gre考试阅读真题解析(B)

　　The origin of the theory that major geologic events may occur at regular intervals can be traced back not to a study of volcanism or plate tectonics but to an investigation of marine extinctions. In the early 1980s, scientists began to look closely at the question of how these extinctions occur. Two paleontologists, Raup and Sepkoski, compiled a master list of marine species that died out during the past 268 million years and noted that there were brief periods during which many species disappeared at once. These mass extinctions occurred at surprisingly regular intervals.

　　Later studies revealed that extinctions of terrestrial reptiles and mammals also occurred periodically. These findings, combined with the research of Raup and Sepkoski, led scientists to hypothesize the existence of some kind of cyclically recurring force powerful enough to affect living things profoundly. Speculation that so powerful a force might affect geologic events as well led geologists to search for evidence of periodicity in episodes of volcanism, seafloor spreading, and plate movement.

　　17. According to the passage, Raup and Sepkoskis research was concerned with

　　 learning more about the habitats of marine species

　　 studying plate tectonics and the occurrence of volcanism over the past 268 million years

　　 examining extinctions of marine species over the past 268 million years

　　 finding out whether a rhythmically recurring geologic force exists

　　 confirming previous evidence suggesting that extinction of terrestrial species occurred regularly

　　18. The author of the passage would most likely describe the findings of Raup and Sepkoski as

　　 plausible, because the findings supported the theories of previous researchers

　　 significant, because the findings were an impetus for subsequent research

　　 controversial, because the findings contradicted the theories of previous researchers

　　 questionable, because the authors were not working in their field of expertise

　　 definitive, because the findings confirmed the existence of a rhythmically recurring force

　　19. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

　　 determining the dates of various geologic events

　　 defending the conclusions reached by Raup and Sepkoski

　　 establishing a link between the disciplines of paleontology and geology

　　 proving that mass extinctions of marine animals occur periodically

　　 explaining how a theory concerning geologic events was formulated

　　20. The passage suggests which of the following about the force mentioned in lines 16 and 18?

　　 It is responsible for most of the major geologic events that have occurred.

　　 It is responsible for most of the marine extinctions that have occurred.

　　 Its recurrence is unlikely to be able to be predicted by scientists.

　　 Its existence was not seriously considered by scientists before Raup and Sepkoski did their research.

　　 Its existence was confirmed by the research of Raup and Sepkoski.

　　A recent history of the Chicago meat-packing industry and its workers examines how the industry grew from its appearance in the 1830s through the early 1890s. Meat-packers, the author argues, had good wages, working conditions, and prospects for advancement within the packinghouses, and did not cooperate with labor agitators since labor relations were so harmonious. Because the history maintains that conditions were above standard for the era, the frequency of labor disputes, especially in the mid-1880s, is not accounted for. The work ignores the fact that the 1880s were crucial years in American labor history, and that the packinghouse workers efforts were part of the national movement for labor reform.

　　In fact, other historical sources for the late nineteenth century record deteriorating housing and high disease and infant mortality rates in the industrial community, due to low wages and unhealthy working conditions. Additional data from the University of Chicago suggest that the packinghouses were dangerous places to work. The government investigation commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt which eventually led to the adoption of the 1906 Meat Inspection Act found the packinghouses unsanitary, while social workers observed that most of the workers were poorly paid and overworked. The history may be too optimistic because most of its data date from the 1880s at the latest , and the information provided from that decade is insufficiently analyzed. Conditions actually declined in the 1880s, and continued to decline after the 1880s, due to a reorganization of the packing process and a massive influx of unskilled workers. The deterioration in worker status, partly a result of the new availability of unskilled and hence cheap labor, is not discussed. Though a detailed account of work in the packing-houses is attempted, the author fails to distinguish between the wages and conditions for skilled workers and for those unskilled laborers who comprised the majority of the industrys workers from the 1880s on. While conditions for the former were arguably tolerable due to the strategic importance of skilled workers in the complicated slaughtering, cutting, and packing process , pay and conditions for the latter were wretched.

　　The authors misinterpretation of the origins of the feelings the meat-packers had for their industrial neighborhood may account for the historys faulty generalizations. The pride and contentment the author remarks upon were, arguably, less the products of the industrial world of the packersthe giant yards and the intricate plantsthan of the unity and vibrance of the ethnic cultures that formed a viable community on Chicagos South Side. Indeed, the strength of this community succeeded in generating a social movement that effectively confronted the problems of the industry that provided its livelihood.

　　21. The passage is primarily concerned with discussing

　　 how historians ought to explain the origins of the conditions in the Chicago meat-packing industry

　　 why it is difficult to determine the actual nature of the conditions in the Chicago meat-packing industry

　　 why a particular account of the conditions in the Chicago meat-packing industry is inaccurate

　　 what ought to be included in any account of the Chicago meat-packers role in the national labor movement

　　 what data are most relevant for an accurate account of the relations between Chicago meat-packers and local labor agitators

　　22. The author of the passage mentions all of the following as describing negative conditions in the meat-packing industry EXCEPT:

　　 data from the University of Chicago

　　 a recent history of the meat-packing industry

　　 social workers

　　 historical sources for the late nineteenth century

　　 government records

　　23. The author of the passage mentions the social movement generated by Chicagos South Side community primarily in order to

　　 inform the reader of events that occurred in the meat-packing industry after the period of time covered by the history

　　 suggest the historys limitations by pointing out a situation that the history failed to explain adequately

　　 salvage the historys point of view by suggesting that there were positive developments in the meat-packing industry due to worker unity

　　 introduce a new issue designed to elaborate on the good relationship between the meat-packers and Chicagos ethnic communities

　　 suggest that the history should have focused more on the general issue of the relationship between labor movements and healthy industrial communities

　　24. According to the passage, the working conditions of skilled workers in the meat-packing industry during the 1880s were influenced by

　　 the workers determined complaints about the rate and conditions of their work

　　 the efforts of social workers to improve sanitation in the packinghouses

　　 the workers ability to perform the industrys complex tasks

　　 improvements in the industrys packing process that occurred in the 1880s

　　 opportunities for job advancement due to the filling of less desirable positions by increasing numbers of unskilled workers

　　25. The author of the passage uses the second paragraph to

　　 summarize the main point of the history discussed in the passage

　　 explain why the history discussed in the passage has been disparaged by critics

　　 evaluate the findings of recent studies that undermine the premises of the history discussed in the passage

　　 introduce a hypothesis that will be discussed in detail later in the passage

　　 present evidence that is intended to refute the argument of the history discussed in the passage

　　26. The tone of the author of the passage in discussing the meat-packer community on Chicagos South Side can best be described as one of

　　 appreciation of the communitys ability to cope with difficult conditions

　　 admiration for the communitys refusal to cooperate with labor agitators

　　 indignation at the kinds of social conditions the community faced

　　 annoyance at the communitys inability to abolish discrimination in the meat-packing industry

　　 concern that the meat-packers feelings for their community have not been documented

　　27. The information in the passage suggests that the author of the history discussed in the passage made which of the following errors?

　　 Failing to recognize the effect of the diversity of the South Side community on the meat-packers efforts to reform the industry

　　 Attributing good working conditions in the meat-packing industry to the efforts of labor agitators

　　 Overemphasizing the importance of the availability of unskilled labor as an influence on conditions in the meat packing industry

　　 Interpreting the meat-packers feelings for their community as appreciation of their industry

　　 Failing to observe the pride and contentment felt by the meat-packers

　　答案：17-27：CBEDCBBCEAD