《托福TPO30阅读Passage2原文文本+题目+答案解析.pdf》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《托福TPO30阅读Passage2原文文本+题目+答案解析.pdf（8页珍藏版）》请在三一文库上搜索。
1、 为了帮助大家高效备考托福， 为大家带来托福 TPO30 阅读 Passage2 原文文本+题目+答案 解析，希望对大家备考有所帮助。 The Pace of Evolutionary Change A heated debate has enlivened recent studiesof evolution.Darwins original thesis,and theviewpoint supported by evolutionary gradualists,isthat species change continuously but slowly and insmall increm
2、ents.Such changes are all but invisible over the short time scale of modernobservations,and,it is argued,they are usually obscured by innumerable gaps in theimperfect fossil record.Gradualism,with its stress on the slow pace of change,is a comfortingposition,repeated over and over again in generatio
3、ns of textbooks.By the early twentiethcentury,the question about the rate of evolution had been answered in favor of gradualism tomost biologistssatisfaction. 最近的一个关于进化的研究引发了激烈的争论。达尔文的原始论点和进化渐进主义者支 持的观点是物种会持续地改变，但非常缓慢，增量也很小。这种改变是普遍的，但是现在短 时间的观察是不能察觉的，并且，这个观点声称，它们通常被掩盖于不完美的化石记录的不 可计数的缺失中。渐进主义及其对物种缓慢变
4、化的引力让人欣然接受，并在世代的教科书中 重复出现。 在 20 世纪早前之前， 令大部分的生物学家满足于利用渐进主义来回答关于进化速 率的问题。 Sometimes a closed question must be reopened as new evidence or new arguments basedon old evidence come to light.In 1972 paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredgechallenged conventional wisdom with an opposing viewpoi
5、nt,the punctuated equilibriumhypothesis,which posits that species give rise to new species in relatively sudden bursts,without a lengthy transition period.These episodes of rapid evolution are separated byrelatively long static spans during which a species may hardly change at all. 有时，已经有了结论的问题必须由在已
6、有证据基础上出现的新的证据和新的论点使其重 新展开讨论。在 1972 年，古生物学者 Stephen Jay Gould 和 Niles Eldredge 用相反的论点挑 战了世俗的结论，即断点平衡说，它假设了物种演变为新的物种是通过相对突然的爆发，并 非通过长时间的过渡时期。迅速的进化期被时间相对更长的静态期分开，而在静态时期，物 种是几乎完全不变的。 The punctuated equilibrium hypothesis attempts to explain a curious feature of thefossil recordone that has been familiar
7、 to paleontologist for more than a century but hasusually been ignored.Many species appear to remain unchanged in the fossil record for millionsof yearsa situation that seems to be at odds with Darwins model of continuous change.Intermediated fossil forms,predicted by gradualism,are typically lackin
8、g.In most localities agiven species of clam or coral persists essentially unchanged throughout a thick formationof rock,only to be replaced suddenly by a new and different species. 断点平衡论试着去解释化石记录的一个古怪的特点-在超过一个世纪的时间里它已经 为古生物学者所熟悉， 但一直被忽视。 许多物种似乎在上百万年的化石记录中一直没有改变， 这个情况与达尔文的模型所支持的物种的持续变化相悖。进化渐进论的支持者所预测
9、的中间 状态的化石一直没有出现。在大部分蛤和珊瑚的聚集地，其化石在很厚的岩石中都实际上没 有变化，只是突然被另一新的并且不同的物种而取代。 The evolution of North American horse,which was once presented as a classic textbookexample of gradual evolution,is now providing equally compelling evidence for punctuatedequilibrium.A convincing 50-million-year sequence of moder
10、n horse ancestorseachslightly larger,with more complex teeth,a longer face,and a more prominent central toeseemed to provide strong support for Darwins contention that species evolve gradually.But close examination of those fossil deposits now reveals a somewhat different story.Horsesevolved in disc
