¡¡¡¡Section ¢òReading Comprehension

¡¡¡¡Part A

¡¡¡¡Directions: Reading the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (40 poin

ts)

¡¡¡¡Text 1

¡¡¡¡Gene therapy and geneª²based drugs are two ways we could benefit from our growing mastery of genetic science. But there will be others as well. Here is one of the remarkable therapies on the cutting edge of genetic research that could make their way into mainstream medicine in the coming years.

¡¡¡¡While it¡¯s true that just about every cell in the body has the instructions to make a complete human, most of those instructions are inactivated, and with good reason: the last thing you want for your brain cells is to start churning out stomach acid or your nose to turn into a kidney. The only time cells truly have the potential to turn into any and all body parts is very early in a pregnancy, when soª²called stem cells haven¡¯t begun to specialize.

¡¡¡¡Yet this untapped potential could be a terrific boon to medicine. Most diseases involve the death of healthy cells ¡ª brain cells in Alzheimer¡¯s, cardiac cells in heart disease, pancreatic cells in diabetes, to name a few; if doctors could isolate stem cells, then direct their growth, they might be able to furnish patients with healthy replacement tissue.

¡¡¡¡It was incredibly difficult, but last fall scientists at the University of Wisconsin managed to isolate stem cells and get them to grow into neural, gut, muscle and bone cells. The process still can¡¯t be controlled, and may have unforeseen limitations; but if efforts to understand and master stemª²cell development prove successful, doctors will have a therapeutic tool of incredible power.

¡¡¡¡The same applies to cloning, which is really just the other side of the coin; true cloning, as first shown with the sheep Dolly two years ago, involves taking a developed cell and reactivating the genome within, resetting its developmental instructions to a pristine state. Once that happens, the rejuvenated cell can develop into a fullª²fledged animal, genetically identical to its parent.

¡¡¡¡For agriculture, in which purely physical characteristics like milk production in a cow or low fat in a hog have real market value, biological carbon copies could become routine within a few years. This past year scientists have done for mice and cows what Ian Wilmut did for Dolly, and other creatures are bound to join the cloned menagerie in the coming year.

¡¡¡¡Human cloning, on the other hand, may be technically feasible but legally and emotionally more difficult. Still, one day it will happen. The ability to reset body cells to a pristine, undeveloped state could give doctors exactly the same advantages they would get from stem cells: the potential to make healthy body tissues of all sorts, and thus to cure disease. That could prove to be a true ¡°miracle cure.¡±

¡¡¡¡21.The writer holds that the potential to make healthy body tissues will

¡¡¡¡[A] aggravate moral issues of human cloning.

¡¡¡¡[B] bring great benefits to human beings.

¡¡¡¡[C] help scientists decode body instructions.

¡¡¡¡[D] involve employing surgical instruments.

¡¡¡¡22.The word ¡°rejuvenated¡± (Para. 5) most probably means

¡¡¡¡[A] modified. [B] re-collected. [C] classified. [D] reactivated.

¡¡¡¡23.The research at the University of Wisconsin is mentioned to show

¡¡¡¡[A] the isolation of stem cells. [B] the effects of gene therapies.

¡¡¡¡[C] the advantages of human cloning. [D] the limitations of tissue replacements.

¡¡¡¡24.Which of the following is true according to the text?

¡¡¡¡[A] The principle of gene therapy is applicable to that of cloning.

¡¡¡¡[B] The isolation of stem cells is too difficult to be feasible.

¡¡¡¡[C] It is reasonable for all body instructions to be activated.

¡¡¡¡[D] Cloned animals will eventually take control of the world.

¡¡¡¡25.Towards the genetic research, the author¡¯s attitude can best be said to be that of

¡¡¡¡[A] Frustration. [B] Indifference. [C] Amazement. [D] Opposition.

¡¡¡¡Text 2

¡¡¡¡What our society suffers from most today is the absence of consensus about what it and life in it ought to be; such consensus cannot be gained from society¡¯s present stage, or from fantasies about what it ought to be. For that the present is too close and too diversified, and the future too uncertain, to make believable claims about it. A consensus in the present hence can be achieved only through a shared understanding of the past, as Homer¡¯s epics informed those who lived centuries later what it meant to be Greek, and by what images and ideals they were to live their lives and organize their societies.

