When one looks back upon the fifteen hundred years that are the life span of the English language, he should be able to notice a number of significant truths. The history of our been a history of constant change—at times a slow, almost imperceptible change, at other times a violent collision between two languages. Our been a living growing organism, it has never been static. Another significant truth that emerges from such a study is that language at all times has been the possession not of one class or group but of many. 『At one extreme it has been the property of the common, ignorant folk, who have used it in the daily business of their living, much as they have used their animals or the kitchen pots and pans.』① At the other extreme it has been the treasure of those who have respected it as an instrument and a sign of civilization, and who have struggled by writing it down to give it some permanence, order, dignity, and if possible, a little beauty.
As we consider our changing language, we should note here two developments that are of special and immediate importance to us. One is that since the time of the Anglo-Saxons there has been an almost complete reversal of the different relationship of words in a sentence. Anglo-Saxon (old English) was a language of many inflections. Modern English has few inflections. We must now depend largely on word order and function words to convey the meanings that the older language did by means of changes in the forms of words. Function words, you should understand, are words such as prepositions, conjunctions, and a few others that are used primarily to show relationships among other words. A few inflections, however, have survived. And when some word inflections come into conflict with word order, there may be trouble for the users of the language, as we shall see later when we turn our attention to such maters as WHO or WHOM and ME or I. The second fact we must consider is that as language itself changes, our attitudes toward language forms change also. 『The eighteenth century, for example, produced from various sources a tendency to fix the language into patterns not always set in and grew, until at the present time there is a strong tendency to restudy and re-evaluate language practices in terms of the ways in which people speak and write.』②
| 1.In contrast to the earlier linguists, modern linguists tend to . A. attempt to continue the standardization of the language B. evaluate language practices in terms of current speech rather than standards or proper patterns C. be more concerned about language than its analysis or history D. be more aware of the rules of the language usage 2.Choose the appropriate meaning for the word “inflection” used in line 4 of paragraph 2. A. Changes in the forms of words. B. Changes in sentence structures. C. Changes in spelling rules. D. Words that have similar meanings. 3.Which of the following statements is not mentioned in the passage? A. It is generally believed that the year 1500 can be set as the beginning of the modern English language. B. Some other languages had great influence on the English language at some stages of its development. C. The English language has been and still in a state of relatively constant change. D. Many classes or groups have contributed to the development of the English language. 4. The author of these paragraphs is probably a(an) . A. historianB. philosopher C. anthropologistD. linguist 5.Which of the following can be best used as the title of the passage? A. The history of the English language. B. Our changing attitude towards the English language. C. Our changing language. D. Some characteristics of modern English. Vocabulary 1.span n. 跨度，范围，一段时间，期间 2.imperceptible adj. 感觉不到的，觉察不到的，极细微的 3.organism n. 生物体，有机体 4.possession n. 拥有，占有，领土，领地 5.ignorant adj. 无知的 6.folk n. 人们，民族 7.permanence n. 