托福阅读真题及答案
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北美地区2014年6月8日托福考试真题回忆
2014年6月8日北美地区托福考试都考了哪些题目?以下是2014年6月8日北美地区托福真题，大家可以练习使用。
托福机经阅读
我遇到了加试，还不是经典加试，人品差哇。
有一篇是讲地球的形成的，先讲了星球大概形成的一个过程。然后具体说了地球内部的硅浮上来，重物质下去。还讲了地幔和地壳的形成。然后还有什么一开始是一些神马物质，后来这些物质就走掉了，还有水汽，还有其他氢啊神马的进来，然后形成最终状态。
有个著名的帝国破灭了，分成了东和西。然后东比较好，需要防卫的边界线不是很多，还有很多资源;西的话就比较悲惨，要各种防卫，内忧外患。还有西的话君主特别年轻，8岁和5岁还是神马的就登基了，然后权臣当道，等他们成年了，也没有发言权了。然后就说很多人都是为了自己的利益来的，牺牲民众的利益，外敌就入侵了。
还有一篇讲一个国家内战求民主，但是结果很不理想，想要的木有达到。穷苦民众无力去撼动大地主的利益，然后教堂啥的影响很小，商人首创严重，大地主反而获利很大。还讲了这个国家对周边国家的一些影响，有些国家出乎意料还从中受益了。
还有一篇一点印象都木有了!
托福机经听力
有一道是去找教授的，我没听太清楚。姑娘写了篇论文，和教授分析自己的论文。貌似选择的题目是和网络还有杂志相关的，我没听清楚到底是网络对纸质媒介的影响，还是网络规范的制定神马的，这里有题目的。姑娘说自己找了很多资料，教授表示挺惊讶的，估计觉着资料很难找。然后姑娘天马行空，想写的东西特别多，还想比较1970年的和现在的情况。教授让她不要弄那么大的题目，最后她绝对专注于目前。
还有一篇是讲一个男孩选了两门生物课，一门钢琴课。然后导师劝他放弃其中一门课。男孩说自己非常喜欢生物，也很爱音乐，但是自己确实没有那么多的时间，每天两个小时的弹琴也没有能保证。导师也说他是个很好的学生，但是最近的成绩确实不够理想。让他想清楚自己到底想做神马。学校里有选不同方向的学生，但是他们一般两个方向都是相关的。她问男孩是不是想弹钢琴去讲生物神马的。男孩一开始不肯放弃，后来被劝着劝着觉着导师挺有道理的，决定回家仔细想想放弃哪一门。
有一篇讲百老汇的。说18x.x年有一个新的方式出现了。那段时间新兴了很多中产阶级，需要娱乐，这里有题。新出来的和普通的不一样，有很多新点子，引入了芭蕾神马的，还全美巡演20年，还有移动舞台，给观众全新的体验。
还有一篇讲电影的，教授说这些名字你们都很熟悉吧，但是你们不一定知道全部的信息。然后就具体讲了迪士尼的动画。说了其中一部，非常重要，重要的原因貌似是第一部盈利的，这里有题。然后讲了一个拍摄的新技巧，说镜头拉近，附近的东西会变大，树啊栅栏啊啥的都变大了，但是太阳不会变大。这个就挺难弄的，如果让画家画的话太费力了。然后有个人去看了部舞台剧，舞台剧是有背景的，给了灵感，这里有题。然后就弄了滤片啥的在相机里拍摄，就解决问题啦。
托福机经口语
1、有三个了解大学的选择
a. 周末学校一日游
b. 周末两天在playground玩
c. 参加大学的课程
问选择哪种去最好的了解学校
2、有人送了一块地，问是用来养花种菜呢还是建儿童游乐园
3、阅读：有人给学校写了封建议信，刊登在学校的报纸上。学校附近有一个小咖啡厅兮兮的东西，提供饮料和小cookie。这是非常好的，但是有两个建议，一个是提供一些耐吃的食物，三明治神马的;一个是建议多一些轻音乐。
对话：一男一女，女孩说觉得这个建议非常赞啊。说那里是休息的一个好地方，吃点东西神马的太便利了。但是饿的时候小cookie木有用，确实需要一些其他的吃的;然后音乐太吵了，自己在那里完全没有办法看书，只能回宿舍。
4、阅读：一个协同作战之类的词，讲动物之间一般会一起做一样的事情。而且协同作战还会让他们更团结，抵抗外敌。
听力：教授举了某种动物做例子，说在迁徙的时候，如果一只口渴停下来喝水，其他不渴的也会停下来喝，喝完再一起继续迁徙。为嘛他们要一起呢，因为在dry open grass上有很危险的敌人，有狮子神马的。如果单独行动太危险了，很有可能丧命。
5、一男一女对话。男孩很苦恼，遇到问题了。他现在住的屋子的房东准备把屋子卖了，然后有个看上的买家非常着急要买，他还有一周多一些的时间可以搬家。他现在有两个选择方案，一个是他的朋友在学校附近有个屋子在招租，但是他觉着这样他就没法定下心来学习了;还有就是和父母住一起，但是父母住的地方忒远了。很难抉择。
6、有关动物的。说动物有两个适应特性，一个是Physical适应，一个是habit适应还是神马的。讲了一个动物在极度寒冷的地方，为了保持自身的热量如何很好地用两种方法来适应。一个是他们的颜色是黑色的，黑色能吸收更多的太阳光，热量传到身体里面。一个是它们平时站在冰块上，于是它们采取不同于寻常的站立方式，木有用两只脚，而是用了脚后跟。
托福机经写作
1、阅读材料
科学家们2000年和2010在两个相隔1500Mile的地方发现一个我不认识的物种，这个动物正常情况下是黑色带有少许白色斑点，结果两次发现的是全白色的，这个发现非常神奇。但是科学家们仔细分析了下，说这两个东西不是同一物种，并从三个方面给出了分析。
a. 轻微的颜色差异：第一次非常白，第二次微白;
b. 相隔太远：两次相隔了1500mile，他们在岸边不会走这么远;
