英语专八考试阅读理解练习
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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)

In some countries where racial prejudice is acute, violence has so come to be taken for granted as a means of solving differences, that it is not even questioned. There are countries where the white man imposes his rule by brute1 force; there are countries where the black man protests by setting fire to cities and by looting and pillaging2. Important people on both sides, who would in other respects appear to be reasonable men, get up and calmly argue in favor of violence – as if it were a legitimate3 solution, like any other. What is really frightening, what really fills you with despair, is the realization4 that when it comes to the crunch5, we have made no actual progress at all. We may wear collars and ties instead of war-paint, but our instincts remain basically unchanged. The whole of the recorded history of the human race, that tedious documentation of violence, has taught us absolutely nothing. We have still not learnt that violence never solves a problem but makes it more acute. The sheer horror, the bloodshed, the suffering mean nothing. No solution ever comes to light the morning after when we dismally6 contemplate7 the smoking ruins and wonder what hit us.

  The truly reasonable men who know where the solutions lie are finding it harder and herder to get a hearing. They are despised, mistrusted and even persecuted8 by their own kind because they advocate such apparently9 outrageous10 things as law enforcement. If half the energy that goes into violent acts were put to good use, if our efforts were directed at cleaning up the slums and ghettos, at improving living-standards and providing education and employment for all, we would have gone a long way to arriving at a solution. Our strength is sapped by having to mop up the mess that violence leaves in its wake. In a well-directed effort, it would not be impossible to fulfill11 the ideals of a stable social programme. The benefits that can be derived12 from constructive13 solutions are everywhere apparent in the world around us. Genuine and lasting14 solutions are always possible, providing we work within the framework of the law.

  Before we can even begin to contemplate peaceful co-existence between the races, we must appreciate each other's problems. And to do this, we must learn about them: it is a simple exercise in communication, in exchanging information. "Talk, talk, talk," the advocates of violence say, "all you ever do is talk, and we are none the wiser." It's rather like the story of the famous barrister who painstakingly15 explained his case to the judge. After listening to a lengthy16 argument the judge complained that after all this talk, he was none the wiser. "Possible, my lord," the barrister replied, "none the wiser, but surely far better informed." Knowledge is the necessary prerequisite17 to wisdom: the knowledge that violence creates the evils it pretends to solve.

1. What is the best title for this passage?
[A]  Advocating Violence.
[B] Violence Can Do Nothing to Diminish Race Prejudice.
[C] Important People on Both Sides See Violence As a Legitimate Solution.
[D] The Instincts of Human Race Are Thirsty for Violence.

2. Recorded history has taught us
[A] violence never solves anything. 
[B] nothing. 
[C] the bloodshed means nothing. 
[D] everything.

3. It can be inferred that truly reasonable men
[A] can't get a hearing. 
[B] are looked down upon. 
[C] are persecuted. 
[D] Have difficulty in advocating law enforcement.

4. "He was none the wiser" means
[A] he was not at all wise in listening.
[B] He was not at all wiser than nothing before.
[C] He gains nothing after listening.
[D] He makes no sense of the argument.

5. According the author the best way to solve race prejudice is
[A] law enforcement. 
[B] knowledge. 
[C] nonviolence. 
[D] Mopping up the violent mess.

难句译注 :
1.What is really frightening, what really fills you with despair is the realization that when it comes to the crunch, we have made no actual progress at all.
【结构简析】when it comes to the crunch = when / if the decisive moment comes.当关键时刻来到时。
【参考译文】真正令人可怖的,令人绝望的是,在关键时刻,人们意识到我们一点儿也没有进步/前进。

2.Our strength is sapped by having to mop up the mess that violence leaves in its wake.
【结构简析】in the wake of 在…之后。
【参考译文】由于我们不得不清理掉暴力之后所留下的烂摊子,我们的力量因此削弱了。

3.After listening to a lengthy argument the judge complained that after all this talk, he was none the wiser.
【结构简析】none + the + 比较级。固定用法,义:not at all 一点儿也不。EX: After the treatment, he is none the better.治疗后,他并没有因此见好,(一点儿也不见好)。
【参考译文】听了律师的长篇解释,法官抱怨说他一无所获,并不因此变得聪明些。

4. Knowledge is the necessary prerequisite to wisdom.
【参考译文】知识是智慧的必要的先决条件。结合上下文这里意思是:了解情况是解决问题的先决条件。句子后面的解释:知识是指了解它欲以解决暴力制造的恶行。

答案详解 :

1.B 暴力难以消除种族偏见。文章一开始就提出有些国家种族偏见严重,而暴力却是公认的一种解决方法。白人采用暴力镇压,黑人以防火、掠抢为反抗。而双方的大人物平静地论及暴力,似乎这是一种合法的解决方案。作者就此指出人类的进步只在于表面――衣饰等,人类的本能没有改变。整个有记录历史的文件没有教会人类任何东西。这是真正令人可怕的事件。第二段论及真正有理智的懂得解决方案所在的人鼓吹法制,人们不停。他们反而收到轻视、迫害。作者就此提出假设,答出真正的解决方案嗜法制,以法治理。第三段进一步说明“交流、对话”是了解双方问题的前提,即使暴力者不同意,但知道暴力制造它假装要解决的罪恶,是智慧聪明的必要前提。
A.鼓吹暴力。C.双方重要人物都把暴力作为合法的解决方案。D. 人类的本性是嗜暴性。