永久，持久 8.Anglo-Saxons n. 盎格鲁—撒克逊语，盎格鲁—撒克逊人，地道的英国人 9.reversal n. 颠倒，反向，逆转 10.inflection n. 词尾变化 11.preposition n. 前置词，介词 12.conjunction n. 联合，关联，连接词 13.in terms of 根据，按照，用……的话，在……方 长难句解析 ①【解析】“who”引导非性定语从句，修饰“the common, ignorant folk”。“much as”引导状语从句。“kitchen pots and pans”意为“锅碗瓢盆”。 【译文】一方面它是那些普通人甚至无知民众的财产，他们每天都像使唤他们的牲畜和锅碗瓢盆一样用着语言。 ②【解析】 此句为一个复合倒装句。“until”引导一个并列句，前一句的主语是“a tendency”，“to fix the language into patterns not always set in and grew”作“tendency”的定语，第二句的主语也是“a tendency”，“to”后面的句子作“tendency”的定语，“in which”引导的定语从句修饰“ways”。 【译文】例如在18世纪一种产生于各种在一个不常使用和不利于语言发展的模式中，而到了当今，主流是要反复研究、评价人们说话、写作中的语言实践。 答案与详解 【短文大意】本文主要讲述英语演变过程的一些特点，指出了古英语与现代英语的不同，以及语言学家对待语言形式的态度的变化。 1.B细节题。根据题干回原文中定位，阅读文章时注意首末段及各段开头的句子，这往往都是考点所在。这篇文章讲的主要是英语语言演变的一些特点，指出了古英语与现代英语的不同，以及语言学家态度的转变。本题问的正是现代语言学家与早期语言学家不同的倾向。根据文章末尾The eighteenth century, for example, produced from various sources a tendency to fix the language into patterns not always set in and grew, until at the present time there is a strong tendency to restudy and re-evaluate language practices in terms of the ways in which people speak and write. 现代们说和写的方式评价语言实践，而不是像早期的语言学家根据一定的模式评价语言。选项B符合文章的意思。 2.A词汇题。要根据上下文的信息判断单词的意思。文章在第二段中间再次提到inflection时说，A few inflections, however, have survived. 后面文章又举了WHO/WHOM和ME/I为例说明inflection，这是一篇关于语言学的文章，从例子可以看出inflection的意思应该是“单词的变形”，选项A正确。 3.A细节题。根据文章的内容，选项A“普遍认为1500年是现代英语的起点”在文章中没有提及，故为正确答案。文章第二句说The history of our been a history of constant change - at times a slow, almost imperceptible change, at other times a violent collision between two languages. 我们语言的历史是一个不断变化的历史——在一些时间里缓慢得几乎难以察觉，在另一些时间里则是两种语言的激烈碰撞。由此可以推断一些其他的语言对英语的发展有重大影响，选项B符合文章的意思。 4.D词汇题。此题考查考生的推测能力和词汇量，文章的具体细节，最适当的答案应该是D。作者很可能是一位语言学家。A答案(历史学家)和C答案(人类学家)也可以有点迷惑性。B答案(哲学家)是最不符合的。 5.C主旨题。本文从各个方面谈及英语作为一种语言的发展变化，但并不是讲述英语的历史。所以选项A不对，选项C作为文章的题目最为贴切。选项B只是文章阐述的一个方面，不够全面。文章是在谈到英语的不断变化的时候谈到了现代英语的一些特点，所以选项D也失之于片面。 |
Culture is one of the most challenging elements of the international marketplace. 『This system of learned behavior patterns characteristic of the members of a shaped by a set of dynamic variables: language, religion, values and attitudes, manners and customs, aesthetics, technology, education, and social institutions.』① To cope with this system, an international manager needs both factual and interpretive knowledge of culture. To some extent, the factual knowledge can be learned; its interpretation comes only through experience.
The most complicated problems in dealing with the cultural environment stem from the fact that one cannot learn culture—one has to live it. Two schools of thought exist in the business world on how to deal with cultural diversity. One is that business is business the world around, following the model of Pepsi and McDonald’s. In some cases, globalization is a fact of life; however, cultural differences are still far from converging.
The other school proposes that companies must tailor business approaches to individual cultures. Setting up policies and procedures in each country has been compared to an organ transplant; the critical question centers around acceptance or rejection. The major challenge to the international manager is to make sure that rejection is not a result of cultural myopia or even blindness.
Fortune examined the international performance of a dozen large companies that earn 20 percent or overseas. The internationally successful companies all share an important quality: patience. They have not rushed into situations but rather built their operations carefully by following the most basic business principles. These principles are to know your adversary, know your audience, and know your customer.
1. According to the passage, true
A. All international managers can learn culture.
B. Business diversity is not necessary.
C. Views differ on how to treat culture in business world.
Ｄ. Most people do not know foreign culture well.
