2014年全國碩士研究生入學統一考試英語(二)試題及參考答案

Section I Use of English

Directions:

Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)

Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have  1  that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually  2  . For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women.   3  among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an  4   of good health.

Of even greater   5  is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined   6   body mass index, or BMI. BMI  7  body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity,   8  ,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.

While such numerical standards seem   9   , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit,  10  others with a low BMI may be in poor   11   .For example, many collegiate and professional football players   12   as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a 13 BMI.

Today we have a(an)  14  to label obesity as a disgrace. The overweight are sometimes  15  in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes  16  with obesity include laziness, lack of will power, and lower prospects for success. Teachers, employers, and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese.  17  very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.

Negative attitudes toward obesity,  18  in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity  19  .My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign  20  childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.

1. [A] denied [B] concluded [C] doubled [D] ensured

2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome

3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore

4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example

5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern

6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of

7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies

8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part

9. [A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D] straightforward

10. [A] so [B] while [C] since [D] unless

11. [A] shape [B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste

12. [A] start [B] quality [C] retire [D] stay

13. [A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal [D] constant

14. [A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency

15. [A] employed [B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored

16. [A] computed [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated

17. [A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only

18. [A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded

19. [A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies

20. [A] for [B] against [C] with [D] without

SectionⅠUse of English

文章分析

本文是一篇關于肥胖與健康關系新說法的議論文。第一段引出作者對身材的看法：并不是越瘦就證明人越健康。第二段中作者介紹了一種定義肥胖癥的指標 BMI。第三段中作者指出 BMI 其實揭示的是人體的脂肪量，并不是說明身材好壞的指數。第四段中講述了整個社會其實會給肥胖者貼上消極標簽，無論是在電視節目中還是在孩子們的心目中，胖人的形象總是與消極聯系起來。最后一段講述了人們以健康的角度去考慮肥胖的影響，和已經采取的一些對抗肥胖的種種策略。

試題解析

Thinner isn't always better. A number of studies have __1__ that normalweight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are healthy conditions for which being overweight is actually __2__. For example, heavierwomen are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. __3__,among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an __4__ of good health.

【譯文】太瘦也不總是好事。一些研究已經得出結論：正常體重的人實際上比一些超重的人更容易患上某些疾病。有些肥胖對健康還有保護作用。例如稍微超重的女性跟消瘦的女性相比，不易受到鈣質缺乏的影響。同樣的，在老年人中，一定程度上超重是身體健康的標志。

1.[A] denied 否認 [B] concluded 得出結論 [C] doubled 兩倍，加倍努力 [D] ensured 確保

【答案】B

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“一系列的研究已經________，事實上，正常體重的人患病風險要高于超重的人”。根據句義，后面的部分實際上是研究結論，因此 B 項 concluded 符合題意。

【命題思路】本題根據上下文所給信息判斷答案，同時也考查考生對相近含義的詞匯辨析。

【干擾排除】A 項 denied“否認”，與原文意義相反;C 項 doubled“翻倍”，與題意較遠;D 項 ensured“確保”，不符合題意，因為研究不能確保后面的事實，只能得出后面的事實作為結論。

2.[A] protective 防護的，保護的 [B] dangerous 危險的 [C] sufficient 足夠的，充分的 [D] troublesome 麻煩的

【答案】A

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“對于某些健康情況，超重事實上是有________”。根據前文研究的結論，下文的舉例說明是對該句的具體論述。綜上可知，超重能減少罹患疾病的風險，說明超重具有一定的保護作用。

【命題思路】本題根據上下文所給信息判斷答案，同時也考查考生對形容詞的辨析。

【干擾排除】句首以 And 開頭，說明在語義上該句與上一句是并列相關的，強調肥胖對健康的好處。B項dangerous“危險的”，與文章意思相反;C 項 sufficient“充足的”，D 項 troublesome“麻煩的”，不符合題意。

3.[A] Instead 代替，反而 [B] However 然而，不管怎樣 [C] Likewise 同樣地 [D] Therefore 因此

【答案】C

【考點】邏輯關系

【直擊答案】第四、五句話舉例說明。“體重較重的女人患缺鈣的比例低于較瘦的女人。________，在老年人中，一定程度上超重是身體健康的________”。需要填入的是和前半句表示順接的詞語。A項Instead和B項However 表示逆接的句意關系，D 項 Therefore 表示因果關系。只有 C 項 Likewise“同樣地;也，而且”，表示順接關系，符合題意。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文語義關系的理解。

【干擾排除】這個題目的難點在于為什么不能將最后一句理解為跟上文相反的轉折關系呢，比如：然而，在老年人中，一定程度上超重是身體健康的(克星/障礙)，但是下文的第四個空給的備選詞并沒有類似括號里我們猜測的消極含義詞匯，所以，所猜想的轉折語義關系也不成立，只能選表示順接關系的詞匯 likewise。

4.[A] indicator 指標 [B] objective 目標 [C] origin 來源 [D] example 實例;例證

【答案】A

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“同樣的，一定程度上超重，經常是健康的________”。根據前面的文章內容，已經明確指出超重代表了健康，因此超重是健康的指標。因此正確答案為 A 項。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文語義的正確把握。

【干擾排除】干擾性強的是 B 項，有考生會將其理解為“客觀物質”，但原文結構中此處需要一個名詞，objective“客觀的”是形容詞， objective 作名詞時意為“目標”，另有考生被形近詞 objection“反對”干擾。

Of even greater __5__ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined __6__ body mass index, or BMI. BMI __7__ body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, __8__,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.

