eye reads the Universal Product Code—chat bar of black and white lines in a corner of the
package—and then checks the code against a price list stored in memory. If the price list is right,
you’ll be charged accurately.
Grocery stores update the price list each day—that is, somebody sits at a keyboard and types in the
prices. If the price they type in is too high, there are only two explanations: carelessness or
dishonesty. But somehow “a computer error” is supposed to excuse everything.
One reason we let people hide behind a computer is the common misperception that huge, modern
computers are electric brain with “artificial intelligence.” At some point there might be a machine
with intelligence but none exists today. The smartest computer on Earth right now is no more
intelligent than your average pen. At this point in the development of computers, the only thing
any machine can do is what a human has instructed it to do.
26. Of the three lies, the one about computer is the worst because the computer itself __________.
A. says nonsense B. cheats customers
C. cannot make the error D. does not admit its error
27. According to the author, a computerized cashier is really just ___________.
A. a machine to count money B. a machine to receive money
C. an instrument to print codes D. an instrument to read codes
28. Grocery store price lists are updated by ____________.
A. a computer B. a keyboard C. an employee D. an electric brain
29. The last paragraph of the passage implies that computers ____________.
A. are very clever B. never make mistakes
C. have a good memory D. are controlled by men
30. Which of the following describes the main idea of the passage?
A. Computers are stupid and inefficient.
B. Computer errors are due to its dishonesty.
C. Computers help stores update the price list.
D. Computer errors are actually human errors.
Passage Four
I came across an old country guidebook the other day. It listed all the tradesmen in each village,
and it was impressive to see the past variety of services which were available on one’s own
doorstep in the late Victorian countryside. Nowadays a traveler in rural England might conclude that the only village tradesmen still
flourishing were either selling frozen food to the villagers or selling antiques to visitors.
Nevertheless, this would really be a false impression. On the surface, there has been a decline of
village commerce, but its power is still remarkable.
Our local grocer’s shop, for example, is actually expanding in spite of the competition from
supermarkets in the nearest town. Women sensibly prefer to go there and exchange the local news
while doing their shopping, instead of queuing up at a supermarket. And the grocer knows well
that personal service has a considerable cash value.
His prices may be a bit higher than those in the town, but he will deliver anything at any time. His
assistants think nothing of bicycling down the village street in their lunch hour to take a piece of
cheese to an old retired woman who sent her order by word of mouth with a friend who happened
to be passing. The richer customers telephone their shopping lists and the goods are on their
doorsteps within an hour. They have only to hint at a fancy for some commodity outside the usual
stock and the grocer, a red faced-figure, instantly obtains it for them.
31. Nowadays the commercial services in the village are ____________.
A. still very active B. quickly declining
C. unable to flourish D. personal to visitors
32. The local grocer’s shop is expanding because _____________.
A. the competition there is weak B. it is a place for women to chat
C. it provides good personal service D. the goods there are more valuable
33. Which of the following is true about the supermarkets?
A. Prices there are much higher B. Customers often have to queue up.
C. Customers can order by telephone. D. Their personal services are satisfactory.
34. How do the village grocer’s assistants feel about giving extra service?
A. They don’t think it a trouble. B. They don’t think it worthwhile.
C. They don’t consider it a good deal. D. They don’t consider it a pleasant experience.
35. One special feature of the village shop is that ___________.
A. there is a very wide range of goods available
B. customers can order goods by word of mouth
C. customer have to order goods one hour earlier
D. there is a list of goods to be delivered to doorsteps
Part III Vocabulary and Structure (20 points)
Directions: There are 40 incomplete sentences in this part. For each sentence there are 4 choices
marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence, mark your answer on the
ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.
36. During the heavy storm last week, we had to take __________ under a flyover.
A. shade B. shelter C. shadow D. shield
37. The three men were assigned jobs according to their _________ abilities.
A. respectful B. respectable C. respective D. respecting
38. Scientists have discovered that many animals seem to be highly _________ to various signals
associated with earthquakes. A. sensible B. sensual C. sentimental D. sensitive
39. The lost car of the Johnsons’ was found __________ in the woods of the expressway.
A. vanished B. scattered C. rejected D. abandoned
40. Our guests will be guided to safety _________ fire.
A. as a result of B. in case of C. in the sense of D. for the sake of
41. If you want to ring her, you’ll have to _________ her number in the telephone book.
A. look at B. look to C. look through D. look up
42. Under the financial crisis, more social problems in the world are certain to __________.
广东省学士学位英语历年真题 附答案