2. According to the author, the model of Pepsi .
Ａ. is in line with the theories of the school advocating the business is business the world around
Ｂ. is different from the model of McDonald’s
Ｃ. shows the reverse of globalization
Ｄ. has converged cultural differences
3. The two schools of thought .
Ａ. both propose that companies should tailor business approaches to individual cultures
Ｂ. both advocate that different policies be set up in different countries
Ｃ. admit the existence of cultural diversity in business world
Ｄ. Both Ａ and Ｂ
4. This article is supposed to be most useful for those .
A. who are interested in researching the topic of cultural diversity
B. who have connections to more than one type of culture
C. who want to travel abroad
D. who want to run business on International Scale
5. According to Fortune, successful international companies .
Ａ. earn 20 percent or overseas
Ｂ. all have the quality of patience
Ｃ. will follow the overseas local cultures
Ｄ. adopt the policy of internationalization
Vocabulary
1. dynamic adj. 动态的
2. variable n. 变量
3. aesthetics n. 美学
4. factual adj. 事实的
5. interpretative adj. 解释的
6. converge v. 聚合
7. transplant v. 移植
8. myopia n. 近视
9. adversary n. 对手
长难句解析
①【解析】此句虽然很长，但考生只要认清它的主干，就很容易了解本句的意思。这个句子为一个简单句，主语为：“this system”，谓语为“is shaped”。
【译文】特定社会成员特点构成的行为方式体系不断地被一系列动态变量所左右：如语言、信仰、价值与态度、礼仪与风俗、审美、技术、教育及社会。
答案与详解
【短文大意】本文主要作的影响，文中列举了商界中存在的对于文化多样性的两种观点。
1. C推断题。意为“对在商业中怎样对待文化有着不同意见”。 文化在商业中是一个很具挑战性的因素。不同的国家与地区可能会有不同的文化体系。在商业中，应该怎样对待不同的文化，商业界存在着不同的看法。
2. Ａ细节题。意为“……与同意世界商业一体化的派别的主张是一致的”。 Pepsi采纳的是国际化的商业风格，这与那些主张国际化的派别的意见是相一致的。
3. C推断题。意为“承认商业世界中文化的多元性”。两个派别都承认商业世界中文化的多元性。他们的不同在于，应该对待不同的文化，应该搞国际化还是对不同的文化采取不同的策略。
4. D主旨题。由文中的例子可以知道，研究多种文化形态，而是文化背景对商业运作的影响。所以D是正确答案。
5. Ｂ细节题。意为“都具有耐心这一素质”。司的海外收入都占总收入的20%或以上。它们也不一定全都接纳海外的当地文化，或是采纳国际化策略。
PRETCO考试阅读理解专项训练（3）
Among the more colorful characters of Leadville’s golden age were H.A.W.Tabor and his second wife,Elizabeth McCourt,better known as “Baby Doe”.Their history is fast becoming one of the legends of the Old West.Horace Austin school teacher in Vermont.With his first wife and two children he left Vermont by covered wagon in 1855 to homestead in Kansas.Perhaps he did not find farming to his liking,or perhaps he was lured by rumors of fortunes to be made in Colorado mines.At any rate,a few years later he moved west to the small Colorado mining camp known as California Gulch,which he later renamed Leadville when he became its leading citizen. “Great deposits of lead are sure to be found here.”he said.
As it turned out,it was silver,not lead,that was to make Leadville’s fortune and wealth. Tabor knew little about mining himself,so he opened a general store,which sold everything from boots to salt,flour,and tobacco.『It was his custom to “grubstake” prospective miners,in other words,to supply them with food and supplies,or “grub”, while they looked for ore,in return for which he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered.』①He did this for a number of years,but no one that he aided ever found anything of value.