【譯文】需要更加關注是，很難對肥胖加以定義。肥胖經常根據身體質量指數來定義，或叫做 BMI，它等于身體重量除以身高平方。正常成年人的是 BMI 值應該在 18～25 之間。25～30 的話視為超重。30 以上視為肥胖。肥胖依次能夠分為中度肥胖、重度肥胖和極度肥胖。

5.[A] impact 影響，效果 [B] relevance 相關性 [C] assistance 輔助 [D] concern 關系，關心

【答案】D

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“需要更加________是，很難對肥胖加以定義”。前文已經說到肥胖事實上有利健康，但是又面臨一個問題，到底如何去定義肥胖，因此需要更加關注的是對肥胖的定義，其他選項均不符合題意，所以正確答案為 D 項。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文語義的正確把握。

【干擾排除】A 項 impact“影響，效果”，B 項 relevance“相關性”，C 項 assistance“輔助”此處空格前有 even greater來修飾，將這幾個干擾項的名詞含義代入檢測，都與上文沒有必要的相關性，所以都不可作為答案。

6.[A] in terms of 依據，根據 [B] in case of 萬一，假設 [C] in favor of 有利于，支持 [D] in respect of 關于，涉及

【答案】A

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“肥胖經常________體質指數，或稱為 BMI 來定義”。下文根據 BMI 指數的不同對肥胖進行了分級。由此可知，BMI 是一種根據。A 項 in terms of 意為“根據…… ，就…… 而言”，符合句意，為正確答案。在醫學研究和臨床測試中經常使用 BMI 作為衡量受試者健康的重要指標，希望考生能夠記住這一背景知識，方便日后做題。

【命題思路】本題考查對句意的理解，并考查常見詞組的辨析。

【干擾排除】B 項 in case of“萬一，假設”，C 項 in favor of“贊成，以……來取代”，D 項 in respect of “關于”。將此三項代入文中，均不符合題意。這些短語的考查頻率非常高，有些已經成為真題中常見的干擾項，同學們在復習時要加強記憶。

7.[A] measures 測量 [B] determines 決定 [C] equals 等同于 [D] modifies 修改

【答案】C

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“BMI________體重除以身高的平方”。此處用文字敘述了 BMI 指數得出的方法，也就是一個數學公式，所以 equals 符合題意。

【命題思路】本題考查對句意的理解，并考查動詞辨析。

【干擾排除】A 項是強干擾項，有考生看到空格后面是一些計算 BMI 的方法，可能在不太清楚句意的時候會聯想到“測量”的概念，實際上這里需要選擇“所指，等同于”的概念。

8.[A] in essence 本質上 [B] in contrast 相反 [C] in turn 輪流，依次 [D] in part 部分地

【答案】C

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“肥胖________能夠分成中度肥胖、重度肥胖和極度肥胖”。根據語境，本句是將肥胖依次分級，分析四個選項，A 項 in essence“事實上，本質上”，B 項 in contrast“相反地”，C 項 in turn“依次”，D 項 in part“部分地”，C 項符合題意。

【命題思路】本題考查對句意的理解，并考查相似介詞短語辨析。

【干擾排除】此處需要一個插入語來順成上下文的關系，由于下文也沒有揭示肥胖構成的事實，所以 A 項不成立。上下文不存在對立關系，所以不能選 B 項。D 項不符合語義。

While such numerical standards seem __9__， they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, __10__ others with a low BMI may be in poor __11__. For example, many collegiate and professional football players __12__ as obese, though their percentage body fat is low.Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a __13__ BMI.

【譯文】雖然這些數字標準看起來直截了當，實際卻不是這樣。肥胖相比體重而言，更強調脂肪含量。有些人BMI值很高，但是身材卻相當好，有些人BMI值雖然低，但是體型卻很差。例如，有些職業足球運動員被認為很胖，但是身體脂肪量卻很低。相反，一些小個頭的胖子BMI值卻正常。

9.[A] complicated 復雜的，難懂的 [B] conservative 保守的 [C] variable 可變的，易變的 [D]straightforward 簡單的，直接的

【答案】D

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“相比之下，這樣的數字標準看起來________，實際上不是的”。這里的數字標準指肥胖指數，且下文也講述了 BMI 指數的高低并不與身材的好壞成正比，只是這些數字看起來好像能反映與身材之間的關系而已。D 項 straightforward“直截了當的”，符合題意，因此為正確答案。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文語義的理解，并考查形容詞辨析。

【干擾排除】肥胖指數分為三類，而且算法比較簡單，所以 A 項 complicated“復雜的”不正確。B conservative“保守的”，用于描述一種數學公式，不恰當。一名患者或一名受試者的 BMI 一般是確定的，因此C項variable“可變的”也不符合題意。

10.[A] so 所以 [B] while 然而 [C] since 既然，自從 [D] unless 除非

【答案】B

【考點】邏輯關系

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“一些人有很高的 BMI，實際上身材正好，________其他人有較低的 BMI 指數，可能________”。從前半句可看出，有些人的 BMI 指數很高，應該屬于體重肥胖的人，事實上身材正好，這里說明的是反常的現象，后半句是其他人的 BMI 指數較低，而________較差。四個選項中只有 while 有轉折的含義，其他選項均不符合題意，所以正確答案為 B 項。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文語義關系的正確把握。

