中国石油大学(华东)考博英语真题,考博英语试题

English Entrance Examination for Doctoral Candidates
中国石油大学（华东）
2006年博士学位研究生入学考试英语试题

Part I Vocabulary (20 minutes 10 points)
Directions: In each question, decide which of the four choices given will most suitably complete the sentence. Mark out your choice on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.
1. The Home secretary has been asked to ______ because the union leaders and their employers cannot agree on a course of action.
A) meditate        B) negotiate
C) intervene      D) reconcile
2. With the spring here you can ______ these ski boots till you need them again next winter.
A) give away      B) get rid of
C) put away       D) do away with
3. Peering through the darkness, the traveler could ______ lights in the distance and then he doubled his pace.
A) perceive       B) discern
C) recognize      D)visualize
4. For the past few years Susan had been ______ her income by the creation of fiction under a pen name.
A) extending      B) magnifying
C) exceeding      D) supplementing
5. The ink had faded with time and so parts of the letter were ______.
A) illiterate     B) illegible
C) illegitimate   D) illegal
6. He went ahead with unpopular changes, ______ to hostile criticism.
A) opposed        B) indifferent
C) sensible       D) contrary
7. Hard as he tried, the speaker could not ______ his point of view to the audience.
A) put across     B) put away
C) put forward    D) put through
8. An extensive medical survey shows that many diseases ______ want of food or lack of exercise.
A) result in      B) arise from
C) lead to        D) bring on
9. If the modernization of our country is to be realized sooner, we must ______ the pace of our economic growth.
A) accelerate     B) slacken
C) retard         D) slow
10. You may use dialogues in these textbooks, but the point is that a dialogue must not include language that is ______ in any way.
A) eloquent       B) significant
C) relevant       D) misleading
11. The people, who believe it is necessary to ______ to a rapidly changing society, believe the shifts in family structure are inevitable and positive.
A) adapt          B) adopt
C) adhere         D) anticipate
12. The little boy was ______ about going to school for the first time.
A) timid          B) confident
C) sensitive      D) reckless
13. He is a ______ boy who won't do what he is told.
A) tedious        B) tiring
C) tiresome       D) boring
14. All the family wore black as a ______ of their grief.
A) token          B) signal
C) sign           D) symbol
15. We should always ______ the views of others, even if we disagree with them.
A) be tolerant of   B) be envious of
C) derive from    D) be behind
16. I can ______ my article for the local newspaper in half an hour.
A) put off        B) toss up
C) keep off       D) toss off
17. Bill ______ back into bed as his father's step was heard on the stairs.
A) pounded        B) darted
C) bolted         D) slided
18. He is designing a ______ in his computer.
A) database       B) mail
C) assignment     D) homework
19. He ______ his own life to save that child.
A) jeopardized    B) gave
C) devoted        D) immersed
20. I ______ the fishing rod back and lost the fish.
A) towed          B) drew
C) hauled         D) jerked
Part II Reading Comprehension (60 minutes 50 points)
Directions: There are six passages in this part. Each passage followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A B C and D, you should decide which one is the best answer to the question, then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.
Passage 1. Questions 21 to 24 are based on the following passage
The United Nations Conference on Drug Abuse that took place earlier this year in Vienna, was a very productive meeting. As never before, the nations of the world demonstrated a willingness to out aside ideological and individual differences to confront a common threat.
Most previous international gatherings on this subject have not seen the same intensity of the delegate interest. Many nations have gone through a shock of recognition. A decade ago, only those nations identified as "consuming countries" were thought to have a serious drug problem. Today, not only have many "producing countries" also become "consuming countries", but many have witnessed the growth within their borders of drug trafficking (often allied with leftist guerrillas and terrorists) so powerful they present a danger to the state's stability. Many developing countries now have the worst of both worlds, in that they grow their own narcotics and addict large numbers of their own people. There is a growing sense of fright in many governments that matters are out of control and the single way to recover is through cooperation with other countries.
The high points of the conference were the drafting of two documents, both of which were adopted without a dissenting vote. One was a joint declaration of intent to combat drug abuse and trafficking. The other consisted of many detailed suggestions for particular regional and national policies.
Overall, the conference developed a two-level action plan. The focus was on ways to curb the demand for dangerous drugs and on methods of destroying or at least interrupting the distribution process.
On the demand side, the delegates recommended the establishment of a system for collecting information on the nature and scope of narcotics use. In addition, they concluded that drug education should be taught in schools and that governments and labor organizations should act together in the anti-drug campaign in the work place. The delegates also recommended strict adherence to international agreements to curb the supply of narcotics.
