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Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.
It's the first question parents ask when their child is diagnosed with autism (自闭症). Will his future brothers or sisters have a higher risk of __47__ it, too?
According to the largest study of siblings (兄弟姐妹) in families with autism, the answer is yes. Among 664 children who had at least one older sibling with the developmental disorder, the __48__ risk of autism was nearly 19%, __49__ higher than previous sibling-recurrence estimates that were anywhere from 3% to 10%. Kids with more than one older autistic sibling had an even higher risk of the disorder: 32%.
The __50__ suggest that genes play a key role in autism risk. But they also hint that other environmental factors __51__ by siblings, like influences in the womb (子宫), may be important as well.
On the __52__ of the findings, the researchers recommend that doctors closely __53__ younger siblings of autistic children to pick up any early signs of the disorder, __54__ an unusually large head or delayed language development and communication skills. Evidence suggests that early __55__ and diagnosis of autism can help children take advantage of therapies that can treat some of its __56__.
Section B
Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.
Passage One
Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.
Libraries are my world. I've been a patron (老主顾) all my life, and for the past nine years I've worked at multiple libraries and archives in and around Detroit. The library as an institution has many roles, but as our country struggles through an economic crisis, I have watched the library where I work evolve into a career and business center, a community gathering place and a bastion (堡垒) of hope.
In the spring of 2007 1 got a library internship (实习生的位置) at the Southfield Public Library (SPL), just north of Detroit. Summers at SPL were usually slow, but that year, we experienced a library that was as busy as science-fair project week, midterms or tax season. Yet patrons weren't looking for Mosby's Nursing Drug Reference or tax return forms. They were coming for information on growing their small business.
I interpreted people's interest in our business collection as the first step to pursuing their dreams, but these patrons were not motivated by dreams. They were responding to reality, and they were looking for Plan B.
Things worsened in 2008, and in 2009 the economic crisis continues to plague Michigan. Last year, we put up a display with a variety of job resources that we restocked every hour. Each night the library closed, the display was bare. While we normally keep displays up for a week, we kept the job resources display up for months.
Then there's the tightening credit market. People see the writing on the wall and they want to get educated. They can't afford a financial adviser, but checking books out is free. Some of the most popular titles now are Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Think and Grow Rich, and Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan.
The economic downturn affects us all. I have had to work long hours and don't get to see much of my boyfriend or experience any kind of social life lately, but I am thankful to be in a position where I can help people overcome this struggle. In Michigan, we haven't lost hope. As long as there are libraries here, there will always be hope.
注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答
57. What changes has the current economic crisis brought to the library?
A) It has opened its age-old archives to the general public.
B) It has become a job and business information center.
C) It has evolved into a place for business transactions.
D) It has had to cut its budget to get through the crisis.
58. What does the author say about the Southfield Public Library in the summer of 2007?
A) It was overflowing with visitors.
B) It launched a science project series.
C) It added many books on business to its collection.
D) It was full of people seeking information on drugs.
59. What can be inferred from people's strong interest in the library's business collection?
A) They think it is now time to realize their dreams.
B) They find economics helpful in tiding over the crisis.
C) They consider it a trend to start their own business.
D) They are concerned about the worsening economy.
60. Why were there no more job resources on display by the end of the day?
A) The library staff could not do the restocking quickly enough.
B) People competed with each other for the jobs listed in the ads.
C) People were much interested in the job resources on display.
D) All the materials on display were free of charge to the jobless.
61. How did the author feel about working in the library?
A) She felt contented to be in a position to render help.
B) She felt pleased to be able to give hope to the jobless.
C) She felt rewarded to have gained a lot of experience.
D) She felt sorry to miss the social life .
Passage Two
Questions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.
More than three dozen billionaires, including well-known philanthropist (慈善家) David Rockefeller, have promised at least half of their fortunes to charity, joining a programme that Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett started in June to encourage other wealthy people to give.
The pledge is currently worth about $ 150 billion, but the programme predicts it will eventually be worth $ 600 billion.
"During even the Depression's worst years, my parents gave money - about 8% of their annual income of $ 2200," said Lorry Lokey, one of the donors, on the website of the programme, the Giving Pledge, "I remember saying to my mother that we can't afford that. But she said we have to share with others."
The pledge has been a matter of some debate in philanthropic and non-profit circles, with some experts dismissing it as mere publicity and others predicting that it would produce a flood of new money to support non-profit groups.
Buffett said the real value of the pledge was found in the example it set and in the sentiments (情感) expressed in the letters posted on the website.
Buffett and Gates will hold several dinners later this year to recruit more billionaires, and members of the Giving Pledge will meet annually to discuss their philanthropy.
The pair are due to meet some wealthiest people in China next month and India in March.
"We hope this catches fire in some other countries," Buffett said, "If they want to take what we think is a good idea and run with it, we will be cheering."
Buffett said the number of people who had agreed to sign on was at the high end of his expectations. He said some people who declined to sign the pledge were planning to give away most of their wealth but did not want to draw attention to those plans.
Energy tycoon (大亨) Pickens, who is worth about $ 1 billion, said in his Giving Pledge letter: "I've long stated that I enjoy making money, and I enjoy giving it away. I'm not a big fan of inherited wealth. It generally does more harm than good."
注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
62. What's the purpose of the programme started by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett?
A) To spread the idea of charity around the world.
B) To publicise the pains and gains of charity work.
C) To involve more wealthy people in philanthropy.
D) To narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.
63. What message does Lorry Lokey intend to convey through his website posting?
A) His family's income is far from large.
B) The spirit of giving runs in his family.
C) His family suffered during the Great Depression.
D) The wealth of his family has come the hard way.
64. Why are Buffett and Gates going to meet some wealthiest people in China and India?
A) To share their experience with the newly rich there.
B) To publicise their generosity in helping the needy.
C) To persuade the wealthy people there to join their ranks.
D) To help the billionaires there see the true value of money.
65. What reason do some people give for declining to sign the pledge?
A) They are unsure if they can meet the public's expectations.
B) They have made plans for disposing of their wealth.
C) They are still undecided whether to give or not.
D) They are reluctant to be the focus of attention.
66. What does energy tycoon Pickens try to say in his Giving Pledge letter?
A) Blessed are those who inherit large fortunes.
B) The more you give, the happier you will be.
C) Leaving a fortune to one's children is unwise.
D) Philanthropy can help free .
