2014年6月至2015年6月英语六级阅读理解真题及答案【9套卷全】

When the right person is holding the right job at the right moment, that person's influence is greatly expanded. That is the position in which Janet Yellen, who is expected to be confirmed as the next chair of the Federal Reserve Bank (FeD. in January, now finds herself. If you believe, as many do, that unemployment is the major economic and social concern of our day, then it is no stretch to think Yellen is the most powerful person in the world right now.

56. What do many people think is the biggest problem facing Janet Yellen?【C】 A. Lack of money. B. Subprime crisis. C. Unemployment. D. Social instability.

57. What did Yellen help the Fed do to tackle the 2008 financial crisis?【D】 A. Take effective measures to curb inflation. B. Deflate the bubbles in the American economy. C. Formulate policies to help financial institutions. D. Pour money into the market through asset buying.

58. What is a greater concern of the general public?【B】 A.Recession. B. Deflation. C. Inequality. D. Income.

59. What is Yellen likely to do in her position as the Fed chief?【C】

A. Develop a new monetary program. B. Restore public confidence. C. Tighten financial regulation. D. Reform the credit system. 60. How does Alan Blinder portray Yellen?【A】

A. She possesses strong persuasive power. B. She has confidence in what she is doing.

C. She is one of the world's greatest economists. D. She is the most powerful Fed chief in history. Passage Two

Air pollution is deteriorating in many places around the world. The fact that public parks in cities become crowded as soon as the sun shines proves that people long to breathe in green, open spaces. They do not all know what they are seeking but they flock there, nevertheless. And, in these surroundings, they are generally both peaceful and peaceable. It is rare to see people fighting in a garden. Perhaps struggle unfolds first, not at an economic or social level, but over the appropriation of air, essential to life itself.

61. What does the author assume might be the primary reason that people would struggle with each other【A】

A. To get their share of clean air. B. To pursue a comfortable life. C. To gain a higher social status. D. To seek economic benefits. 62. What does the author accuse western politicians of?【D】 A. Depriving common people of the right to clean air. B. Giving priority to theory rather than practical action. C. Offering preferential treatment to wealthy countries. D. Failing to pass laws to curb environmental pollution.

63. What does the author try to draw our closest attention to?【B】

A. The massive burning of fossil fuels.B. Our relationship to the plant world.

C. The capacity of plants to renew polluted air.D. Large-scale deforestation across the world.

. How can human beings accomplish the goal of protecting the planet according to the a?【D】 A. By showing respect for plants. B. By preserving all forms of life. C. By tapping all natural resources. D. By pooling their efforts together. 65. What does the author suggest we do in order not just to survive?【C】 A. Expand the sphere of living. B. Develop nature's potentials. C. Share life with nature. D. Allocate the resources.

2015.06【2】 Passage One

I'll admit I've never quite understood the obsession (难以破除的成见 ) surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops.

56. How do environmentalist opponents view GM foods according to the passage?【B】 A. They will eventually ruin agriculture and the environment. B. They are used by big businesses to monopolize agriculture. C. They have proved potentially harmful to consumers' health. D. They pose a tremendous threat to current farming practice.

57. What does the author say is vital to solving the controversy between the two sides of the debate? 【D】

A. Breaking the GM food monopoly. B. More friendly exchange of ideas. C. Regulating GM food production. D. More scientific research on GM crops. 58. What is the main point of the Nature articles? 【A】

A. Feeding the growing population makes it imperative to develop GM crops. B. Popularizing GM technology will help it to live up to its initial promises. C. Measures should be taken to ensure the safety of GM foods. D. Both supporters and opponents should make compromises.

59. What is the author's view on the solution to agricultural problems? 【D】 A. It has to depend more and more on GM technology.

B. It is vital to the sustainable development of human society. C. GM crops should be allowed until better alternatives are found.

D. Whatever is useful to boost farming efficiency should be encouraged.

60.What does the author think of the ongoing debate around GM crops? 【C】 A. It arises out of ignorance of and prejudice against new science. B. It distracts the public attention from other key issues of the world.

