老托福阅读真题及答案：PASSAGE 33

 　　Researchers in the field of psychology¹ have found that one of the best ways to make an important decision, such as choosing a university to attend or a business to invest in, involves the utilization² of a decision worksheet. Psychologists who study optimization³ compare the actual decisions made by people to theoretical ideal decisions to see how similar they are. Proponents⁴ of the worksheet procedure believe that it will yield optimal⁵, that is, the best decisions. Although there are several variations on the exact format⁶ that worksheets can take, they are all similar in their essential aspects. Worksheets require defining the problem in a clear and concise⁷ way and then listing all possible solutions to the problem. Next, the pertinent⁸ considerations that will be affected⁹ by each decision are listed, and the relative importance of each consideration or consequence is determined¹⁰. Each consideration is assigned a numerical value to reflect its relative importance. A decision is mathematically calculated by adding these values together. The alternative with the highest number of points emerges as the best decision.

　　Since most important problems are multifaceted, there are several alternatives to choose from, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. One of the benefits of a pencil and paper decision-making procedure is that it permits people to deal with more variables than their minds can generally comprehend and remember. On the average, people can keep about seven ideas in their minds at once. A worksheet can be especially useful when the decision involves a large number of variables with complex relationships. A realistic example for many college students is the question "What will I do after graduation?" A graduate might seek a position that offers specialized¹¹ training, pursue an advanced degree, or travel abroad for a year.

　　A decision-making worksheet begins with a succinct¹² statement of the problem that will also help to narrow it. It is important to be clear about the distinction between long-range and immediate¹³ goals because long-range goals often involve a different decision than short-range ones. Focusing on long-range goals, a graduating student might revise the question above to "What will I do after graduation that will lead to successful career?"1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

　　(A) A tool to assist in making complex decisions.

　　(B) A comparison of actual decisions and ideal decisions(C) Research on how people make decisions(D) Differences between long-range and short-range decision making2. The word "essential" in line 7 is closest in meaning to(A) introductory

　　(B) changeable

　　(C) beneficial

　　(D) fundamental

　　3. The word "pertinent" in line 9 is closest in meaning to(A) relevant

　　(B) preceding

　　(C) insightful

　　(D) responsive

　　4. Of the following steps, which occurs before the others in making a decision worksheet?

　　(A) Listing the consequences of each solution(B) Calculating a numerical summary of each solution(C) Deciding which consequences are most important(D) Writing down all possible solutions

　　5. According to decision-worksheet theory, an optimal decision is defined as one that(A) has the fewest variables to consider

　　(B) uses the most decision worksheets

　　(C) has the most points assigned to it

　　(D) is agreed to by the greatest number of people6. The author develops the discussion in paragraph 1 by means of(A) describing a process

　　(B) classifying types of worksheets

　　(C) providing historical background

　　(D) explaining a theory

　　7. The author states that "On the average, people can keep about seven ideas in their minds at once (lines 17-18) to explain that(A) most decisions involve seven steps

　　(B) human mental capacity has limitations(C) some people have difficulty making minor¹⁴ as well as major decisions(D) people can learn to keep more than seven ideas in their minds with practice8. The word "succinct "in line 24 is closest in meaning to(A) creative

　　(B) satisfactory

　　(C) personal

　　(D) concise

　　9. Which of the following terms is defined in the passage ?

　　(A) Proponents (line 5)

　　(B) Optimal (line 5)

　　(C) Variables (line 17)

　　(D) Long-range goals (line 25)

　　10. The word "it" in line 24 refers to

　　(A) worksheet

　　(B) problem

　　(C) distinction

　　(D) decision

　　11. The word "revise" in line 26 is closest in meaning to(A) ask

　　(B) explain

　　(C) change

　　(D) predict

　　正确答案：ADADC ABDBB C

 

1 psychology   

n.心理，心理学，心理状态

参考例句：

• She has a background in child psychology.她受过儿童心理学的教育。
• He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.他在剑桥大学学习哲学和心理学。

2 utilization   

n.利用，效用

参考例句：

• Computer has found an increasingly wide utilization in all fields.电子计算机已越来越广泛地在各个领域得到应用。
• Modern forms of agricultural utilization,have completely refuted this assumption.现代农业利用形式，完全驳倒了这种想象。

3 optimization   

n.最佳化，最优化；优选法；优化组合

参考例句：

• Development of detergents has required optimization of the surfactants structure. 发展洗涤剂时，要求使用最恰当的表面活性剂结构。 来自辞典例句
• In the case of productivity tools and other non-entertainment-oriented products, this optimization means minimizing work. 对于生产工具和其他非娱乐导向的产品而言，这意味着将工作负荷降至最低。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

4 proponents   

n.（某事业、理论等的）支持者，拥护者( proponent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Reviewing courts were among the most active proponents of hybrid rulemaking procedures. 复审法院是最积极的混合型规则制定程序的建议者。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• Proponents of such opinions were arrested as 'traitors. ' 提倡这种主张的人马上作为“卖国贼”逮捕起来。 来自辞典例句

5 optimal   

adj.最适宜的；最理想的；最令人满意的

参考例句：

• What is the optimal mix of private and public property rights in natural resources?私人和国家的自然资源产权的最适宜的组合是什么？
• Optimal path planning is a key link for the sailing contest.帆船最优行驶路径规划是帆船比赛取胜的关键环节。

6 format   

n.设计，版式；[计算机]格式，DOS命令:格式化(磁盘)，用于空盘或使用过的磁盘建立新空盘来存储数据；v.使格式化，设计，安排

参考例句：

• Please format this floppy disc.请将这张软盘格式化。
• The format of the figure is very tasteful.该图表的格式很雅致。

7 concise   

adj.简洁的，简明的

参考例句：

• The explanation in this dictionary is concise and to the point.这部词典里的释义简明扼要。
• I gave a concise answer about this.我对于此事给了一个简要的答复。

8 pertinent   

adj.恰当的；贴切的；中肯的；有关的；相干的

参考例句：

• The expert made some pertinent comments on the scheme.那专家对规划提出了一些中肯的意见。
• These should guide him to pertinent questions for further study.这些将有助于他进一步研究有关问题。

9 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

10 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

11 specialized   

adj.专门的，专业化的

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
• These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

12 succinct   

adj.简明的，简洁的

参考例句：

• The last paragraph is a succinct summary.最后这段话概括性很强。
• A succinct style lends vigour to writing.措辞简练使文笔有力。

13 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

14 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。