托福閱讀真題及答案3篇(年托福閱讀真題及答案)

時間：2022-08-02 08:34:00 綜合范文

　　下面是范文網小編分享的托福閱讀真題及答案3篇(年托福閱讀真題及答案)，供大家賞析。

托福閱讀真題及答案1

　　The Origins of Theater

　　In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw. The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual. The process perceived by these anthropologists may be summarized briefly. During the early stages of its development, a society becomes aware of forces that appear to influence or control its food supply and well-being. Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces, and it searches for means to win the favor of these forces. Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals.

　　Stories (myths) may then grow up around a ritual. Frequently the myths include representatives of those supernatural forces that the rites celebrate or hope to influence. Performers may wear costumes and masks to represent the mythical characters or supernatural forces in the rituals or in accompanying celebrations. As a person becomes more sophisticated, its conceptions of supernatural forces and causal relationships may change. As a result, it may abandon or modify some rites. But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity, and thereafter entertainment and aesthetic values may gradually replace the former mystical and socially efficacious concerns.

　　Although origin in ritual has long been the most popular, it is by no means the only theory about how the theater came into being. Storytelling has been proposed as one alternative. Under this theory, relating and listening to stories are seen as fundamental human pleasures. Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.

　　A closely related theory sees theater as evolving out of dances that are primarily pantomimic, rhythmical or gymnastic, or from imitations of animal noises and sounds. Admiration for the performer’s skill, virtuosity, and grace are seen as motivation for elaborating the activities into fully realized theatrical performances.

　　In addition to exploring the possible antecedents of theater, scholars have also theorized about the motives that led people to develop theater. Why did theater develop, and why was it valued after it ceased to fulfill the function of ritual? Most answers fall back on the theories about the human mind and basic human needs. One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations. Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life. Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact. The theater, then, is one tool whereby people define and understand their world or escape from unpleasant realities.

　　But neither the human imitative instinct nor a penchant for fantasy by itself leads to an autonomous theater. Therefore, additional explanations are needed. One necessary condition seems to be a somewhat detached view of human problems. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group. Another condition that contributes to the development of autonomous theater is the emergence of the aesthetic sense. For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness.

　　Paragraph 1: In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw. The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual. The process perceived by these anthropologists may be summarized briefly. During the early stages of its development, a society becomes aware of forces that appear to influence or control its food supply and well-being. Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces, and it searches for means to win the favor of these forces. Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals.

　　1. The word “championed” in the passage is closest in meaning to

○changed

○debated

○created

○supported

　　2. The word “attributes” in the passage is closest in meaning to

○ascribes

○leaves

○limits

○contrasts

　　3. According to paragraph 1, theories of the origins of theater

○are mainly hypothetical

○are well supported by factual evidence

○have rarely been agreed upon by anthropologists

○were expressed in the early stages of theater’s development

　　4. According to paragraph 1, why did some societies develop and repeat ceremonial actions?

○To establish a positive connection between the members of the society

○To help society members better understand the forces controlling their food supply

○To distinguish their beliefs from those of other societies

○To increase the society’s prosperity

　　Paragraph 2: Stories (myths) may then grow up around a ritual. Frequently the myths include representatives of those supernatural forces that the rites celebrate or hope to influence. Performers may wear costumes and masks to represent the mythical characters or supernatural forces in the rituals or in accompanying celebrations. As a person becomes more sophisticated, its conceptions of supernatural forces and causal relationships may change. As a result, it may abandon or modify some rites. But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity, and thereafter entertainment and aesthetic values may gradually replace the former mystical and socially efficacious concerns.

　　5. The word “this” in the passage refers to

○the acting out of rites

○the divorce of ritual performers from the rest of society

○the separation of myths from rites

○the celebration of supernatural forces

　　6. The word “autonomous” in the passage is closest in meaning to

○artistic

○important

○independent

○established

　　7. According to paragraph 2, what may cause societies to abandon certain rites?

○Emphasizing theater as entertainment

○Developing a new understanding of why events occur

○Finding a more sophisticated way of representing mythical characters

○Moving from a primarily oral tradition to a more written tradition，來源：北京新航道托福培訓

　　Paragraph 5: In addition to exploring the possible antecedents of theater, scholars have also theorized about the motives that led people to develop theater. Why did theater develop, and why was it valued after it ceased to fulfill the function of ritual? Most answers fall back on the theories about the human mind and basic human needs. One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations. Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life. Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact. The theater, then, is one tool whereby people define and understand their world or escape from unpleasant realities.

