第1831期阅读理解附答案

　　We can begin our discussion of population asglobal issue with what most persons mean when they discuss the population problem: too manypeople on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year. The facts are not indispute, It was quite right to employ the analogy that likened demographic growth to a long, thin powder fuse that burns steadily and haltingly until itfinally reaches the charge and explodes.

　　To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population,it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparativelyrecent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history, we find that population have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. Formost of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There was high fertility in most places, but this was usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it wasseldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, while infancy and childhood wereespecially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death ratescould exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history washow to prevent extinction of the human race.

　　This pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapidincrease in population in recent years is not a sudden enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality.

　　Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8,000 BC. till approximately AD. 1650. In the first period of some9600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650and the present, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And it isestimated that by the year 2000 there will be 6.2 billion people throughout the world. One wayto appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame tosomething that is more manageable. Between 8000BC and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the worlds population each year. At present, this numberis added every six hours. The increase is about 80,000,000 persons annually

　　1. Which of the following demographic growth pattern is most suitable for the long thin powder fuse analogy?

　　A. A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a sudden explosion of population.

　　B. A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid, dramatic increase.

　　C. Too many people on earth and a few rapid increase in the number added each year.

　　D. A long period when death rates exceeds birth rates and then a short period with higherfertility and lower mortality.

　　2. During the first period of demographic history, societies were often in danger of extinction because___.

　　A. only one in ten persons could live past 40.

　　B. there was higher mortality than fertility in most places.

　　C. it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor conditions.

　　D. our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more children.

　　3. Which statement is true about population increase?

　　A. There might be an increase of 2.2 billion persons from now to the year 2000.

　　B. About 50,000 babies are born every six hours at present.

　　C. Between 8000 BC and the present, the population increase is about 80,000,000 person seach year.

　　D. The population increased faster between 8000BC and 1650 than between 1650 and the present.

　　4. The author of the passage intends to___.

　　A. warn people against the population explosion in the near future.

　　B. compare the demographic growth pattern in the past with that after 1650.

　　C. find out the cause for rapid increase in population in recent years.

　　D. present us a clear and complete picture of the demographic growth.

　　5. The word demographic in the first paragraph means___.

　　A. statistics of human.

　　B. surroundings study.

　　C. accumulation of human.

　　D. development of human

　　答案：ABADA