] secluded
64. [A] maintain    [B] promote    [C] reserve    [D] support
65. [A] appointed    [B] assigned    [C] preserved    [D] preferred
66. [A] controls    [B] overtakes    [C] predominates    [D] overwhelms
67. [A] at    [B] under    [C] by    [D] over
68. [A] delivers    [B] conveys    [C] conceives    [D] inherits
69. [A] as well as    [B] might as well    [C] as well    [D] well as
70. [A] off    [B] up    [C] around    [D] about
71. [A] undermined    [B] decreased    [C] diminished    [D] defeated
72. [A] authority    [B] usage    [C] habit    [D] tradition
73. [A] by    [B] on    [C] with    [D] in
74. [A] inclining    [B] reclining    [C] declining    [D] reducing
75. [A] receding    [B] removing    [C] invading    [D] eroding
Part IV Writing (15 scores)
Directions: For this part, you are required to write a composition of about 200 words. You must base your composition on the following outline:
Recently a Beijing information company did a survey of student life among more than 700 students in Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Shenyang. The results have shown that 67 percent of students think that saving money is a good habit while the rest believe that using tomorrow's money today is better. What do you think?
- In the first part, state specifically what your opinion is.
- In the second part, support your opinion with appropriate detail.
- In the last part, bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or a summary.
- You should supply an appropriate title for your composition.
Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriateness. Failure to follow the instructions may result in a loss of marks.