　　8. All of following are mentioned in paragraph 5 as possible reasons that led societies to develop theater EXCEPT:

○Theater allows people to face that they are afraid of.

○Theater gives an opportunity to imagine a better reality.

○Theater is a way to enjoy imitating other people.

○Theater provides people the opportunity to better understand the human mind.

　　9. Which of the following best describes the organization of paragraph 5?

○The author presents two theories for a historical phenomenon.

○The author argues against theories expressed earlier in the passage.

○The author argues for replacing older theories with a new one.

○The author points out problems with two popular theories.

　　Paragraph 6: But neither the human imitative instinct nor a penchant for fantasy by itself leads to an autonomous theater. Therefore, additional explanations are needed. One necessary condition seems to be a somewhat detached view of human problems. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group. Another condition that contributes to the development of autonomous theater is the emergence of the aesthetic sense. For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness.

　　10. The word “penchant” in the passage is closest in meaning to

○compromise

○inclination

○tradition

○respect

　　11. Why does the author mention “comedy”?

○To give an example of early types of theater

○To explain how theater helps a society respond to threats to its welfare

○To help explain why detachment is needed for the development of theater

○To show how theatrical performers become detached from other members of society

　　12. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

○A society’s rites were more likely to be retained in the oral tradition if its myths were admired for artistic qualities.

○The artistic quality of a myth was sometimes an essential reason for a society to abandon it from the oral tradition.

○Some early societies stopped using myths in their religious practices when rites ceased to be seen as

　　useful for social well-being.

○Myths sometimes survived in a society’s tradition because of their artistic qualities even after they were no longer deemed religiously beneficial.

　　Paragraph 3: █Although origin in ritual has long been the most popular, it is by no means the only theory about how the theater came into being. █Storytelling has been proposed as one alternative. █Under this theory, relating and listening to stories are seen as fundamental human pleasures. █Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.

　　13. Look at the four squares [█] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

　　To enhance their listeners’ enjoyment, storytellers continually make their stories more engaging and memorable.

　　Where would the sentence best fit?

　　14. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

　　Anthropologists have developed many theories to help understand why and how theater originated.

　　Answer choices

○The presence of theater in almost all societies is thought to have occurred because early storytellers traveled to different groups to tell their stories.

○Many theorists believe that theater arises when societies act out myths to preserve social well-being.

○The more sophisticated societies became, the better they could influence desirable occurrences through ritualized theater.

○Some theories of theater development focus on how theater was used by group leaders to group leaders govern other members of society.

○Theater may have come from pleasure humans receive from storytelling and moving rhythmically.

○The human capacities for imitation and fantasy are considered possible reasons why societies develop theater.

　　參考答案：

　　1. ○4

　　2. ○1

　　3. ○1

　　4. ○4

　　5. ○3

　　6. ○3

　　7. ○2

　　8. ○4

　　9. ○1

　　10. ○2

　　11. ○3

　　12. ○4

　　13. ○4

　　14. Many theorists believe that…

　　Theater may have come from…

　　The human capacities for imitation…

托福閱讀真題及答案2

　　2014年6月8日北美地區(qū)托?？荚嚩伎剂四男╊}目?以下是2014年6月8日北美地區(qū)托福真題，大家可以練習使用。

　　托福機經閱讀

　　我遇到了加試，還不是經典加試，人品差哇。

　　有一篇是講地球的形成的，先講了星球大概形成的一個過程。然后具體說了地球內部的硅浮上來，重物質下去。還講了地幔和地殼的形成。然后還有什么一開始是一些神馬物質，后來這些物質就走掉了，還有水汽，還有其他氫啊神馬的進來，然后形成最終狀態(tài)。

　　有個著名的帝國破滅了，分成了東和西。然后東比較好，需要防衛(wèi)的邊界線不是很多，還有很多資源;西的話就比較悲慘，要各種防衛(wèi)，內憂外患。還有西的話君主特別年輕，8歲和5歲還是神馬的就登基了，然后權臣當道，等他們成年了，也沒有發(fā)言權了。然后就說很多人都是為了自己的利益來的，犧牲民眾的利益，外敵就入侵了。

　　還有一篇講一個國家內戰(zhàn)求民主，但是結果很不理想，想要的木有達到。窮苦民眾無力去撼動大地主的利益，然后教堂啥的影響很小，商人首創(chuàng)嚴重，大地主反而獲利很大。還講了這個國家對周邊國家的一些影響，有些國家出乎意料還從中受益了。

　　還有一篇一點印象都木有了!

　　托福機經聽力

　　有一道是去找教授的，我沒聽太清楚。姑娘寫了篇論文，和教授分析自己的論文。貌似選擇的題目是和網絡還有雜志相關的，我沒聽清楚到底是網絡對紙質媒介的影響，還是網絡規(guī)范的制定神馬的，這里有題目的。姑娘說自己找了很多資料，教授表示挺驚訝的，估計覺著資料很難找。然后姑娘天馬行空，想寫的東西特別多，還想比較1970年的和現(xiàn)在的情況。教授讓她不要弄那么大的題目，最后她絕對專注于目前。

　　還有一篇是講一個男孩選了兩門生物課，一門鋼琴課。然后導師勸他放棄其中一門課。男孩說自己非常喜歡生物，也很愛音樂，但是自己確實沒有那么多的時間，每天兩個小時的彈琴也沒有能保證。導師也說他是個很好的學生，但是最近的成績確實不夠理想。讓他想清楚自己到底想做神馬。學校里有選不同方向的學生，但是他們一般兩個方向都是相關的。她問男孩是不是想彈鋼琴去講生物神馬的。男孩一開始不肯放棄，后來被勸著勸著覺著導師挺有道理的，決定回家仔細想想放棄哪一門。

　　有一篇講百老匯的。說18x.x年有一個新的方式出現(xiàn)了。那段時間新興了很多中產階級，需要娛樂，這里有題。新出來的和普通的不一樣，有很多新點子，引入了芭蕾神馬的，還全美巡演20年，還有移動舞臺，給觀眾全新的體驗。

　　還有一篇講電影的，教授說這些名字你們都很熟悉吧，但是你們不一定知道全部的信息。然后就具體講了迪士尼的動畫。說了其中一部，非常重要，重要的原因貌似是第一部盈利的，這里有題。然后講了一個拍攝的新技巧，說鏡頭拉近，附近的東西會變大，樹啊柵欄啊啥的都變大了，但是太陽不會變大。這個就挺難弄的，如果讓畫家畫的話太費力了。然后有個人去看了部舞臺劇，舞臺劇是有背景的，給了靈感，這里有題。然后就弄了濾片啥的在相機里拍攝，就解決問題啦。

　　托福機經口語

　　1、有三個了解大學的選擇

　　A. 周末學校一日游

　　B. 周末兩天在playground玩

　　c. 參加大學的課程

　　問選擇哪種去最好的了解學校

　　2、有人送了一塊地，問是用來養(yǎng)花種菜呢還是建兒童游樂園

　　3、閱讀：有人給學校寫了封建議信，刊登在學校的報紙上。學校附近有一個小咖啡廳兮兮的東西，提供飲料和小cookie。這是非常好的，但是有兩個建議，一個是提供一些耐吃的食物，三明治神馬的;一個是建議多一些輕音樂。

　　對話：一男一女，女孩說覺得這個建議非常贊啊。說那里是休息的一個好地方，吃點東西神馬的太便利了。但是餓的時候小cookie木有用，確實需要一些其他的吃的;然后音樂太吵了，自己在那里完全沒有辦法看書，只能回宿舍。

　　4、閱讀：一個協(xié)同作戰(zhàn)之類的詞，講動物之間一般會一起做一樣的事情。而且協(xié)同作戰(zhàn)還會讓他們更團結，抵抗外敵。

　　聽力：教授舉了某種動物做例子，說在遷徙的時候，如果一只口渴停下來喝水，其他不渴的也會停下來喝，喝完再一起繼續(xù)遷徙。為嘛他們要一起呢，因為在dry open grass上有很危險的敵人，有獅子神馬的。如果單獨行動太危險了，很有可能喪命。

　　5、一男一女對話。男孩很苦惱，遇到問題了。他現(xiàn)在住的屋子的房東準備把屋子賣了，然后有個看上的買家非常著急要買，他還有一周多一些的時間可以搬家。他現(xiàn)在有兩個選擇方案，一個是他的朋友在學校附近有個屋子在招租，但是他覺著這樣他就沒法定下心來學習了;還有就是和父母住一起，但是父母住的地方忒遠了。很難抉擇。