c. 年龄估计：第一次估计是20岁，那就意味着第二次得要30岁，科学家表示不太可能，我没太能弄懂这个的意思，但是就是这么说的。
综上所述，这两个物种不是同一个。
听力材料
教授的观点是认为他们是同一个物种，从三点分别驳斥了这些科学家的观点
a. 这个生物生活的地方会长貌似是藻类alga,然后这个藻类不同季节的生长情况不太一样。不同季节会对这个动物的颜色有一定的影响，有可能白还是不白时候是被这个藻类覆盖了。
b. 这个生物按生活习性分为两类，一类是hunting，一类是fishing，有可能被发现的是fishing的，它待在冰上，随着冰漂移2000mi也是很容易滴，所以在这两个地方发现同一个是很有可能的。
c. 年龄有可能被预估错误了，这个生物到20岁以后就没啥变化了，20岁和30岁长得很像的。科学家认为是20岁，万一是25捏?反正就是年龄预估这事不靠谱。
综上所述，教授认为，很有可能是同一个物种
2、有些人认为成绩应该由许多小assignment的成绩综合，有些人认为应该1-2次大成绩。写出自己的观点，并给出案例和分析。
托福阅读真题及答案
Timberline Vegetation on Mountains
The transition from forest to treeless tundra on a mountain slope is often a dramatic one. Within a vertical distance of just a few tens of meters, trees disappear as a life-form and are replaced by low shrubs, herbs, and grasses. This rapid zone of transition is called the upper timberline or tree line. In many semiarid areas there is also a lower timberline where the forest passes into steppe or desert at its lower edge, usually because of a lack of moisture.
The upper timberline, like the snow line, is highest in the tropics and lowest in the Polar Regions. It ranges from sea level in the Polar Regions to 4,500 meters in the dry subtropics and 3,500-4,500 meters in the moist tropics. Timberline trees are normally evergreens, suggesting that these have some advantage over deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves) in the extreme environments of the upper timberline. There are some areas, however, where broadleaf deciduous trees form the timberline. Species of birch, for example, may occur at the timberline in parts of the Himalayas.
At the upper timberline the trees begin to become twisted and deformed. This is particularly true for trees in the middle and upper latitudes, which tend to attain greater heights on ridges, whereas in the tropics the trees reach their greater heights in the valleys. This is because middle- and upper- latitude timberlines are strongly influenced by the duration and depth of the snow cover. As the snow is deeper and lasts longer in the valleys, trees tend to attain greater heights on the ridges, even though they are more exposed to high-velocity winds and poor, thin soils there. In the tropics, the valleys appear to be more favorable because they are less prone to dry out, they have less frost, and they have deeper soils.
