银行系统招聘考试（英语）模拟试卷22
阅读理解
We can begin our discussion of“populationas 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 linked demographic growth to “a long，thin powder fuse that burns steadily and haltingly untilit 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 populationtrends．Rapid growth is a comparatively recentphenomenon．Looking back at 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 morality．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 extend their birth rates．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 problem 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
1.Which of the following demographic growthpattern is suitable for the long thin powder fuseanalogy?(A)
A. A virtually stable or slightly decreasingperiod and then a sudden explosion of population．
B. A slow growth for a long time and a period of 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 birth rates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower morality．
解析：根据题目关键词the long thin powder fuse(细长的导火线)可定位至文章第一段a long，thin powder fuse that bums steadily and haltingly until it finally reaches the charge and explodes．(细长的导火线稳定地燃烧着，有时会中断，直到最后它达到爆点，然后爆炸)，四种人口增长模式中，只有A项符合这一类比。故本题选A。
2.During the first period of demographichistory，societies were often in danger of extinction because ________ ．(B)
A. only one in ten persons could live past 40
B. there was higher morality than fertility inmost places
C. it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor conditions
D. our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more children
解析：根据题目关键词in danger of extinction可定位至文章第二段，根据第二段倒数第二句Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could extend their birth rates．(社会总是有停止前进的危险，因为死亡率超过了出生率)，而究其原因，因为在大部分地方，道德观念比生育观念更强，导致出生率低。故本题选B。
3.Which statement is true about populationin crease?(A)
A. There might be an increase of 2．2 billionpersons from now to the year 2000．
B. About 50，000 babies are born every six hours at present．
C. Between 8000 BC and the present，the population increase is about 80，000
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