英语六级真题原文与答案.docx

1、英语六级真题原文与答案2014-6-1Texting has long been bemoaned (哀叹) as the downfall 01 the written word, penmanship for illiterates, as one critic called it. To which the proper response is LOL. Texting properly isnt, writing at all. Its a spoken language that is getting richer and more complex by the year. Firs

2、t, some historical perspective. Writing was only invented 5,500 years ago, whereas language probably traces back at least 80,000 years. Thus talking came first; writing is just a craft that came along later. As such, the first writing was based on the way people talk, with short sentences. However,

3、while talking is largely subconscious and rapid, writing is deliberate and slow. Over time, writers took advantage of this and started crafting long-winded sentences such as this one: The whole engagement lasted above 12 hours, till the gradual retreat of the Persians was changed into a disorderly f

4、light, of which the shameful example was given by the principal leaders and. No one talks like that casually-or should. But it is natural to desire to do so for special occasions. In the old days, we didnt much write like talking because there was no mechanism to reproduce the speed of conversation.

5、 But texting and instant messaging do-and a revolution has begun. It involves the crude mechanics of writing, but in its economy, spontaneity and even vulgarity, texting is actually a new kind of talking, with its own kind of grammar and conventions. Take LOL. It doesnt actually mean laughing out lo

6、ud in a literal sense anymore. LOL has evolved into something much subtler and sophisticated and is used even when nothing is remotely amusing. Jocelyn texts Where have you been? and Annabelle texts back LOL at the library studying for two hours. LOL signals basic empathy (同感) between texters, easin

7、g tension and creating a sense of equality. Instead of having a literal meaning, it does something-conveying an attitude-just like theed ending conveys past tense rather than meaning anything. LOL, of all things, is grammar. Of course no one thinks about, that consciously. But then most of communica

8、tion operates without being noticed. Over time, the meaning of a word or an expression drifts-meat used to mean any kind of food, silly used to mean, believe it or not, blessed. Civilization, then, is fine-people banging away on their smartphones are fluently using a code separate from the one they

9、use in actual writing, and there is no evidence that texting is ruining composition skills. Worldwide people speak differently from the way they write, and texting-quick, casual and only intended to be read once-is actually a way of talking with your fingers.56. What do critics say about texting? A)

10、 It is mainly confined to youngsters.B) It competes with traditional writing.C) It will ruin the written language.D) It is often hard to understand.57. In what way does the author say writing is different from talking?A) It is crafted with specific skills.B) It expresses ideas more accurately.C) It

11、does not have as long a history.D) It is not as easy to comprehend.58. Why is LOL much used in texting?A) It brings texters closer to each other.B) It shows the texters sophistication.C) It is a trendy way to communicate.D) It adds to the humor of the text.59. Examples like meat and silly are cited

12、to show _.A) the difference between writing and talkingB) how differently words are used in textingC) why people use the words the way they doD) the gradual change of word meaning60. What does the author think of texting?A) It facilitates exchange of ideas among people.B) It is a new form of verbal

13、communication.C) It deteriorates peoples composition skills.D) It hastens the decline of the written word.56-60 CAADBPassage TwoIts possible to admire Oprah Winfrey and still wish Harvard hadnt awarded her an honorary doctor of law degree and the commencement (毕业典礼) speaker spot at yesterdays gradua

14、tion. Theres no question Oprahs achievements place her in the temple of American success stories. Talent, charm, and an exceptional work ethic have rarely hurled anyone as far as they have this former abused teenage mother from rural Mississippi who became one of the worlds most successful entertain

15、ment icons and the first African-American female billionaire.Honorary degrees are often conferred on non-academic leaders in the arts, business, and politics. Harvards list in recent years has included Kofi Annan, Bill Gates, Meryl Streep, and David Souter. But Oprahs particular brand of celebrity i

16、s not a good fit for the values of a university whose motto (座右铭), Veritas, means truth. Oprahs passionate advocacy extends, unfortunately, to a hearty embrace of fake science. Most notoriously, Oprahs validation of Jenny McCarthys claim that vaccines cause autism (自闭症) has no doubt contributed to m

