四级单项选择阅读理解附讲解：2012年12月真题(1)Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming andScanning)Why Integrity MattersWhat is Integrity?"Integrity"is defined as "adherence to moral andethical principles;honesty."The key to integrity isconsistency--not only setting high personalstandards for oneself(honesty,responsibility,respect for others,fairness)but also living upto those standards each day.One who has integrity is bound by and follows moral and ethicalstandards even when making life's hard choices,choices which may be clouded by stress,pressure to succeed,or temptatioWhat happens if we lie,cheat,steal,or violate other ethical standards?We feel disappointedin ourselves and ashamed.But a lapse of integrity also affects our relationships with others.Trust is essential in any important relationship,whether personal or professional.Who cantrust someone who is dishonest or unfair?Thus,integrity must be one of our most importantgoals.Risky BusinessWe are each responsible for our own decisions,even if the decision-making process has beenundermined by stress or peer pressure.The real test of character is whether we can learnfrom our mistake,by understanding why we acted as we did,and then exploring ways to avoidsimilar problems in the future.Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems.We must learn torecognize risks,because if we can't see the risks we're taking,we can't make responsiblechoices.To identify risks,we need to know the rulesand be aware of the facts.For example,one who doesn't know the rules about plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas withoutgiving proper credit,or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail toquote and cite sources as required.But the fact that such a violation is "unintentional"doesnot excuse the misconduct.Ignorance is not a defense."But Everybody Does It"Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts,but manage to fool themselvesabout the risks they're taking by using excuses:"Everyoneelsedoes"I'm not hurtinganyone,"or "I really need this grade."Excuses can get very elaborate:"I know I'm looking atanother's exam,even though I'm supposed to keep myeyes on my own paper,but that's notcheating because I'm just checking my answers,not copying."We must be honest about ouractions,and avoid excuses.If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong,we can'tsee the real choice we're making--and that leads to bad decisions.To avoid fooling yourself,watch out for excuses and try this test:Ask how you would feel ifyour actions were public,and anyone could be watching over your shoulder.Would you feelproud or ashamed of your actions?If you'd rather hide your actions,that's a good indicationthat you're taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself.Evaluating RisksTo decide whether a risk is worth taking,you must examine the consequences,in the future aswell as right now,negative as well as positive,and to othersas well as to yourself.Those whotake risks they later regret usually focus on immediate benefits ("what's in it for me"),andsimply haven't considered what might go wrong.The consequences of getting caught areserious,and may include a "O"on a test or assignment;an "F"in the class;Suspension orDismissal from school;transcript notation;and a tarnished reputation.In fact,when youbreak a rule or law,you lose control over your life,and give others the power to imposepunishment:you have no control over what that punishment might be.This is an extremelyprecarious and vulnerable position.There may be some matters of life and death,or highestprinciple,which might justify such a risk,but there aren't many things that fall in thiscategory.Getting Away With It--Or NotThose who don't get caught pay an even higher price.A cheater doesn't learnfrom the test,depriving him/herself of an education.Cheating undermines confidence and independence:the cheater is a fraud,and knows that withoutdishonesty,he/she would have failed.Cheatingdestroys self-esteem and integrity,leaving the cheater ashamed,guilty,and afraid of gettingcaught.Worst of all,a cheater who doesn't get caught the first time usually cheats again,notonly because he/she is farther behind,but also because it seems "easier.This slippery slopeof eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to disaster.Eventually,the cheater gets caught,and the later he/she gets caught,the worse the consequences.Students have been dismissedfrom school because they didn't get this simple message:Honesty is the ONLY policy thatworks.Cheating Hurts Others,TooCheaters often feel invisible,as if their actions "don't count"and don't reallyhurt anyone.Butindividual choices have a profound cumulative effect.Cheating can spread like a disease,anda cheater can encourage others just by being seen from across the room.Recent statisticssuggest 30%or more of college students cheat.If a class is graded on a curve,cheating hurtsothers'grades.Even if there is no curve,cheating "poisons"the classroom,and othersmayfeelpressuredtojoinin.