学位英语模试题三.docVIP

模拟试题三 Part I Reading Comprehension(30%) Passage 1 It’s interesting that the arrival of snow has the effect on people in different countries. (76)For some countries it is an important happening to celebrate each year, while for others a catastrophe(灾害)or even a wonder. But there are countries between two kinds that normally expect snow some time over the winter months, but never receive snow regularly or in the same quantities every year. Britain is one of them, for which the arrival of snow quite simply creates problems. Within hours of the first snowfalls, however light, roads are blocked; trains and buses have to stop in the middle of the way. Normal communications are affected as well:telephone calls become difficult and the post immediately takes more time than usual. And almost within hours there are also certain shortages---bread, vegetables and other things---not because all these things can no longer be produced or sent to shops, but mainly because people are frightened and go out and store up with food and so on...just for fear that something bad should happen. But why does snow have this effect? After all, the Swiss, the Austrians and the Canadians don’t have such problems. It is simply because there is not enough planning and preparation. We need money to buy equipment to deal with snow and ice. To keep the roads clear, for example, requires snow-ploughs(扫雪机)and machines to spread salt. (77)The reason why a country like Britain does not buy snow-ploughs is that they are only used for a few days in any one year, and the money could be more useful in other things such as hospitals, education, helping the old, and so on. According to the writer, Britain is a country ___. which has regular snow which is not well prepared for snow for which snow is a catastrophe for which snow is a wonder The arrival of snow in Britain affects all of the following EXCEPT ___. food supplies communications traffic service quality After a few hours’ snowing there are often some