试卷代号：11354
国家开放大学2 0 2 3年春季学期期末统一考试
高级英语阅读(2) 试题
2023年7月
注 意 事 项
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Information for the examinees :
This examination consists of two sections. They are:
Section I: New Words (60 points, 40 minutes)
Section II: Reading Comprehension (40 points, 50 minutes)
The total marks for this examination are 100 points. Time allowed for completing this
examination is 90 minutes.
Section I New Words
I. Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right. (30 points, 3 points each)
1. dyeing A. not flexible
2. trash B. death
3. rigid C. making cloth
4. wagging D. the central quality
5. mortality E. garbage
6. sericulture F. coloring
7. essence G. over a long period of time
8. chronic H. group of whales
9. reassure I. moving a tail
10. pod J. make someone feel better
II. Fill in the blanks with words from the box below. (30 points, 3 points ea)
Architeologist arehitecture calligraphy caves depicted
Frescoes mausoleum mosque mummies statues
Dear FranCoise,
I’m on a camel tour with my classmates on part of the Silk Road, and it,s really exciting ! At first it was hard to ride a camel, but after a few days, I got used to it. Now it,smore comfortable. Yesterday we went into some mountain 11 that had pictures called 12 on the walls. The paintings 13 scenes of daily life in ancient times. Today we' re visiting a 14 in a Muslim town. The 15 0f the building is simple, but the Arabic 16 0n the walls inside is very beautiful. Our guide is an 17 who is teaching us a lot about the history and culture of the Silk Road. Tomorrow, we'II stop at a . 18 where dead bodies were kept. There are huge carved 19 representing those who died, and there are even a few 20 inside. I' ve never seen one, so I think it will be interesting. Then we'II camp in an oasis for the night. I'm learning so much on this trip.
Wish you were herel
Your cousin,
Jacques
Section II Reading Comprehension
I. Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow. (25 points, 5 points each)
Silk Production
A Silk was not the main product traded on the network of caravan trails connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean Sea. Despite this fact, the German explorer, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen, gave the Silk Road this romantic name, perhaps because it was a mysterious product. Silk-making began in China in the 3rd century B. C. E. , but the process was kept a secret for several hundred years. When the Chinese merchants began trading this beautiful fabric, other countries were eager to learn how it was made.
B In the 3rd century C. E. , methods of dyeing (coloring) , and weaving (making cloth) , were developed in a few countries along the trade routes using raw silk thread from China. In the 6th century C. E. , the ruler of Constantinople asked two monks (holy men) to bring back silkworms from China. Although this was forbidden, they packed them in their bamboo canes and returned to Constantinople. There, silk production flowered and spread to Europe.
C France and Italy became centers of the European silk industry in the 15th century until a plague killed most of the silkworms in the 19th century. In the meantime, Japan had developed modern methods of making silk and soon became the world)s largest producer. In the 20th century, South Korea and Thailand developed their silk industries as well.
D Sericulture, or silk production , involves cultivating thousands of tiny eggs that hatch into larvae (small worms) and feed on mulberry leaves. When the larvae grow into caterpillars (large worms), they make a cocoon (capsule) from a continuous thread that comes from the mouth and wraps around the body. Then the cocoons are steamed to kill the caterpillars and taken apart by unwinding the silk threads and twisting them together to make them stronger. Centuries ago, this work was done by hand by girls and women in silk factories, but now, it is done by machines.
E Boiling raw silk produces a lighter fabric, and the cloth can be treated with different substances so that it feels and looks different. A variety of dyeing and weaving methods produce exquisite cloth that can be made into articles of clothing. Common items include blouses, shirts, scarves~ and ties of pure silk. Sweaters, jackets, coats, and hats can be made by combining silk with stronger materials for warmth. The cloth can also be used for curtains, cushions, or wall hangings in houses as decorations.
For each question, choose the best answer based on the reading passage. Write A, B, C or D on
your Answer Sheet.