There is still no universally agreed-on explanation for why there should be such a dramatic cessation of tree growth at the upper timberline. Various environmental factors may play a role. Too much snow, for example, can smother trees, and avalanches and snow creep can damage or destroy them. Late-lying snow reduces the effective growing season to the point where seedlings cannot establish themselves. Wind velocity also increases with altitude and may cause serious stress for trees, as is made evident by the deformed shapes at high altitudes. Some scientists have proposed that the presence of increasing levels of ultraviolet light with elevation may play a role, while browsing and grazing animals like the ibex may be another contributing factor. Probably the most important environmental factor is temperature, for if the growing season is too short and temperatures are too low, tree shoots and buds cannot mature sufficiently to survive the winter months.
Above the tree line there is a zone that is generally called alpine tundra. Immediately adjacent to the timberline, the tundra consists of a fairly complete cover of low-lying shrubs, herbs, and grasses, while higher up the number and diversity of species decrease until there is much bare ground with occasional mosses and lichens and some prostrate cushion plants. Some plants can even survive in favorable microhabitats above the snow line. The highest plants in the world occur at around 6,100 meters on Makalu in the Himalayas. At this great height, rocks, warmed by the sun, melt small snowdrifts.
The most striking characteristic of the plants of the alpine zone is their low growth form. This enables them to avoid the worst rigors of high winds and permits them to make use of the higher temperatures immediately adjacent to the ground surface. In an area where low temperatures are limiting to life, the importance of the additional heat near the surface is crucial. The low growth form can also permit the plants to take advantage of the insulation provided by a winter snow cover. In the equatorial mountains the low growth form is less prevalent.
Paragraph 1: The transition from forest to treeless tundra on a mountain slope is often a dramatic one. Within a vertical distance of just a few tens of meters, trees disappear as a life-form and are replaced by low shrubs, herbs, and grasses. This rapid zone of transition is called the upper timberline or tree line. In many semiarid areas there is also a lower timberline where the forest passes into steppe or desert at its lower edge, usually because of a lack of moisture.
1. The word “dramatic” in the passage is closest in meaning to
○gradual
○complex
○visible
○striking
2. Where is the lower timberline mentioned in paragraph 1 likely to be found?
○In an area that has little water
○In an area that has little sunlight
○Above a transition area
○On a mountain that has on upper timberline.
3. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about both the upper and lower timberlines?
○Both are treeless zones.
○Both mark forest boundaries.
○Both are surrounded by desert areas.
○Both suffer from a lack of moisture.
Paragraph 2: The upper timberline, like the snow line, is highest in the tropics and lowest in the Polar Regions. It ranges from sea level in the Polar Regions to 4,500 meters in the dry subtropics and 3,500-4,500 meters in the moist tropics. Timberline trees are normally evergreens, suggesting that these have some advantage over deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves) in the extreme environments of the upper timberline. There are some areas, however, where broadleaf deciduous trees form the timberline. Species of birch, for example, may occur at the timberline in parts of the Himalayas.
4. Paragraph 2 supports which of the following statements about deciduous trees?
○They cannot grow in cold climates.
○They do not exist at the upper timberline.
○They are less likely than evergreens to survive at the upper timberline.
○They do not require as much moisture as evergreens do.
Paragraph 3: At the upper timberline the trees begin to become twisted and deformed. This is particularly true for trees in the middle and upper latitudes, which tend to attain greater heights on ridges, whereas in the tropics the trees reach their greater heights in the valleys. This is because middle- and upper- latitude timberlines are strongly influenced by the duration and depth of the snow cover. As the snow is deeper and lasts longer in the valleys, trees tend to attain greater heights on the ridges, even though they are more exposed to high-velocity winds and poor, thin soils there. In the tropics, the valleys appear to be more favorable because they are less prone to dry out, they have less frost, and they have deeper soils.
5. The word “attain” in the passage is closest in meaning to
○require
○resist
○achieve
○endure
6. The word “they” in the passage refers to
○valleys
○trees
○heights
○ridges
7. The word “prone” in the passage is closest in meaning to，http://bj.xhd.cn/toefl/来源：北京新航道托福培训
○adapted
○likely
○difficult
○resistant
8. According to paragraph 3, which of the following is true of trees in the middle and upper latitudes?
○Tree growth is negatively affected by the snow cover in valleys.