【干擾排除】A 項表示因果關系，C 項表示原因或讓步關系，D 項表示讓步關系，都不能體現上下文之間的對立關系，非正確答案。

11.[A] shape 形狀，身材 [B] spirit 精神，心靈 [C] balance 平衡，勻稱 [D] taste 味道，品味

【答案】A

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】本句可簡化為：Some … are fit, while others …may be in poor ________.從中可看出前后意義相反，且fit(體型健康的)與in poor ______對應，與之最相關是A項shape“外形”，故為正確答案。

【命題思路】本題考查對句意的正確把握。

【干擾排除】根據上面分析，只要看出前后兩句之間明顯的對立且對應關系，將其他干擾答案項代入，“精神”、“均衡”、“品味”都與原文相差較遠，可以排除。

12.[A] start 開始，啟動 [B] qualify 使有資格，被認為 [C] retire 退休 [D] stay 停留，堅持

【答案】B

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】本句順應前文意義：有一些人體型很好，有些人體型肥胖。接著舉例說有些專業足球運動員____是肥胖的，然而他們的身體脂肪量卻很低。B 項 qualify“被認為”符合句意，正確。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文句意的正確把握。

【干擾排除】將 A、C、D 項代入文中，“開始”、“退休”和“停留”不符合句意。

13.[A] strange 奇怪的 [B] changeable 可改變的 [C] normal 正常的 [D] constant 不變的，恒定的

【答案】C

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】干擾排除本句不難理解，因為句首有 conversely 與上文構成語義對立， 講有些人個頭小，脂肪量過高，但是BMI卻____。所需詞匯明顯是積極方向的，C項“正常的”，為正確答案。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文句意的正確把握。

【干擾排除】根據句意，排除 A、B 項。D 項屬于比較中性的詞，且不符合句意。

Today we have a(an) __14__ to label obesity as a disgrace. The overweight are sometimes __15__ in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes __16__with obesity include laziness, lack of will power, and lower prospects for success. Teachers, employers, and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. __17__very young children tend to look down on the overweight,and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.

【譯文】今天我們都有向肥胖貼歧視標簽的趨勢。媒體中呈現肥胖者時通常把他們的臉蓋起來。與肥胖聯系起來的原型總是包括懶惰，缺乏意志力，對成功的期望值不高。教師，雇員和健康工作者都是對肥胖抱有偏見。甚至小孩子也看不起肥胖的者，在學校嘲笑身材體型不好的同學一直是一個存在的問題。

14.[A] option 選擇(權) [B] reason 原因 [C] opportunity 機會 [D] tendency 趨勢

【答案】D

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在的后半句：to label obesity as disgrace(給肥胖貼上丟人的標簽)，作為空格處的后置定語。下文也在講述媒體、老師、雇員、健康工作者和孩子們都傾向于鄙視肥胖癥的。D 項符合句意。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文信息的理解。

【干擾排除】將 A、B、C 三個選項，“選擇(權)”、“理由”、“機會”代入空格處，均與文意不符。

15.[A] employed 雇傭 [B] pictured 描繪 [C] imitated 模仿 [D] monitored 監控

【答案】B

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】上句提到了我們都傾向于給肥胖貼上歧視的標簽，空格所在句提到了媒體，媒體中將肥胖者的面部成像都進行了面部隱藏處理。根據語境，四個選項中，跟媒體相關的詞匯只有 C 項 picture“刻畫，描寫，描述”，因此為正確答案。

【命題思路】本題考查對句意的理解，并考查動詞辨析。

【干擾排除】此處所提供的選項都是過去分詞作 the overweight 的后置定語，A 項代入后可理解為“被媒體雇傭的肥胖者”，但是后面的介詞應該用 by。C、D 兩項代入后語義與全文不符。

16.[A] computed 計算 [B] combined 聯合 [C] settled 固定 [D] associated 聯系

【答案】D

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“肥胖會與原型___包括懶惰、缺乏意志力和對成功的期望值不高”。空格后面提到的懶惰、缺乏意志力和對成功的期望值不高都是與肥胖進行的人為關聯，分析四個選項，D 項 associated“聯系”，符合句意。

【命題思路】本題考查對句意的理解，并考查動詞辨析。

【干擾排除】首先在結構上能與 with 構成搭配四個選項都可以實現。但是 A 項因為與原文語義差別較大，可首先排除。B 項強調“聯合”，與原文的“聯系”有細微的差別，語義上不能說“原型與某些品質聯合”。

17.[A] Even 甚至 [B] Still 仍然 [C] Yet 然而 [D] Only 僅僅

【答案】A

【考點】邏輯關系

【直擊答案】空格所在句意為“是___小孩子蔑視超重，而且對身材的嘲笑一直是學校的一個問題”。空格缺少一個副詞，構成與上文的聯系。上文講到了大人們都在歧視肥胖(教師、雇員、健康工作者)。根據語境，此處應該填入表示遞進關系的詞匯，分析四個選項，只有 A 項 Even “即使”符合題意。

【命題思路】本題考查上下文的語義關系。

【干擾排除】B 項Still表示遞進關系時其后一般要加逗號。C項Yet用表示上下文的對立關系中。D項Only引導條件關系，與原文語義不符。

Negative attitudes toward obesity, __18__ in health concerns, have stimulated a number of antiobesity __19__. My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama has launched a high visibility campaign __20__ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.

