究生考试英语试题及答案

Part I Reading Comprehension (40 points)

Directions: There are four passages in this part. Each passage is followed by five questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best one and mark your answer on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.

Passage 1

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage:

It's a common belief that if you want to be successful in life, you need to work hard. While it's true that hard work is important, it's not the only factor that determines success. In fact, there are many other factors that can contribute to success, such as talent, luck, and social skills.

Talent is one of the most important factors that can lead to success. If you have a natural talent for something, such as music or sports, you're more likely to be successful in that area than someone who doesn't have that talent. However, talent alone isn't enough. You also need to work hard to develop your talent and turn it into a skill.

Luck is another factor that can contribute to success. Sometimes, people are just in the right place at the right time, and they get a lucky break that propels them to success. Of course, luck isn't something you can control, but you can increase your chances of being lucky by putting yourself in the right place at the right time and being open to new opportunities.

Social skills are also important for success. If you're good at networking and building relationships, you're more likely to be successful than someone who isn't. This is because success often depends on who you know, not just what you know. If you can build a strong network of contacts and allies, you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals.

1. According to the passage, what is the common belief about success?

A. Talent is the most important factor.

B. Luck is the most important factor.

C. Hard work is the only factor.

D. Hard work is important but not the only factor.

2. What is talent?

A. A natural ability to do something.

B. A learned ability to do something.

C. A combination of natural and learned abilities.

D. An ability that can only be developed through hard work.

3. How can luck contribute to success?

A. By making you work harder.

B. By giving you a natural talent.

C. By putting you in the right place at the right time.

D. By helping you build a strong network of contacts.

4. Why are social skills important for success?

A. Because they can help you develop your talent.

B. Because they can help you be lucky.

C. Because they can help you build a strong network of contacts.

D. Because they can help you work harder.

5. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. Talent is the only factor that determines success.

B. Luck is something you can control.

C. Social skills are not important for success.

D. Hard work is necessary but not sufficient for success.

Passage 2

Questions 6 to 10 are based on the following passage:

In many cultures, it's customary to give gifts to people on special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, and holidays. While gift-giving can be a wonderful way to show someone you care, it can also be a source of stress and anxiety, especially if you're not sure what to give.

One way to make gift-giving easier is to focus on the recipient's interests and hobbies. For example, if your friend is a music lover, you could give them a CD or concert tickets. If your sister enjoys cooking, you could give her a cookbook or kitchen gadgets.

Another way to make gift-giving easier is to think about the recipient's needs. For example, if your dad is always complaining about his old, uncomfortable office chair, you could give him a new one. If your friend just moved into a new apartment, you could give her a housewarming gift, such as a set of towels or a picture frame.

Finally, you could consider giving an experience instead of a physical gift. For example, you could give your partner a weekend getaway or a cooking class. These types of gifts can be more memorable and meaningful than a physical object.

6. What is the main topic of the passage?

A. How to give the perfect gift.

B. The stress and anxiety of gift-giving.

C. The importance of giving gifts.

D. The different types of gifts.

7. What is one way to make gift-giving easier?

A. To focus on the recipient's interests and hobbies.

B. To give a physical gift instead of an experience.

C. To give a gift card instead of a specific item.

D. To give the same gift to everyone.

8. What is another way to make gift-giving easier?

A. To think about the recipient's needs.

B. To give the most expensive gift possible.

C. To give a gift that you would like to receive.

D. To give a gift that is not practical.

9. What is an example of an experience gift?

A. Concert tickets.

B. A new office chair.

C. A cookbook.

D. A set of towels.

10. According to the passage, why are experience gifts more meaningful than physical gifts?

A. Because they are more expensive.

B. Because they are more practical.

C. Because they are more memorable.

D. Because they are easier to give.

Passage 3

Questions 11 to 15 are based on the following passage:

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards minimalism. This is the idea of living with less, and focusing on the things that are truly important in life. While minimalism can mean different things to different people, there are some common principles that many minimalists follow.

One of the main principles of minimalism is to declutter your life. This means getting rid of things that you don't need or use, and focusing on the things that bring you joy or serve a purpose. By decluttering, you can create a more peaceful and organized living space, and reduce the amount of time and energy you spend taking care of your possessions.

Another principle of minimalism is to live intentionally. This means being mindful of your choices, and making decisions that align with your values and goals. For example, if you value spending time with family and friends, you might choose to work less and spend more time socializing. If you value environmental sustainability, you might choose to buy fewer things and reduce your carbon footprint.

A third principle of minimalism is to focus on experiences, not things. This means prioritizing activities and events that bring you joy and fulfillment, rather than accumulating possessions. For example, instead of buying a new TV, you might choose to take a trip to a place you've always wanted to visit.

11. What is minimalism?

A. The idea of living with less.

B. The idea of living with more.

C. The idea of living with the same amount.

D. The idea of living with only the essentials.

12. What is one of the main principles of minimalism?

A. To accumulate as many possessions as possible.

B. To focus on things that bring you joy or serve a purpose.

C. To buy the most expensive things possible.

D. To keep everything you own.

13. What is living intentionally?

A. Being mindful of your choices.

B. Making decisions that don't align with your values and goals.

C. Accumulating possessions.

D. Focusing on experiences.

14. What is one way to live intentionally?

A. To work more and socialize less.

B. To buy more things and increase your carbon footprint.

C. To reduce your carbon footprint.

D. To accumulate as many possessions as possible.

15. What is one way to focus on experiences, not things?

A. To buy a new TV.

B. To take a trip to a place you've always wanted to visit.

C. To accumulate as many possessions as possible.

D. To work more and socialize less.

Passage 4

Questions 16 to 20 are based on the following passage:

In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the impact of social media on mental health. While social media can be a great way to connect with others and share information, it can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

One way that social media can affect mental health is by creating unrealistic expectations. When people see the carefully curated lives of others on social media, they may feel pressure to present a perfect image of themselves as well. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Another way that social media can affect mental health is by promoting negative comparisons. When people see the highlight reels of others' lives on social media, they may compare themselves unfavorably and feel that they are not measuring up. This can lead to feelings of jealousy, resentment, and self-doubt.

Finally, social media can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. While social media can provide a sense of connection, it can also be a substitute for real-life interactions. When people spend too much time on social media, they may neglect their real-life relationships and feel disconnected from others.

16. What is the main concern about social media?

A. Its impact on physical health.

B. Its impact on mental health.

C. Its impact on relationships.

D. Its impact on productivity.

17. What is one way that social media can affect mental health?

A. By creating realistic expectations.

B. By promoting positive comparisons.

C. By promoting negative comparisons.

D. By promoting self-confidence.

18. What is another way that social media can affect mental health?

A. By promoting positive comparisons.

B. By promoting self-confidence.

C. By promoting feelings of isolation and loneliness.

D. By promoting real-life interactions.

19. What is one way that social media can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness?

A. By providing a sense of connection.

B. By being a substitute for real-life interactions.

C. By promoting positive comparisons.

D. By promoting self-confidence.

20. According to the passage, what can people do to mitigate the negative effects of social media on mental health?

A. Spend more time on social media.

B. Limit their social media use.

C. Compare themselves favorably to others.

D. Neglect their real-life relationships.