1、1Reading Comprehension Practice 5Passage 1These days, tyres are an integral part of your cars performance (性能) and modern prestige cars are designed to run to their maximum capabilities only in conjunction with the proper type of tyres.Thats why you should never downgrade(降低等级) from the tyres that w
2、ere fitted as part of your cars original equipment.So when choosing a high performance tyre, keep in mind these simple facts.1. The price of a tyre is the least reliable guide as to how it will perform on your car. The cost of tyres is often affected by production volumes, import duties and developm
3、ent or transport costs, so just because one tyre happens to be more expensive than another it doesnt necessarily mean its better.2. With performance tyres, the “real world“ means there must be a compromise between treadwear (轮胎磨损度) and out-and-out performance.3. There is no such thing as “the best p
4、erformance tyre“ because there isnt a tyre thats perfect for every car and every situation.When you look for your new tyres, look for a manufacturer with a good range of performance tyres.4. With performance tyres, bigger is not always better.The widest tyre you can put on may not increase performan
5、ce -“too wide“ may slow the car down, increase petrol consumption, and adversely (不利地) affect the suspension and your cars handling in the wet.5. Just because performance tyres “look right“, doesnt mean they are. It seems obvious, but many people pay the price for a hasty decision.And thats why weve
6、 written this guide; to help you make the right choice of performance tyre. One thats perfect for your needs.1. This piece of writing is most probably _.A. a preface to a textbook about tyre manufacturing B. an introduction to a new type of tyresC. part of a tyre advertisement D. about the different
7、 features of various old-fashioned performance tyres2. According to the passage, the price of a tyre _.A. is always decided by its quality B. does not always agree with its performanceC. is only influenced by transport costs D. is never affected by import duties3. By fact 2 “With performance tyres .
8、 out-and-out performance“, the author means that _.A. really good performance tyres will never be worn outB. you should never compromise with tyre manufacturersC. in fact, you cant expect performance tyres to function perfectly well without treadwearD. performance tyres can only be used with cars th
9、at have the best treadwear and out-standing performance4. Which of the following is NOT true according to the author?A. The higher the price is, the better the tyre is. B. The best performance tyre does not exist.C. It is advisable for a customer to seek a manufacturer with various types of tyres.D.
10、 The width of a tyre does not mean much.5. In the authors view, if you want to buy a new tyre, _.A. you should always choose the cheapest type B. you must buy the widest type2C. you do not have to pay any attention to its quality D. you should not buy one which just “looks right“Passage 2Engineering
11、 design aims to link economic, social, environmental and of course safety factors to produce the best solution. This is especially true in earthquake engineering where it is possible to design a building that is “safe“ for all types of earthquakes but does not fit the design brief (纲要). For example,
12、 it is not economically feasible to design buildings in Bristol to withstand a large earthquake as the chances are very small. Similarly a square concrete structure that has small windows and thick walls may be the ideal design for a particular area; however, it wouldnt fit a design brief asking for
13、 a modern high-tech design. This balance of factors can only be achieved by engineers combining experience and knowledge of the area where the structure is to be located.Design practice has been changing over the last few years. The older design requirements used to insist that in an earthquake the
14、building should maintain enough structural integrity (完整性) to remain standing. This meant that if the serviceability limit state (正常使用极限状态) was passed the structure would have to be demolished, as it would be no longer safe to use. Although this concept saves lives as people can escape from building
15、s, it does nothing to prevent the huge financial cost of a large earthquake as a large proportion of buildings have to be demolished and rebuilt. Thus the new design requirements demand that the structure should remain standing in an earthquake and additionally not have to be demolished.The other fa
16、ctor often left unconsidered is the effect of aftershocks. These shocks generally have little effect on undamaged buildings; however, on damaged ones they can have destructive effect and stop rescue operations. In the assessment of buildings the energy from an aftershock should be considered.Apparen
17、tly the damage caused by earthquakes is almost entirely associated with man-made structures. Earthquakes only cause death by the damage they induce in structures such as buildings, dams, bridges and other works of man. And this is one of the reasons why earthquake engineering is so important.6. What
18、 is the main idea of the passage?A. Earthquake engineers with experience and knowledge.B. Some factors for building design in earthquake engineering.C. Buildings to withstand all possible earthquakes.D. Equal consideration in earthquake engineering.7. The word “demolish“ in the second paragraph mean
19、s _A. pull down B. pull up C. pull away D. pull apart8. Which of the following is not true about the new design requirement?A. Buildings should remain integrated in an earthquake.B. Buildings should be reconstructed alter an earthquake.C. Buildings should let people escape in an earthquakeD. Buildin
20、gs should be made to avoid rebuilding after an earthquake.9. The damage of all the following causes the death of people except_A. dams and bridges B. buildings and dams C. bridges and buildings D. some works like steel works and brick works10. When assessing buildings, we should take into account th
21、e_.3A. undamaged buildings B. man-made structures C. effect of aftershocks D. rescue operationsPassage 3There are growing environmental concerns about the air near the destroyed World Trade Center in New York City. The two huge buildings were destroyed September eleventh when terrorists crashed two
22、passenger planes into them. Some people say they are suffering health problems as a result of the attacks. When the World Trade Center fell, it left about one million tons of crushed concrete, glass and dust. Some people fear that cancer-causing substances may have been released into the air from th
23、e resulting fires and smoke. For example, asbestos (石棉) and other harmful substances were used in building the World Trade Center.Since September eleventh, federal, state and local agencies have been testing the air in and around the ruined area. Scientists from universities, medical schools and pri
24、vate companies also are doing tests. They are looking for the presence (存在 ) of pollutants (污染物) in the air that might present a health risk to the workers removing the wreckage and to the public. Federal officials say no long-term health risks have been discovered so far.Yet, doctors say many of th
25、e workers have been suffering from severe cough, chest pain, nose bleeds and breathing problems. Many workers with continuing problems have taken legal action against the city. Doctors say rescue workers and other people who worked in the area for a long period of time are most at risk for health pr
26、oblems. Workers who did not wear protective coverings on their faces are at even greater risk.About forty thousand people live near the ruins of the World Trade Center. Some of these people worry that open trucks carrying the ruins from the area are still spreading pollutants.Some people have critic
27、ized New York Citys clean-up efforts, as many buildings in the area have not been cleaned. And the information released to the public from air quality tests is often confusing, and the federal government should keep close watch on clean-up efforts.11. The major point discussed in the passage is _.A.
28、 the effect of the September 11 attacks on New York CityB. health problem people suffer resulting from the September 11 attacksC. the effort of the cleaning up of buildings in the areaD. the effect on the health of the people of the ruined area12. Many workers have taken legal action against the cit
29、y because_.A. they are suffering from nose bleeds B. they have continuing health problemsC. they are coughing severely D. they have breathing problems13. Who are having greater risk of health problems, according to the passage?A. The people who live near the ruins. B. The workers who worked in the a
30、rea for long time.C. The scientists who are testing the air. D. The workers who did not wear protective coverings.14. The federal government has been criticized for the following reasons except _.A. clean-up efforts B. air quality tests C. uncleaned buildings D. the trucks carrying the ruins15. According to the passage the author _ the environment of the ruined area.A. is depressed with B. is satisfied with C. is worried about D. is confident with