【譯文】基于健康考慮的對肥胖的消極態度，已經引發一系列的對抗肥胖的相關措施。我自己工作的醫院的供飲設備已經停止發放含糖飲料。很多雇員已經有了減肥健身的積極性。米歇爾奧巴馬已經倡議發起一些明確的對抗兒童發胖的活動，甚至表明它是我們最大的安全威脅。

18.[A] despised 蔑視 [B] corrected 修正 [C] ignored 忽視 [D] grounded 以……為基礎

【答案】D

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】空格前講到對肥胖的負面態度，空格后講到對健康的關注，激發一批反肥胖的________。本句沒有出現任何轉折詞，說明空格前后所表達的意思是一致的，反對肥胖，是基于對健康的關注。分析四個選項，能夠表達此意思的詞匯，只有 D 項 grounded“基于”。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文的語義的理解。

【干擾排除】此空是一個過去分詞構成短語作插入語，修飾本句主語 negative attitudes，意為“……的健康關注”，將其他三項語義“受到健康關注的輕視”“基于健康關注的修正”和“對健康關注的忽視”代進去都與原文語義不符，因此不可選。

19.[A] discussions 論述，討論 [B] businesses 商業，交易 [C] policies 政策 [D] studies 研究，學習

【答案】D

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】解答此題需要聯系空格后面緊跟著的句子。空后的句子出現了一系列表示同一個語義場的詞匯，如 hospital system，ban，many employers institute, 指向的意思是一個系統中所出臺的政策的問題。瀏覽四個選項，D項policies 符合題意，直接入選。

【命題思路】本題考查對上下文的語義的理解。

【干擾排除】D 項是強干擾項，代入原文與空格部分形成“對抗肥胖的研究”，但此含義與下文出現的語義場不吻合，因為“研究”一般多出自于機構，科研院所等層面的場所，醫院更多是治病救人的地方。

20.[A] for 為了 [B] against 反對，對立 [C] with 隨著 [D] without 沒有

【答案】B

【考點】詞義辨析

【直擊答案】本段的主題是反對肥胖，本句話屬于細節的句子，用來支持主題，空格所在句講到米歇爾·奧巴馬已經發起了一個高知名度的活動____兒童肥胖，甚至告訴奧茲博士，它代表了我們最大的安全威脅。空格詞匯應該含有“反對，反抗”的意思。縱觀四個選項，只有 B 項 against 符合題意。

【命題思路】本題考查對句子意思的理解。

【干擾排除】其他三個選項使用代入法驗證， A 項 for“對于，因為”干擾性強，代入原文意為“關于兒童肥胖的活動”，與原文語義不符，故不正確。

核心詞匯

deficiency n. 缺陷，缺點 obesity n. 肥大，肥胖

overweight n. 超重 define vt. 給……下定義，解釋;限定，規定

divide vt.劃分，除 collegiate a. 大學的，學院的

conversely ad.相反地 frame n. 框架，結構

disgrace n. 恥辱 v.使…… 失寵，丟臉 prospect n. 前景;景象

tease vt. 戲弄，取笑 harbor n. 海港 vt.庇護，懷有

bias n. 偏見，偏心，偏袒 vt.使有偏見 stimulate vt. 刺激，激勵

facility n. 設施，工具 security n. 安全，保障;抵押品;[pl.] 證券

長難句分析

A number of studies have concluded that normalweight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight.

【分析】該句是一個復合句，句子的主干是 studies haveconcluded that，賓語由 that 引導的從句組成。從句主干是 people are higher risk, 過去分詞短語 compared to…作 diseases 的后置定語，從句的后半部分還嵌有一個定語從句 who are overweight，該句的先行詞是 those，指那些肥胖的人。

Section II Reading Comprehension

Part A

Directions:

Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)

Text 1

What would you do with $590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84--year--old widow who recently emerged from her small, tin--roofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her new--found fortune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton.

These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes old-hat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms. Dumn and Mr. Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time—as stories or memories—particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.

This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most “happiness bang for your buck.” It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib—a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.

Readers of Happy Money are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfillment, not hunger. Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasure of most things for most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’ policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.

21. According to Dumn and Norton, which of the following is the most rewarding purchase?

[A] A big house. [B] A special tour. [C] A stylish car. [D] A rich meal.

22. The author's attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is ________.

[A] critical [B] supportive [C] sympathetic [D] ambiguous

23. McRib is mentioned in Paragraph 3 to show that ________.

[A] consumers are sometimes irrational [B] popularity usually comes after quality

[C] marketing tricks are after effective [D] rarity generally increases pleasure

24. According to the last paragraph, Happy Money ________.

[A] has left much room for readers’ criticism

[B] may prove to be a worthwhile purchase

[C] has predicted a wider income gap in the US

[D] may give its readers a sense of achievement

25. This text mainly discusses how to ________.

[A] balance feeling good and spending money

[B] spend large sums of money won in lotteries

[C] obtain lasting satisfaction from money spent

[D] become more reasonable in spending on luxuries

Text 2

An article in Scientific America has pointed out that empirical research says that, actually, you think you’re more beautiful than you are. We have a deep-seated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategies to research into what they call the “above average effect”, or “illusory superiority”, and shown that, for example, 70% of us rate ourselves as above average in leadership, 93% in driving and 85% at getting on well with others—all obviously statistical impossibilities.

We rose tint our memories and put ourselves into self-affirming situations. We become defensive when criticized, and apply negative stereotypes to others to boost our own esteem, we stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff.