Finally one day in the year 1878,so the story goes,two miners came in and asked for “grub”. Tabor had decided to quit supplying it because he had lost too much money that way.These were persistent, however,and Tabor was too busy to argue with them. “Oh help yourself.One more time won’t make any difference,” He said and went on selling shoes and hats to other customers.the two miners took $17 worth of supplies,in gave Tabor a one-third interest in their findings.They picked a barren place on the mountainside and began to dig.After nine days they struck a rich vein of silver.Tabor bought the shares of the other two men,and so the mine belonged to him alone.This mine,known as the “Pittsburgh Mine,” made 1 300 000 for Tabor in return for his $17 investment.
Later Tabor bought the Matchless Mine on another barren hillside just outside the town for $117 000.This turned out to be even more fabulous than the Pittsburgh,yielding $35 000 worth of silver per day at one time.Leadville grew.Tabor became its first mayor,and later became lieutenant governor of the state.
1.Leadville got its name for the following reasons EXCEPT.
A.because citizen
B.because great deposits of lead is expected to be found there
C.because it could bring good fortune to Tabor
D.because it was renamed
2.The word “grubstake” in paragraph 2 means.
A.to supply miners with food and supplies
B.to open a general store
C.to do one’s contribution to the development of the mine
D.to supply miners with food and supplies and in return get a share in the mine,if one was discovered
3.Tabor made his first fortune.
A.by supplying two prospective miners and getting in return a one-third interest in the findings
B.because he was persuaded by the two miners to quit supplying
C.by buying the shares of the other
D.as a land speculator
4. The underlying reason for Tabor’s life career is.
A. purely accidental
B. based on the analysis of miner’s being very poor and their possibility of discovering profitable mining site
C. through the help from his second wife
D. he planned well and accomplished targets step by step
5.If this passage is the first part of an article,who might be introduced in the following part?
A.Tabor’s life.
B.Tabor’s second wife,Elizabeth McCourt.
C.Other colorful characters.
D.Tabor’s other careers.
Vocabulary
1.barren adj. 贫瘠的
2.fabulous adj. 神话般的，难以置信的
3.lure vt.诱惑，引诱
4.deposit n.沉淀，储蓄
5.grubstake v.下注
长难句解析
①【解析】“It”是形式主语，真正的主语是“to”后面的句子，“while”引导时间状语从句。
【译文】他的人“下注”，说得更明确一点就是泰勃供给这些人食品、用品等物品，作为回报，当他们采到矿后就会分给他一部分股份。
答案与详解
【短文大意】本文主要讲述霍塞斯·奥斯汀·沃纳·泰勃发家的故事。
1. C细节题。因为Leadville可以为Tabor带来巨富。这一点不是Leadville得名的原因，因为在文章第二段中，讲到这一点时，提及三个原因：A.因为Tabor成为当地的居民代表人物，B.因为在Leadville有丰富的铅的储藏量。D.因为Leadville是因为Tabor重要而起的名，唯独C没有，因为到后来发现是银矿才给他带来巨富。
2. D词汇题。第二段中grubstake的词义与D所述内容是相同的，即“供给探矿者资金，衣物，食品以及其他物品”。(可参阅英华大辞典修订第二版页)但此处还补充地讲，作为回报，供给者可以获得矿中资源一定份额。(见文章第二段第4行)
3. A细节题。Tabor第一次真正供资助，为此他获得他们矿资源三分之一的股份。见文章第三段4-9行内容：两名开矿者从Tabor那儿借走价值17美元的物品，作为回报，Tabor获得他们矿资源三分之一股份。于是两位开矿者在一座山旁的不毛之地开始挖掘，九天之后，发现了银的富矿，于是Tabor又将两人的股份全买下，这样，银矿属于Tabor一个人所有，这个矿就是后来著名的“匹兹堡”矿。Tabor用17美元的投资换来了130万美元的收获。
4. B推断题。由原文可知泰勃的财产来源是有一定偶然性的，但是毕竟也是基于他开创的“grubstake”模式，因为A、D都不对，C更是没有根据，因为他还没有娶第二位夫人这一切就发生了。分析泰勃的做法，会得出B选项所示的结论。
5. B推断题。如果本文是一篇文章的第一部分，那么在文章的第二部分将介绍谁呢?key可以从文章第一句分析出来，在Leadville的黄金年代，其多彩的特点当中，Tabor及其第二任妻子Elizabeth McCourt是值得大书特书的，接着，文章都在讲述有关H.A.W.Tabor发家致富的历史，如先买下匹兹堡矿，后又买下Matchless矿，最后成为，代理州长，等等，人公，因此下边再讲的话，应成为女主人公即Elizabeth McCourt的天地了，她是Tabor的第二任妻子。这是顺理成章的事。