President Ronald Reagan, in his statement to the conference, reflected a somber but hopeful view. Noting the magnitude of the effort necessary, the President remarked, "That's why this conference is so encouraging and so important—it presents an excellent opportunity for the nations of the world to build cooperation and plan effective strategies and tactics. It won't be easy. The alternative, however, is the continued internal decay of our societies."
21. In the 2nd paragraph, "many have witnessed the growth" of ______.
A. their borders
B. drug trafficking gangs
C. leftist guerrillas
D. terrorists
22. Many developing countries now have the worst of both worlds because ______.
A. they grow their own narcotics.
B. they addict large numbers of their own people.
C. they present a danger to the state's stability.
D. both A and B
23. ______ voted for the two documents.
A. Many delegates
B. Few delegates
C. No delegates
D. All the delegates
24. President Ronald Reagan reflected his somber view by saying ______.
A. that's why this conference is so encouraging and important
B. it presents an excellent opportunity
C. for the nations of the world to build cooperation and plan effective strategies and tactics
D. the alternative, however, is the continued internal decay of our societies
Passage 2
How do the professional timekeepers of the world determine, to the precise nanosecond, when a new year begins? They simply consult an atomic clock, And at the end of last mouth, just in time to ring in the new year, the Hewlett-Packard company, of Palo Alto, California, unveiled the latest in these meticulous time-pieces,
For nearly 30 years, the firm has been supplying military and scientific clients with atomic clocks; the most advanced models neither gain nor lose more than a second every 800,000 years. But the newest version, a $54,000 device the size of a desktop computer, is accurate to one second in 1.6 million years—far longer than all of human history to date.
It is natural to wonder who could possibly need such precision. The answer: practically everyone, at least indirectly. Telephone and computer net-works rely on atomic clocks to synchronize the flow of trillions of bits of information around the nation and the world, thus avoiding mammoth electronic logjams. Television and radio stations use the clock to time their broadcasts. Satellite-based navigation systems depend on the devices to measure the arrival time of radio signals to within a tiny fraction of a second, allowing users to gauge their location to within a few feet. The armed forces use atomic clocks to help steer smart missiles and to time secret calls to nuclear submarines around the world. And scientists depend on atomic clocks to help track the almost imperceptible motions of continents across the surface of the earth and galaxies and stars across the sky. Even the people who dropped the ball in New York City's Times Square to signal the start of 1992 relied on a timekeeping source that was pegged ultimately to an atomic clock.
The principle that lies behind all this precision comes out of quantum physics. When an atom is bombarded with electromagnetic radiation—in this case, microwaves—its electrons shift into a new energy state. Each type of atom responds most readily to a particular frequency of radiation. For the cesium 133 atoms in most atomic clocks, the frequency is 9,192,613,770 vibrations per second. That means that when a microwave beam inside the clock is set exactly to that frequency, the maximum number of atoms will undergo the energy shift. This signals the lock's internal computer that the device is correctly tuned. And in fact, it is the vibrating microwaves that keep time; the atoms are used just to keep them on track.
Theoretically, an atomic clock could keep perfect time, but the actual performance depends on engineering details — exactly how the microwaves hit the cesium atoms, how sophisticated the electronics are and so on. It was by improving factors like these that Hewlett-Packard boosted its clocks' performance from incredibly good to even better. The next generation of clocks should do better still, but no one is sure when that generation will come along. For now, a second every million and a half years will have to do.
25. The newest atomic clock is accurate to ______.
A. 30 years
B. No more than a second every 800,000 years
C. a second in 1.6 million years
D. $54,000
26. Which of the following is NOT mentioned?
A. Television and radio stations use atomic clocks to time their broadcasts.
B. The armed forces use atomic clocks to time secret calls to submarines around the world.
C. Scientists use atomic clocks to gauge the location of continents across the surface of the earth.
D. Telephone and computer networks rely on atomic clocks to synchronize the flow of large amount of information around the nation and world.
27. The atomic clock is very accurate because ______.
A. quantum physics keeps perfect time
B. the cesium 133 atoms keeps perfect time
C. electro-magnetic radiation keeps time.
D. the vibrating microwaves keep time
28. The next generation of clock will be made ______.
A. in a second
B. in a million years
C. in a half year
D. in the time no one is sure of
Passage 3
It is said that mathematics is the base of all sciences, and that arithmetic, the science of numbers, is the base of mathematics. Numbers consist of whole numbers which are formed by the digits 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 and by combinations of them. Parts of numbers smaller than 1 are sometimes expressed in terms of fractions, but in scientific usage they are given as decimals (十进位). This is because it is easier to perform the various mathematical operation if decimals are used instead of fraction.
The decimal, or ten-scale, systems is used for scientific purpose throughout the world. It is even accepted in countries whose national systems of weights and measurements are based on other scales. The other scales in general use nowadays is the binary or two-scale. In such a scale, numbers are expressed by combinations of only two digits, 0 and 1. This scale is perfectly adapted to the "off-on" pulses of electricity, and so it is widely used in computers. It is because of its simplicity that the scale is often called "the lazy schoolboy's dream".