11、rete steps,each of which persisted almost unchanged for millions of years andwas eventually replaced by a distinctive newer model.The four-toed Eohippus preceded thethree-toed Miohippus,for example,but North American fossil evidence suggests a jerky,uneven transition between the two.If evolution had
12、 been a continuous,gradual process,one might expect that almost every fossil specimen would be slightly different from every year. 北美马的进化曾经被用作经典的教科书案例来证明渐变进化论，现在却为断点平衡学提 供了同样有说服力的证据。一个有说服力的 5 千万年的马祖先的进化模型-每一代都稍稍 大一点，有更复杂的牙齿，更长的脸，和中间更突出的脚趾-这一切都看似强有力的支持 了达尔文的论点，物种是逐步地进化的。但是，对这些化石更严谨的验证现在揭示了一个不 太一样的故事。
13、马是在不连续的步骤中进化的，其中每个进化步骤中间都有上百万年时间保 持不变，在最后被一个不同的更新的模型取代。比如四只脚趾的 Eohippus 在三只脚趾的 moihippus 之前，但北美化石证据表明在这之间有一个不平稳的，不均衡的转换过程。如果 进化一直都是连续， 渐进的过程， 人们应该预期到的是每年的化石样本都会存在细微的差别。 If it seems difficult to conceive how major changes could occur rapidly,consider this:analteration of a single gene in files is eno
14、ugh to turn a normal fly with a single pair of wings intoone that has two pairs of wings. 如果很难设想大的改变会迅速发生，想想这些：一个单一基因的改变就足以将有一对翅 膀的苍蝇变成两对翅膀。 The question about the rate of evolution must now be turned around:does evolutionever proceed gradually,or does it always occur in short bursts?Detailed field
15、studies of thickrock formations containing fossils provide the best potential tests of the competing theories. 关于进化速度的问题现在发生了转变：进化过程是逐渐发生的么，还是总是突然短时间 的爆发?对含有化石的厚岩层的细致的现场调查可以检验这两个备受争论的理论。 Occasionally,a sequence of fossil-rich layers of rock permits a comprehensive look atone type of organism over a
16、long period of time.For example,Peter Sheldons studies oftrilobites,a now extinct marine animal with a segmented body,offer a detailed glimpse intothree million years of evolution in one marine environment.In that study,each of eightdifferent trilobite species was observed to undergo a gradual chang
17、e in the number ofsegmentstypically an increase of one or two segments over the whole time interval.Nosignificant discontinuous were observed,leading Sheldon to conclude that environmentalconditions were quite stable during the period he examined. 偶尔，有一个系列的化石丰富的岩石可以允许人们综合性的观察一种生物在很长一段时 间中的变化。比如，Pete
18、r Sheldon 对于三叶虫，一种已灭绝的身体分节的海洋生物，的研究 提供了其对三百万年来在同一海洋环境下进化的一些细节。研究中，八种三叶虫都观察到了 其身体节数数量逐渐改变的过程，在整个时间段中，一般身体都增加了一到两节。没有明显 的不连贯，这使 sheldon 得出结论：海洋环境在那段时间是比较稳定的。 Similar exhaustive studies are required for many different kinds of organisms from manydifferent periods.Most researchers expect to find that bo
19、th modes of transition from onespecies to another are at work in evolution.Slow,continuous change may be the normduring periods of environmental stability,while rapid evolution of new species occurs duringperiods of environment stress.But a lot more studies like Sheldons are needed before we cansay
20、for sure. 很多来自不同时期的不同的生物都需要开展相似的相近研究。大多数研究者希望发现物 种进化的这两种模式都存在。缓慢的，连续的变化可能是在环境稳定的时间段下的规律，而 快速进化的新物种则发生在环境变化时期的压力下。但是，我们需要更多的想 Sheldon 所做 的研究以证明这个观点。 托福阅读试题 1.The word“innumerable“in the passage isclosest in the meaning to A.countless. B.occasional. C.large. D.repeated. 1.innumerable 是不可计数的，A 是无数的，B 是
21、偶然的，C 是大的，D 是重复的。这个 单词是 numerable 加否定前缀，很容易就能推出意思来。 2.According to paragraph 1,all of the following are true EXCEPT A.Darwin saw evolutionary change as happening slowly and gradually. B.Gaps in the fossil record were used to explain why it is difficult to see continuous smallchanges in the evolution
