(A)

　　The body of nearly all flowering plants can be divided into two systems, the root system which grows below ground and the shoot system which grows above it. The typical root system fixes the plant firmly in the soil, and absorbs water and various dissolved raw materials from it. The typical shoot system consists of a main stem upon which are borne leaves, branch shoots, and sometimes flowers. It should be emphasized that the words"stem" and "shoot" are not synonymous, the word"shoot" being a collective term for both stem and leaves. The leaves are the chief food-producing process called photosynthesis. The stem supports the leaves, displaying them in the light needed for photosynthesis, and also acts as the main channel of communication between the various organs of the plant. Water and dissolved minerals absorbed by the roots are carried in the stem to the leaves and flowers, and foods synthesized in the leaves are conducted away through the stem to other regions of the plant, both above and below ground, where they are either used for growth or else stored for future use. Flowers are organs that are concerned with the reproduction of the species by seeds.

　　1. What is the major food-producing process?

　　A. The leaves. B. The root.

　　C. The flowers. D. The shoot.

　　2. What is the passage mainly about?

　　A. How plants produce seeds.

　　B. How leaves grow.

　　C. Different kinds of flowers.

　　D. The structure of plants.

　　(B)

　　The easy way out isn't always easiest. I learned that lesson when I decided to treat Doug, my husband of one month, to a special meal. I glanced through my cookbook and chose a menu which included home-made bread. Knowing the bread would take time, I started on it as soon as Doug left for work. As I was not experienced in cooking, I thought if a dozen was good, two dozen would be better, so I doubled everything. As Doug loved oranges, I also opened a can of orange and poured it all into the bowl. Soon there was a sticky dough (面团) covered with ugly yellowish marks. Realizing I had been defeated, I put the dough in the rubbish bin outside so I wouldn't have to face Doug laughing at my work. I went on preparing the rest of the meal, and, when Doug got home, we sat down to Cornish chicken with rice. He tried to enjoy the meal but seemed disturbed. Twice he got up and went outside, saying he thought he heard a noise. The third time he left, I went to the window to see what he was doing. Looking out, I saw Doug standing about three feet from the rubbish bin, holding the lid up; with a stick and looking into the container. When I came out of the house, he dropped the stick and explained that there was something alive in our rubbish bin. Picking up the stick again, he held the lid up enough for me to see. I felt cold. But I stepped closer and looked harder. Without doubt it was my work. The hot sun had caused the dough to double in size and the fermenting yeast(酵母) made the surface shake and sigh as though it were breathing. It looked like some unknown being from outer space. I could see why Doug was so shaken. I had to admit what the"living thing" was and why it was there. I don't know who was more embarrassed by the whole thing-Doug or me.

　　3. What is the writer's purpose in writing the story?

　　A. To explain an easy experience of learning to cook from books.

　　B. To show the easiest way out of a difficulty.

　　C. To tell an interesting experience.

　　D. To describe the trouble facing a newly-married woman.

　　4. Why did the woman put the dough in the rubbish bin?

　　A. She didn't see the use of keeping it.

　　B. She didn't want her husband to see it.

　　C. She meant to joke with her husband.

　　D. She hoped it would soon dry in the sun.

　　[答案与解析]

　　1. A。这是一道考查细节题。本题答案取决于下面这句话：The leaves are the chief food-producing process called photosynthesis.

　　2. D。这是一道概括短文主题思想题。本篇短文主要讲述了植物的构成，而不是讲植物或叶子是如何生长的，也不是讲各种各样的花。

　　3. C。这是一道概括短文主题思想题。本文讲述的是作者想给丈夫做面包，但却弄巧成拙的幽默故事。

　　4. B。这是一道考查细节题。由Realizing I had been defeated...一句可知，作者把面团扔进垃圾箱，主要是不想让丈夫看到此事而嘲笑她。

　　(文/张荣；英语辅导报高三版2003-2004学年第26期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)