C
"Today, technical innovations dominate our everyday life in many areas. New technologies, however, always are associated with risks -- and these are also seen by laymen," says Christoph Böhmert, first author of the recently published study and researcher of the Science Communication Group of KIT's Institute for German Studies. "It is crucial to enable adequate communication between science and society, which does not only consider scientific findings, but also concerns of the population." The study clearly showed that communication of risks may be complicated sometimes. Information on efficient precautions was found to lead to an increased risk perception by the recipients of the information.
In their study, the researchers analyzed communication about a technology that has become indispensable in our life -- mobile communications and the electromagnetic fields （电磁场）on which it is based. All over the world, radiation protection authorities, such as the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, communicate the current state of research into risks of electromagnetic fields as follows: Investigations made and all findings obtained so far do not allow any conclusions to be drawn with respect to mobile communications being a risk for human health. But, the experts continue, there still are knowledge gaps as regards long-term impacts. Then, measures are recommended to reduce exposure of the individual to electromagnetic fields.
It had been known from previous studies already that information on precautions may increase worries. It had been suspected that people conclude from the recommendation of precautions that there really is a risk. This effect was not confirmed by the recent study. The scientists rather attributed the increased worries to a lack of knowledge about the propagation(传播) of electromagnetic fields.
Within the framework of the study, the recommended precautions were submitted to 1717 Australians, together with one of six information brochures providing scientific background information. When test persons were given not only the recommendations, but also explained why observation of these tips strongly reduces their exposure to electromagnetic fields, worries increased. For example, scientists explained to the test persons that telephone conversations with a headset largely reduce exposure. When a mobile phone is located ten centimeters instead of just one centimeter away from the ear, the electric power absorbed by the ear is about one hundredth of the initial value. Hence, the own mobile phone usually causes an exposure that by far exceeds that of mobile communications stations that are generally referred to as "cellphone towers." While the scientists wanted to explain the effectiveness of precautions, test persons mainly considered this information to be an indication of their mobile phone -- not the transmission towers -- being dangerous. As a result, they perceived increased risk potentials for telephone conversations with their mobile phones.
"The study reveals that messages on precautions and information are a double-edged sword in terms of subjective risk perception. Their use should be far better understood," Boehmert says.
63. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage ?
A. Adequate information on efficient precautions can relieve the concerns of the public
B. Mobile communications definitely do harm to people’s health in the long run.
C. Information about technologies and their risks may have undesired side effects.
D. Observation of the precautions can help reduce the concerns of the public
66. According to the passage ,we can conclude that the best way to relieve the inappriate worries is to __________.
A. enable the users to know better of science and technology .
B. produce new electric products with a lower radiation value
C. provide the public with less information on effective precaution
D. inform the public about the potential risks with more patience
65. The word “ precaution” ( first appears in paragraph 1) in bold letters has the closets meaning to _______-
A. introduction B. intention C. recommendation D. prevetion
66. Which of the following might be the best title of the passage ?
A. Science and Technology : A Double –edged Sword
B. Technical Innovation : Worries and Information
C. Science and Technology: Security Tips for Users
D. Technical Innovations : Effectiveness of Precautions .
Section C
Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.
To Please Your Friends, Tell Them What They Already Knew
The research emeraged out of some real-life observations shared by Gilbert and co-authors Gus Cooney and Timothy D. Wilson：“Conversation is the most common of all human social activities, and doing it well requires that we know what our conversation partners most want to hear.___67___”says psychological scientist Daniel T, Gilbert of Harvard University.
“When our friends try to tell us about movies we’ve never seen or albums we’ve never heard, we usually find ourselves bored, confused, and underwhelmed. ___68___. And yet, as soon as it’s our turn to speak, we do exactlly the same thing to our friends – with exactly the same consequences. We wanted to understand why this happens.”Gilbert explains. The researchers decided to do this by conducting a series of experiments.
In their first experiment, the researchers assigned participants to groups of three, with one person acting as the speaker and the other two acting as listeners. Speakers watched a video and then tried do describe it to the listeners. Some of the listeners had seen the video the speakere was describing, and others had not.
