Passage Three
Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage.
It is hardly necessary for me to cite all the evidence of the depressing state of literacy. These figures from the Department of Education are sufficient: 27 million Americans cannot read at all, and a further 35 million read at a level that is less than sufficient to survive in our society.
But my own worry today is less that of the overwhelming problem of elemental literacy than it is of the slightly more luxurious problem of the decline in the skill even of the middle-class reader, of his unwillingness to afford those spaces of silence, those luxuries of domesticity and time and concentration, that surround the image of the classic act of reading. It has been suggested that almost 80 percent of Americas literate, educated teenagers can no longer read without an accompanying noise in the background or a television screen flickering(闪烁)at the corner of their field of perception. We know very little about the brain and how it deals with simultaneous conflicting input, but every common-sense intuition suggests we should be profoundly alarmed. This violation of concentration, silence, solitudegoes to the very heart of our notion of literacy, this new form of part-reading, of part-perception against background distraction, renders impossible certain essential acts of apprehension and concentration, let alone that most important tribute any human being can pay to a poem or a piece of prose he or she really loves, which is to learn it by heart. Not by brain, by heart; the expression is vital.
Under these circumstances, the question of what future there is for the arts of reading is a real one. Ahead of us lie technical, psychic, and social transformations probably much more dramatic than those brought about by Gutenberg, the German inventor in printing. The Gutenberg revolution, as we now know it, took a long time; its effects are still being debated. The information revolution will touch every facet of composition, publication, distribution, and reading. No one in the book industry can say with any confidence what will happen to the book as weve known it.
31.The picture of the reading ability of the American people, drawn by the author, is .
A) rather bleak C) very impressive
B) fairly bright D) quite encouraging
32.The authors biggest concern is .
A)elementary school childrens disinterest in reading classics
B) the surprisingly low rate of literacy in the U.S.
C) the musical setting American readers require of reading
D) the reading ability and reading behavior of the middle class
33.A major problem with most adolescents who can read is .
A)their fondness of music and TV programs
B) their ignorance of various forms of art and literature
C) their lack of attentiveness and basic understanding
D)their inability to focus on conflicting input
34.The author claims that the best way a reader can show admiration for a piece of poetry or prose is .
A) to the able to appreciate it and memorize it
B) to analyze its essential features
C) to think it over conscientiously
D) to make a fair appraisal of its artistic value
35. About the future of the arts of reading the author feels .
A) upset B) uncertain C) alarmed D) pessimistic
答案:
31.A 32.D 33.C 34.A 35.B
国际英语资讯:Prince Harry and Meghans baby boy named Archie
梅根王妃诞下男婴 孩子将有双重国籍
The Real Culture 真正的文化
国际英语资讯:South Sudan govt agrees delay of unity govt formation to avert war: official
中餐亦‘咸’亦‘健康’
孕期减肥安全吗?
体坛英语资讯:Williams dethroned by Gilbert at snooker worlds
菲律宾小镇立法禁止八卦 违者罚款还要捡垃圾
体坛英语资讯:Head of TAFISA applauds Chinas practice in sport for all
胸罩应该机洗还是手洗?BBC主持人引爆话题 网友吵翻天
国际英语资讯:Pompeo hopes Brexit can be resolved soon
体坛英语资讯:Dick Advocaat linked with Iran soccer coaching: report
国际英语资讯:UN chief, AU chairperson welcome strong cooperation: joint communique
农村体重增长居然是全球肥胖率上升的主力军
国内英语资讯:Chinese diplomat calls for U.S. participation in Belt and Road
国际英语资讯:U.S. House panel votes to hold attorney general in contempt of Congress
体坛英语资讯:Fired-up Liu wins second gold in table tennis worlds
老爷子,你是我兄弟
国内英语资讯:Armenian PM to attend Asia civilization dialogue conference in China
国内英语资讯:Commentary: Cradle of revolution now cradle of hope
体坛英语资讯:Bucks Brogdon to miss Games 1 and 2 against Celtics
国际英语资讯:U.S. announces sanctions on Irans metal sectors
英国人为什么总爱道歉?
防晒霜不能多涂!化学成分会迅速进入血液
国内英语资讯:China firmly opposes any foreign interference in Hong Kongs affairs: FM spokesperson
生命中的小瞬间
国际英语资讯:Eight injured in shooting at U.S. charter school
国内英语资讯:China, ROK to strengthen alignment of Belt and Road cooperation
体坛英语资讯:World record holder Kipchoge wins fourth London Marathon champion
What is a True Friend 什么是真正的朋友
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |