（一）

Skeptics are a strange lot. Some of them refuse to admit the serious threat of human activities to the environment, and they are tired of people who disagree with them. Those people, say skeptics, spread nothing but bad news about the environment. The “eco-guilt” brought on by the discouraging news about our planet gives rise to the popularity of skeptics as people search for more comforting worldviews.

Perhaps that explains why a new book by Bjorn Lomborg received so much publicity. That book, The Skeptical Environmentalist, declares that it measures the “real state of the world” as fine.Of course, another explanation is the deep pockets of some big businesses with special interests.Indeed, Mr.Lomborg’s views are similar to those of some industry-funded organizations, which start huge activities through the media to confuse the public about issues like global warming.

So it was strange to see Mr. Lomborg’s book go largely unchallenged in the media though his beliefs were contrary to most scientific opinions. One national newspaper in Canada ran a number of articles and reviews full of words of praise, even with the conclusion that “After Lomborg, the environmental movement will begin to die down.”

Such one-sided views should have immediately been challenged. But only a different review appeared in Nature, a respected science magazine with specific readership. The review remarked that Mr. Lomborg’s “preference for unexamined materials is incredible (不可信的)”.

A critical (批判的) eye is valuable, and the media should present information in such a way that could allow people to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, that is often inaccessible as blocked by the desire to be shocking or to defend some special interests. People might become half??blind before a world partially exhibited by the media. That’s a shame, because matters concerning the health of the planet are far too important to be treated lightly.

1.According to the passage, which of the following may be regarded as “skeptics” ?

A.People who agree on the popularity of “eco-guilt”.

B.People who disbelieve the serious situation of our planet.

C.People who dislike the harmful effect of human activities.

D.People who spread comforting news to protect our environment.

2.Which of the following can be a reason for the popularity of Lomborg’s book?

A.Some big businesses intend to protect their own interests.

B.The book challenges views about the fine state of the world.

C.The author convinces people to seek comforting worldviews.

D.Industry-funded media present confusing information.

3.The author mentioned the review in Nature in order to________.

A.voice a different opinion

B.find fault with Lomborg’s book

C.challenge the authority of the media

D.point out the value of scientific views

4.What is the author’s main purpose in writing the passage?

A.To encourage the skeptics to have a critical eye.

B.To warn the public of the danger of half-blindness with reviews.

C.To blame the media’s lack of responsibility in presenting information.

D.To show the importance of presenting overall information by the media.

【答案】

1.B　细节理解题。从第一段第三句“他们中的一些不承认人类活动对环境造成的严重危害”可知B项正确。

2.A　细节理解题。从第二段第一句“那或许能解释这本书为什么这么受欢迎”及第三句“另一种解释是一些特别的利益”可知A项正确。

3.A　主旨大意题。前文提到很多人对有关环境问题不好的消息质疑，文章倒数第二段提到这种片面的观点应该立刻受到挑战，然而在Nature上仅仅出现了为数不多的评论，故作者在此处提到the review in Nature是为了发表不同的观点。故选A项。

4.D　推理判断题。本文是观点类议论文，开头部分提出了一种反面的观点，然后对此提出批判，最后点明了本文的中心——媒体应该展现一些能让公众作出明智决定的信息。这也是作者的目的所在。故选D项。

（二）

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, “Do you think they’ll let me play?” Shay’s father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son, mentally and physically disabled, were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence.

Shay’s father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around and said, “We’re losing by six runs (分) and the game is in the eighth inning (局).I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him in to bat in the final inning.

Shay struggled over to the team’s bench and put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in heart. The boys saw the father’s joy at his son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the final inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously joyful just to be in the game and on the field. In the bottom of the final inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. Would they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was almost impossible. The first pitch (投) came and Shay missed. The pitcher again and again took a few steps forward to throw the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The pitcher could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman and Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game .Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, beyond the reach of all teammates, The audience and the players from both teams started screaming, “Shay, run to first!” Never in his life had Shay ever run that far but made it to first base, wide-eyed and shocked..

Everyone should, “Run to second!” Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time, could have thrown the ball to the second baseman, but he understood the pitcher’s intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head.

All were screaming，“Shay，Shay，Shay，all the way Shay.” Shay reached third base when one opposing player ran to help him and shouted, “Shay, run to third.” As Shay rounded third, all were on their feet, crying, “Shay, run home!”Shay ran to home, stepped on the home base and was cheered as the hero who the who won the game for his team.

That day, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn’t make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully hug her little hero of the day!

66. Not expecting much, Shay’s father still asked the boy if Shay could play, mainly because the father _________.

A. noticed some of the boys on the field were heisting

B. guessed his presence would affect the boy’s decision

C. learned some of the boys on the field knew Shay well

D. understood Shay did need a feeling of being accepted

67. In the bottom of the final inning Shay was given the bat because the boys _________.

A. believed they were sure to win the game

B. would like to help Shay enjoy the game

C. found Shay was so eager to be a winner

D. fell forced to give Shay another chance

68. The smallest boy threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head, probably because that boy ________.

A. was obviously aware of the pitcher’s purpose

B. looked forward to winning the game for his team

C. failed to throw the ball to the second baseman

D. saw that Shay already reached second base

69. Which of the following has nothing to do with Shay’s becoming the hero for his team?

A. The pitcher did not throw the ball to the first baseman.

B. The audience and the players from both teams cheered for him.

C. The opposing players failed to stop his running to home.

D. One of the opposing players ran to help him.

70. What do you think is the theme of the story?

A. True human nature could be realized in the way we treat each other.

B. Everyone has his own strength even if mentally or physically disabled.

C. Everyone can develop his team spirit in sports and please his parents.

D. The results of the game should not be the only concern of the players.

66. D 推理判断题。根据第一段最后一句可以推断，Shay的父亲理解儿子的心情，虽然身患残疾，但儿子希望得到别人的认可和接受，这种归属感会让儿子感到自信和乐观。

67. B 推理判断题。根据文章的整体内容，特别是最后一段第一句可推断，这些打棒球的小男孩都十分善良，他们希望成全Shay，让他感受到体育运动带来的快乐，所以在最后一局，他们把球棒传到了Shay手中。

68. A 细节理解题。根据倒数第三段最后一句可知，最小的男孩理解了投手的意图，所以故意把球扔得又高又远。

69. C 推理判断题。为了成全身患残疾的Shay，球队双方进行了善意地欺骗，故意屡屡失手，共同制造了一个特殊的“英雄”，让Shay在人世间不多的日子里感到了快乐。显然C项与文章内容及主题不符。

70. A 主旨大意题。文章讲述了一个关于爱的故事，一个关于人性的话题，人性是善的，在我们对待彼此的方式方法上，我们的人性充分显示出来。