C. Efforts spent on it should be turned to more urgent issues of agriculture. D. Neither side is likely to give in until more convincing evidence is found.

Passage Two

Early decision--you apply to one school, and admission is binding--seems like a great choice for nervous applicants.

61. What are students obliged to do under early decision? 【B】

A. Look into a lot of schools before they apply. B. Attend the school once they are admitted. C. Think twice before they accept the offer. D. Consult the current students and alumni. 62. Why do schools offer early decision? 【A】

A. To make sure they get qualified students. B. To avoid competition with other colleges. C. To provide more opportunities for applicants. D. To save students the agony of choosing a school.

63. What is said to be the problem with early decision for students? 【C】 A. It makes their application process more complicated. B. It places too high a demand on their research ability. C. It allows them little time to make informed decisions. D. It exerts much more psychological pressure on them.

. Why are some people opposed to early decision? 【D】 A. It interferes with students' learning in high school. B. It is biased against students at ordinary high schools. C. It causes unnecessary confusion among college applicants.

D. It places students from lower-income families at a disadvantage. 65. What does the author advise college applicants to do? 【B】 A. Refrain from competing with students from privileged families. B. Avoid choosing early decision unless they are fully prepared. C. Find sufficient information about their favorite schools. D. Look beyond the few supposedly thrilling options.

2015.06【3】 Passage One

The report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics was just as gloomy as anticipated．Unemployment in January jumped to a l6一year high of 7．6 percent，as 598 000 jobs were slashed from US payrolls in the worst single-month decline since December，1974．With l．8 million iobs lost in the last three months． there is urgent desire to boost the economy as quickly as possible．But Washington would do well to take a deep breath before reacting to the grim numbers．

56．What d0 we learn from the first paragraph?【A】

A.1me US economic situation is going from bad to worse． B.Washington is taking drastic measures to provide more jobs． C.111e US government is slashing more jobs from its payrolls． D.The recent economic crisis has taken the US by surprise． 57．、Ⅳhat does the author think of the unemployment figures and other statistics? 【D】 A.They form a solid basis for policy makin9． B.The．y represent the current situation． C.They signal future economic trend． D.They do not fully reflect the reality． 58．One problem with the payroll survey is that________．【B】

A.it does not include all the businesses B.it fails to count in the self—employed C.it magnifies the number of the jobless D.it does not treat all companies equally 59．111e household survey can be faulty in that_________．【C】

A)people tend to lie when talking on the phone B.not everybody is willing or ready to respond C.some people won’t provide truthful information D.the definition of unemployment is too broad 60．At the end of the passage，the author suggests that_______．【B】 A.statisticians improve their data assembling methods B.decision makers view the statistics with a critical eye C.politicians listen more before making policy decisions D.Democrats and Republicans cooperate on crucial issues Passage Two

At some point in 2008，someone，probably in either Asia or Africa，made the decision to move from the countryside to the city．This nameless person pushed the human race over a

historic threshold，for it was in that year that mankind became，for the first time in its history，a predominantly urban species．

61．In what way is the year 2008 historic? 【A】

A.For the first time in history，urban people outnumbered rural people． B.An influential figure decided to move from the countryside to the city． C.It is in this year that urbanisation made a start in Asia and Africa．

D.The population increase in cities reached a new peak in Asia and Africa． 62．What does the author say about urbanisation? 【B】

A.Its impact is not easy to predict． B.Its process will not slow down． C.It is a milestone in human progress．D.It aggravates the squalor of cities． 63．How does the author comment on Peter Smith’s new book? 【D】

A.It is but an ordinary coffee—table book． B.It is flavoured with humourous stories． C.It serves as a guide to arts and commerce． D.It is written in a lively and interesting style． ．What does the author say in the chapter on skyscrapers? 【D】 A.The automatic lift is indispensable in skyscrapers． B.People enjoy living in skyscrapers with a view． C.Skyscrapers are a sure sign of a city’s prosperity． D.Recession closely follows a skyscraper boom．

65．What may be one criticism of Mr．Smith’s book? 【C】 A)It does not really touch on anything serious． B.It is too long for people to read from cover to cover． C.It does not deal with any aspect of city life in depth． D.It fails to provide sound advice to city dwellers．

2014.12【1】 Passage One

International governments’ inaction concerning sustainable development is clearly worrying but the proactive (主动出击的) approaches of some leading-edge companies are encouraging. Toyota, Wal-Mart, DuPont, M&S and General Electric have made tackling environmental wastes a key economic driver.