○Tree growth is greater in valleys than on ridges.
○Tree growth on ridges is not affected by high-velocity winds.
○Tree growth lasts longer in those latitudes than it does in the tropics.
Paragraph 4：There is still no universally agreed-on explanation for why there should be such a dramatic cessation of tree growth at the upper timberline. Various environmental factors may play a role. Too much snow, for example, can smother trees, and avalanches and snow creep can damage or destroy them. Late-lying snow reduces the effective growing season to the point where seedlings cannot establish themselves. Wind velocity also increases with altitude and may cause serious stress for trees, as is made evident by the deformed shapes at high altitudes. Some scientists have proposed that the presence of increasing levels of ultraviolet light with elevation may play a role, while browsing and grazing animals like the ibex may be another contributing factor. Probably the most important environmental factor is temperature, for if the growing season is too short and temperatures are too low, tree shoots and buds cannot mature sufficiently to survive the winter months.
9. Which of the sentences below best express the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? In correct choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
○Because of their deformed shapes at high altitudes, trees are not likely to be seriously harmed by the strong winds typical of those altitudes.
○As altitude increases, the velocity of winds increase, leading to a serious decrease in the number of trees found at high altitudes.
○The deformed shapes of trees at high altitudes show that wind velocity, which increase with altitude, can cause serious hardship for trees.
○Increased wind velocity at high altitudes deforms the shapes of trees, and this may cause serious stress for trees.
10. In paragraph 4, what is the author’s main purpose in the discussion of the dramatic cessation of tree growth at the upper timberline?
○To argue that none of several environment factors that are believed to contribute to that phenomenon do in fact play a role in causing it.
○To argue in support of one particular explanation of that phenomenon against several competing explanations
○To explain why the primary environmental factor responsible for that phenomenon has not yet been identified
○To present several environmental factors that may contribute to a satisfactory explanation of that phenomenon
Paragraph 6: The most striking characteristic of the plants of the alpine zone is their low growth form. This enables them to avoid the worst rigors of high winds and permits them to make use of the higher temperatures immediately adjacent to the ground surface. In an area where low temperatures are limiting to life, the importance of the additional heat near the surface is crucial. The low growth form can also permit the plants to take advantage of the insulation provided by a winter snow cover. In the equatorial mountains the low growth form is less prevalent.
11. The word “prevalent” in the passage is closest in meaning to
○predictable
○widespread
○successful
○developed
12. According to paragraph 6, all of the following statements are true of plants in the alpine zone EXCEPT:
○Because they are low, they are less exposed to strong winds.
○Because they are low, the winter snow cover gives them more protection from the extreme cold.
○In the equatorial mountains, they tend to be lower than in mountains elsewhere.
○Their low growth form keeps them closer to the ground, where there is more heat than further up.
Paragraph 5: Above the tree line there is a zone that is generally called alpine tundra. █Immediately adjacent to the timberline, the tundra consists of a fairly complete cover of low-lying shrubs, herbs, and grasses, while higher up the number and diversity of species decrease until there is much bare ground with occasional mosses and lichens and some prostrate cushion plants. █Some plants can even survive in favorable microhabitats above the snow line. The highest plants in the world occur at around 6,100 meters on Makalu in the Himalayas. █At this great height, rocks, warmed by the sun, melt small snowdrifts. █
13. Look at the four squares [█] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
This explains how, for example, alpine cushion plants have been found growing at an altitude of 6,180 meters.
Where would the sentence best fit?
14. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
At the timberline, whether upper or lower, there is a profound change in the growth of trees and other plants.
Answer choices
○Birch is one of the few species of tree that can survive in the extreme environments of the upper timberline.
○There is no agreement among scientists as to exactly why plant growth is sharply different above and below the upper timberline.
○The temperature at the upper timberline is probably more important in preventing tree growth than factors such as the amount of snowfall or the force of winds.
○The geographical location of an upper timberline has an impact on both the types of trees found there and their physical characteristics.
○High levels of ultraviolet light most likely play a greater role in determining tree growth at the upper timberline than do grazing animals such as the ibex.
○Despite being adjacent to the timberline, the alpine tundra is an area where certain kinds of low trees can endure high winds and very low temperatures.