　　6、有關動物的。說動物有兩個適應特性，一個是Physical適應，一個是habit適應還是神馬的。講了一個動物在極度寒冷的地方，為了保持自身的熱量如何很好地用兩種方法來適應。一個是他們的顏色是黑色的，黑色能吸收更多的太陽光，熱量傳到身體里面。一個是它們平時站在冰塊上，于是它們采取不同于尋常的站立方式，木有用兩只腳，而是用了腳后跟。

　　托福機經寫作

　　1、閱讀材料

　　科學家們2000年和2010在兩個相隔1500Mile的地方發(fā)現(xiàn)一個我不認識的物種，這個動物正常情況下是黑色帶有少許白色斑點，結果兩次發(fā)現(xiàn)的是全白色的，這個發(fā)現(xiàn)非常神奇。但是科學家們仔細分析了下，說這兩個東西不是同一物種，并從三個方面給出了分析。

　　A. 輕微的顏色差異：第一次非常白，第二次微白;

　　B. 相隔太遠：兩次相隔了1500mile，他們在岸邊不會走這么遠;

　　c. 年齡估計：第一次估計是20歲，那就意味著第二次得要30歲，科學家表示不太可能，我沒太能弄懂這個的意思，但是就是這么說的。

　　綜上所述，這兩個物種不是同一個。

　　聽力材料

　　教授的觀點是認為他們是同一個物種，從三點分別駁斥了這些科學家的觀點

　　A. 這個生物生活的地方會長貌似是藻類alga,然后這個藻類不同季節(jié)的生長情況不太一樣。不同季節(jié)會對這個動物的顏色有一定的影響，有可能白還是不白時候是被這個藻類覆蓋了。

　　B. 這個生物按生活習性分為兩類，一類是hunting，一類是fishing，有可能被發(fā)現(xiàn)的是fishing的，它待在冰上，隨著冰漂移2000mi也是很容易滴，所以在這兩個地方發(fā)現(xiàn)同一個是很有可能的。

　　c. 年齡有可能被預估錯誤了，這個生物到20歲以后就沒啥變化了，20歲和30歲長得很像的?？茖W家認為是20歲，萬一是25捏?反正就是年齡預估這事不靠譜。

　　綜上所述，教授認為，很有可能是同一個物種

　　2、有些人認為成績應該由許多小assignment的成績綜合，有些人認為應該1-2次大成績。寫出自己的觀點，并給出案例和分析。

托福閱讀真題及答案3

　　Timberline Vegetation on Mountains

　　The transition from forest to treeless tundra on a mountain slope is often a dramatic one. Within a vertical distance of just a few tens of meters, trees disappear as a life-form and are replaced by low shrubs, herbs, and grasses. This rapid zone of transition is called the upper timberline or tree line. In many semiarid areas there is also a lower timberline where the forest passes into steppe or desert at its lower edge, usually because of a lack of moisture.

　　The upper timberline, like the snow line, is highest in the tropics and lowest in the Polar Regions. It ranges from sea level in the Polar Regions to 4,500 meters in the dry subtropics and 3,500-4,500 meters in the moist tropics. Timberline trees are normally evergreens, suggesting that these have some advantage over deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves) in the extreme environments of the upper timberline. There are some areas, however, where broadleaf deciduous trees form the timberline. Species of birch, for example, may occur at the timberline in parts of the Himalayas.

　　At the upper timberline the trees begin to become twisted and deformed. This is particularly true for trees in the middle and upper latitudes, which tend to attain greater heights on ridges, whereas in the tropics the trees reach their greater heights in the valleys. This is because middle- and upper- latitude timberlines are strongly influenced by the duration and depth of the snow cover. As the snow is deeper and lasts longer in the valleys, trees tend to attain greater heights on the ridges, even though they are more exposed to high-velocity winds and poor, thin soils there. In the tropics, the valleys appear to be more favorable because they are less prone to dry out, they have less frost, and they have deeper soils.