17、uch harm through the foolish avoidance of vaccines.Famous people are entitled to a few failings, like the rest of us, and the choice of commencement speakers often reflects a balance of institutional priorities and aspirations. Judging from our conversations with many students, Oprah was a widely po

18、pular choice.But this vote of confidence in Oprah sends a troubling message at precisely the time when American universities need to do more to advance the cause of reason. As former Dean of Harvard College, Harry Lewis, noted in a blog post about his objections, It seems very odd for Harvard to hon

19、or such a high profile popularizer of the irrational.at a time when political and religious nonsense so jeopardize the rule of reason in this allegedly enlightened democracy and around the world.As Americas oldest and most visible university, Harvard has a special opportunity to convey its respect f

20、or science not only through its research and teaching programs but also in its public affirmation of evidence-based inquiry.Unfortunately, many American universities seem awfully busy protecting their brand name and not nearly busy enough protecting the pursuit of knowledge. A recent article in The

21、Harvard Crimson noted the shocking growth of Harvards public relations arm in the last five years and it questioned whether a focus on risk management and avoiding controversy was really the best outward-looking face of this great institution.As American research universities begin to resemble profi

22、t centers and entertainment complexes, its easy to lose sight of their primary mission: to produce and spread knowledge. This mission depends on traditions of rational discourse and vigorous defense of the scientific method. Oprah Winfreys honorary doctorate was a step in the wrong direction.61. Wha

23、t do we learn about Oprah Winfrey from the passage?A) She was a distinguished graduate of Harvard School of Law.B) She worked her way to success in the entertainment industry.C) She used to abuse her children when she was a young mother.D) She achieved her fame through persistent advocacy of fake sc

24、ience.62. Wiry does the author deem it inappropriate for Harvard to confer air honorary degree on Oprah Winfrey?A) She did not specialize in the study of law.B) She was known as s supporter of lake science.C) She was an icon of the entertainment industry.D) She had not distinguished herself academic

25、ally.63. How did Harry Lewis react to Harvards decision in his blog post?A) He was strongly against it.B) He considered it unpopular.C) He thought it would help enhance Harvards reputation.D) He thought it represented the will of the Harvard community.64. What is the authors regret about many Americ

26、an universities?A) They show inadequate respect for evidence-based inquiry.B) They fall short of expectations in teaching and research.C) They attach too much importance to public relations.D) They are tolerant of political and religious nonsense.65. What does the author think a prestigious universi

27、ty like Harvard should focus on?A) Cultivation of student creativity.B) Defense of the scientific method.C) Liberation of the human mind.D) Pursuit of knowledge and truth.61-65 BBACD2014-6-2Technology can make us smarter or stupider, and we need to develop a set of principles to guide our everyday b

28、ehavior and make sure that tech is improving and not hindering our mental processes. One of the big questions being debated today is: What kind of information do we need to have stored in our heads, and what kind can we leave in the cloud, to be accessed as necessary?An increasingly powerful group w

29、ithin education are championing digital literacy. In their view, skills beat, knowledge, developing digital literacy is more important than learning mere content, and all facts are now Google-able and therefore unworthy of committing to memory. But even the most sophisticated digital literacy skills

30、 wont help students and workers navigate the world if they dont have a broad base of knowledge about how the world actually operates. If you focus on the delivery mechanism and not the content, youre doing kids a disservice.Indeed, evidence from cognitive science challenges the notion that skills ca

31、n exist independent of factual knowledge. Data from the last thirty years leads to a conclusion that is not scientifically challengeable: thinking well requires knowing facts, and thats true not only because you need something to think about. The very processes that teachers care about most-critical

32、 thinking processes-are intimately intertwined (交织) with factual knowledge that is stored in long-term memory.In order words, just because you can Google the date of Black Tuesday doesnt mean you understand why the Great Depression happened or how it compares to our recent economic slump. There is no doubt that the students of today, and the workers of tomorrow, will need to innovate, collaborate and evaluate. But such skills cant be separated from the knowledge that gives rise to them.