Directions: This part is to test your reading ability. There are 5 tasks for you to fulfil. You should read the reading materials carefully and do the tasks as you are instructed.

Task 1

Directions: After reading the following passage, you will find 5 questions or unfinished statements, numbered 36 through 40. For each question or statement there are 4 choices marked A), B), C), or D). You should make the correct choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.

The sense of sound is one of our most important means of knowing what is going on around us. Sound has a wasted product, too, in the form of noise. Noise has been called unwanted sound. Noise is growing and it may get much worse before it gets any better.

Scientists, for several years, have been studying how noise affects people and animals. They are surprised by what they have learned. Peace and quiet are becoming harder to find. Noise pollution is a threat that should be looked at carefully.

There is a saying about it being so noisy that you can’t hear yourself think. Doctors who study noise believe that we must sometimes hear ourselves think. If we don’t we may have headaches, other aches and pains, or even worse mental problems.

Noise adds more tension (紧张) to a society that already faces enough stress.

But noise is not a new problem. In ancient Rome, people complained so much about noise that the government stopped chariots (四轮马车) from moving through the streets at night!

Ways of making less noise are now being tested. There are even laws controlling noise. We cannot return to the “good old days” of peace and quiet. But we can reduce noise—if we shout loudly enough about it.

36. Why are scientists surprised by the findings in their noise study?

      A) Because the world is becoming more and more noisy.

      B) Because they have learned that noise is also a kind of pollution.

      C) Because noise is an unwanted waste for human beings.

      D) Because people knew little about the danger of noise before.

37. What may be the result if we cannot hear ourselves think?

      A) We may forget what we have thought about.

      B) Our thoughts may be interfered.

      C) Our mind may be harmed.

      D) We may have difficulty using the right words.

38. When the writer says we cannot return to the good old days, he means that __________.

      A) our society is becoming much worse than before

      B) in our modern society it is hard to lead a quiet life

      C) the old days were much happier than the present time

      D) it is impossible for us to deal with noise as we did before

39. From the last sentence of the passage we can learn that __________.

      A) we can put noise under control if our measures are effective

      B) sometimes we have to shout loudly so that others can hear us

      C) shouting is a chief cause of noise pollution

      D) it is important to warn people of the danger of noise pollution

40. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

      A) Only recently did people realize the harmfulness of noise.

      B) Noise pollution is the worst kind of pollution we suffer from.

      C) People are now trying to find ways to make noise as low as possible.

      D) The writer thinks that it is almost impossible for people to avoid noise.

Task 2

Directions: This task is the same as Task 1. The 5 questions or unfinished statements are numbered 41 through 45.

A budget (预算) is a spending plan. It can help you spend money wisely. It can do this by cutting out wasteful spending. Of course, preparing a budget takes planning, and following a budget takes willpower (自制力). Your budget should meet your family’s needs and income.

The first step in creating a budget is to set your goals. What does your family need and want? You must know this to work out the details of the budget. Keep goals realistic, in terms of income available. Then decide which goals are the most important.

The next step is estimating family income. Before you can plan wisely, you need to know how much money you have to spend! Write down all the money you expect to receive (wages, savings, interest, etc.) during the planned budget period.

After you have calculated how much money will be available, it is time to estimate expenses (消费). List all of your family expenses.

If your are not satisfied with what you got for your money, look carefully at your spending. Studying your records will show where overspending has occurred. It will also point out poor buying habits.

It is also a good idea to set aside a small amount of money for emergencies. Every family has small emergencies: a blown tire, a broken device, or the need for minor medical care.

41. According to the passage, what is the advantage of a budge?

      A) It can help you set your goals clearly.

      B) It can help you save a lot of money.

      C) It can help you get rid of poor buying habits.

      D) It can help you spend money in a reasonable way.

42. In carrying out your budget, you need __________.

      A) to have the ability to control yourself

      B) to ask your family members for advice

      C) to cut it down as much as possible

      D) to take care not to buy expensive things

43. One advantage of keeping a record of your spending is that __________.

      A) you will remember how much you have already spent

      B) you will know if you have spent more money than you planned

      C) you will be able to tell your family what should not be bought

      D) you will learn how to make a better budget next time

44. The writer suggests that it is a good idea to set aside some money because __________.

      A) you probably will not be able to follow your budget

      B) people usually spend more than they plan to do

      C) things can happen unexpectedly

      D) others may want to borrow some money from you

45. This passage is mainly about __________.

      A) the meaning of a budget

      B) the relation between budget and income

      C) the way a budget is made

      D) the importance of making a budget 转贴于：大学英语三级考试_考试大

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