56.What does the author say about some leading-edge companies? 【B】 A. They operate in accordance with government policies. B. They take initiatives in handling environmental wastes. C. They are key drivers in their nations’ economic growth. D. They are major contributors to environmental problems.

57.What motivates Toyota and Wal-Mart to make commitments to environmental protection? 【C】 A. The goodness of their hearts. B. A strong sense of responsibility. C. The desire to generate profits. D. Pressure from environmentalists.

58.Why are so many companies reluctant to create an environment-friendly business system? 【C】 A. They are bent on making quick money.

B. They do not have the capital for the investment. C. They believe building such a system is too costly. D. They lack the incentive to change business practices.

59.What is said about the lean and green model of business? 【A】 A. It helps businesses to save and gain at the same time. B. It is affordable only for a few leading-edge companies. C. It is likely to start a new round of intense competition. D. It will take a long time for all companies to embrace it.

60.What is the finding of the studies about companies committed to environmental goals? 【B】 A. They have greatly enhanced their sense of social responsibility. B. They do much better than their counterparts in terms of revenues. C. They have abandoned all the outdated equipment and technology. D. They make greater contributions to human progress than their rivals. Passage Two

If you asked me to describe the rising philosophy of the day, I’d say it is data-ism. We now have the ability to gather huge amounts of data. This ability seems to carry with it certain cultural assumptions — that everything that can be measured should be measured; that data is a transparent and reliable lens that allows us to filter out emotionalism and ideology; that data will help us do remarkable things — like foretell the future. 61.What do data-ists assume they can do? 【D】

A. Transform people’s cultural identity. B. Change the way future events unfold.

C. Get a firm grip on the most important issues.D. Eliminate emotional and ideological bias. 62.What do people running for political office think they can do? 【B】 A. Use data analysis to predict the election result. B. Win the election if they can raise enough funds. C. Manipulate public opinion with favorable data. D. Increase the chances of winning by foul means.

63.Why do many teachers favor the idea of tailoring their presentations to different students? 【C】 A. They think students prefer flexible teaching methods. B. They will be able to try different approaches. C. They believe students’ learning styles vary.

D. They can accommodate students with special needs.

.What does James Pennebaker reveal in The Secret Life of Pronouns? 【D】 A. The importance of using pronouns properly.

B. Repeated use of first-person pronouns by self-centered people. C. Frequent use of pronouns and future tense by young people. D. A pattern in confident people’s use of pronouns.

65.Why is the author skeptical of the data revolution? 【C】

A. Data may not be easily accessible.B. Errors may occur with large data samples.

C. Data cannot always do what we imagine it can.D. Some data may turn out to be outdated.

2014.12【2】 Passage One

Nothing succeeds in business books like the study of success. The current

business-book boom was launched in 1982 by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman with In Search of Excellence. The trend has continued with a succession of experts and would-be experts who promise to distil the essenceof excellence into three (or five or seven) simple rules. 56.What kind of business books are most likely to sell well?【A】 A. Books on excellence. B. Guides to management. C. Books on business rules. D. Analyses of market trends.

57.What does the author imply about books on success so far?【C】 A. They help businessmen one way or another. B. They are written by well-recognised experts. C. They more or less fall into the same stereotype. D. They are based on analyses of corporate leaders.

58.How does The Three Rules differ from other success books according to the passage? 【B】 A. It focuses on the behaviour of exceptional businessmen. B. It bases its detailed analysis on large amounts of data. C. It offers practicable advice to businessmen. D. It draws conclusions from vivid examples.

59.What does the passage say contributes to the success of exceptional companies? 【A】 A. Focus on quality and revenue. B. Management and sales promotion.