参考答案：
1. ○4
2. ○1
3. ○2
4. ○3
5. ○3
6. ○2
7. ○2
8. ○1
9. ○3
10. ○4
11. ○2
12. ○3
13. ○4
14. There is no agreement among…
The temperature at the upper …
The geographical location of…
托福阅读真题及答案
The Origins of Theater
In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw. The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual. The process perceived by these anthropologists may be summarized briefly. During the early stages of its development, a society becomes aware of forces that appear to influence or control its food supply and well-being. Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces, and it searches for means to win the favor of these forces. Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals.
Stories (myths) may then grow up around a ritual. Frequently the myths include representatives of those supernatural forces that the rites celebrate or hope to influence. Performers may wear costumes and masks to represent the mythical characters or supernatural forces in the rituals or in accompanying celebrations. As a person becomes more sophisticated, its conceptions of supernatural forces and causal relationships may change. As a result, it may abandon or modify some rites. But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity, and thereafter entertainment and aesthetic values may gradually replace the former mystical and socially efficacious concerns.
Although origin in ritual has long been the most popular, it is by no means the only theory about how the theater came into being. Storytelling has been proposed as one alternative. Under this theory, relating and listening to stories are seen as fundamental human pleasures. Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.
A closely related theory sees theater as evolving out of dances that are primarily pantomimic, rhythmical or gymnastic, or from imitations of animal noises and sounds. Admiration for the performer’s skill, virtuosity, and grace are seen as motivation for elaborating the activities into fully realized theatrical performances.
In addition to exploring the possible antecedents of theater, scholars have also theorized about the motives that led people to develop theater. Why did theater develop, and why was it valued after it ceased to fulfill the function of ritual? Most answers fall back on the theories about the human mind and basic human needs. One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations. Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life. Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact. The theater, then, is one tool whereby people define and understand their world or escape from unpleasant realities.
But neither the human imitative instinct nor a penchant for fantasy by itself leads to an autonomous theater. Therefore, additional explanations are needed. One necessary condition seems to be a somewhat detached view of human problems. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group. Another condition that contributes to the development of autonomous theater is the emergence of the aesthetic sense. For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness.
Paragraph 1: In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely primarily on speculation, since there is little concrete evidence on which to draw. The most widely accepted theory, championed by anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, envisions theater as emerging out of myth and ritual. The process perceived by these anthropologists may be summarized briefly. During the early stages of its development, a society becomes aware of forces that appear to influence or control its food supply and well-being. Having little understanding of natural causes, it attributes both desirable and undesirable occurrences to supernatural or magical forces, and it searches for means to win the favor of these forces. Perceiving an apparent connection between certain actions performed by the group and the result it desires, the group repeats, refines and formalizes those actions into fixed ceremonies, or rituals.
1. The word “championed” in the passage is closest in meaning to
○changed
○debated
○created
○supported
2. The word “attributes” in the passage is closest in meaning to
○ascribes
○leaves
○limits
○contrasts
3. According to paragraph 1, theories of the origins of theater
○are mainly hypothetical
○are well supported by factual evidence
○have rarely been agreed upon by anthropologists
○were expressed in the early stages of theater’s development
4. According to paragraph 1, why did some societies develop and repeat ceremonial actions?
○To establish a positive connection between the members of the society
○To help society members better understand the forces controlling their food supply
○To distinguish their beliefs from those of other societies
○To increase the society’s prosperity
Paragraph 2: Stories (myths) may then grow up around a ritual. Frequently the myths include representatives of those supernatural forces that the rites celebrate or hope to influence. Performers may wear costumes and masks to represent the mythical characters or supernatural forces in the rituals or in accompanying celebrations. As a person becomes more sophisticated, its conceptions of supernatural forces and causal relationships may change. As a result, it may abandon or modify some rites. But the myths that have grown up around the rites may continue as part of the group’s oral tradition and may even come to be acted out under conditions divorced from these rites. When this occurs, the first step has been taken toward theater as an autonomous activity, and thereafter entertainment and aesthetic values may gradually replace the former mystical and socially efficacious concerns.