Psychologist and behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into self-enhancement and attractiveness. Rather that have people simply rate their beauty compress with others, he asked them to identify an original photograph of themselves’ from a lineup including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process occurring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent conscious deliberation”. If the subjects quickly chose a falsely flattering image—which must did—they genuinely believed it was really how they looked.

Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that, those who self-enhance the must (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored picture were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded with those who showed other makers for having higher self-esteem. “I don't think the findings that we having have are any evidence of personal delusion”, says Epley. “It's a reflection simply of people generally thinking well of themselves’. If you are depressed, you won't be self-enhancing.

Knowing the results of Epley's study, it makes sense that why people heat photographs of themselves viscerally—on one level, they don't even recognize the person in the picture as themselves. Facebook therefore, is a self-enhancer's paradise, where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit, style, beauty, intellect and lifestyles. “It's not that people's profiles are dishonest”, says Catalina Toma of Wiscon—Madison university,” but they portray an idealized version of themselves.

26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologists have found that ________.

[A] our self-ratings are unrealistically high

[B] illusory superiority is a baseless effect

[C] our need for leadership is unnatural

[D] self--enhancing strategies are ineffective

27. Visual recognition is believed to be people's ________.

[A] rapid watching [B] conscious choice

[C] intuitive response [D] automatic self--defence

28. Epley found that people with higher self-esteem tended to ________.

[A] underestimate their insecurities [B] believe in their attractiveness

[C] cover up their depressions [D] oversimplify their illusions

29. The word “viscerally” (Line 2, Para. 5) is closest in meaning to ________.

[A] instinctively [B] occasionally [C] particularly [D] aggressively

30. It can be inferred that Facebook is self--enhancer’s paradise because people can ________.

[A] present their dishonest profiles [B] define their traditional life styles

[C] share their intellectual pursuits [D] withhold their unflattering sides

Text 3

The concept of man versus machine is at least as old as the industrial revolution, but this phenomenon tends to be most acutely felt during economic downturns and fragile recoveries. And yet, it would be a mistake to think we are right now simply experiencing the painful side of a boom and bust cycle. Certain jobs have gone away for good, outmoded by machines. Since technology has such an insatiable appetite for eating up human jobs, this phenomenon will continue to restructure our economy in ways we can't immediately foresee.

When there is rapid improvement in the price and performance of technology, jobs that were once thought to be immune from automation suddenly become threatened. This argument has attracted a lot of attention, via the success of the book Race Against the Machine, by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, who both hail from MIT's Center for Digital Business.

This is a powerful argument, and a scary one. And yet, John Hagel, author of The Power of Pull and other books, says Brynjolfsson and McAfee miss the reason why these jobs are so vulnerable to technology in the first place.

Hagel says we have designed jobs in the U. S. that tend to be “tightly scripted” and “highly standardized” ones that leave no room for “individual initiative or creativity.” In short, these are the types of jobs that machines can perform much better at than human beings. That is how we have put a giant target sign on the backs of American workers, Hagel says.

It's time to reinvent the formula for how work is conducted, since we are still relying on a very 20th century notion of work, Hagel says. In our rapidly changing economy, we more than ever need people in the workplace who can take initiative and exercise their imagination “to respond to unexpected events.” That's not something machines are good at. They are designed to perform very predictable activities.

As Hagel notes, Brynjolfsson and McAfee indeed touched on this point in their book. We need to reframe race against the machine as race with the machine. In other words, we need to look at the ways in which machines can augment human labor rather than replace it. So then the problem is not really about technology, but rather, “how do we innovate our institutions and our work practices?”

31. According to the first paragraph, economic downturns would ________.

[A] ease the competition of man vs. Machine [B] highlight machines' threat to human jobs

[C] provoke a painful technological revolution [D] outmode our current economic structure

32. The authors of Race Against the Machine argue that ________.

[A] technology is diminishing man's job opportunities [B] automation is accelerating technological development

[C] certain jobs will remain intact after automation [D] man will finally win the race against machine

33. Hagel argues that jobs in the U. S. are often ________.

[A] performed by innovative minds [B] scripted with an individual style

[C] standardized without a clear target [D] designed against human creativity

34. According to the last paragraph, Brynjolfsson and McAfee discussed ________.

[A] the predictability of machine behavior in practice

[B] the formula for how work is conducted efficiently

[C] the ways machines replace human labor in modern times

[D] the necessity of human involvement in the workplace

35. Which of the following could be the most appropriate title for the text?

[A] How to Innovate Our Work Practices? [B] Machines will Replace Human Labor

[C] Can We Win the Race Against Machines? [D] Economic Downturns Stimulate Innovations

Text 4

When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.

Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.

Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.

The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.

There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. Evidence shows that 60, 000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.

Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.

But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing ￡4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015，is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition's spending plans if returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of large--scale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.