2.B没有什么。第一段中就明确提出整个人类有记录历史又长又臭的暴力文件记录,一点都没有教给我们任何东西。
A.暴力解决不了任何事情。C.杀戮(流血)没有任何意义。D.一切。

3.D在鼓吹法制方面有困难。答案在第二段,真正有理智的人鼓吹法制,遭到同类们的轻视、不信任和迫害。他们发现要人倾听他们的意见越来越困难。
A.人们不听。B.遭人轻视。C.遭人迫害。这三项都包含在D项内.

4.C听后无所得。None the wiser一点也不比以前聪明(这是按字面翻译)。实际就是C项。
A.在倾听别人上他一点也不聪明。B.他和以前一个样。D.他听不懂论点.

5.A法制。第二段最后一句,如果我们在法律的构架中进行工作,真正的持久的解决总是能实现的。第二段第二句,他们遭到迫害是因为他们鼓吹法制这种显然令人不能容忍的事。
B.知识。C.非暴力。D.处理暴力带来的混乱。



点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 brute GSjya     
n.野兽,兽性
参考例句:
  • The aggressor troops are not many degrees removed from the brute.侵略军简直象一群野兽。
  • That dog is a dangerous brute.It bites people.那条狗是危险的畜牲,它咬人。
2 pillaging e72ed1c991b4fb110e7a66d374168a41     
v.抢劫,掠夺( pillage的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • The rebels went looting and pillaging. 叛乱者趁火打劫,掠夺财物。
  • Soldiers went on a rampage, pillaging stores and shooting. 士兵们横冲直撞,洗劫商店并且开枪射击。 来自辞典例句
3 legitimate L9ZzJ     
adj.合法的,合理的,合乎逻辑的;v.使合法
参考例句:
  • Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
  • That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。
4 realization nTwxS     
n.实现;认识到,深刻了解
参考例句:
  • We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。
  • He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。
5 crunch uOgzM     
n.关键时刻;艰难局面;v.发出碎裂声
参考例句:
  • If it comes to the crunch they'll support us.关键时刻他们是会支持我们的。
  • People who crunch nuts at the movies can be very annoying.看电影时嘎吱作声地嚼干果的人会使人十分讨厌。
6 dismally cdb50911b7042de000f0b2207b1b04d0     
adv.阴暗地,沉闷地
参考例句:
  • Fei Little Beard assented dismally. 费小胡子哭丧着脸回答。 来自子夜部分
  • He began to howl dismally. 它就凄凉地吠叫起来。 来自辞典例句
7 contemplate PaXyl     
vt.盘算,计议;周密考虑;注视,凝视
参考例句:
  • The possibility of war is too horrifying to contemplate.战争的可能性太可怕了,真不堪细想。
  • The consequences would be too ghastly to contemplate.后果不堪设想。
8 persecuted 2daa49e8c0ac1d04bf9c3650a3d486f3     
(尤指宗教或政治信仰的)迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 ); 烦扰,困扰或骚扰某人
参考例句:
  • Throughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. 人们因宗教信仰而受迫害的情况贯穿了整个历史。
  • Members of these sects are ruthlessly persecuted and suppressed. 这些教派的成员遭到了残酷的迫害和镇压。
9 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
10 outrageous MvFyH     
adj.无理的,令人不能容忍的
参考例句:
  • Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
  • Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。
11 fulfill Qhbxg     
vt.履行,实现,完成;满足,使满意
参考例句:
  • If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了,你就要履行你的诺言。
  • This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。
12 derived 6cddb7353e699051a384686b6b3ff1e2     
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取
参考例句:
  • Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 constructive AZDyr     
adj.建设的,建设性的
参考例句:
  • We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
  • He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。
14 lasting IpCz02     
adj.永久的,永恒的;vbl.持续,维持
参考例句:
  • The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
  • We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。
15 painstakingly painstakingly     
adv. 费力地 苦心地
参考例句:
  • Every aspect of the original has been closely studied and painstakingly reconstructed. 原作的每一细节都经过了仔细研究,费尽苦心才得以重现。
  • The cause they contrived so painstakingly also ended in failure. 他们惨淡经营的事业也以失败而告终。
16 lengthy f36yA     
adj.漫长的,冗长的
参考例句:
  • We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
  • The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。
17 prerequisite yQCxu     
n.先决条件;adj.作为前提的,必备的
参考例句:
  • Stability and unity are a prerequisite to the four modernizations.安定团结是实现四个现代化的前提。
  • It is a prerequisite of entry to the profession that you pass the exams.做这一行的先决条件是要通过了有关的考试。
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