21. People wanted to learn how to make silk because .
A. it was a mystery B. China kept it a secret
C. silkworms were forbidden D. the fabric was so beautiful
22. The secret was finally brought to the West by .
A. the ruler of Constantinople B. two monks traveling from China
C. Chinese merchants D. Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen
23. The Mediterranean centers of the silk industry were
A. South Korea and Thailand B. China and Japan
C. Italy and France D. Constantinople
24. Silk is produced by .
A. tiny eggs B. worms
C. girls and women D. machines
25. Most silk fabric is made into .
A. articles of clothing B. dyeing and weaving
C. stronger materials D. decorations
II. Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow. (15 points, 3 points each)
Telecommuting
A As cities become more expensive and crowded, workers often have to move farther away from their offices in order to find affordable housing in desirable neighborhoods. Sometimes they have to travel an hour or more to work and back and endure a lot of traffic. One popular alternative to the frustrating morning commute is telecommuting. Telecommuting involves working from home and communicating with an employer by phone, fax, or computer. Changing technology makes telecommuting increasingly easy and popular. Some telecommuters work at home full-time, while others go into the office one or two days and work at home the rest of the week. It is estimated that between 18 and 23 million people telecommute in the United States, and between l. 6 and 2 million people telecommute in both the U. K. and Germany. And the numbers are growing. Why are so many people telecommuting? What are the advantages, and do they outweigh the disadvantages?
B Telecommuting has many advantages. In addition to saving people from the stressful morning commute, it also allows for more flexibility in the workplace. Telecommuters can plan their own schedules; they can customize their work environments, and they can work from anywhere. Often, people with children like to telecommute because it means building a work schedule around family demands and commitments. Additionally, home-offices can provide good tax benefits for telecommuters. Finally, for those who don,t like the office atmosphere, office politics, or those long, neverending meetings, telecommuting can provide a release. Telecommuting not only provides advantages to the worker, it benefits the enwronment as well It contributes to cleaner air (less pollution emitted from cars), decreased traffic, and job growth in rural areas that might not otherwise offer employment options.
C Telecommuting has disadvantages as well. For instance, some workers may telecommute not out of choice but because the employer doesn, t wish to provide office space. a work station, or the benefits that on-site employees receive. Another drawback is that not everyone can telecommute. Certain jobs, such as media and publishing, consulting,sales, and telemarketing lend themselves better to telecommuting than others. Some people find it very difficult to work at home. The TV, the refrigerator, the bed, e-mail, and the telephone can be big distractions for telecommuters. On the other hand, some telecommuters can't separate work from home and have a tendency to overwork. Other disadvantages of telecommuting include the difficulty of office relationships. Sometimes if a worker splits his or her time between home and the office, co-workers who don) t have the opportunity to work at home might feel resentful. Managers might feel powerless to control employees who aren, t on site. Finally, if working from home makes you feel isolated or lonely, then telecommuting is probably not for you.
D Jeff and Nancy found a way to use telecommuting to change their lives. "Not only do we have a better lifestyle, we have a better life, " says Nancy. Three years ago, the couple sold their Manhattan apartment and bought a mobile home. When they are not traveling around the United States, they live in their adobe bungalow in Santa Fe, New Mexico."When we saw Santa Fe, we fell in love with the place immediately. But before selling our New York apartment, we spent the year making connections and researching our options for work that we could do. " Nancy does work for a publisher, and Jeff works as an independent consultant. Both invested in laptops and say that technology such as wireless Web access and cell phones help them when they' re on the road. Recently, Nancy wrote a cookbook for campers that she has started selling through specialty catalogs and Web sites. "Through telecommuting we are able to make enough money to survive without dipping into our nest egg. and we haven't given up any of the things we enjoy. Telecommuting is our livelihood. "
E According to statistics, the number of telecommuters in the United States rose by 3 million between 1999 and 2000 Will the numbers continue to rise as quickly? Will telecommuting continue to grow? If technology continues to improve, perhaps everyone will be working in "virtual offices" and the traditional office will disappear. No one knows for sure~ but we can be certain that telecommuting is not a fad. It is a practical alternative to the traditional office job, an alternative which is here to stay.
Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Write "T" for True and "F" for False on the Answer Sheet.
26. People who like working in an office will probably like telecommuting.
27. Telecommuting is possible for people in all professions.
28. Telecommuting has helped Jeff and Nancy change their lifestyle.
29. Telecommuting is more flexible than traditional office work.
30. Telecommuting is a fad that will .probably disappear soon.