36. The author believes that the housing sector ________.

[A] has attracted much attention [B] involves certain political factors

[C] shoulders too much responsibility [D] has lost its real value in economy

37. It can be learned that affordable housing has ________.

[A] increased its home supply [B] offered spending opportunities

[C] suffered government biases [D] disappointed the government

38. According to Paragraph 5, George Osborne may ________.

[A] allow greater government debt for housing

[B] stop local authorities from building homes

[C] prepare to reduce housing stock debt

[D] release a lifted GDP growth forecast

39. It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would ________.

[A] lower the costs of registered providers

[B] lessen the impact of government interference

[C] contribute to funding new developments

[D] relieve the ministers of responsibilities

40. The author believes that after 2015, the government may ________.

[A] implement more policies to support housing

[B] review the need for large--scale public grants

[C] renew the affordable housing grants programme

[D] stop generous funding to the housing sector

Section II Reading Comprehension

Part A

Text 1

21、【答案】B A special tour

【解析】細節題。答案定位在第二段的“it is far better to spend money on experiences?like interesting trips?”，意思是“花錢消費在經歷方面更好??，比如說有趣的旅行??”，由此可以得知答案是 B 選項“一場特別的旅行”。

22、【答案】A critical

【解析】觀點態度題。答案定位在第三段的“something the average American spends a whopping twomonths a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it”，意思是“普通美國人一年花兩個月的時間看電視，并且看電視幾乎不可能更愉快”，因此可以得知作者對于看電視的態度是 A 選項“批判的”。

23、【答案】D rarity generally increases pleasure

【解析】觀點例證題。答案定位在第三段，文章中提到 Mc Rib 這個例子，用這個例子證明的論點是“luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly”，大意是“有節制地消費奢侈品最令人愉悅”，D 選項正是這句論點句的同義替換。

24、【答案】B may prove to be a worthwhile purchase

【解析】細節題。答案定位在最后一段的最后一句“most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent”，大意是“大多數人看完這本書后，認為物有所值”，因此可以推知 B 選項是正確答案。

25、【答案】A balance feeling good and spending money

【解析】主旨題。縱觀全文可知，全文主要談論花錢消費和心情愉悅之間的關系，因此答案定位在 A選項。

Text 2

26、【答案】A our self-ratings are unrealistically high

【解析】題目問“根據第一段，社會心理學家發現了什么?”對應于文章第一段第三句“社會心理學家對所謂的‘高于均數效應’或者‘虛幻的優越感’進行大量的研究，發現我們中 70%的人認為自己的領導力在平均水平之上??—這些數據明顯都是不可能的。”由此可知，我們對自己評價過高。故答案為[A] our self-ratings are unrealistically high。

27、【答案】C intuitive response

【解析】題目問“視覺識別被認為是人們的什么?”對應于文章第三段第三句“視覺識別是自動的心理過程，這個過程依靠直覺快速發生，且并不是故意的。”由此可知，視覺識別被認為是人們的直覺反應。故答案為[C] intuitive response。

28、【答案】B believe in their attractiveness

【解析】題目問“Epley發現有更高自尊的人傾向于怎樣”。對應到第四段，第二句講到“沒有證據顯示那些自我提升最多的人這樣做是為了掩飾自己的不安全，接著講到：事實上，那些認為自己的形象高于吸引力標準的人就是那些表現出更高自尊的人，故答案為[B] believe in their attractiveness。

29、【答案】[A] instinctively

【解析】題目問“最接近 viscerally 的意思的是?”。對應到第五段，viscerally 所在句講到“許多人討厭照片中的自己，從某種層面上說，他們甚至不承認照片中的人是他們自己。”而下文又講到 facebook是自我拔高者的天堂，在那里人們可以分享最滿意的的照片。”由此可知，viscerally 在本句中是“本質上地”意思，故答案為[A] instinctively。

30、【答案】[D]withhold their unflattering sides

【解析】題干問“我們可以推理出臉書(facebook)之所以是一個自我拔高者的天堂，是因為人們可以做什么?”對應于文章最后一段的第二句，該句講到“在臉書(facebook)中，人們可以分享最滿意的照片。”下文接著講到“不是人們不誠實，而是人們展示了自己最理想的形象。”故答案為[D]withhold their unflattering sides。

Text 4

36、【答案】[B] involves certain political factors

【解析】根據本題題干中的關鍵詞 housing sector 可以對應到文章的第二段，中間說的很多，我們注意到最后有 but 出現，最后應該是作者真正想要表達的觀點，另外這里用了 the most significant 較高級，所以最后這個是最重要的一個原因，politically charged 和選項 B 的 political factors 有對應關系，故選 B involves certain political factors。A 項的吸引注意沒有提及，C 項的承擔太多責任，原文說的 shoulder the blame，D 項說的喪失價值，原文說的是不善于表明真正價值，兩者不一致，故排除。

37、【答案】[C] suffered government biases

【解析】經濟適用房曾受到政府的偏見。答案定位到文章第三段最后一句話 It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need. 政府需要把歷史的偏見放在一邊并且采取一些策略解決我們迫切的住房需求。Suffered 是過去式，是對于原文 history 的同義反復，biases 是對原文prejudices 的同義反復。

38、【答案】[A] allow greater government debt for housing

【解析】根據人名 George Osborne 定位得知，此人將會讓當地政府用來償還建房借貸的限額變得更加寬松，并在借貸限額放寬的情況下，將會另有 60,000 所房屋在未來的五年中建立，并由此拉動國內生產總值的百分之零點六。因此 A(允許更大的政府的建房借貸)是正確的，而 B(禁止當地政府建房)，C(準備減少建房借貸)，D(發布國內生產總值增長的預報)都與原文意思不符。

39、【答案】[C] contribute to funding new developments

【解析】推斷題。根據文章題干定位到第五段，題干考察的是對穩定的租賃環境的理解。A 項的意思是“減少注冊供應者的成本”，其中“成本一詞”并未在文中出現，屬于無中生有。B項的意思是“減少政府接介入的影響”，其中“政府介入”并未在文中出現，屬于無中生有。B 項的意思是“有助于為新發展提供資金支持”，其中“為新發展提供資金持”對應文中的“fund new developments”;C選項中的“contribute to”(意思是有助于)對英文中的have a significant impact(意思是有重要影響)，符合正解的同義復現原則，所以是正確選項。