___69___. When the speakers were done speaking, the listeners rated them on these aspects. The results showed that speakers’ predictions were exactly backwards. Speakers expected listeners to respond more positively to their stories when the listeners had not seen the video they were describing ___70___. Although speakers expected listeners to enjoy hearing about a novel experience more than a familiar one, it was actually the other way around.
A second study showed that when asked to predict their own reactions before hearing the story, listeners made the same mistake that speakers did.
Ⅳ. Summary Writing
Directions：Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.
Moving My Curfew
For some time now , I have had an 8:00 p.m. curfew ---the time by which I have to be at home , even on weekends. When I was younger , I didn’t really complain . But now I have reached an age when this curfew is no longer suitable . For several reasons , it is clearly time to move my curfew to 10:00 p.m. on weekends.
First of all , I ’m soon going to be an adult , like all teenagers , I need practice handling the greater freedom that goes along with being an adult . When teenagers don’t get practice handling freedom , they often make many serious mistakes. For example , some teenagers go away to college and suddenly they don’t know how to handle it , and they get into trouble . I believe it is better to increase freedom gradually . That may the teenager learners how to handle freedom responsibly . I believe I could handle a later curfew without making serious mistakes in judgment.
A later curfew is also important to me because I’m an active student . As you know , I am often on the committee in charge of running extra-curricular activities .Because of my present curfew , I have to finish school activities over an hour before they are over. Others students must take over for me when I leave . A 10:00 curfew would allow me to stay until the end of school functions and give me enough time to get home without rushing .
Finally , I am a teenager who can be trusted to handle a 10:00 p.m curfew . I know that many teenagers cannot handle much responsibility . However , I am clearly not that kind of teenager. I have proven myself to be a very responsible person . For example , I have never been in serious trouble , either at school or in the company . I also hold a part-time job and still manage to maintain a “B” average in school . In other words , I am a person who uses my time wisely , meets responsibilities an stays out of trouble .
V. Translation
Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.
72. 现如今人们越来越关注自己的生活品质。（concerned）
73. 春游的小学生们没能抵制住商贩们的花言巧语。（resist）
74. 只有通过参与志愿者活动才能有效地增强中学生服务大众的责任感。（Only ）
75. 家用轿车普及带来的便利不容否认，但随之产生的能源浪费、空气污染和交通拥堵等问题发人深思。（While）
VI. Guided Writing
Directions: Write an English composition in 120-150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese.
假如你是某英语报读者信箱栏目的编辑Alex. 请你根据Tom 来信反映的问题写一封信。
Dear Alex,
I got a mean message online from someone at school . They say I ’m stupid and ugly . I feel sad and worried . I don’t know what to do . Please help me .
From Tom
你的回信须包含以下要点：
①安慰Tom
② 提出解决问题的办法
参考答案：
1-10 BAACB BCCDB
11-20 DBB CBD BACB
21working 22. which/that 23. to create 24. valued 25. however 26. without 27. settles 28. must /should 29. himself/ herself 30. what
31-40 HICJE GABDF
41-45 DABCB 46-50 BADCD 51-55 BCADB
56-59 BADB
60-62 ABD
63-66 CABD
67-70 DEAF
Summary writing
Though still a teenager, the writer demands to come home later, especially at weekends for the following reasons. More time is needed greater freedom to achieve smooth transition to an adult. Besides, the writer can perform various duties at school without hurrying. Moreover, unlike others, he is responsible and can assign time wisely. (55 words)
Translation :
72. Nowadays people are more and more concerned about the quality of their own life.
73. The children going for a spring outing / attending the spring excursion failed to / couldn’t resist the sweet words of the dealers/ vendors.
74. Only by involving high school students in volunteer activities in the community can their sense of responsibility to serve the people be enhanced / strengthened / improved effectively
75. While the convenience brought by car popularity can’t be denied, the problems such as waste of energy , air pollution and traffic jams ,set people thinking/ are thought-provoking.
While there is no denying that the fact the popularity of private cars brings convenience, waste of energy, air pollution and traffic jams set people thinking / are thought-provoking.
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