考博英语模拟试卷318

Next to Sir Andrew in the club-room sits Captain Sentry, a gentleman of great courage, good understanding, but invincible modesty. He is one of those that deserve very well, but are very awkward at putting their talents within the observation of such as should take notice of them. He was some years a captain, and behaved himself with great gallantry in several engagements and at several sieges; but having a small estate of his own, and being next heir to Sir Roger, he has quitted a way of life in which no man can rise suitably to his merit, who is not something of a courtier as well as a soldier. I have heard him often lament that in a profession where merit is placed in so conspicuous a view, impudence should get the better of modesty. When he had talked to this purpose; I never heard him make a sour expression, but frankly confess that he left the world because he was not fit for it. A strict honesty, and an even regular behavior, are in themselves obstacles to him that must press through crowds, who endeavour at the same end with himself, the favor of a commander. He will, however, in his way of talk excuse generals for not disposing according to men’s desert, or inquiring into it; for, says he, that the great man who has a mind to help me, has as many, to break through to come at me, as I have to come at him: therefore he will conclude that the man who would make a figure, especially in a military way, must get over all false modesty, and assist his patron against the importunity of other pretenders, by a proper assurance in his own vindication. He says it is a civil cowardice to be backward in asserting what you ought to expect, as it is a military fear to be slow in attacking when it is your duty. With this candour does the gentleman speak of himself and others. The same frankness runs through all his conversation. The military part of his life has furnished him with many adventures, in the relation of which he is very agreeable to the company; for he is never overbearing, though accustomed to command men in the utmost degree below him; nor ever too obsequious, from a habit of obeying men highly above him.

For anyone who has experienced an earthquake, the experience can be frightening and traumatic. In addition of the movement of the ground, people need to be concerned with collapsing buildings and falling debris, such as flying glass. The majority of the injuries and death that occur from the earthquakes are due to falling objects and structures. The effect of an earthquake can also cause dangerous landslides, fires, gas line and electric explosions, and floodwaters from collapsing dam. The goal of seismologists is to understand why the earthquake and other seismic activities occur on Earth. This information, when shared with people in earthquake-prone areas, can help decrease the number of deaths and injuries that may occur. One of the most destructive effects of earthquake is tsunami. Tsunami, giant ocean waves, form after an earthquake has occurred on the ocean floor. If the tsunami crashes into land, it may cause destruction. The difficulty with protecting people from tsunami is that they may come without warning and at an extremely high speed. Once undersea earthquakes occur, the ocean floor rises and sinks. This is when tsunami may begin to form. Along with this shifting of the ocean floor, there is also a large mass of seawater that may drop or rise. To adjust the sudden change in sea level, the mass of water moves upward and downward. As it is moving, a series of long, low waves begin to move from the point of the epicenter outward. These waves will increase in height as they come closer to the shore. Underwater landslides caused by earthquakes may also form tsunamis. On land, the focus of an earthquake’s destruction is usually buildings and property. Most of the buildings today are built using strict building codes. These codes require that the building can withstand the swaying motion of the ground during an earthquake. However, the buildings with weak walls can collapse completely during a quake. Extremely tall buildings, like skyscrapers, may sway so violently that they may tip over and cause damage to lower structures nearby. One factor that affects the intensity of an earthquake is the local geology. The type of land that beneath the buildings can determine the way the buildings respond to an earthquake. Buildings on solid ground are more likely to withstand an earthquake than building that are constructed on loose soil and rock. Likely soil and rock vibrate as if they were jelly. When buildings are constructed on this type of land, they tend to have an exaggerated motion and to sway violently.

What will man be like in the future—in 5,000 or even 50,000 years from now? We can only make a guess, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today. For man is slowly changing all the time. Let us take an obvious example. Man, even five hundred years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average, men are about three inches taller. Five hundred years is a relatively short period of time, so we may assume that man will continue to grow taller. Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still make use of only about 20% of the brain’s capacity. As time goes on, however, we shall have to use our brains more and more, and eventually we shall need larger ones! This is likely to bring about a physical change too: the head, in particular the forehead, will grow larger. Nowadays our eyes are in constant use. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over very long period of time it is likely that man’s eyes will grow stronger. On the other hand, we tend to make less use of our arms and legs. These, as a result, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a great deal in modern life. But what about hair? This will probably disappear from the body altogether in course of time because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both sexes are likely to be bald! Perhaps all this gives the impression that future man will not be a very attractive creature to look at! This may well be true. All the same, in spite of all these changes, future man will still have a lot in common with us. He will still be a human being, with thoughts and emotions similar to our own.

From the health point of view we are living in a marvelous age. We are immunized from birth against many of the most dangerous diseases. A large number of once fatal illnesses can now be cured by modern drugs and surgery. It is almost certain that one day remedies will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has increased enormously. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the incredible slaughter of them, women and children on the roads. Man versus the motor-car! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousand of people the world over are killed or horribly killed each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen. It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel, his car becomes the extension of his personality. There is no doubt that the motor-car often brings out a man’s very worst qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind steering wheels. They swear, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-year-olds and utterly selfish. All their hidden frustrations, disappointments and jealousies seem to be brought to the surface by the act of driving. The surprising thing is that the society smiles so gently on the motorist and seems to forgive his behavior. Everything is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost uninhabitable because of heavy traffic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is desecrated by road networks; and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing more than a statistic, to be conveniently forgotten. It is high time a world code were created to reduce this senseless waste of human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are notoriously lax and even the strictest are not strict enough. A code which was universally accepted could only have a dramatically beneficial effect on the accident rate. Here are a few examples of some of the things that might be done. The driving test should be standardized and made far more difficult than it is; all the drivers should be made to take a test every three years or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through strict annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount’ of alcohol in the blood can impair a person’s driving ability. Present drinking and driving laws(where they exist)should be made much stricter. Maximum and minimum speed limits should be imposed on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may sound inordinately harsh. But surely nothing should be considered as too severe if it results in reducing the annual toll of human life. After all, the world is for human beings, not for motor-cars.

New data has______that the damage to the ozone layer is not confined to the southern hemisphere. ratified confirmed assured approved

She felt offended at my remarks, but it wasn’t my______to hurt her. intent scheme intention meaning

We made plans for a visit, but______difficulties with car prevented it. subordinate succeed successive subsequent

It can be hard to live up to one’s______. enjoyment evaluation appreciation reputation

Her successful jump brought a______cheer from the crowd. spontaneous homogenous simultaneous instantaneous

A new baby and a new job can be equally______. tremendous intensive demanding overwhelming

She______the list of names to see if hers was on it. glanced gazed peered scanned

The appeal for funds did not______much response. drag elicit tempt attract

The man went to prison, but the two boys______with a warning. took off got off kept off set off

The problem has been______my mind all day. preying on getting at taking on seeing to

There was nothing we could do______wait. or rather but rather rather than other than

Two trucks were reported to have______head-on yesterday. bumped crashed collided struck

Our interests seem to______at this point. constrain condense conduct converge

The creation of UN was, perhaps, the most______achievement of the 20th century. obscure notable acute objective

The report managed to get an______interview with the Prime Minister. extinct excluding excessive exclusive

What is the______in going by boat when the plane costs no more and is quicker? impression meaning comprehension sense