PRETCO考试阅读理解专项训练（4）
| While the cities of China have undergone modernization evident in the rising towers and bright lights that have awakened the sleeping country, the countryside remains largely the same. 『Rectangular rows of rice fields litter the long lanes of water designed to provide the constant supply of water that is vital to producing the crop.』① The experience is not unlike driving through the American Midwest, only rice not corn dominates the landscape. Four years ago, when I last took this trip, the roads were dust and telephone wires did not run parallel to the highway. Bare roads have been replaced by sleek, newly paved highways running from Shanghai to Nanking, to my smaller, home city, Wuhu. Unlike the changes I had heard of and expected in Shanghai, Wuhu was much more of a surprise. The small city where I was born had grown up as I have. There are large high-rise buildings, each ringed with smaller buildings around it, many of these apartment complexes. Little seemed familiar and I wonder flat built of brick and mortar had become. 『Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out that their home had been demolished and rebuilt as a six story apartment complex as well. 』②Walking up to the second floor I saw my grandfather’s face peering out of the screen door. He began to smile as he saw me, and so did I. Their home is now no different from a western apartment. Equipped with the modern amenities of a gas stove, a toilet, a shower this was indeed different from four years ago. 1. According to the author, dramatic changes took place in. A. cities but not countryside of China B. both cities and countryside of China C. countryside but not in large cities D. everywhere 2. It can be inferred from the second paragraph that . A. peasants lead similar B. Chinese irrigating system is more impressing than that in America C. peasants in Midwest America raise more corns while Chinese peasants raise more rice D. peasants in Midwest America raise more rice while Chinese peasants raise more corn 3. The author was traveling to Wuhu. A. in order to take a stop during the trip from Shanghai to Nanking B. in order to find some place similar to his hometown C. in order to visit his grand parents D. in order to find out changes in small cities 4. The author’s grand parents. A. live in their house of brick and mortar B. live in an apartment similar to westerners C. led a totally westernized life D. was poor as they always were 5. Which of the following is the best title for this passage? A. Flash back to China B. From Shanghai to Nanking C. Wuhu Today D. Back With My Grand Parents Vocabulary 1. mortar n. 灰泥 2. amenity n. 便利设施 3. rectangular adj.长方形的 4. litter n.乱七八糟的东西 5. lane n.小路 6. demolish vt.拆除 长难句解析 ①【解析】句子的主干是“……”，“that”引导的定语从句，修饰“water”。 【译文】长方形的稻田杂乱地分布在田野上，所隔开，这些水槽是为了提供这些作物生长所必需的水。 ②【解析】“as well”作“也，又”讲，一般放在句末，而“as well as”作“也，又”讲放在句中。 【译文】也许，对于他们家已被拆除，重新盖起了六层的公寓，我不应该感到惊奇。 答案与详解 【短文大意】本文主要讲述作者回家乡所看到的家乡的巨大变化。 1. A细节题。这道题很简单, 就是考察对第一段那个长句的理解。作者说虽然大城市有巨大的变化, 但是农村还是老样子。 2. C推断题。美国中西部的农民种植植大米较多。根据第二段最后一句: 眼前的景象很容易让人想起美国的中西部地区, 只不过那里到处是玉米, 这儿到处是大米。 3. C推断题。芜湖是作者的家乡， 他回去是要看望自己的祖父母。 4. B细节题。作者的祖父母住在一个类似于西方人的房子里面。 5. A主旨题。芜湖，祖父母，旅个方面， 做标题最适合的还是A选项。 |
There are three kinds of goals: short-term,medium-range and long-term goals.