Other branches of mathematics such as algebra and geometry are also extensively used in many sciences and even in some areas of philosophy. More specialized extensions, such as probability theory and group theory, are now applied to an increasing number of activities, from economics and design of experiments to war and politics.
Finally, a knowledge of statistics is required by every type of scientists for analysis of data. Moreover, even an elementary knowledge of this branch of mathematics is sufficient to enable the journalist to avoid misleading his readers. It is also useful in helping the ordinary citizen detect the attempts which are constantly made to deceive him.
29. The word "this" in the last sentence of the first paragraph refers to ______.
A. using fractions in scientific fields.
B. performing the mathematical operations.
C. forming the number by the digits.
D. expressing fractions as decimals.
30. Which of the following descriptions best applies to the decimal system?
A. The base of all national weights and measurements.
B. The number system based on whole numbers and fractions.
C. The widely adopted number system in science today.
D. The basic number system for computer work.
31. According to the passage, why is the binary system often called "the lazy schoolboy's dream"?
A. Arithmetic operations in this system are relatively easy.
B. The schoolboy likes the digital computers.
C. This system is not required to be learned in school.
D. The two-scale mathematical operations are interesting.
32. According to the passage, which of the following statements about philosophy is true?
A. Philosophy in the modern world is advancing faster than mathematics.
B. In natural sciences more areas of philosophy are being used than ever before.
C. Philosophy has made great contributions to the progress of algebra and geometry.
D. Mathematical knowledge plays an important role in some fields of philosophy.
Passage 4
Elder people respond best to a calm and unhurried environment. This is not always easy to provide as their behavior can sometimes be irritating. If they get excited or upset then they may become more confused and more difficult to look after. Although sometimes it can be extremely difficult, it is best to be patient and not to get upset yourself. You should always encourage old people to do as much as possible for themselves but be ready to lend a helping hand when necessary. At the same time it is also important that you don't make them feel like children.
Failing memory makes it very difficult for the person to recall all the basic kinds of information we take for granted. The obvious way to help in this situation is to supply the information that is missing and help them make sense of what is going on. The information has to be constantly repeated to make up for the poor memory. You must use every opportunity to provide information but remember to keep it simple and straightforward.
Confused old people need aids all the time to compensate for their poor memory. Encourage them to use and refer to reminder boards or diaries for important forthcoming events and label the contents of different cupboards and drawers.
33. Elderly people will be most cooperative when ______.
A. they are encouraged
B. they are taken best care of
C. they are in good health
D. they are not excited or upset
34. In difficult circumstances, the important thing for the person responsible for elderly people to remember is ______.
A. to do as much as he can
B. to explain things as clearly as possible
C. to act calmly and without hast
D. to ignore them for a while
35. One can help memory-failing old people by ______.
A. providing plain and straightforward information
B. supplying detailed information
C. making things sensible
D. continuously repeating until they remember
36. Visual aids can help elderly people by ______.
A. clearing p their confused mind
B. making thing easier for them to see
C. making up for their poor memory
D. improving their understanding of the basic things in life
Passage 5
Today's trumpet is one of the world's oldest instruments. It is the result of many centuries of development. Although it looks nothing like its ancestors, there are many similarities. All trumpets are hollow tubes. They all use the player's lips to produce the basic sound.
The trumpets developed as players and makers worked to improve its design, size, shape, material, and method of construction. They wanted to create an instrument that would produce a beautiful and attractive tone, enable the performer to play all notes of the scale, extend the range higher and lower, make it possible to play more difficult music, and, in general, be easier to play well. The remarkable way in which the modern trumpet achieves these goals is a measure of the success of all those who struggled to perfect this glorious instrument.
The trumpet is actually the leading member of an entire family or related instruments. There are trumpets of several different size, and in several different keys. There are cornets, bugles, flugelhorns, and a number of others that are all similar to trumpet in the way they are made and played.
The trumpet family is much more than a group of related instruments that can stir one with their sound, or narrow tubes of metal capable of producing a variety of musical sounds. It is a link to many different periods of history and to people of many cultures. From the use of trumpets in ancient religious ceremonies to the part they play in modern rock bands, the trumpet family of instruments has much to tell about civilization and its development.
