点击查看：2018年12月六级阅读练习题及答案汇总

　　We can begin our discussion of ―population as global issue‖ with what most persons mean when they discuss ―the population problem‖: too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year. The facts are not in dispute, It was　quite right to employ the analogy that likened demographic growth to ―a long, thin powder fuse that burns steadily and haltingly　until it finally reaches the charge and explodes.‖

　　To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the　history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of　demographic history, we find that populations have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history.

　　For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There was high fertility in most places, but this was　usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past　forty, while infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because　death rates could exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent　extinction of the human race.

　　This pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical　perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden enthusiasm for more　children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality.

　　Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8,000　BC.till approximately AD. 1650. In the first period of some 9600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500　million in 1650. Between 1650 and the present, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And it is　estimated that by the　year 2000 there will be 6.2 billion people throughout the world. One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract　numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000BC and 1650, an average of only　50,000 persons was being added annually to the world‘s population each year. At present, this number is added every six hours.

　　The increase is about 80,000,000 persons annually.

　　1.Which of the following demographic growth pattern is　most suitable for the long thin powder fuse analogy?

　　A.A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a　sudden explosion of population.

　　B.A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid,　dramatic increase.

　　C.Too many people on earth and a few rapid increase in the　number added each year.

　　D.A long period when death rates exceeds birthrates and then　a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality.

　　2.During the first period of demographic history, societies　were often in danger of extinction because___.

　　A.only one in ten persons could live past 40.

　　B.there was higher mortality than fertility in most places.

　　C.it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor　conditions.

　　D.our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more children.

　　3.Which statement is true about population increase?

　　A.There might be an increase of 2.2 billion persons from　now to the year 2000.

　　B.About 50,000 babies are born every six hours at present.

　　C.Between 8000 BC and the present, the population increase　is about 80,000,000 persons each year.

　　D.The population increased faster between 8000BC and 1650 than between 1650 and the present.

　　4.The author of the passage intends to___.

　　A.warn people against the population explosion in the near　future.

　　B.compare the demographic growth pattern in the past with　that after 1650.

　　C.find out the cause for rapid increase in population in recent　years.

　　D.present us a clear and complete picture of the demographic　growth.

　　5.The word ―demographic‖ in the first paragraph means___.

　　A.statistics of human.

　　B.surroundings study.

　　C.accumulation of human.

　　D.development of human.

　　答案：ABADA

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