公共英语二级-综合阅读·蓄势待发(八)
(总分100,考试时间90分钟)
阅读理解
  You must have heard of karaoke. Karaoke is a form of entertainment in which amateur(业余的) singers sing along with recorded music. The music is typically of a well-known song in which the voice of the original (原创的) singer is absent (不存在的) or reduced in volume. Though karaoke is popular, there are not many people who know its inventor (发明者)—Daisuke Inoue.
    Daisuke Inoue is an easygoing man. He was born in the suburbs (郊区) of Osaka in 1940. At high school he took up the drums, because he says, "All you have to do is hit them." Before long he was making money as a drummer in a Hawaiian band.
    By 1970, he and six partners (搭档) were playing in the clubs of nearby Kobe, accompanying (陪伴) middle-aged businessmen who sang traditional (传统的) Japanese cou
ntry songs His friends, Inoue says, could all read music and so they could pick up the latest tunes (曲调). He, on the other hand, had to rely on (依靠) memory and play by following the lips of the singer as they moved. "Out of 108 club musicians in Kobe," he says, "I was the worst!"
    One client, president of a small **pany, was especially fond of Inoue's slow-follow-along style. It made the president's bad, out-of-time singing sound much better. One evening he wanted Inoue to play for him on a trip to a hot spring resort (胜地). But Inoue was unable to leave his job.
    To help out his most loyal (忠诚的) client, he decided to provide him with a tape. Inoue wouldn't be there, but the singer would still have his accompaniment. Karaoke was born.
1. Why did Daisuke Inoue take up the drums at high school?A. Because they were his favorite musical instruments (乐器).  B. Because he thought they were easy to learn.  C. Because he knew they would help him make money.  D. Because it was easy for a drummer to find a job.
2. The underlined word "they" (line 5, para.3) stand forA. his partner                      B. his friends  C. the latest tunes                  D. the singer's lips
3. From this passage we know Daisuke Inoue ______.A. was an outstanding musician      B. was a good singer and dancer  C. was not an excellent musician      D. didn't like his job
4. Why did the president like Inoue's playing so much?A. Because Inoue followed his singing.  B. Because Inoue played very well.  C. Because he had got used to Inoue's fast, exciting style.  D. Because Inoue was an easy-going man with a quick smile.
  According to some scientists, migratory (迁徙的) birds should be able to withstand (抵抗) the winter. A bird's feathery coat is a good protection against the cold. Because a bird is warm-blooded, its body temperature always remains unchanging, even if the temperature of its surroundings (周围环境) changes.
    The factors (因素) that bring about migratory behavior (行为) in birds are difficult to explain. It seems that this kind of behavior is not be learned but inborn. For example, many
northern birds leave their summer homes while the weather is still warm and there is still enough food to eat.
    Bird migrations are probably regulated (调整) by the glandular system (腺性分泌系统). Scientists think that the changing length of the day is the factor that brings about migratory behavior. In an experiment, migratory birds were kept in artificially (人工地) lighted rooms. It was found that if periods of darkness were lengthened proportionately (按比例地), the glands of the birds became active. These glands secrete hormones (荷尔蒙), which are chemicals that control lots of body functions (机能). Shorter periods of daylight seem to change the hormone balance of birds, so that they retain more fat. This stored fat is the fuel that provides the energy for a long flight. The same experiment showed that the birds became more excited as the artificial night was lengthened. It is probably no coincidence (巧合) that most birds begin their migratory flights during the night.
5. What does the passage mainly discuss?A. Common migratory paths for birds.  B. Why birds migrate.  C. Birds that do not migrate.  D. Migration in cold winter.
6. According to the passage, which of the following protects birds against cold weather?A. Glands.      B. Hormones.    C. Feathers.      D. Artificial light.
7. In the experiment the scientists changed ______.A. the birds' food supply  B. the birds' body temperatures  C. the birds' exposure (暴露) to light  D. the birds' brain chemistry
8. The underlined word "secrete" (line 5, para.3) is closest in meaning to ______.A. produce      B. hidden        C. borrow        D. hide
  Mountain climbers around the world dream about going up Mount Everest (珠穆朗玛峰). It is the highest mountain in the world. But many people who have climbed the mountain have left waste material that is harming the environment (环境).