Ⅲ．Reading Comprehension (30 points, 2 points for each item)
从下列每篇短文的问题后所给的四个选项中选出一个最佳答案，并在答题纸上将相应的答案涂黑。
Passage One
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage.
The communication process begins with the formulation of an idea or the selection of information by its sender. The sender then encodes the idea into symbols, thereby creating a message, which is subsequently transmitted (传送) through one or more channels (e.g., speaking, writing, or electronic media). It is at this point that the receiver decodes(解码) and attaches meaning to the message. If effective communication has occurred, the receiver will understand the idea and information as the sender intended. Unfortunately, the potential for physical and perceptual noise, which can distort the intended message of the sender, is present at every stage of the process. Fortunately, noise can be overcome through effective feedback(反馈), a response from the sender that allows misunderstandings to be identified and resolved. Twoway communication-communication that allows feedback-is almost always more effective than oneway communication.
Each of the steps in the communication process has potential problems that can impede(妨碍) effective communication. During encoding, the primary difficulty usually results from the nature of symbols and the semantic (语义) variation in their meanings. In addition to these distortions, the sender must also be aware of nonverbal messages that might distort the message. This awareness is important because research has shown that nonverbal messages are given greater weight by the receiver when decoding and attaching meaning to the message. The effectiveness of encoding will be increased if the sender develops empathy (感情移入) for the receiver and is aware of his or her own feelings and emotions. The key to effective transmission of the message is choosing the most appropriate channel or channels of media for the situation.
21. The best title for the passage is ________.
A. Communication Process B. Communication
C. Effective Communication D. Transmission of Messages
22. Twoway communication is more effective than oneway communication because ________.
A. it allows feedback
B. it can distort the intended message of the sender
C. the sender is aware of the nonverbal messages that might distort the message
D. none of the above
23. Unless the receiver understand the idea and information as the sender intended, ________.
A. effective communication can be achieved
B. effective communication cannot be achieved
C. the communication process will not end
D. both B and C
24. Problems that might impede effective communication are caused by________.
A. the nature of symbol
B. the semantic variation in their meanings
C. nonverbal messages
D. all of the above
25. Which of the following is critical to effective communication?
A. Creating a message.
B. Developing empathy for the receiver.
C. Overcoming noise through effective feedback.
D. Choosing the most appropriate channel or channels of media.
Passage Two
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.
Scientists claim that air pollution causes a decline in the world's average air temperature. In order to prove that theory, ecologists have turned to historical data in relation to especially huge volcanic eruptions. They suspect that volcanoes affect weather change that are similar to air polluiton.
One source of information is the effect of the eruption of Tambora, a volcano in Sumbawa, the Dutch East Indias, in April 1815. The largest recorded volcanic eruption, Tambora threw 150 million tons of fine ash into the stratosphere(平流层). The ash from a volcano spreads worldwide in a few days and remains in the air for years. Its effect is to turn incoming solar radiation into space and thus cool the earth. For example, records of weather in England show that between April and November 1815, the average temperature had fallen 4.5 . During the next twentyfour months, England suffered one of the coldest periods of its history. Farmers' records from April 1815 to December 1818 indicate frost throughout the spring and summer and sharp decreases in crop and livestock markets. Since there was a time lag(滞后) of several years between cause and effect, by the time the world agricultural commodity community had deteriorated, no one realized the cause.