("If I don't cheat,I can't compete with those who do.")Cheating alsohas a destructive impact on teachers.The real reward of good teaching is seeing studentslearn,butacheatersays,"I'm not interested in what you're trying to teach;all I care about isstealing agrade,regardless of the effect on others."The end result is a blatant anddestructive attack on the quality of your education.Finally,cheating can hurt the reputationof the University,and harm those who worked hard for their degree.Why Integrity MattersIf cheating becomes the norm,then we are in big trouble.We must rely on the honesty andgood faith of others every day.If not,we couldn't put money in the bank,buy food,clothing,or medicine from others,drive across a bridge,get on a plane,go to the dentist--the list isendless.There are many examples of the vast harm that is caused when individuals forget orignore the effect their dishonesty can have.The savings and loan scandal,the stock marketand junk bond swindles,and,of course,Watergate,have undermined the faith of manyAmericans in the integrity of political and economic leaders andsociety as a whole.Suchincidents take a tremendous toll on our nation's economy and our individual well-being.Forexample,but for the savings and loandebacle,there might be funds available to reduce thenational debt and payfor education.In sum,we all have a common stake in our school,our community,and oursociety.Ouractions do matter.It is essential that we act with integrity in order to build the kind of world inwhich we want to live.1.A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standardsbut also_A)sticks to them in their daily lifeB)makes them known to othersC)understands their true valuesD)sees that others also follow them2.What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships?A)It helps to create team spiritB)It facilitates communicationC)It is the basis of mutual trustD)It inspires mutual respect3.why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take?A.To ensure we make responsible choices.B.To avoid being overwhelmed by stress.C.so that we don't break any rules.D.so that we don't run into trouble.4.Violation of a rule is misconduct even ifA.it has caused no harm.B.it is claimed to be unintentional.C.it has gone unnoticed.D.it is committed with good intentions.5.What should one do if he doesn't wish to fool himself?A.Avoid making excuses.B.Listen to other people's advice.C.Make his intensions public.D.Have others watch over his shoulder.6.Those who take risks they regret later onA.will often become more cautiousB.are usually very aggressiveC.value immediate benefits most.D.may lose everything in the end7.According to the author,a cheater who doesn't get caught right away willA)pay more dearlyB)become more confidentC)be widely admiredD)feel somewhat lucky8.Cheaters at exam don't care about their education,all they care about is how to_9.Integrity matters in that all social activities rely on people's_10.Many Americans lost faith in the integrity of their political leadersas a result of_Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming andScanning)1.A person of integrity not only sets high moraland ethical standards but alSOA)sticks to them in their daily lifeB)makes them known to othersC)understands their true valuesD)sees that others also follow them【答案】A)sticks to them in their daily life【解析】第一题的答案就在全文第一句。关键词是not only..But also…,关键句是The key to integrityis consistency--not only setting high personal standards for oneself (honesty,responsibility,respect for others,fairness)but also living up to those standards each day.这里的live up to和选项里的stick to属于同义替换。2.What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships?A)It helps to create team spiritB)It facilitates communicationC)It is the basis of mutual trustD)It inspires mutual respect【答案】C)It is the basis of mutual trust【解析】关键词是personal and professional,关键句是Trust is essential in any importantrelationship,whether personal or professional.Who can trust someone who is dishonest orunfair?Thus,integrity must be one of our most important goals.结合紧接着的问句，我们很容易锁定trust这个选项。3.why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take?A.To ensure we make responsible choices.B.To avoid being overwhelmed by stress.C.so that we don't break any rules.D.so that we don't run into trouble.【答案】A.To ensure we make responsible choices.【解析】关键词是identify the risks,关键句是Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoidingfuture problems.We must learn to recognize risks,because if we can't see the risks we'retaking,wecan't make responsible choices.所以答案很明显是A。4.Violation of a rule is misconduct even ifA.it has caused no harm.B.it is claimed to be unintentional.C.it has gone unnoticed.D.it is committed with good intentions.【答案】B.it is claimed to be unintentional.【解析】关键词是misconduct,关键句是But the fact that such a violation is "unintentional"doesnot excuse the misconduct.和原文意义高度一致的，就是这个unintentional。因此答案是：B.it isclaimed to be unintentional.5.What should one do if he doesn't wish to fool himself?A.Avoid making excuses.B.Listen to other people's adviceC.Make his intensions public.D.Have others watch over his shoulder.【答案】A.Avoid making excuses.【解析】关键词是fool oneself关键句是To avoid fooling yourself,watch out for excuses and trythis test这里的watch out for和选项里的avoid属于同义替换。所以答案是A。6.Those who take risks they regret later onA.will often become more cautiousB.are usually very aggressiveC.value immediate benefits most.D.may lose everything in the end【答案】C.value immediate benefits most.【解析】关键词是regretlater关键句是Those who take risks they later regret usually focus onimmediate benefits("what's in it for me")。很明显，选项value immediate benefits most是正确答案。这里的value和focus on属于同义替换。7.According to the author,a cheater who doesn't get caught right away will_A)pay more dearlyB)become more confidentC)be widely admiredD)feel somewhat lucky【答案】A)pay more dearly【解析】关键词是get caught,关键句是