¡¡¡¡Most societies derive consensus from a long history, a language all their own, a common religion, common ancestry. The myths by which they live are based on all of these. But the United States is a country of immigrants, coming from a great variety of nations. Lately, it has been emphasized that an asocial, narcissistic personality has become characteristic of Americans, and that it is this type of personality that makes for the lack of wellª²being, because it prevents us from achieving consensus that would counteract a tendency to withdraw into private worlds. In this study of narcissism, Christopher Lash says that modern man, ¡°tortured by selfª²consciousness, turns to new therapies not to free himself of his personal worries but to find meaning and purpose in life, to find something to live for¡±. There is widespread distress because national morale has declined, and we have lost an earlier sense of national vision and purpose.

¡¡¡¡Contrary to rigid religions or political beliefs, as are found in totalitarian societies, our culture is one of the great individual differences, at least in principle and in theory; but this leads to disunity, even chaos. Americans believe in the value of diversity, but just because our is a society based on individual diversity, it needs consensus about some dominating ideas more than societies based on uniform origin of their citizens. Hence, if we are to have consensus, it must be based on a myth ¡ª a vision about a common experience, a conquest that made us Americans, as the myth about the conquest of Troy formed the Greeks. Only a common myth can offer relief from the fear that life is without meaning or purpose. Myths permit us to examine our place in the world by comparing it to a shared idea. Myths are shared fantasies that form the tie that binds the individual to other members of his group. Such myths help to ward off feelings of isolations, guilt, anxiety, and purposelessness ¡ª in short, they combat isolation and the breakdown of social standards and values.

¡¡¡¡26.In the eyes of the author, the greatest trouble with the US society may lie in

¡¡¡¡[A] the nonª²existence of consensus on the forms of the society should take.

¡¡¡¡[B] the lack of divergence over the common organizations of social life.

¡¡¡¡[C] the nonª²acceptance of a society based on individual diversity.

¡¡¡¡[D] the pervasive distress caused by national morale decline.

¡¡¡¡27.The asocial personality of Americans may stem from

¡¡¡¡[A] the absence of a common religion and ancestry.

¡¡¡¡[B] the multiracial constituents of the US society.

¡¡¡¡[C] the want of a shared myths they possess in life.

¡¡¡¡[D] the counterbalance to narcissistic personality.

¡¡¡¡28.Homer¡¯s epics is mentioned in Paragraph 1 in order to

¡¡¡¡[A] exemplify the contributions made by ancient poets.

¡¡¡¡[B] illustrate the role of shared fantasies about society.

¡¡¡¡[C] show an ideal stage of eternal social progress.

¡¡¡¡[D] make known myths of what a society ought to be.

¡¡¡¡29.The author concludes that only shared myths can help Americans

¡¡¡¡[A] to bring about the uniformity of their culture.

¡¡¡¡[B] to regain their consensus about a common experience.

¡¡¡¡[C] to stay away from negative feelings in their life.

¡¡¡¡[D] to counteract the effects of consensus about society.

¡¡¡¡30.It can be inferred from Paragraph 2 that Christopher Lash is most probably

¡¡¡¡[A] a reform advocate.[B] a senior psychologist.

¡¡¡¡[C] a reputed poet.[D] a social historian.

¡¡¡¡Text 3

¡¡¡¡The early retirement of experienced workers is seriously harming the U.S. economy, according to a new report from the Hudson Institute, a public policy research organization. Currently, many older experienced workers retire at an early age. According to the recently issued statistics, 79 percent of qualified workers begin collecting retirement benefits at age 62; if that trend continues, there will be a labor shortage that will hinder the economic growth in the twenty-first century.

¡¡¡¡Older Americans constitute an increasing proportion of the population, according to the U. S. Census Bureau, and the population of those over age 65 will grow by 60% between 2001 and 2020. During the same period, the group aged 18 to 44 will increase by only 4%. Keeping older skilled workers employed, even part time, would increase U.S. economic output and strengthen the tax base; but without significant policy reforms, massive early retirement among baby boomers seems more likely.

¡¡¡¡Retirement at age 62 is an economically rational decision today. Social Security and Medicaid earnings limits and tax penalties subject our most experienced workers to marginal tax rates as high as 67%. Social Security formulas encourage early retirement. Although incomes usually rise with additional years of work, any pay increases after the 35-year mark result in higher social Security taxes but only small increases in benefits.

