四、閱讀理解（本大題共10小題，每小題2分，共20分）

本部分有兩篇短文，每篇短文后有五個(gè)問(wèn)題,每個(gè)問(wèn)題有四個(gè)選項(xiàng),選擇最佳答案完成句子。錯(cuò)選、多選或未選均無(wú)分。

Passage 1

Beauty has always been regarded as something praiseworthy. Almost everyone thinks attractive people are happier and healthier, but in the executive circle, beauty can become a liability.

While attractiveness is a positive factor for a man on his way up the executive ladder, it is harmful to a woman. Handsome male executives were perceived as having more integrity than plainer men; effort and ability were thought to be causes for their success.

Attractive female executives were considered to have less integrity than unattractive ones; their success was attributed not to ability but to factors such as luck.

All unattractive women executives were thought to have more integrity and to be more capable than the attractive female executives. Interestingly, though, the rise of the unattractive overnight successes was attributed more to personal relationships and less to ability than was that of attractive overnight successes.

Why are attractive women not thought to be able? An attractive woman is perceived to be more feminine and an attractive man more masculine than the less attractive ones. Thus, an attractive woman has an advantage in traditionally female jobs, but she, in a traditionally masculine position appears to lack the “masculine” qualities required.

This is true even in politics. Anne Bowman, an American scholar, once asked 125 undergraduate students to rank two groups of photographs, one of men and one of women, in order of attractiveness. The students were then told the photographs were of candidates for political offices. They were asked to rank them again, in the order they would vote for them.

The results showed that attractive males utterly defeated unattractive men, but the women who had been ranked most attractive invariably received the fewest votes.

56. The word “liability” in the first paragraph most probably means “__________”.

A. reliability                                                     

B. instability

C. disadvantage                                               

D. responsibility

57. In traditionally female jobs, attractiveness __________.

A. reinforces the feminine qualities required

B. makes women look more honest and capable

C. is of primary importance to women

D. often enables women to succeed quickly

58. Bowman’s experiment reveals that when it comes to politics, attractiveness __________.

A. turns out to be an obstacle to men

B. affects men and women alike

C. has as little effect on men as on women

D. is more of an obstacle than a benefit to women

59. It can be inferred from the passage that people’s views on beauty are often __________.

A. practical                                                     

B. prejudiced       

C. old-fashioned                                              

D. radical

60. The author writes this passage to __________.

A. discuss the negative aspects of being attractive

B. give advice to job-seekers who are attractive

C. demand equal rights for women

D. emphasize the importance of appearance

Passage Two

Seoul, once a city for kings, can now claim to be a city for commuters. The third nation in the Orient to develop an underground rapid-transit system, Korea opened its first line in 1974. After 12 years of continuing construction, Seoul had finally completed the rest of its extensive subway system, capable of serving 5 million commuters a day.

The 73-mile-long system is expected to alleviate the acute daily traffic congestion downtown. For an estimated $2.7 billion, the city has built one of the most modern subways in the world, replete with air-conditioning, high-tech ticket machines and escalators to deep stations. The subway stops, bucking an international tradition of dull concrete wall, are attractions themselves: many are lined with shopping arcades, others sponsor art exhibits and several are blasted out of granite and left in their natural state, creating an eerie, cavelike effect.

The subway is a long-term solution to transit problems in a city that is bursting with a large population. It is designed to encourage the growth of satellite cities along the lines that run outside the city proper. Efficiency, safety and economy are the catchwords of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation, which handled construction and now manages the four lines. But traditional concern for cleanliness adds to the popularity of this rapid mode of underground transportation.

Recently 20 couples chose the subway as the site for their wedding ceremonies, proof that the system is heralding a new age of modern living for the inhabitants of the nation’s capital.

61. According to the passage, how long does it take Korea to complete its extensive subway system?

A. Twelve                                                       

B. Five

C. Seventy-three                                              

D. Twenty-seven

62. Which of the following is LEAST likely to be seen in the subways in Seoul?

A. Commuters.

B. Shopping arcades and art exhibits.

C. Natural caves.

D. Wedding couples.

63. Which of the following can be concluded from the passage?

A. The subway system was completed in 1986.

B. Everyday more than 2.7 billion people travel by subway.

C. The subway was built in a huge cave.

D. The subway corporation is making a huge profit.

64. Which of the following is NOT the reason for constructing the underground transit system?

A. The growth of population in the city.

B. The traffic congestion downtown.

C. The traditional concern for a better environment.

D. The lack of wedding ceremony sites.

65. Why do some couples choose the subway as the site for their wedding ceremonies?

A. It is cleaner than places on the ground.

B. It is a symbol of modern living.

C. It is the world’s 7^th largest subway.

D. It is built in the nation’s capital.