　　There is still no universally agreed-on explanation for why there should be such a dramatic cessation of tree growth at the upper timberline. Various environmental factors may play a role. Too much snow, for example, can smother trees, and avalanches and snow creep can damage or destroy them. Late-lying snow reduces the effective growing season to the point where seedlings cannot establish themselves. Wind velocity also increases with altitude and may cause serious stress for trees, as is made evident by the deformed shapes at high altitudes. Some scientists have proposed that the presence of increasing levels of ultraviolet light with elevation may play a role, while browsing and grazing animals like the ibex may be another contributing factor. Probably the most important environmental factor is temperature, for if the growing season is too short and temperatures are too low, tree shoots and buds cannot mature sufficiently to survive the winter months.

　　Above the tree line there is a zone that is generally called alpine tundra. Immediately adjacent to the timberline, the tundra consists of a fairly complete cover of low-lying shrubs, herbs, and grasses, while higher up the number and diversity of species decrease until there is much bare ground with occasional mosses and lichens and some prostrate cushion plants. Some plants can even survive in favorable microhabitats above the snow line. The highest plants in the world occur at around 6,100 meters on Makalu in the Himalayas. At this great height, rocks, warmed by the sun, melt small snowdrifts.

　　The most striking characteristic of the plants of the alpine zone is their low growth form. This enables them to avoid the worst rigors of high winds and permits them to make use of the higher temperatures immediately adjacent to the ground surface. In an area where low temperatures are limiting to life, the importance of the additional heat near the surface is crucial. The low growth form can also permit the plants to take advantage of the insulation provided by a winter snow cover. In the equatorial mountains the low growth form is less prevalent.

　　Paragraph 1: The transition from forest to treeless tundra on a mountain slope is often a dramatic one. Within a vertical distance of just a few tens of meters, trees disappear as a life-form and are replaced by low shrubs, herbs, and grasses. This rapid zone of transition is called the upper timberline or tree line. In many semiarid areas there is also a lower timberline where the forest passes into steppe or desert at its lower edge, usually because of a lack of moisture.

　　1. The word “dramatic” in the passage is closest in meaning to

○gradual

○complex

○visible

○striking

　　2. Where is the lower timberline mentioned in paragraph 1 likely to be found?

○In an area that has little water

○In an area that has little sunlight

○Above a transition area

○On a mountain that has on upper timberline.

　　3. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about both the upper and lower timberlines?

○B(yǎng)oth are treeless zones.

○B(yǎng)oth mark forest boundaries.

○B(yǎng)oth are surrounded by desert areas.

○B(yǎng)oth suffer from a lack of moisture.

　　Paragraph 2: The upper timberline, like the snow line, is highest in the tropics and lowest in the Polar Regions. It ranges from sea level in the Polar Regions to 4,500 meters in the dry subtropics and 3,500-4,500 meters in the moist tropics. Timberline trees are normally evergreens, suggesting that these have some advantage over deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves) in the extreme environments of the upper timberline. There are some areas, however, where broadleaf deciduous trees form the timberline. Species of birch, for example, may occur at the timberline in parts of the Himalayas.

　　4. Paragraph 2 supports which of the following statements about deciduous trees?

○They cannot grow in cold climates.

○They do not exist at the upper timberline.

○They are less likely than evergreens to survive at the upper timberline.

○They do not require as much moisture as evergreens do.

　　Paragraph 3: At the upper timberline the trees begin to become twisted and deformed. This is particularly true for trees in the middle and upper latitudes, which tend to attain greater heights on ridges, whereas in the tropics the trees reach their greater heights in the valleys. This is because middle- and upper- latitude timberlines are strongly influenced by the duration and depth of the snow cover. As the snow is deeper and lasts longer in the valleys, trees tend to attain greater heights on the ridges, even though they are more exposed to high-velocity winds and poor, thin soils there. In the tropics, the valleys appear to be more favorable because they are less prone to dry out, they have less frost, and they have deeper soils.

　　5. The word “attain” in the passage is closest in meaning to

○require

○resist

○achieve

○endure

　　6. The word “they” in the passage refers to

○valleys

○trees

○heights

○ridges

　　7. The word “prone” in the passage is closest in meaning to， style="text-indent: 2em; text-align: left;">○adapted

○likely

○difficult

○resistant

　　8. According to paragraph 3, which of the following is true of trees in the middle and upper latitudes?

○Tree growth is negatively affected by the snow cover in valleys.

○Tree growth is greater in valleys than on ridges.

○Tree growth on ridges is not affected by high-velocity winds.

○Tree growth lasts longer in those latitudes than it does in the tropics.