¡¡¡¡Hudson Institute researchers believe that federal tax and benefit policies are at fault and reforms are urgently needed, but they disagree with the popular proposal that much older Americans will have to work because Social Security will not support them and that baby boomers are not saving enough for retirement. According to the increase in 401 (k) and Keogh retirement plans, the ongoing stock market on Wall Street, and the likelihood of large inheritances, there is evidence that baby boomers will reach age 65 with greater financial assets than previous generations.

¡¡¡¡The Hudson institute advocates reforming government policies that now discourage work and savings, especially for older worker. Among the report¡¯s recommendations: Tax half of all Social Security benefits, regardless of other income; provide 8% larger benefits for each year beyond 65; and permit workers nearing retirement to negotiate compensation packages that may include a lower salary but with greater healthcare benefits. However, it may take real and fruitful planning to find the right solution to the early retirement of older experienced workers; any measures taken must be allowed to prolong the serviceability of older experienced workers.

¡¡¡¡31.According to Hudson Institute researchers, the effect of the early retirement of qualified workers in the U.S. economy is

¡¡¡¡[A] constructive. [B] significant. [C] inconclusive. [D] detrimental.

¡¡¡¡32.The older experienced workers in America tend to retire early because their prolonged service may

¡¡¡¡[A] do harm to younger generations. [B] end up with few or no benefits.

¡¡¡¡[C] give play to their potentials. [D] shed light on social trends.

¡¡¡¡33.The second paragraph is written chiefly to show that

¡¡¡¡[A] there will be an acute labor shortage in the near future.

¡¡¡¡[B] baby-boomers contribute much to the US economic output.

¡¡¡¡[C] government policies concerning older people are out-dated.

¡¡¡¡[D] older workers are enthusiastic about collecting social benefits.

¡¡¡¡34.When mentioning ¡°the ongoing stock market on Wall Street¡±, the writer

¡¡¡¡[A] is calling attention to the privileges to which baby-boomers are entitled.

¡¡¡¡[B] is calling for the government to take countermeasures against labor shortage.

¡¡¡¡[C] is refuting a notion about experienced workers¡¯ early retirement.

¡¡¡¡[D] is justifying the ineffectiveness of federal tax and benefit policies.

¡¡¡¡35.Towards the issue, what the writer is most concerned about will be

¡¡¡¡[A] to advocate radically reforming government policies.

¡¡¡¡[B] to take into account the benefits upon retirement.

¡¡¡¡[C] to put in practice what Hudson researchers believe in.

¡¡¡¡[D] to prolong the practicability of older experienced employees.

¡¡¡¡Text 4

¡¡¡¡The history of responses to the work of the artist Sandro Botticelli (1444¡ª1510) suggests that widespread appreciation by critics is a relatively recent phenomenon. Writing in 1550, Vasari expressed an unease with Botticelli¡¯s work, admitting that the artist fitted awkwardly into his evolutionary scheme of the history of art. Over the next two centuries, academic art historians defamed Botticelli in favor of his fellows Florentine, Michelangelo. Even when antiª²academic art historians of the early nineteenth century rejected many of the standards of evaluation adopted by their predecessors, Botticelli¡¯s work remained outside of accepted taste, pleasing neither amateur observers nor connoisseurs. (Many of his best paintings, however, remained hidden away in obscure churches and private homes.)

¡¡¡¡The primary reason for Botticelli¡¯s unpopularity is not difficult to understand: most observers, up until the mid-nineteenth century, did not consider him to be noteworthy, because his work, for the most part, did not seem to these observers to exhibit the traditional characteristics of fifteenth-century Florentine art. For example, Botticelli rarely employed the technique of strict perspective and, unlike Michelangelo, never used chiaroscuro.

¡¡¡¡Another reason for Botticelli¡¯s unpopularity may have been that his attitude toward the style of classical art was very different from that of his contemporaries. Although he was thoroughly exposed to classical art, he showed little interest in borrowing from the classical style. Indeed, it is paradoxical that a painter of large-scale classical subjects adopted a style that was only slightly similar to that of classical art.

