四、Reading Comprehension (75 points)Directions: There are four reading passages in this part.Each passage is followed by five questions.For each question there are four suggested answers marked A, B, C and D.Choose one best answer and blacken the corresponding letter on ANSWER SHEET Ⅰ.
For generations，the Nganyi people of western Kenya have served as rainmarkers，helpinglocal communities decide when best to prepare their land and SOW their seeds.By observingsubtle changes in nature that would be unnoticeable to most people--in air currents，theflowering and shedding of leaves of certain trees，the behaviour of ants，bird songs，etc-theyhave been able to interpret weather paterns and provide valuable advise.
But the irregular weather patterns brought by climate change mean the rainmakel's can nolonger use those signs to make their predictions.And they don't have accDs8 to the technologiesavailable to meteorologists(气象学家).
“ Climate change‘has come on so fast.People don’t know how to adapt or what.to plant，”says Obedi Osore.a traditmnal Nganyi weatherman.“0ur traditional crops are disappearingbecause thev cannot handle the new conditions.We need new strategies to handle climatechange.”
Now a.British Canadian project is doing just that，linking the rainmakers with governmentmeteorologists.The two groups get together each season and produce all agreed forcast to bespread using a variety of methods suited to communities where many cannot read on wnte—through ceremonies，public meetings and person to person communication.
Both Darties arepleased with the collaboration.“I think the-two,sciences are equallyvalid.We are marrying our energies to help people better.”says Mr.Onunga，a Nyanyicommunity elder involed in the project.
“results have been surprisingly good-the community agreed that the forcast was
accurate.”savs Gilbert Ouma，a lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
“Through this project we hope to learn what it is that we can share together to live today and to adopt to tomorrow.”says Professor Laban Ogallo，leader of the Nganyi projeet.
第36题单选 Which of the following has been used by traditional Nganyi rainmarkers in weather prediction?
A.Plant seeds
B.Dog barks
C.Bird songs
D.Ocean currents
参考答案：C
第37题单选 What difficulty do local rainmakers face in making weather predictions?
A.They cannot find an effective way to deliver messages.
B.They lack moderwtechnologies to cope with climate change.
C.They cannot get financial support from the local government.
D.They lack the facilies to stop traditional crops from disappearing.
参考答案：B
第38题单选 How do people involved in the British Candian project feel about their cooperation?
A.Satisfied.
B.Confused.
C.Hopeful.
D.Regretful.
参考答案：A
第39题单选 Which statement best expresses the.main idea of the passage?
A.A British Canadian project has been carried out to solve farming problems.
B.The Nganyi people have made weather forecasts by observing changes.in nature.
C.New technologies have replaced traditional methods in weather prediction in Kenya.
D.Scientists and Kenyian rainmakers work sogether in a joint weather predictionproject.
参考答案：D
After taking a six—week，fully paid maternity leave(产假)earlier this year，FrancineGemperle was anxious to resume her job but reluctant to be away from her baby daughter，Veronica.Fortunately，she didn’t have to choose between them.Maya Design，a Pittsburghbased creative consulting firm，allows parents to bring newborns：into the office.
“If I'd had to leave my children after my maternity leave ended.I would never have goneback to work，”says Gemperle a designer and researcher，who also brought her son Mile.intothe office after he was born.
She’s not the only parent taking advantage of the ben6fit.Senior analyst Jon West bringshis 10.month—old soil.Owen，the office several times a month.In fact,when West consideredusing only part of his paternity leave，his co—workers urged him to take all six weeks.
“I had pressure to take that leave，”recalls West，“People told me.‘It's an important part of your life and you need to expenience it.’”
“No matter how quiet the baby is，it’s an obvious distraction(分心的事).”says Tory Johnson the chief executive of Women for hire.a New York City—based recruiting firm, No one has complained yet.Even if somebody did，it would’t matter to Mickey McManus，Mayas’s CEO and president who argues that the policy builds loyalty and helps parents shiftback into work mode.
As part of its balancing act，Maya shares up to 20%of quarterly profits with itsemployees.However，the size of those checks might be up in the air at the moment.The firmonce laid off five workers and it is now 4-day weeks to avoid more layoffs.
“Be transparrent，”MCmanus advises，“so workers know they can trust you.”
第40题单选 Which of the fonowing is true about Maya Design?
A.It hires women with familes.
B.It has some overseat branches.
C.It provides consulting services.
D.It encourages the staff to work at home.
参考答案：C
第41题单选 What is Tory responsibility according to the passage?
A.Taking on women employees.
B.Dealing with women’s complaints.
C.Dismissing unqualified women staff.
D.Taking care of womeil staffs welfare.
参考答案：A
第42题单选 What is the advantage of Maya’s policy according to Mickey MeManus?
A.It cuts down the management cost.
B.It increases staff loyalty to the firm.
C.It keeps a balance between work and life.
D.It promotes equality in employment
参考答案：B
第43题单选 Which of these would be the best title for the passage?
A.A Flexible Working Schedule
B.A Staff Shortage in Mays Design
C.A Pittsbergh—bassed Working Place
D.A Company Taking Care of Young Parents
参考答案：D
2017成考：2017成人高考新手指南 成人高考报名条件 成人高考考试时间