　　Paragraph 4：There is still no universally agreed-on explanation for why there should be such a dramatic cessation of tree growth at the upper timberline. Various environmental factors may play a role. Too much snow, for example, can smother trees, and avalanches and snow creep can damage or destroy them. Late-lying snow reduces the effective growing season to the point where seedlings cannot establish themselves. Wind velocity also increases with altitude and may cause serious stress for trees, as is made evident by the deformed shapes at high altitudes. Some scientists have proposed that the presence of increasing levels of ultraviolet light with elevation may play a role, while browsing and grazing animals like the ibex may be another contributing factor. Probably the most important environmental factor is temperature, for if the growing season is too short and temperatures are too low, tree shoots and buds cannot mature sufficiently to survive the winter months.

　　9. Which of the sentences below best express the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? In correct choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

○B(yǎng)ecause of their deformed shapes at high altitudes, trees are not likely to be seriously harmed by the strong winds typical of those altitudes.

○As altitude increases, the velocity of winds increase, leading to a serious decrease in the number of trees found at high altitudes.

○The deformed shapes of trees at high altitudes show that wind velocity, which increase with altitude, can cause serious hardship for trees.

○Increased wind velocity at high altitudes deforms the shapes of trees, and this may cause serious stress for trees.

　　10. In paragraph 4, what is the author’s main purpose in the discussion of the dramatic cessation of tree growth at the upper timberline?

○To argue that none of several environment factors that are believed to contribute to that phenomenon do in fact play a role in causing it.

○To argue in support of one particular explanation of that phenomenon against several competing explanations

○To explain why the primary environmental factor responsible for that phenomenon has not yet been identified

○To present several environmental factors that may contribute to a satisfactory explanation of that phenomenon

　　Paragraph 6: The most striking characteristic of the plants of the alpine zone is their low growth form. This enables them to avoid the worst rigors of high winds and permits them to make use of the higher temperatures immediately adjacent to the ground surface. In an area where low temperatures are limiting to life, the importance of the additional heat near the surface is crucial. The low growth form can also permit the plants to take advantage of the insulation provided by a winter snow cover. In the equatorial mountains the low growth form is less prevalent.

　　11. The word “prevalent” in the passage is closest in meaning to

○predictable

○widespread

○successful

○developed

　　12. According to paragraph 6, all of the following statements are true of plants in the alpine zone EXCEPT:

○B(yǎng)ecause they are low, they are less exposed to strong winds.

○B(yǎng)ecause they are low, the winter snow cover gives them more protection from the extreme cold.

○In the equatorial mountains, they tend to be lower than in mountains elsewhere.

○Their low growth form keeps them closer to the ground, where there is more heat than further up.

　　Paragraph 5: Above the tree line there is a zone that is generally called alpine tundra. █Immediately adjacent to the timberline, the tundra consists of a fairly complete cover of low-lying shrubs, herbs, and grasses, while higher up the number and diversity of species decrease until there is much bare ground with occasional mosses and lichens and some prostrate cushion plants. █Some plants can even survive in favorable microhabitats above the snow line. The highest plants in the world occur at around 6,100 meters on Makalu in the Himalayas. █At this great height, rocks, warmed by the sun, melt small snowdrifts. █

　　13. Look at the four squares [█] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

　　This explains how, for example, alpine cushion plants have been found growing at an altitude of 6,180 meters.

　　Where would the sentence best fit?

　　At the timberline, whether upper or lower, there is a profound change in the growth of trees and other plants.

　　Answer choices

○B(yǎng)irch is one of the few species of tree that can survive in the extreme environments of the upper timberline.

○There is no agreement among scientists as to exactly why plant growth is sharply different above and below the upper timberline.

○The temperature at the upper timberline is probably more important in preventing tree growth than factors such as the amount of snowfall or the force of winds.

○The geographical location of an upper timberline has an impact on both the types of trees found there and their physical characteristics.

○High levels of ultraviolet light most likely play a greater role in determining tree growth at the upper timberline than do grazing animals such as the ibex.

○Despite being adjacent to the timberline, the alpine tundra is an area where certain kinds of low trees can endure high winds and very low temperatures.

　　參考答案：

　　1. ○4

　　2. ○1

　　3. ○2

　　4. ○3

　　5. ○3

　　6. ○2

　　7. ○2

　　8. ○1

　　9. ○3

　　10. ○4

　　11. ○2