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四级单项选择阅读理解附讲解:2012 年 12 月真题(1)
Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming andScanning)
Why Integrity Matters
What is Integrity?
"Integrity" is defined as "adherence to moral andethical principles; honest
y." The key to integrity isconsistency--not only setting high personalstand
ards for oneself (honesty, responsibility, respect for others, fairness) but als
o living upto those standards each day. One who has integrity is bound by a
nd follows moral and ethicalstandards even when making life's hard choices,
choices which may be clouded by stress,pressure to succeed, or temptatio
n.
What happens if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical standards? We f
eel disappointedin ourselves and ashamed. But a lapse of integrity also aff
ects our relationships with others.Trust is essential in any important relation
ship, whether personal or professional. Who cantrust someone who is disho
nest or unfair? Thus, integrity must be one of our most importantgoals.
Risky Business
We are each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making
process has beenundermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of ch
aracter is whether we can learnfrom our mistake, by understanding why we a
cted as we did, and then exploring ways to avoidsimilar problems in the futur
e.
Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We m
ust learn torecognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking, w
e can't make responsiblechoices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules
and be aware of the facts. For example,one who doesn't know the rules abou
t plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas withoutgiving proper credi
t, or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail toq
uote and cite sources as required. But the fact that such a violation is "unin
tentional" doesnot excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a defense.
"But Everybody Does It"
Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts, but manage to fo
ol themselvesabout the risks they’re taking by using excuses:
"Everyone else does it,"
"I'm not hurtinganyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses can get very e
laborate:
"I know I'm looking atanother's exam, even though I'm supposed to keep my
eyes on my own paper, but that's notcheating because I'm just checking my a
nswers, not copying." We must be honest about ouractions, and avoid excus
es. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong,we can'
t see the real choice we're making--and that leads to bad decisions.
To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how yo
u would feel ifyour actions were public, and anyone could be watching over your shoulder. Would you feelproud or ashamed of your actions? If you'd rathe
r hide your actions, that's a good indicationthat you're taking a risk and ratio
nalizing it to yourself.
Evaluating Risks
To decide whether a risk is worth taking, you must examine the consequence
s, in the future aswell as right now, negative as well as positive, and to other
s as well as to yourself. Those whotake risks they later regret usually focus on
immediate benefits ("what's in it for me"), andsimply haven't considered wh
at might go wrong. The consequences of getting caught areserious, and may i
nclude a "0" on a test or assignment; an "F" in the class; Suspension orDism
issal from school; transcript notation; and a tarnished reputation. In fact,
when youbreak a rule or law, you lose control over your life, and give others
the power to imposepunishment: you have no control over what that punish
ment might be. This is an extremelyprecarious and vulnerable position. T
here may be some matters of life and death, or highestprinciple, which migh
t justify such a risk, but there aren't many things that fall in thiscategory.
Getting Away With It--Or Not
Those who don't get caught pay an even higher price. A cheater doesn't learn
from the test,depriving him/herself of an education. Cheating undermines co
nfidence and independence:the cheater is a fraud, and knows that without
dishonesty, he/she would have failed. Cheatingdestroys self-esteem and in
tegrity, leaving the cheater ashamed, guilty, and afraid of gettingcaught. W
orst of all, a cheater who doesn't get caught the first time usually cheats agai
n, notonly because he/she is farther behind, but also because it seems "easier."
This slippery slopeof eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to disaster.
Eventually, the cheater gets caught,and the later he/she gets caught, the wor
se the consequences. Students have been dismissedfrom school because they
didn't get this simple message: Honesty is the ONLY policy thatworks.
Cheating Hurts Others, Too
Cheaters often feel invisible, as if their actions "don't count" and don't really
hurt anyone. Butindividual choices have a profound cumulative effect. Chea
ting can spread like a disease, anda cheater can encourage others just by b
eing seen from across the room. Recent statisticssuggest 30% or more of coll
ege students cheat. If a class is graded on a curve, cheating hurtsothers' gra
des. Even if there is no curve, cheating "poisons" the classroom, and others
mayfeel pressured to join in.
("If I don't cheat, I can't compete with those who do.") Cheating alsohas a d
estructive impact on teachers. The real reward of good teaching is seeing st
udentslearn, but a cheater says,
"I'm not interested in what you're trying to teach; all I care about isstealing a
grade, regardless of the effect on others." The end result is a blatant andde
structive attack on the quality of your education. Finally, cheating can hurt
the reputationof the University, and harm those who worked hard for their d
egree.Why Integrity Matters
If cheating becomes the norm, then we are in big trouble. We must rely on t
he honesty andgood faith of others every day. If not, we couldn't put money
in the bank, buy food, clothing,or medicine from others, drive across a bridge,
get on a plane, go to the dentist--the list isendless. There are many exampl
es of the vast harm that is caused when individuals forget orignore the effec
t their dishonesty can have. The savings and loan scandal, the stock mark
etand junk bond swindles, and, of course, Watergate, have undermined the f
aith of manyAmericans in the integrity of political and economic leaders and
society as a whole. Suchincidents take a tremendous toll on our nation's econ
omy and our individual well-being. Forexample, but for the savings and loan
debacle, there might be funds available to reduce thenational debt and pay
for education.
In sum, we all have a common stake in our school, our community, and our
society. Ouractions do matter. It is essential that we act with integrity in o
rder to build the kind of world inwhich we want to live.