C. Lower production costs and competitive prices. D. Emphasis on after-sale service and maintenance.

60.What is the author’s comment on The Three Rules? 【D】 A. It can help to locate profitable niches. B. It has little to offer to business people. C. It is noted for its detailed data analysis. D. It fails to identify the keys to success. Passage Two

Until recently, the University of Kent prided itself on its friendly image. Not any more.Over the past few months it has been working hard, with the help of media consultants, to play down its cosy reputation in favour of something more academic and serious. 61.What was the University of Kent famous for?【A】

A. Its comfortable campus life. B. Its up-to-date course offerings. C. Its distinguished teaching staff. D. Its diverse academic programmes. 62.What are universities trying to do to attract students? 【D】

A. Improve their learning environment. B. Offer more scholarships to the gifted. C. Upgrade their campus facilities. D. Present a better academic image.

63.What does Rob Behrens suggest universities do in marketing themselves? 【C】 A. Publicise the achievements of their graduates. B. Go to extra lengths to cater to students’ needs.

C. Refrain from making promises they cannot honour. D. Survey the expectations of their prospective students.

.What is students’ chief consideration in choosing a university? 【B】 A. Whether it promises the best job prospects. B. Whether it is able to deliver what they want. C. Whether it ranks high among similar institutions. D. Whether it offers opportunities for practical training.

65.What must universities show to win recruitment campaigns? 【D】 A. They are positioned to meet the future needs of society. B. They are responsible to students for their growth. C. They are ever ready to improve themselves. D. They are unique one way or another.

2014.12【3】 Passage One

It is easy to miss amid the day-to-day headlines of global economic recession,but there

is a less conspicuous kind of social upheaval (剧变) underway that is fast altering both the face of the planet and the way human beings live. That change is the rapid acceleration of urbanization. 56.What issue does the author try to draw people’s attention to?【D】

A. The shrinking biodiversity worldwide. B. The rapid increase of world population. C. The ongoing global economic recession. D. The impact of accelerating urbanization. 57.In what sense are humans the ultimate invasive species?【C】

A. They are much greedier than other species. B. They are a unique species born to conquer. C. They force other species out of their territories. D. They have an urge to expand their living space.

58.In what way is urbanization in poor countries good for the environment?【B】

A. More land will be preserved for wildlife. B. The pressure on farmland will be lessened. C. Carbon emissions will be considerably reduced. D. Natural resources will be used more effectively.

59.What does the author say about living comfortably in the city?【A】

A. It incurs a high environmental price. B. It brings poverty and insecurity to an end.

C. It causes a big change in people’s lifestyle. D. It narrows the gap between city and country. 60.What can be done to minimize the negative impact of urbanization according to Seto?【C】 A. Slowing down the speed of transition. B. Innovative use of advanced technology.

C. Appropriate management of the process. D. Enhancing people’s sense of responsibility. Passage Two

When Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched the.com in Feb. 2004, even he could not imagine the forces it would let loose. His intent was to connect college students. , which is what this website rapidly evolved into, ended up connecting the world. 61.What was the purpose of when it was first created?【B】 A. To help students connect with the outside world. B. To bring university students into closer contact. C. To help students learn to live in a connected era. D. To combine the world into an integral whole.

62.What difference does social media make to learning?【D】 A. Local knowledge and global knowledge will merge. B. Students will become more curious and ambitious. C. People are able to learn wherever they travel. D. Sources of information are greatly expanded.

63. What is the author’s greatest concern with social media technology?【A】 A. Individuals and organizations may use it for evil purposes. B. Government will find it hard to protect classified information. C. People may disclose their friends’ information unintentionally. D. People’s attention will be easily distracted from their work in hand. .What do businesses use social media for?【B】

A. Creating a good corporate image. B. Anticipating the needs of customers.

C. Conducting large-scale market surveys. D. Minimizing possible risks and dangers. 65.What does the author think of social media as a whole?【A】 A. It will enable human society to advance at a faster pace. B. It will pose a grave threat to our traditional ways of life. C. It is bound to bring about another information revolution. D. It breaks down the final barriers in human communication.

