Part III. Reading Comprehension (40 points; 55 minutes)

　　Section 1

　　Directions: Each of the following three passages is followed by some questions. For each question there are four choices. Choose the best answer to each question. Then blacken the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet.

　　Passage One

　　Questions 41 to 45 are based on the following passage.

　　"The beauty of Wuyishan Mountain will amaze you." my Chinese friends said when told I would visit the nature reserve of Wuyishan Mountain. While I was impatient to verify their comments, I was skeptical. As a Canadian I am accustomed to large acres of greenery and vast forests.

　　But now, I must confess my impression was wrong. I was not aware that a nature reserve could embody such splendid scenery and offer such startling glimpse of history and ancient culture. In a country of 1.2 billion inhabitants, I have discovered the marvel of a nature coexists in harmony and where modem life does not disrupt the rhythm of nature.

　　The reserve is divided into four zones for protection and conservation which offer unique character; the conservation zone of biodiversity in the west, the ecological conservation zone of the Jiuquxi River in the center, the natural and cultural zone in the east, and finally, the ruins of the imperial Minyue City of the Han Dynasty in the village of Chengcun. These zones formed a total environment, which since 1987 has been recognized as part of the global network Man and Biosphere. To further promote preservation of this site, China has requested that Wuyishan Mountain reserve be listed as a Natural and Cultural World Heritage site of UNESCO.

　　41. What's the author's reaction after he heard that "the beauty of Wuyishan Mountain will amaze you"?

　　A. Eager to verity but doubtful

　　B. Eager to appreciate the beauty

　　C. Doubtful of its real beauty

　　D. Indifferent and skeptical.

　　42. What does the word "confess" mean?

　　A. conclude

　　B. confer

　　C. accept

　　D. admit

　　43. According to the passage, what is the characteristic of Wuyishan Mountain?

　　A. greenery and vast forests

　　B. harmonious coexistence of man and nature

　　C. splendid scenery

　　D. rhythm of nature

　　44. What's the zone in the west known for?

　　A. natural beauty

　　B. cultural diversity

　　C. ecological conservation

　　D. conservation of biodiversity

　　45. What does the word "biosphere" (Line 5. Para. 3.) mean?

　　A. atmosphere

　　B. circumstance

　　C. nature

　　D. ecology

　　Passage Two

　　Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.

　　You do not need every word to understand the meaning of what you read. In fact, too much emphasis on individual words both slows your speed and reduces your comprehension. You will be given the chance to prove this to yourself, but meanwhile, let us look at the implications.

　　First, any habit which slows down your silent reading to the speed at which you speak, or read aloud, is inefficient. If you point to each word as you read, or move your head, or form the word with your lips, you read poorly. Less obvious habits also hold back reading efficiency. One is "saying" each word silently by moving your tongue or throat or vocal cords .another "hearing" each word you read.

　　These are habits which should have been outgrown long ago. The beginning reader is learning how letters can make words, how written words are pronounced, and how sentences are put together. Your reading purpose is quite different; it is to understand meaning.

　　It has been estimated that up to 75 % of the words in English sentences are not really necessary for conveying the meaning. The secret of silent reading is to seek out those key words and phrases which carry the thought, and to pay less attention to words which exist only for the sake of grammatical completeness.

　　An efficient reader can grasp the meaning from a page at least twice as fast as he can read the page loud. Unconsciously perhaps, he takes in whole phrase or thought unit at a time. If he "says" or "hears" word to himself, they are selected ones, said for emphasis.

　　46. This passage is mainly about __________.

　　A. Improving eye movements

　　B. reading more widely

　　C. eliminating poor reading habits

　　D. concentrating while reading

　　47. Saying each word to yourself as you read __________.

　　A. improves comprehension

　　B. increases reading speed

　　C. prevents regression

　　D. hinders reading efficiency

　　48. Your reading purpose should be __________.

　　A. to understand all words

　　B. to make fewer eye movements

　　C. to understand the meaning

　　D. to understand the grammatical structures

　　49. It has been estimated that up to 75 % of words in English sentences are __________.

　　A. grammatically unnecessary

　　B. essential to the meaning

　　C. not absolutely essential to grasp the meaning

　　D. regressed more than once by poor reader

　　50. Efficient readers usually __________.

　　A. move their heads quickly

　　B. take in whole phrases at a time

　　C. point at key words

　　D. miss some important points for readers