22、 of species. C.Darwins evolutionary thesis was rejected because small changes could not be observed inthe evolutionary record. D.By the early twentieth century,most biologists believed that gradualism explainedevolutionary change. 2.A 答案对应第一段第二句，B 对应第一段第三句，D 对应一段最后一句。C 与原文冲突， 原文一直在说 darwin 理论被人们广泛接受
23、。 3.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in thehighlighted sentence in the passage paragraph 2?Incorrect choices change themeaning in important ways or leave out essential information. A.The punctuated equilibrium hypothesis challenged gradualism,which holds that spe
24、ciesevolve in relatively sudden bursts of brief duration. B.The punctuated equilibrium hypothesis developed by Stephen Jay Gould and NilesEldredge was challenged in 1972.C.In 1972 Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge challengedgradualism by positing that change from one species to another cannot occ
25、ur without alengthy transition period. D.The punctuate equilibrium hypothesis,in opposition to gradualism,holds that transitionsfrom one species to another occur in comparatively sudden burst. 3.高亮句子的主干部分是断点平衡论挑战了原来的渐进论，然后解释了断点平衡论的内 容。A 选项 which 修饰不明，容易产生误解;B 选项与原文矛盾，C 与原文不符，原文 S 和 N 的观点是 change 的发生
26、是 withoutlengthy transition 的。D 和原文意思相符，并且也包含 了所有的主干部分。 4.According to paragraph 1 and paragraph 2,the punctuated equilibrium hypothesisand the gradualism hypothesis differed about A.Whether the fossil record is complete. B.Whether all species undergo change. C.Whether evolution proceeds an a consta
27、nt rate. D.How many new species occur over long periods of time. 4.根据原文， 渐进论是说物种演变是通过长时间的缓慢改变发生的;断点平衡论是说物种 演变是短期爆发的。所以选择 C，进化是否是匀速发生的。 5.According to paragraph 3,the lack of intermediate fossils in the fossil record ofsome species A.has been extensively studied by paleontologist for over a century.
28、B.contradicts the idea that most species have remained unchanged for millions of years. C.challenges the view that evolutionary change is gradual. D.is most common in the fossil records of clam and coral species. 5.根据 lack of intermediate fossils 定位到第三段倒数第二句， 在往前看一句说， 这 一情况对于达尔文学说是不和的，而达尔文学说正是渐进论，这一
29、段的最后也说原来的物种 突然被替换，而不是渐渐进化改变的。所以 C 符合原文意思。A 与原文第一句破折号后矛盾， 原文说这一现象一直被 Ignored，B 选项原文矛盾，该现象应该是反对了达尔文学说，支持了 物种有长期不改变的论点。D 虽然正确但是只是本段的细节，不能表达主题，所以不选。 6.The word“compelling“in the passage paragraph 4 is closest in the meaning to A.surprising. B.persuasive. C.controversial. D.detailed. 6.Compel 本身是强迫，此处作为
30、evidence 的形容词可以延伸为说服力强的。因此答案 选 B 有说服力的。A 是惊奇的，C 是有争议的，D 是细节的。都不沾边。另外通过句义可以判 断， 前文说马的进化 was once 是经典的渐进论的证明， is now(轻微转折)提了“equally“怎么 样的证据证明了点断平衡论，前文既然说对 gradualevolution 很支持，那么后文出现 equally，那应该对点断论也是有力证据。因此选 B。 7.Paragraph 4 mentions that North American horses have changed in all the followingways E
31、XCEPT in A.the number of toes they have. B.the length of their face. C.their overall size. D.the number of years they live. 7.对应部分在第四段的第二句和第五句，只有 D 选项没有出现。 8.The word“alteration“in the passage paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to A.imperfection. B.replacement. C.change. D.duplication. 8.这一句话说一个怎么样的单