5. The word “this” in the passage refers to
○the acting out of rites
○the divorce of ritual performers from the rest of society
○the separation of myths from rites
○the celebration of supernatural forces
6. The word “autonomous” in the passage is closest in meaning to
○artistic
○important
○independent
○established
7. According to paragraph 2, what may cause societies to abandon certain rites?
○Emphasizing theater as entertainment
○Developing a new understanding of why events occur
○Finding a more sophisticated way of representing mythical characters
○Moving from a primarily oral tradition to a more written tradition，来源：北京新航道托福培训
Paragraph 5: In addition to exploring the possible antecedents of theater, scholars have also theorized about the motives that led people to develop theater. Why did theater develop, and why was it valued after it ceased to fulfill the function of ritual? Most answers fall back on the theories about the human mind and basic human needs. One, set forth by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C., sees humans as naturally imitative—as taking pleasure in imitating persons, things, and actions and in seeing such imitations. Another, advanced in the twentieth century, suggests that humans have a gift for fantasy, through which they seek to reshape reality into more satisfying forms than those encountered in daily life. Thus, fantasy or fiction (of which drama is one form) permits people to objectify their anxieties and fears, confront them, and fulfill their hopes in fiction if not fact. The theater, then, is one tool whereby people define and understand their world or escape from unpleasant realities.
8. All of following are mentioned in paragraph 5 as possible reasons that led societies to develop theater EXCEPT:
○Theater allows people to face that they are afraid of.
○Theater gives an opportunity to imagine a better reality.
○Theater is a way to enjoy imitating other people.
○Theater provides people the opportunity to better understand the human mind.
9. Which of the following best describes the organization of paragraph 5?
○The author presents two theories for a historical phenomenon.
○The author argues against theories expressed earlier in the passage.
○The author argues for replacing older theories with a new one.
○The author points out problems with two popular theories.
Paragraph 6: But neither the human imitative instinct nor a penchant for fantasy by itself leads to an autonomous theater. Therefore, additional explanations are needed. One necessary condition seems to be a somewhat detached view of human problems. For example, one sign of this condition is the appearance of the comic vision, since comedy requires sufficient detachment to view some deviations from social norms as ridiculous rather than as serious threats to the welfare of the entire group. Another condition that contributes to the development of autonomous theater is the emergence of the aesthetic sense. For example, some early societies ceased to consider certain rites essential to their well-being and abandoned them, nevertheless, they retained as parts of their oral tradition the myths that had grown up around the rites and admired them for their artistic qualities rather than for their religious usefulness.
10. The word “penchant” in the passage is closest in meaning to
○compromise
○inclination
○tradition
○respect
11. Why does the author mention “comedy”?
○To give an example of early types of theater
○To explain how theater helps a society respond to threats to its welfare
○To help explain why detachment is needed for the development of theater
○To show how theatrical performers become detached from other members of society
12. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
○A society’s rites were more likely to be retained in the oral tradition if its myths were admired for artistic qualities.
○The artistic quality of a myth was sometimes an essential reason for a society to abandon it from the oral tradition.
○Some early societies stopped using myths in their religious practices when rites ceased to be seen as
useful for social well-being.
○Myths sometimes survived in a society’s tradition because of their artistic qualities even after they were no longer deemed religiously beneficial.
Paragraph 3: █Although origin in ritual has long been the most popular, it is by no means the only theory about how the theater came into being. █Storytelling has been proposed as one alternative. █Under this theory, relating and listening to stories are seen as fundamental human pleasures. █Thus, the recalling of an event (a hunt, battle, or other feat) is elaborated through the narrator’s pantomime and impersonation and eventually through each role being assumed by a different person.
13. Look at the four squares [█] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
To enhance their listeners’ enjoyment, storytellers continually make their stories more engaging and memorable.
Where would the sentence best fit?
14. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Anthropologists have developed many theories to help understand why and how theater originated.
Answer choices
○The presence of theater in almost all societies is thought to have occurred because early storytellers traveled to different groups to tell their stories.
○Many theorists believe that theater arises when societies act out myths to preserve social well-being.
○The more sophisticated societies became, the better they could influence desirable occurrences through ritualized theater.
○Some theories of theater development focus on how theater was used by group leaders to group leaders govern other members of society.
○Theater may have come from pleasure humans receive from storytelling and moving rhythmically.
○The human capacities for imitation and fantasy are considered possible reasons why societies develop theater.
参考答案：
1. ○4
2. ○1
3. ○1
4. ○4
5. ○3
6. ○3
7. ○2
8. ○4
9. ○1
10. ○2
11. ○3
12. ○4
13. ○4
14. Many theorists believe that…
Theater may have come from…
The human capacities for imitation…
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