2014.06【1】 Passage One

Texting has long been bemoaned (哀叹) as the downfall of the written word, \"penmanship for illiterates,\" as one critic called it. To which the proper response is LOL. Texting properly isn't writing at all. It's a \"spoken\" language that is getting richer and more complex by the year.

56. What do critics say about texting?【C】

A． It is mainly confined to youngsters. B．It competes with traditional writing. C． It will ruin the written language. D． It is often hard to understand. 57. In what way does the author say writing is different from talking? 【A】 A． It is crafted with specific skills. B．It expresses ideas more accurately. C． It does not have as long a history. D． It is not as easy to comprehend. 58. Why is LOL much used in texting? 【A】

A． It brings texters closer to each other. B．It shows the texter's sophistication. C． It is a trendy way to communicate D． It adds to the humor of the text. 59.Examples like meat and silly are cited to show . 【D】

A． the difference between writing and talking B．how differently words are used in texting C． why people use the words the way they do D． the gradual change of word meaning 60. What does the author think of texting? 【B】

A． It facilitates exchange of ideas among people. B．It is a new form of verbal communication. C． It deteriorates people's composition skills. D． It hastens the decline of the written word. Passage Two

It's possible to admire Oprah Winfrey and still wish Harvard hadn't awarded her an honorary doctor of law degree and the commencement (毕业典礼) speaker spot at yesterday's graduation.

61. What do we learn about Oprah Winfrey from the passage? 【B】 A． She was a distinguished graduate of Harvard School of Law. B．She worked her way to success in the entertainment industry. C． She used to abuse her children when she was a young mother. D． She achieved her fame through persistent advocacy of fake science.

62. Why does the author deem it inappropriate for Harvard to confer an honorary degree on Oprah Winfrey? 【B】

A． She did not specialize in the study of law. B．She was known as s supporter of fake science. C． She was an icon of the entertainment industry. D． She had not distinguished herself academically.

63. How did Harry Lewis react to Harvard's decision in his blog post? 【A】 A．He was strongly against it. B．He considered it unpopular. C． He thought it would help enhance Harvard's reputation.

D． He thought it represented the will of the Harvard community.

.What is the author's regret about many American universities? 【C】 A． They show inadequate respect for evidence-based inquiry. B．They fall short of expectations in teaching and research. C． They attach too much importance to public relations. D． They are tolerant of political and religious nonsense.

65. What does the author think a prestigious university like Harvard should focus on? 【D】 A． Cultivation of student creativity. B．Defense of the scientific method. C． Liberation of the human mind. D． Pursuit of knowledge and truth.

2014.06【2】 Passage One

Technology can make us smarter or stupider, and we need to develop a set of principles to guide our everyday behavior and make sure that tech is improving and not hindering our mental processes. One of the big questions being debated today is: What kind of information do we need to have stored in our heads, and what kind can we leave \"in the cloud,\" to be accessed as necessary? 56. What is the author's concern about the use of technology?【D】

A． It may leave knowledge \"in the cloud\". B． It may misguide our everyday behavior. C． It may cause a divide in the circles of education. D． It may hinder the development of thinking skills.

57. What is the view of educators who advocate digital literacy? 【D】 A． It helps kids to navigate the virtual world at will. B． It helps kids to broaden their scope of knowledge. C． It increases kids' efficiency of acquiring knowledge. D． It liberates kids from the burden of memorizing facts. 58. What does evidence from cognitive science show? 【B】 A． Knowledge is better kept in long-term memory. B． Critical thinking is based on factual knowledge. C． Study skills are essential to knowledge acquisition. D． Critical thinking means challenging existing facts.

59. What does the author think is key to making evaluations? 【C】 A． Gathering enough evidence before drawing conclusions. B． Mastering the basic rules and principles for evaluation.

C． Connecting new information with one's accumulated knowledge. D． Understanding both what has happened and why it has happened. 60. What is the author's purpose in writing the passage? 【D】 A． To warn against learning through memorizing facts. B． To promote educational reform in the information age. C． To explain human brains' function in storing information. D． To challenge the prevailing overemphasis on digital literacy. Passage Two

America's recent history has been a persistent tilt to the West--of people, ideas,

commerce and even political power. California and Texas are the twin poles of the West, but very different ones. For most of the 20th century the home of Silicon Valley and Hollywood has been the brainier and trendier of the two.