37. What is the best title of the passage?
A. Science and the trumpet
B. Recordings of the Trumpet
C. The trumpet and its Ancestry
D. How the Trumpet Is Made
38. It can be inferred from the passage that in order to make the trumpet work, ______ is needed.
A. air pressure
B. daily cleaning
C. keen eyesight
D. long fingers
39. Which of the following can be inferred about the first trumpet players?
A. They couldn't play all the notes of the scale.
B. They were not able to pick up the trumpet.
C. They could not play simple tunes.
D. They had difficulty improving upon the trumpet.
40. The author believes that the trumpet is particular important because it ______.
A. can be used in rock bands
B. has historical significance
C. is a religious instrument
D. has narrow range
Passage 6
Insurance companies provide a service to the community by protecting it against expected and unexpected disasters. Before an insurance company will agree to insure anything, it collects accurate figures about the risk. It knows, for example, that the risk of a man being killed in a plane accident is less than the risk he takes in crossing a busy road. This enables it to quote low figures for travel insurance. Sometimes the risk may be high, as in motor-racing or mountaineering. Then the company charges a much higher price. If too many climbers have accidents, the price rises still further. If the majority of climbers fall off mountains, the company will refuse to insure them.
An ordinary householder may wish to protect his home against fire or his property against burglary. A shop keeper may wish to insure against theft. In normal cases, the company will check its statistics and quote a premium. If it is suspicious, it may refuse to quote.
If it insures a shop and then receives a suspicious claim, it will investigate the claim as a means of protecting itself against false claims. It is not unknown for a businessman in debt to burn down his own premises so that he can claim much money from his insurance company. He can be sure that the fire will be investigated most carefully. Insurance companies also accept insurance shipwreck or disaster in the air. Planes and ships are very expensive, so a large premium is charged, but a reduction is given to companies with an accident-free record. However, in one way or another, insurance companies receive premium payments. These payments can form a very large total running millions of dollars. The company does not leave the money in the bank. It invests in property, shares, farms and even antique paintings and stamps. Its aim is to obtain the best possible return on its investment. This is not as greedy as it may seem, since this is one way by which it can keep its premiums down and continue to make a profit while being of service to the community.
41. According to the first paragraph, which of the following statements is true?
A. A passenger by air will take greater risk of being killed than a man crossing a busy road.
B. A passage by air will take less risk of being killed than a man crossing a busy road.
C. A passenger by air will have to pay more attention to the insurance company than a mountain climber.
D. A motorist should pay the highest price to the insurance company.
42. From the passage we know that if accidents will happen nine times out of ten, the insurance company will ______.
A. charge a lower price
B. give a much higher price
C. not provide its insurance service
D. quote the highest price
43. If a shop owner in debt destroyed his own houses, his purpose would most probably be to ______.
A. lower the premium he should pay to the insurance company
B. obtain a large sum of money from the insurance company
C. clean up the surrounding circumstances
D. ask the insurance company to help him to rebuild his shop
44. According to the passage, if an airline has an accident-free record, it usually pays ______ to the insurance company.
A. no premium
B. less premium
C. a large premium
D. the same premium as the other companies
45. The main idea of the last paragraph is ______.
A. that the insurance company is greedy of gain
B. that the insurance company makes large sums of money every week
C. the insurance company makes a great profit by investing its money in different items
D. how the insurance company makes use of its incomes and the reason why it should do so
Part III (40 minutes 25 points)
Section A: Translate the following passage into English and write your answer on your Answer Sheet.
当今的世界，既非丝绸之路时代，也非马可波罗时代。从上海去东京只需要两个多小时，相当于从北京到杭州的时间。从中国到地球另一端的美国，也能在日历上的同一天到达。昔日遥远的地理距离被现代科学技术一下缩短到令人难以置信的程度。这是人类文明进步的共同成果。不论是中国的还是外国的历史经验一再证明：文化需要交流。只有交流，才能相互学习，相互了解；只有相互交流才能共同促进人类智慧向着一座又一座高峰发展，并共同享用其成果。
Section B: Translate the following passage into Chinese and write your answer on your answer Sheet.
Interest in basketball in the United States peaks around three big championship events in the spring: the college championships for men and women in late March or early April and the professional playoffs that climax in June.
But that's only organized basketball. In formally, the game has been learned by generations of American youths on city playgrounds and schoolyards on lonely baskets put up in backyards of rural homes and on the driveway basketball courts of countless suburban homes. Here, playing on teams, going one-on-one against a single opponent or just shooting the ball hour after hour alone, some of the finest basketball players have developed their skills to incredible levels.
But as brilliant as some players may be, basketball requires coaching to teach athletes skills they are deficient in and to blend a group of individuals into team. Styles of coaching vary. Some having a specific role while others are inclined to let their players dictate the style of play.
Part IV Writing (40 minutes 15 points)
Directions: In this part you are required to write a composition on "Committing Suicide Is Immoral" with no less than 200 words.
Outline:
1. 自杀是人们关注的社会问题；
2. 有很多原因导致人们自杀；
3. 有很多措施可以防止自杀。