40、【答案】[D] stop generous funding to the housing sector

【解析】推斷題。根據題干定位到最后一段第三行。考察的是 2015 年以后政府的可能性動作。A 項的意思是“推行更多的政策來支持住房”與原文意義相反。B 項的意思是重新審視大規模公共撥款的需求，與原文倒數第二段意義相違背。C 項的意思是更新可負擔的住房撥款項目并沒有提到 renew 一詞。D 項的意思是停止對住房部門的大額資助，與原文的倒數第二句相匹配，故為正確選項。

Part B

Directions:

Read the following text and answer the questions by choosing the most suitable subheading from the list A-G for each numbered paragraphs (41-45). There are two extra subheadings which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)

[A] You are not alone

[B] Don’t fear responsibility for your life

[C] Pave your own unique path

[D] Most of your fears are unreal

[E] Think about the present moment

[F] Experience helps you grow

[G] There are many things to be grateful for

Some Old Truths to Help You Overcome Tough Times

Unfortunately, life is not a bed of roses. We are going through life facing sad experiences. Moreover, we are grieving various kinds of loss: a friendship, a romantic relationship or a house. Hard times may hold you down at what usually seems like the most inopportune time, but you should remember that they won’t last forever.

When our time of mourning is over, we press forward, stronger with a greater understanding and respect for life. Furthermore, these losses make us mature and eventually move us toward future opportunities for growth and happiness. I want to share these old truths I’ve learned along the way.

41._____________________________

Fear is both useful and harmful. This normal human reaction is used to protect us by signaling danger and preparing us to deal with it. Unfortunately, people create inner barriers with a help of exaggerating fears. My favorite actor Will Smith once said, “Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.” I do completely agree that fears are just the product of our luxuriant imagination.

42._____________________________

If you are surrounded by problems and cannot stop thinking about the past, try to focus on the present moment. Many of us are weighed down by the past or anxious about the future. You may feel guilt over your past, but you are poisoning the present with the things and circumstances you cannot change. Value the present moment and remember how fortunate you are to be alive. Enjoy the beauty of the world around and keep the eyes open to see the possibilities before you. Happiness is not a point of future and not a moment from the past, but a mindset that can be designed into the present.

43.______________________________

Sometimes it is easy to feel bad because you are going through tough times. You can be easily caught up by life problems that you forget to pause and appreciate the things you have. Only strong people prefer to smile and value their life instead of crying and complaining about something.

44.________________________________

No matter how isolated you might feel and how serious the situation is, you should always remember that you are not alone. Try to keep in mind that almost everyone respects and wants to help you if you are trying to make a good change in your life, especially your dearest and nearest people. You may have a circle of friends who provide constant good humor, help and companionship. If you have no friends or relatives, try to participate in several online communities, full of people who are always willing to share advice and encouragement.

45.________________________________

Today many people find it difficult to trust their own opinion and seek balance by gaining objectivity from external sources. This way you devalue your opinion and show that you are incapable of managing your own life. When you are struggling to achieve something important you should believe in yourself and be sure that your decision is the best. You live in your skin, think your own thoughts, have your own values and make your own choices.

Part B

41、【答案】[D] Most of your fears are unreal

【解析】本段中出現了多次詞義復現，如Fear is not real以及fears are just the product of our luxuriant imagination(恐懼只是豐富想象的產物)。Unfortunately轉折后作者通過引用Will Smith的話以及自己的總結強調揭示了段落主題。

42、【答案】[E] Think about the presentmoment

【解析】該題所在段落平鋪直敘，因此第一句話為段落中心句，其中關鍵信息是focus on the present moment，與選項E主題詞復現。下文中又多次復現了主題詞，如value the present moment，moment以及present。

43、【答案】[G] There are many things to be grateful for

【解析】該題的解題線索是主題詞復現。段落中的appreciate，smile，value與grateful屬于近義復現，cry和complain與grateful是反義復現。

44、【答案】[A] You are not alone

【解析】段落首句出現了表達強烈語氣的情態動詞should，因此主題句為首句，關鍵信息為you are not alone，與A選項匹配。

45、【答案】[C] Pave your own unique path

【解析】該段落主題句為“When you…you should believe in yourself and be sure that your decision is the best.”作者正面提出了自己的觀點“相信自己以及自己的決定是最佳的”。下文進一步闡釋，其中own thoughts, own values 以及own choices構成了標題中的own unique path。

47.section III Translation

Directions:

Translate the following text from English into Chinese. Write your translation on ANSWER SHEET. (15 points)

Most people would define optimism as endlessly happy, with a glass that’s perpetually half full. But that’s exactly the kind of false cheerfulness that positive psychologists wouldn’t recommend. “Healthy optimism means being in touch with reality,” says Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard professor. According to Ben-Shahar, realistic optimists are those who make the best of things that happen, but not those who believe everything happens for the best.

Ben-Shahar uses three optimistic exercisers. When he feels down —say, after giving a bad lecture —he grants himself permission to be human. He reminds himself that not every lecture can be a Nobel winner; some will be less effective than others. Next is reconstruction. He analyzes the weak lecture, leaning lessons for the future about what works and what doesn’t. Finally, there is perspective, which involves acknowledging that in the grand scheme of life, one lecture really doesn’t matter.

