第二部分 阅读理解(共两节,满分40分)
第一节(共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
Raised in a fatherless home, my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children. His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home, Dad never met me, even in severe weather. If I grumbled, he’d say in his loudest father-voice, “That’s what your legs are for!”
The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety. But that feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached the stop, I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedge(树篱)edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey, I always had a sense of relief to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge, moving toward the house. Upon closer observation, I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew, each time I’d come home, he had stood behind the hedge, watching, until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care, after all.
On later visits, that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home, I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair. “So! My son, it’s you!” he’d say, his face lengthening into pretended surprise.
I replied, “Yes, Dad, it’s me. I’m home.”
21. What does the underlined word “grumbled” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?
A. Accepted happily. B. Explained clearly.
C. Agreed willingly. D. Spoke unhappily.
22. What made the author feel upset was ______.
A. the tiredness after long hours in labs
B. the fear of seeing something moving
C. the feeling of being less than valued
D. the loneliness of riding the bus home
23. The author’s father watched behind the hedge because ______.
A. he was concerned about his son’s safety
B. he wanted to help his son build up courage
C. he didn’t want to meet his son at the doorway
D. he didn’t think his son was old enough to walk alone
24. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. My Father’s Secret. B. My College Life.
C. Terrible Journey Home. D. Riding Bus Alone.
B
I have been teaching animal behavior at the Boulder County Prison in Colorado for 10 years. The course is one of the most popular in the prison. Prisoners have to earn the right to attend the course and they work hard to get in.
One reason why the course is so popular is that many prisoners find it easier to connect with animals than with people, because animals don’t judge them. They trust animals in ways they don’t with humans.
Yet, they hold a misunderstanding of how animals treat one another. Many admit that their own “animal behavior” is what got them into trouble in the first place. I teach that though there is competition and aggression in the animal kingdom, there is also a lot of cooperation(合作)and sympathy.
Many of the students want to build healthy relationships, and they find that the class helps them. I use examples of the social behavior of group-living animals such as wolves as a model for developing and maintaining(维持)friendships among people who must work together for their own good and also for the good of the group.
It’s clear that science inspires the students here and it also gives them hope. I know some students have gone back into education after their being set free while others have gone to work for humane(人道)societies or contributed time and money to conservation organizations. One went on to receive a master’s degree in nature writing.
Science and humane education help the prisoners connect with values that they otherwise would not have done. It opens the door to understanding, trust, cooperation and hope. There’s a large population of people to whom science could mean a lot, if only they could have access to it. The class helps me, too. I get as much out of it as the students and it has made me a better teacher.
25. The author’s course is welcomed by the prisoners because ______.
A. they consider animals their best friends
B. they are curious about animal kingdom
C. they feel it easier to get along with animals
D. they are more familiar with animal behavior
26. The author used wolves as an example to ______.
A. provide the prisoners with more knowledge
B. explain the cruel side of group-living animals
C. help the prisoners realize the importance of teamwork
D. inform the prisoners that animals get people into trouble
27. We can infer from the text that some prisoners ______.
A. have turned over a new leaf
B. are required to attend the course
C. are willing to learn working skills
D. prefer humane education to science