1. A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standards
but also_______.
A) sticks to them in their daily life
B) makes them known to others
C) understands their true values
D)sees that others also follow them
2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional relations
hips?
A) It helps to create team spirit
B) It facilitates communication
C) It is the basis of mutual trust
D) It inspires mutual respect
3. why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take？
A. To ensure we make responsible choices.
B. To avoid being overwhelmed by stress.
C. so that we don’t break any rules.
D. so that we don’t run into trouble.
4. Violation of a rule is misconduct even if _______?
A. it has caused no harm.
B. it is claimed to be unintentional.
C. it has gone unnoticed.
D. it is committed with good intentions.
5. What should one do if he doesn’t wish to fool himself?
A. Avoid making excuses.
B. Listen to other people’s advice.
C. Make his intensions public.D. Have others watch over his shoulder.
6. Those who take risks they regret later on _______.
A. will often become more cautious
B. are usually very aggressive
C. value immediate benefits most.
D. may lose everything in the end
7. According to the author, a cheater who doesn’t get caught right aw
ay will _______.
A) pay more dearly
B) become more confident
C) be widely admired
D) feel somewhat lucky
8. Cheaters at exam don’t care about their education, all they care ab
out is how to_______
9. Integrity matters in that all social activities rely on people’s _____
__
10. Many Americans lost faith in the integrity of their political leaders
as a result of_______.
Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming andScanning)
1. A person of integrity not only sets high moraland ethical standards but al
so _______.
A) sticks to them in their daily life
B) makes them known to others
C) understands their true values
D)sees that others also follow them 【答案】A) sticks to them in their daily life
【解析】第一题的答案就在全文第一句。关键词是 not only…. But also…. ，关键句是
The key to integrityis consistency--not only setting high personal standard
s for oneself (honesty, responsibility,respect for others, fairness) but also li
ving up to those standards each day. 这里的 live up to 和选项里的 stick to 属于
同义替换。
2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships?
A) It helps to create team spirit
B) It facilitates communication
C) It is the basis of mutual trust
D) It inspires mutual respect 【答案】C)
It is the basis of mutual trust
【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 personal and professional ， 关 键 句 是
Trust is essential in any importantrelationship, whether personal or professi
onal. Who can trust someone who is dishonest orunfair? Thus, integrity mus
t be one of our most important goals.
结合紧接着的问句，我们很容易锁定 trust 这个选项。
3. why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take？
A. To ensure we make responsible choices.B. To avoid being overwhelmed by stress.
C. so that we don’t break any rules.
D. so that we don’t run into trouble.
【答案】A. To ensure we make responsible choices.
【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 identify the risks ， 关 键 句 是
Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoidingfuture problems. We mu
st learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we'retaking, we
can't make responsible choices. 所以答案很明显是 A。 4. Violation of a rule is
misconduct even if _______?
A. it has caused no harm.
B. it is claimed to be unintentional.
C. it has gone unnoticed.
D. it is committed with good intentions.
【答案】B. it is claimed to be unintentional.
【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 misconduct ， 关 键 句 是
But the fact that such a violation is "unintentional" doesnot excuse the misc
onduct. 和 原 文 意 义 高 度 一 致 的 ， 就 是 这 个 unintentional 。 因 此 答 案 是 ：
B. it isclaimed to be unintentional.
5. What should one do if he doesn’t wish to fool himself?
A. Avoid making excuses.
B. Listen to other people’s advice.
C. Make his intensions public.
D. Have others watch over his shoulder.
【答案】A. Avoid making excuses.
【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 fool oneself ， 关 键 句 是
To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and trythis test 这 里 的
watch out for 和选项里的 avoid 属于同义替换。所以答案是 A。
6. Those who take risks they regret later on _______.
A. will often become more cautious
B. are usually very aggressive
C. value immediate benefits most.
D. may lose everything in the end
【答案】C. value immediate benefits most.
【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 regret later ， 关 键 句 是
Those who take risks they later regret usually focus onimmediate benefits ("
what's in it for me")。很明显，选项 value immediate benefits most 是正确答案。
这里的 value 和 focus on 属于同义替换。
7. According to the author, a cheater who doesn’t get caught right away will _
______.
A) pay more dearly
B) become more confident
C) be widely admired
D) feel somewhat lucky
【答案】A) pay more dearly【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 get caught ， 关 键 句 是
Those who don't get caught pay an even higher price. 这里的 higher price 和选
项里的 more dearly 属于同义替换。所以答案是 A。
8. Cheaters at exam don’t care about their education, all they care about is h
ow to steal agrade.
【答案】steal a grade
【解析】关键词：care about
关 键 句 ：
I'm not interested in what you're trying to teach; all I care about is stealing a
grade,regardless of the effect on others."
9. Integrity matters in that all social activities rely on people’s honesty and
good faith.
【答案】honesty and good faith
【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 rely on ， 关 键 句 是
We must rely on the honesty and good faith of others everyday.
10. Many Americans lost faith in the integrity of their political leaders as a re
sult of theWatergate scandal.
【答案】the Watergate scandal
【 解 析 】 关 键 词 是 political and economic leaders ， 关 键 句 是
Watergate, have undermined the faith ofmany Americans in the integrity of
political and economic leaders and society as a whole.