Short-range goals are those that usually deal with current activities,which we can apply on a daily basis.Such goals can be achieved in a week or less,or two weeks,or possible months.It should be remembered that just as a building is no stronger than its foundation ,out long-term goals cannot amount to very munch without the achievement of solid short-term goals.Upon completing our short-term goals,we should date the occasion and then add new short-term goals that will build on those that have been completed.
The intermediate goals bukld on the foundation of the short-range goals.They might deal with just one term of school or the entire school year,or they could even extend for several years.Any time you move a step at a time,you should never allow yourself to become discouraged or overwhelmed. As you complete each step,you will enforce the belief in your ability to grow adn succeed.And as your list of completion dates grow,your motivation and desire will increase.
Long-range goals may be related to our dreams of the future. They might cover five years or more. Life is not a static thing.We should never to limit us or our course of action.
1.Our long-term goals mean a lot_A_.
a.if we complete our short-range goals
b.if we cannot reach solid short-term goals
c.if we write down the dates
d.if we put forward some plans
2.New short-term goals are bulid upon_D_.
a.two years
b.long-term goals
c.current activities
d.the goals that have been completed
3.When we our goals ,C__.
a.we will win final success
b.we are overwhelmed
c.we should build up confidence of success
d.we should strong desire for setting new goals
4.Once our goals are drawn up,B__.
a.we should stick to them until we complete them
b.we may change our goals as we have new ideas and opportunities
c.we had better wait for the exciting news of success
d.we have made great decision
5.It is implied but not stated in the passage that C___.
a.those who habe long-term goals will succeed
b.writing discourage you
c.the goal is only a guide for us to reach our desination
d.every should have a goal
PRETCO考试阅读理解专项训练（6）
| The economy of the United states after 1952 was the econnomy of a well-fed,almost fully employed people. Despit occasional alarms, the country escaped any postwar depression and lived in a state of boom. A n economic survey of the year 1955, a typical year of the 1950’s, may be typical as illustrating the rapid economic growth of the decade. The national output was value at 10 percent above that of 1954 (1955 output was estimated at 392 billion dollars). The production of manufacturers was about 40 percent more than it had averaged in the years immediately following World War 2. The country’s business spent about 30billion dollars for new factories and machinery. National income available for spending was almost a third greater than it had been it had been in 1950. Consumers spent about 256 billion dollars; that is about 700 million dollars a day ,or about twenty-five million dollars every hour , all round the clock. Sixty-five million people held jobs and only a little more than two million wanted jobs but could not find them . Only agriculture complained that it was not sharing in the room. To some observers this was an ominous echo of the mid-1920’s . As farmer’s shre of , marketing costs rose. But there were , among the observers of the national economy, a few who were not as confident as the majority . Those few seemed to fear that the boom could not last and would eventually lead to the oppsite-depression. 1. What is the best title of the passage? a. The Agriculatural Trends of 1950’s b. The Unemployment Rate of 1950’s c. U.S. Economy in the 50’ d. The Federal Budget of 1952 2. In Line 4 , the word “boom” could best be replaced by______. a. nearby explosio b. thunderous noise c. general public support d. rapid economic growth 3. It can be inferred the national from people in the United States in 1955 viewed the national economy with an air of _________. a. confidence b. confusion c. disappointment d. suspicion 4. Which of the following were LEAST satisfied with the national economy in the 1950’s? a. Economists b. Frmaers c. Politicians d. Steelworkers 5. The passage states that incom the U.S. was greater in 1955 than in 1950 . How much was it ? a. 60% b. 50% c. 33% d. 90% CDABC |