32、一基因就足以变一个普通飞禽的一对的正常翅为两对翅 膀，所以有推理应该是要改变这个基因。所以选 C，Alteration 是修改，变更，A 选项是不 完美，B 是替换，D 是复制带入后都改变了原文的意思。 9.According to paragraph 7,Peter Sheldons studies demonstrated which ofthefollowing about trilobites? A.They underwent gradual change over a long time period. B.They experienced a number of disconti
33、nuous transitions during their history. C.They remained unchanged during a long period of environmental stability. D.They evolved in ways that cannot be counted for by either of the two competing theories. 9.根据 Peter Sheldon 定位到原文第二句。后面对 trilobites 进行了描述，A 选项对应 了原文第三句，后文又继续说没有明显的断点。所以 A 正确。B 与原文第四句冲
34、突。C 与第三 句冲突，D 原文没有这种说法。而且上文也表明它符合 gradual evolvement。 10.The word“occasionally“in the passage paragraph 7 is closest in meaning to A.undoubtedly. B.basically. C.once in a while. D.to some extent. 10.occasionally， 是偶然偶尔的意思。 A 是毫无疑问的， B 是基本上， C 是偶尔有一次。 D 是在一定程度上。因此应该选 C。并且上文提出问题说是否有过逐渐进化?那么下文给的是一 个逐渐进
35、化的例子，所以应该是在表达偶尔有一两个的意思。 11.The main purpose of paragraph 7 is to A.Describe one test of the competing theories. B.Provide an example of punctuated equilibrium. C.Describe how segmented animals evidence both competing theories. D.Explain why trilobites became extinct. 11.上文说实地勘测会给 competing theories
36、提供 test，第七段就给了试验例子，那么 就证明是 A 正确。B 与原文冲突，这个例子是支持渐进论的。C 也不对，理由同上。D 与原文 目的不符。 12.Look at the four squaresthat indicate where the following sentence can beadded to the passage.Where could the sentence best fit?They believe thatenvironmental conditions may play a crucial role in determining which of the
37、twomodes will be in operation over a given period. 【A】Similar exhaustive studies are required for many different kinds of organisms frommany different periods.【B】Most researchers expect to find that both modes of transitionfrom one species to another are at work in evolution. 【 C】 Slow,continuous ch
38、ange may bethe norm during periods of environmental stability,while rapid evolution of new speciesoccurs during periods of environment stress.【D】But a lot more studies like Sheldons areneeded before we can say for sure. 12.首先句子开头出现了 They，那么我们应该能在前文找到一个提到人物的地方，句子 又提出 environmentalcondition 的作用， 那么后文应
39、该会出现对这一理论的解释， 那么 C 是 符合的，也可以进行代入验证。 13.Directions:selected from the seven phrases below the phrases that correctlycharacterize punctuated equilibrium and the phrases that correctly characterizegradualism.Two of the phrases will not be used.This question is worth 3 points. A.States that new species e
40、merge from existing species during relatively brief period of time. B.Was first formulated by Charles Darwin. C.Explain why North American horses have become smaller over time. D.States that new species evolve slowly and continuously from existing species. E.Explain the lack of intermediate fossil f
41、orms in the fossil record of many species. F.Competition is usually strongest when the density of the competing populations is the same. G.States that a species will not change unless its environment changes. 1) Gradualism A B C D E F G 2) punctuated equilibrium A B C D E F G 13.A 断点平衡论论点为物种变化发生突然，快速，符合。B 对应文章第一段第一句话， 符合渐进论。 C 与原文第四段第二句矛盾， 原文说马进化会变大。 不选。 D 原文第一段第一句， 符合渐进论。E 对应原文第三段。符合点断平衡论。F 原文没提到，不选。G 原文最后一段， 说渐进论应该会是环境比较稳定的情况下的进化规则。符合渐进论。 以上是给大家整理的托福 TPO30 阅读 Passage2 原文文本+题目+答案解析， 希望对你有所 帮助!