61. What does the author say about California and Texas in Paragraph 17【B】 A． They have been competing for the leading position. B． California has been superior to Texas in many ways. C． They are both models of development for other states. D． Texas's cowboy culture is less known than California's. 62. What does the author say about today's California? 【C】

A． Its debts are pushing it into bankruptcy. B． Its budgets have been cut by $26 billion. C． It is faced with a serious financial crisis. D． It is trying hard to protect the vulnerable. 63. In what way is Texas different from California? 【A】

A． It practices small government. B． It is home to traditional industries. C． It has a large Hispanic population. D． It has an enviable welfare system. . What problem is Texas confronted with? 【C】

A． Its Hispanic population is mostly illiterate. B． Its sunrise industries are shrinking rapidly. C． Its education cannot meet the needs of the knowledge economy. D． Its immigrants have a hard time adapting to its cowboy culture. 65. What do we learn about American politics from the passage? 【A】

A． Each state has its own way of governing. B． Most states favor a bipartisan approach. C． Parties collaborate in drawing public policies. D． All states believe in government for the people.

2014.06【3】 Passage One

\"Deep reading\"--as opposed to the often superficial reading we do on the Web--is an ending erer practice, one we ought to take steps to preserve as we would a historic building or a significant work of art..

56. What does the author say about \"deep reading\"?【B】

A． It serves as a complement to online reading. B． It should be preserved before it is too late. C． It is mainly suitable for reading literature. D． It is an indispensable part of education. 57. Why does the author advocate the reading of literature? 【A】 A． It helps promote readers' intellectual and emotional growth. B． It enables readers to appreciate the complexity of language. C． It helps readers build up immersive reading habits. D． It is quickly becoming an endangered practice.

58. In what way does printed-page reading differ from online reading? 【B】

A． It ensures the reader's cognitive growth. B． It enables the reader to be fully engaged. C． It activates a different region of the brain. D． It helps the reader learn rhetorical devices. 59. What do the studies show about online reading? 【D】

A． It gradually impairs one's eyesight. B． It keeps arousing readers' curiosity. C． It provides up-to-date information. D． It renders reading less enjoyable.

60. What do we learn from the study released by Britain's National Literacy Trust? 【A】 A． Onscreen readers may be less competent readers. B． Those who do reading in print are less informed. C． Young people find reading onscreen more enjoyable. D． It is now easier to find a favorite book online to read. Passage Two

Many current discussions of immigration issues talk about immigrants in general, as if they were abstract people in an abstract world. But the concrete differences between immigrants from different countries affect whether their coming here is good or bad for the American people. 61. What does the author say about immigrants in America? 【C】 A． They all hope to gain citizenship and enjoy the welfare. B． They come to America with different dreams and purposes.

C． Their background may determine whether they benefit the American people. D． Their cultures affect the extent to which they will achieve success in America. 62. What does the author try to say by citing Milton Friedman's remark? 【A】

A． It is hardly practical to find an ideal solution to America's immigration problem. B． Ideal outcomes could be produced only by comprehensive immigration reform. C． As for immigration, good results cannot be achieved without good intentions. D． The proper solution of immigration issues is an ideal of the American public. 63. What is the author's view regarding America's immigration policy? 【C】 A． America should open its borders to immigrants from different countries. B． Immigrants have contributed greatly to the welfare of American people. C． Unrestricted immigration will undermine the American welfare state. D． There is no point building a wall around the American welfare state.

. What is the author's purpose in citing the recent terrorist attacks on the streets of Boston and London? 【D】

A． To show that America should join hands with Europe in fighting terrorists.

B． To prove that it is high time America made comprehensive immigration reforms.

C． To prove that terrorism is the most dangerous threat to America and the world in general. D． To show that immigrants' cultural incompatibility with the host country has consequences. 65. What is the author's attitude towards \"comprehensive immigration reform\"?【B】 A． Supportive. B． Negative. C． Wait-and-see. D． Indifferent.