¡¡¡¡In any case, when viewers began to examine more closely the relationship of Botticelli¡¯s work to the tradition of fifteenthª²century Florentine art, his reputation began to grow. Analyses and assessments of Botticelli made between 1850 and 1870 by the artists of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, as well as by the writer Pater (although he, unfortunately, based his assessment on an incorrect analysis of Botticelli¡¯s personality), inspired a new appreciation of Botticelli throughout the English-speaking world. Yet Botticelli¡¯s work, especially the Sistine frescoes, did not generate worldwide attention until it was finally subjected to a comprehensive and scrupulous analysis by Home in 1908. Home rightly demonstrated that the frescoes shared important features with paintings by other fifteenth-century Florentines ¡ª features such as skillful representation of anatomical proportions, and of the human figure in motion. However, Home argued that Botticelli did not treat these qualities as ends in themselves ¡ª rather, that he emphasized clear depletion of a story, a unique achievement and one that made the traditional Florentine qualities less central. Because of Home¡¯s emphasis crucial to any study of art, the twentieth century has come to appreciate Botticelli¡¯s achievements.

¡¡¡¡36.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

¡¡¡¡[A] The Role of Standard Art Analyses and Appraisals.

¡¡¡¡[B] Sandro Botticelli: From Rejection to Appreciation.

¡¡¡¡[C] The History of Critics¡¯ Responses to Art Works.

¡¡¡¡[D] Botticelli and Florentine: A Comparative Study.

¡¡¡¡37.We can learn from the text that art critics have a history of

¡¡¡¡[A] suppressing painters¡¯ art initiatives.[B] favoring a Botticelli¡¯s best paintings.

¡¡¡¡[C] rejecting traditional art characteristics.[D] undervaluing Botticelli¡¯s achievements.

¡¡¡¡38.The views of Vasari and Home on Botticelli¡¯s products are

¡¡¡¡[A] identical. [B] complementary. [C] opposite. [D] similar.

¡¡¡¡39.The word ¡°connoisseurs¡± (Paragraph 1) most probably means

¡¡¡¡[A] representatives in the Pre-Raphaelite Movement.

¡¡¡¡[B] people who are in favor of Florentine.

¡¡¡¡[C] critics who are likely to make assessments.

¡¡¡¡[D] conservatives clinging to classical art.

¡¡¡¡40.What does the author think of Botticelli¡¯s representation skills?

¡¡¡¡[A] They are to be fully appreciated.[B] They evolve from an uncertain source.

¡¡¡¡[C] They underlie his personality.[D] They conform to the classical style.

¡¡¡¡Part B

¡¡¡¡±¾²¿·ÖÄÚÈÝÇë²Î¼û Part B(Ò»)

¡¡¡¡Part C

¡¡¡¡Directions: Read the following text carefully and then translate the underlined segments into Chinese. Your translation should be written clearly on ANSWER SHEET 2. (10 points)

¡¡¡¡All U.S. nuclear weapons production facilities are presently closed down, and if the various agreements are adhered to, those facilities will never be required except for one critical capability. All modern nuclear weapons use uranium (ÓË), plutonium(îÐ), and tritium(ë°). Uranium and plutonium have very long half-lives, and there is large surplus of these materials.

¡¡¡¡Tritium, however, has a relatively short half-life of about 12.6 years, so about 5 percent of the amount on hand must be replaced each year to maintain the current inventory. (46) Because of the large retirement of nuclear weapons by the United States in compliance with early agreements and national policy, tritium from retired weapons has been used to make up that lost through natural decay. (47) However, in about 10 to 15 years, depending on future negotiations, the United States will need a guaranteed supply of tritium to maintain its stockpile at whatever level is agreed on.

¡¡¡¡In anticipation of this future need to produce tritium, Defense Office Executive is pursuing two technologies. One uses a nuclear reactor that could also produce electricity whose sale would recover not only the capital cost of the reactor but also its annual operational cost. (48) Unfortunately, the present Administration has a definite bias against nuclear power, so an alternative method is also being pursued even though it is agreed that it will cost twice as much as a reactor and use as much electricity as a reactor would produce. This technology uses an accelerator to produce high-energy protons that in turn produce neutrons.

¡¡¡¡The main argument for the accelerator is that it produces no conventional nuclear wastes. (49) Proponents readily admit that it will produce radioactive materials, but with a relatively short halfª²life compared with that of wastes from spent nuclear fuel. The fact that the accelerator will require the equivalent of a nuclear power plant to supply its electricity is ignored.

¡¡¡¡(50) Proponents also neglect to mention that about 22 percent of all electrical energy generated in the United States comes from nuclear power plants, so that 22 percent of the power used by the accelerator will generate conventional nuclear wastes, in addition to those the accelerator produces. There is an alternative to either the reactor or the accelerator, which is simply to buy the required tritium from Canada or Russia.