Passage Two

　　Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.

　　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 8000 B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased from some 8million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and 1975, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And the population reached 6.2 billion throughout the world by the year 2000. One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000 B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world's population. At present, this number is added every six hours. The increase is about 80,000,000 persons annually.

　　57. The word "demographic" (Line 4, Para. 1) means ________.

　　[A] statistics of human

　　[B] surroundings study

　　[C] accumulation of human

　　[D] development of human

　　58. Which of the following demographic growth patterns 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 exceed birthrates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality.

　　59. 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

　　60. Which statement is TRUE about population increase?

　　[A] There might be an increase of 2.2 billion persons from 1975 to the year 2000.

　　[B] About 50,000 babies are born annually at present.

　　[C] Between 8000 B.C. and the present, the population increase is about 80,000,000 persons

　　each year.

　　[D] The population increased faster between 8000 B.C. and 1650 than between 1650 and the

　　present.

　　61. 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

　　Part V Error Correction (15 minutes)

　　Directions: This part consists of a short passage. In this passage, there are altogether 10 mistakes, one in each numbered line. You may have to change a word, add a word or delete a word. Mark out the mistakes and put the corrections in the blanks provided. If you change a word, cross it out and write the correct word in the corresponding blank. If you add a word, put an insertion mark (∧) in the right place and write the missing word in the blank. If you delete a word, cross it out and put a slash (/) in the blank.

　　Example:

　　Television is rapidly becoming the literature of our periods. 1. time/times/period Many of the arguments having used for the study of literature 2.______________ as a school subject are valid for ∧ study of television. 3.______________ Are you worried about the rising crime rate? If you are, then you probably know that your house,possessions and persons are increasingly in danger of suffering from the tremendous rise in the cases of burglar 62. ________ and assault. Figures indicate that it is an ever-increasing 63. ________ crime rate but it is only too easy to imagine "it will never happen to me". Unfortunately, statistics show it is 64. ________ really can happen to you and, if you live in the large city, you run twice the risk of being a victim. 65. ________ Fortunately, there is something definite what you 66. ________ can do. Protect Alarms can help to protect your house with a burglar alarm system which is effective, simple to operate and easily affordable. You may remember that 67. ________ possessing a burglar alarm is no indication which your 68. ________ house is packed with valuable possessions. It quite simply indicates of unwelcome visitors that yours is one 69. ________ house they will not break into easily so they carry on to an unprotect house where their job is made a lot easier. 70. ________ Send now for our free leaflet telling you how we can protct and alarm your house quickly, easily and cheaply. Complete out and tear off the slip below and 71. ________ post it to us. Postage is free.

　　Part VI Translation (5 minutes)

　　Directions: Complete the following sentences on Answer Sheet 2 by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets.

　　72. Southern Africa has ________________________ (该病的患病率最高，几乎是亚洲的两倍).

　　73. It is time the authorities concerned________________________ (采取适当措施来解决交通).

　　74. In my opinion, playing video games ________________________ (既花费大量的时间也有害健康).

　　75. When it comes to education, ________________________ (多数人都认为教育是终生学习).

　　76. The situation will worsen ________________________ (除非采取措施加以阻止).