根据爱因斯坦（Einstein)的说法，不是他比别人聪明，而是他对问题研究得长久些。（not that… but…)

据今天公布的一项新研究说，由于人脑的信息处理能力已经达到极限，因此人类永远不 会变得比今天聪明得多。 英国东部伊普斯威奇市的英国电信公司实验室的科学家称，由于人脑中神经元的大小和 数量与为它们提供营养的血管之间存在微妙的平衡关系，因此根本的改善是不可能的。 这些研究人员称，我们的信息处理能力已经达到最大限度，即充其量达到处理能力的 20%之内。他们的研究成果在《新科学家》杂志上作了报道。 脑的体积不是一个好的衡量智能的指数，但是神经元的数量和它们之间的联系是极为重 要的。 在这个基础上，人类的脑子在动物王国中最复杂的，具有多达1000亿个神经元。同100 万亿个联点、即突触相连接。动物中的复杂性可以与人相比的只有鲸和海豚。 英国电信公司高级应用和技术部的彼得·科克伦和他的同事，对人脑用于开展处理更多 信息或提高工作效率的不同方法作了研究。 他们判断，有一个大一些的脑子在理论上是可能的。但是要使处理能力大大提高的话， 类似电缆的神经细胞轴突将必须加宽，才能使得它们传输信号的速度加快。 反过来，这就要求沿着轴突增加绝缘材料的数量和更好的血液供应，这样将要占据额外 的空间并使得有较少的空间容纳更多的轴突。 此外，对脑子的设计使之尽可能快地把化学信号从一根神经传递到另一根神经。脑子长 得越大，效率变得越低。 英国电信公司小组的成员克赖斯特·温物对《新科学爱》杂志说：“对于脑子，没有递 增改进的道路，这使得生长很困难。 本文主要观点是什么？()A.人类不会变得比今天聪明

B.人脑处理信息的能力已达极限

C.脑子长得越大，效率变得越低

D.没有递增改进脑子的途径

第2段“由于人脑？？是不可能的”这一句话的意思是()。A.人脑中的神经元不可能变大变多

B.脑血管不可能变粗变强

C.人脑的神经元与血管不可能单方面改善

D.人脑的神经元与血管不可能共同有大的改善

“对脑子的设计”指的是什么？()。A.加宽神经细胞轴突

B.沿轴突增加绝缘材料

C.增加血液供应

D.对人脑处理更多信息的研究

符合文意的一项是()。A.人类、鲸和海豚有着同样复杂的脑子

B.科学家有能力使人的脑子变得大一些

C.血管为神经元提供营养，神经元与血管在大脑中存在微妙的平衡

D.脑容量大的人反则比脑容量小的人工作效率低

A、regression

B、reading for ideas only

C、vocalization

D、word-by-word reading

Passage 1 Directions: Read the following passages carefully. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished sentences. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the best answer to each question. For many people today, reading is no longer relaxation. To keep up their work they must read letters, reports, trade publications, interoffice communications, not to mention newspapers and magazines: a never-ending flood of words. In getting a job or advancing in one, the ability to read and comprehend quickly can mean the difference between success and failure. Yet the unfortunate fact is that most of us are poor readers. Most of us develop poor reading habits at an early age, and never get over them. The main problem lies in language itself – words. Single words have little meaning until they are combined into phrases, sentences and paragraphs. Unfortunately, however, the untrained reader does not read groups of words. He reads one word at a time, often regressing to reread words or passages. Regression, or looking back over what you have just read, is a common bad habit in reading. Another habit which slows down the speed of reading is vocalization – sounding each word either orally or mentally as one reads. To overcome these bad habits, some reading clinics use a device called accelerator (加速器), which moves a bar down the page at a predetermined speed. The bar is set at a slightly faster rate than the reader finds comfortable, in order to "stretch" him. The accelerator forces the reader to read fast, making word-by-word reading, regression and vocalization virtually impossible. At first, comprehension is sacrificed for speed. But when you learn to read ideas, you will not only read faster, but your comprehension will improve. Many people have found their reading skills improved a lot after some training. 1. According to the passage, today many people no longer read for ________.

A、news

B、their work

C、information

D、entertainment

A、The reader reads fast, but he understands everything he reads.

B、The reader reads slowly and he understands everything he reads.

C、The reader reads fast without understanding everything he reads.

D、The reader reads slowly, but he doesn't understand everything he reads.

A、they don't read groups of words

B、they don't like to be trained in reading skills

C、they don't realize they have poor reading habits

D、they don't understand words when put together

A、It helps people read at a comfortable speed.

B、It makes people stretch their eyes when reading.

C、It forces people to overcome bad reading habits.

D、It lets people look back over what they have just read.

Passage 2 Directions: Read the following passages carefully. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished sentences. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C, and D. Choose the best answer to each question. Like death and taxes, there is no escaping color. That is, it seems to be everywhere. Yet what does it all mean? Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms? Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today researchers have generally found the following to be accurate. Black is the color of power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission (顺从). Priests（牧师） wear black to show submission to God. But black clothes can also be overpowering. Brides wear white as a symbol of purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in fashion because it is light and goes with everything. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply that they are clean. As the most emotionally strong color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. The color of the sky and the ocean, blue causes the opposite reaction (反应) as red. Peaceful blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Fashion advisors recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it stands for loyalty (忠诚) . People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms. Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision (视力). It is a calming color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered a cheerful color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. 6. What does the author most probably mean by "there is no escaping color" (Para. 1)?

A、Color is actually everywhere.

B、Color is sometimes frightening.

C、People find it difficult not to use colors.

D、People have discovered all kinds of colors.

A、Red clothes can attract greater attention.

B、Black clothes can make people look heavier.

C、Doctors wear white clothes to calm down patients.

D、Job interviewees wear blue clothes to relax themselves.