Section  Ⅲ Translation

重點詳解

According to BenShalar, realistic optimists are these who make the best of things that happen, but not those who believe everything happens for the best.

【考點】并列句;定語從句

【解析】①句子主干為 realistic optimists are these, but not these。

②由 but 引起的兩個并列句中實現定語從句的 these who(黑體部分)和 those who(黑體部分)的對應，第一個分句

中嵌套 that 引導的定語從句，第二個分句中的斜體部分為賓語從句，作 believe 的賓語，省略了關系代詞 that

被。

【詞匯】optimist n. 樂觀主義者

【譯文】在本沙哈爾看來，現實的樂觀主義者會因勢利導，而非求全責備。He analyzes the weak lecture, leaning lessons for the future about what works and what doesn't.

【考點】介詞后的賓語從句

【解析】①句子主干為 He analyzes the weak lecture。②非謂語動詞短語 leaning lessons for the future 作主句的目的狀語，lessons 這里理解為“經驗，教訓”。about的賓語是兩個并列的從句 what works and what doesn't，其中 what doesn't 為省略結構，補充完整為 what doesn't work。

【詞匯】analyze v.分析

【譯文】他分析了一些效果不好的演講并且從那些起效和無效的演講中吸取教訓為將來做準備。

全文譯文

大多數人認為樂觀是無盡的歡樂，如同總是有半杯水的杯子。但那是一種絕不會為積極心理學家所稱道的虛假的快樂。哈佛大學的泰·本沙哈爾教授說，“健康的樂觀主義意味著要活在現實之中。”在本沙哈爾看來，現實的樂觀主義者會因勢利導，而非求全責備。

本沙哈爾會使用三種樂觀的方法。比如說，當他因搞砸了一場演講而倍感郁悶的時候，他會告訴自己這是很正常的事，提醒自己：并不是每一次演講都可以獲得諾貝爾獎，總會有一些人的演講效果不及其他人。接著為改進。他分析了一些效果不好的演講并且從那些起效和無效的演講中吸取教訓為將來做準備。最后是看待問題的角度，即在生活的宏偉計劃中，一次演講真的無足輕重。

?Section IV Writing

Part A

47. Directions:

Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student. Write him to email to

1) tell him about your living habits, and

2) ask for advice about living there.

You should write about 100 words on the ANSWER SHEET.

Do not use your own name. Use “Li Ming” instead.

Do not write your address. (10 points)

【范文一】

Dear John,

I am Li Ming who will go to study in your university and live together with you in one department. Now I am writing this letter to tell you some of my habits and ask you for some suggestions to adapt myself there.

To begin with, I usually get up early in the morning at six o’clock and then go out to do some exercise. To continue, I would like to spend my spare time in reading in the library. Meanwhile, I wonder if you could be so kind to offer me some proposals on how to get used to the life there.

I am looking forward to seeing you soon and wish everything goes well.

Yours sincerely,

【范文二】

Dear John,

I'm glad to hear from you. How have you been these days? The purpose of this email is to tell you about my living habits.

Firstly, I never drink or smoke. Neither do I stay up late. Instead, I keep a balanced diet and go to bed before 11 o'clock at night, because I believe burning the midnight oil is harmful to health. Secondly, I'd like to keep my things clean. It is obvious that living in a messy environment results in a chaotic life.

Finally, could you please offer me some proposals as regards living in your city? I'm sure that we can get along well with each other, and our university life would be one of the best times in life. (123 words)

Part B

48. Directions:

Write an essay based on the following chart. In your writing, You should

1) interpret the chart, and

2) give your comments.

You should write about 150 words on the ANSWER SHEET. (15points)

范文一

What is clearly presented in the above chart is the different numbers of urban residents and rural population among 1990,2000 and 2010.The number of urban residents climbed steadily from 300 million in 1990 to 660 million or so in 2010，while rural population decreased slightly from about 820 million to 680 million or so in the same period.

It is not difficult to come up with some possible factors accounting for this trend. On the one hand, with the rapid development of economy and society, people in mounting numbers crowd into cities in search of employment, a decent living and the excitement of urban life recently. On the other hand, the economy in the rural districts is comparative less developed and thus the opportunity to make money and pursue their future is as well lean. As a result, an increasing number of folks are trying to escape this destiny by flocking into the urban areas.

Given the analyses above, I firmly believe that such established trend will surely continue for quite a while in the forthcoming years and due importance should be attached to this evident situation.

范文二

The column chart above clearly reflects the changes in the statistics between urban and rural population in China during the past two decades. For urban dwellers, there was a noticeable jump of 360 million from 300 million to 66 million between 1990 and 2010. By contrast, a remarkable decline occurred in the number of rural population by 160 million from 820 million to 660 million during the same period.

At least three primary contributors account for such changes. First and foremost, there is a much nicer choice of options available in cities and towns, across the broad. There are more jobs to choose from, different kinds of companies and types of work. In addition, big cities offer much more excitement and stimulation, partly as a result of all the various options available in so many areas. More importantly, people prefer to live in cities and towns for the convenience of the transportation system. It would have a well developed bus, subway, highway and airport transportation network.

Generally speaking, people in expanding numbers would prefer to live in cities and towns which offer a rich variety of many options, whether it be for jobs, leisure, cultural or intellectual activities. At the same time, people like the energy and stimulation of a big city environment and the convenience of a well-developed transportation system.