Question

Feeling blue about the world? “Cheer up.” says science writer Matt Ridley. “The world has never been a better place to live in, and it will keep on getting better both for humans and for nature.”

Ridley calls himself a rational optimist—rational, because he's carefully weighed the evidence; optimistic, because that evidence shows human progress to be both unavoidable and good. And this is what he's set out to prove from a unique point of view in his most recent book, The Rational Optimist. He views mankind as a grand enterprise that, on the whole, has done little but progress for 100,000 years. He backs his findings with hard facts gathered through years of research.

Here's how he explains his views.

1 ) Shopping fuels invention

It is reported that there are more than ten billion different products for sale in London alone. Even allowing for the many people who still live in poverty, our own generation has access to more nutritious food, more convenient transport, bigger houses, better cars, and, of course, more pounds and dollars than any who lived before us. This will continue as long as we use these things to make other things. The more we specialize and exchange, the better off we'll be.

2) Brilliant advances

One reason we are richer, healthier, taller, cleverer, longer­lived and freer than ever before is that the four most basic human needs—food, clothing, fuel and shelter—have grown  a lot cheaper. Take one example. In 1800 a candle providing  one hour's light cost six hours' work.  In the 1880s the same light from an oil lamp took 15 minutes' work to pay for.  In 1950 it was eight seconds. Today it's half second.

3 ) Let's not kill ourselves for climate change

Mitigating (减轻) climate change could prove just as damaging to human welfare as climate change itself.  A child that dies from indoor smoke in a village, where the use of fossil­fuel (化石燃料) electricity is forbidden by well­meaning members of green political movements trying to save the world, is just as great a tragedy as a child that dies in a flood caused by climate change. If climate change proves to be mild, but cutting carbon causes real pain, we may well find that we have stopped a nose­bleed by putting a tourniquet (止血带) around our necks.

1.What is the theme of Ridley's most recent book?

A. Optimism about human progress.    B. Concern about climate change.

C. Importance of practical thinking.    D. Weakness of human nature.

2.How does Ridley look at shopping?

A. It demands more fossil fuels.    B. It results in shortage of goods.

C. It encourages the creation of things.    D. It causes a poverty problem.

3.The candle and lamp example is used to show that ________.

A. oil lamps give off more light than candles

B. increased production rate leads to lower cost of goods

C. advanced technology helps to produce better candles

D. shortening working time brings about a happier life

4.What does the last sentence of the passage imply?

A. Cutting carbon is necessary in spite of the huge cost.

B. People's health is closely related to climate change.

C. Overreaction to climate change may be dangerous.

D. Careless medical treatment may cause great pain.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇议论文，作家Ridley对人类的未来很乐观，认为人类会越来越幸福，他提供了三个方面的证据证明自己的观点。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段第一句Ridley calls himself a rational optimist—rational, because he's carefully weighed the evidence; optimistic, because that evidence shows human progress to be both unavoidable and good.可知Ridley对人类的未来十分乐观。这一观点也会体现在他的书里。故A项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据倒数第三段倒数第二句This will continue as long as we use these things to make other things.可知只要我们使用这些东西去生产其他东西，幸福的生活就一直会继续下去。也就是说shopping鼓励创造。故C项正确。

3.推理判断题。根据倒数第二段第一句the four most basic human needs—food, clothing, fuel and shelter—have grown a lot cheaper.可知衣食住行都比以前便宜很多 ，接着列举了蜡烛和灯的例子，就是为了证明生产效率的提高会减低产品的价格。故B项正确。

4.推理判断题。根据文章最后一句If climate change proves to be mild, but cutting carbon causes real pain, we may well find that we have stopped a nose­bleed by putting a tourniquet (止血带) around our necks.可知如果气候变化很温和，那么减少碳排放就会带来痛苦。也许我们会发现我们通过把止血带缠在脖子上来止住鼻血。也就是说我们对气候变化的反应过度了。故C项正确。