二000年下半年广东省高等教育自学考试英语（二)2

III. Reading Comprehension ( 30 points, 20 points for each)
下列每篇短文的问题后所给出的四个选择项中选出一个答案，并在答题卡上将相应
的字母涂黑。
Passage One
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage.
The economic costs of noise to society are several. Airports are currently
operating at less than capacity because of noise regulations which restrict their
hours of operation. For instance, at Washington’ s National Airport on jet traffic
is allowed from 11 pm to 7 am. Other airports restrict the use or certain runways.
One estimate is that noise restrictions reduce possible airport use by 20 percent.
The profitable cargo trade is especially affected by night restrictions.
In the case of airports, jet engines may be modified to reduce their noise level,
or insulation (隔音) from air traffic noise may be provided by the purchase of
land around airports or the insulation of buildings . One setimate is that $5.7
billion would be required to equip all existing jet engines with noise control
devices. Howevr, considering die current state of the art, even taking this step
will not reduce noise levels at all points to acceptabel values, Some combination
of methods is probably necessary.
If all aircraft were made quieter by existing methods , there would be a number
of economic benefits. An increase in airport capacity would occur. Property values
near airports might rise. Transportation costs to and from airports could be
reduced since the airports now could be located closer to population centers.
Much research still needs to be done on the economic aspects of noise reduction
and noise effects. Although some of the effects of noise pollution are known,
more must , be discovered about its efects on health, productivity, property
values and the quality of life . Furthermore, the cost of noise pollution control
to the economy as a whole needs to be investigated.
The public must e alerted to the dangers and economic costs of noise pollution
so that people may make intelligent choices and exert appropriate pressures.
21. There is no jet traffic at Washington’ s National Airport from 11 pm to 7
am because ___.
[ A ] it is extremely dangerous to fly in the dark
[ B ] noise regulations restrict the hours of airport operation
[ C ] some of its runways are not in good condition
[ D ] cargo planes produce disturbing noises
22. "The current state of the art" (in Para. 2) means .
[ A ] a developed sense of beauty [ B ] the volume of present - day traffic
[ C ] the most recently developed technology [ D ] insulation of air traffic noise
23. Noise reduction could lead to __.
[ A ] increased airport capacity [ B ] lower property values
[ C ] effective modification of existing jet engines
[ D ] more transportation costs to and from airports
24. What is NOT mentioned in the passage?
[ A ] Psychological strain. [ B ] Handling capacity of cargo.
[ C ] Measures for noise reduction. [ D ] Public Pressures.
25. The author of the passage is concerned primarily with__.
[ A ] the effects of noise on the quality of life
[ B ] the role of air traffic restrictions
[ C ] the production of quieter engines
[ D ] the economic aspects of noise reduction