Section C: Reading Comprehension

Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

Passage One

Research in human-vehicle interaction has shown even systems designed to automate driving are far from being errorproof. Recent evidence points to drivers' limited understanding of what these systems can and cannot do as a contributing factor to system misuse. A recent study tackles the issue of over-trusting drivers and the resulting system misuse from a legal viewpoint. It looks at what the manufacturers of self-driving cars should legally do to ensure that drivers understand how to use the vehicles appropriately.

One solution suggested in the study involves requiring buyers to sign end-user license agreements (EULAs), similar to the terms and conditions that require agreement when using new software products. But this is far from ideal. The agreement may not provide enough information to the driver, leading to confusion about the nature of the requests for agreement and their implications. Further, most end users don't read EULAs. A 2017 study shows 91 percent of people agree to them without reading. Among young people, 97 percent agree without reviewing the terms.

The issue is that, unlike using a smartphone app, operating a car has serious safety risks, whether the driver is human or software. And human drivers need to consent to take responsibility for the outcomes of the software and hardware.

“Warning fatigue” and distracted driving are also causes for concern. For example, a driver, annoyed after receiving continuous warnings, could decide to just ignore the message. Or, if the message is presented while the vehicle is in motion, it could represent a distraction. Given these limitations and concerns, even if this mode of obtaining consent is to move forward, it likely won't fully protect automakers from their legal liability should the system malfunction or an accident occur.

Driver training for self-driving vehicles can help ensure that drivers fully understand system capabilities and limitations. This needs to occur beyond the vehicle purchase. Recent evidence shows even relying on the information provided by the seller is not going to answer many questions. All of this considered, the road forward for self-driving cars is not going to be a smooth ride after all.

46. What do we learn from research in human-vehicle interaction?

A) Automatic driving systems are by no means immune to errors.

B) Driverless vehicles are likely to be misused by some people.

C) Self-driving car manufacturers are not aware of the legal matters involved.

D) There is a long way to go before humans can interact with driverless vehicles.

47. What is the problem with requiring buyers to sign end-user license agreements?

A) End users, young and old alike, find the terms complex to interpret.

B) Most end users sign them without bothering to read the terms.

C) Many people are often confused by the wording of the terms.

D) Most end users do not understand the terms after reading them through.

48. What would drivers do when they suffer from “warning fatigue”?

A) Waste no time keeping the car moving.

B) Rest a while to avoid fatigue driving.

C) Take no action despite repeated warnings.

D) Take note of the message though fatigued.

49. What does the author think of continuing to ask buyers to sign end-user license agreements?

A) It will probably not guarantee the safety of drivers in case of accidents.

B) It likely won't ensure that the automatic driving system functions properly.

C) It likely won't fully protect automakers against accusations of deliberate cheating.

D) It will probably not provide manufacturers adequate protection from legal responsibilities.

50. What should be done to help drivers fully understand system capabilities and limitations?

A) Training them to be experts in vehicle automation.

B) Familiarizing them with the systems through training.

C) Broadening their knowledge of accident-prevention mechanisms.

D) Facilitating their access to the information provided by the seller.

Passage Two

Do you ever blend up a protein drink for breakfast or grab a protein bar following an afternoon workout? If so, you are likely among the millions of people in search of more protein-rich diets.

Protein-enriched products are found everywhere. But contrary to all the publicity that everyone needs more protein, most Americans get twice as much as they need.

Many of us living in the most developed countries are buying into a myth of protein deficiency created by food companies and self-identified health experts. Global retail sales of protein supplement products reached an astonishing US$18.9 billion in 2020.

But are we really in need of more protein? Physicians in the U.S. have never actually examined a patient with protein deficiency because simply by eating an adequate number of daily calories we are also most likely getting enough protein.

In fact, Americans currently consume almost twice the National Academy of Medicine's recommended daily intake of protein although the most desirable protein intake may vary depending on age and activity level.

For example, if you're a dedicated athlete you might need to consume higher quantities of protein. Generally, though, a 140-pound person should not exceed 120 grams of protein per day, particularly because a high protein diet can strain kidney and liver function and increase risks of developing heart disease and cancer.

While fats and sugar have taken the beating in turns since over a century ago, protein has managed to remain our red-hot favorite.

In the 1970s through the 1990s, protein products remained visible but moved back somewhat with the dietary spotlight firmly fixed on low-calorie, low-fat, sugar-free snack foods and beverages following the publication of studies linking sugar and saturated fat consumption to heart disease.

Later research in 2003, however, suggested high-protein diets could aid in weight loss, and protein quickly regained its former nutrient-superstar status.

Now most people living in high-income nations are consuming enough protein. When we replace meals with a protein bar or drink, we also risk missing out on the rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins and many other benefits of real food.

51. What do we learn about publicity over protein in America?

A) It has helped to create the myth of protein deficiency.

B) It has helped Americans in search of protein-rich diets.

C) It has raised a lot of health concerns among the public.

D) It has been funded by food companies and health experts.

52. Why have physicians in the U.S. never actually examined a patient with protein deficiency?

A) Americans can purchase many kinds of protein-rich foods everywhere.

B) Americans can absorb the number of calories recommended by food experts.

C) Americans can get sufficient protein just by eating adequate foods daily.

D) Americans can rely on food supplements to prevent protein deficiency.

53. What should people take into consideration in deciding on the most preferable protein intake?

A) How healthy they are and what food they eat.

B) How old they are and what activities they do.

C) How much protein they consume and what their body weight is.

D) How serious their protein deficiency is and what remedies they use.

54. What foods have been largely out of favor for more than a century?

A) Sugar-free snacks.

B) Protein-rich foods.

C) Both red and white meats.

D) Sugary and fatty foods.

55. What does the author imply people in developed countries should do to keep healthy?

A) Enjoy natural food.

B) Eat vegetarian diets.

C) Consume enough protein daily.

D) Replace meals with protein bars.

Answers & Explanations

Passage One: Autonomous Driving

46. A。解析：题干问从人车交互的研究中我们能了解到什么。定位首段：Research in human-vehicle interaction has shown even systems designed to automate driving are far from being errorproof.（人车交互的研究表明，即使是设计为自动驾驶的系统也远非不会出错）。far from being errorproof（远非防错）即意味着它们仍会犯错。对应选项 A (Automatic driving systems are by no means immune to errors 自动驾驶系统绝不能免于出错，immune to 意为免受...影响)。

47. B。解析：题干问要求买家签署终端用户许可协议存在什么问题。定位第二段最后两句：Further, most end users don't read EULAs... 91 percent of people agree to them without reading... 97 percent agree without reviewing the terms.（此外，大多数终端用户不读协议... 91%的人不看就同意了...）。这表明绝大多数人根本不看。对应选项 B (Most end users sign them without bothering to read the terms 大多数终端用户懒得阅读条款就签了名)。

48. C。解析：题干问司机在遇到“警告疲劳”时会怎么做。定位第四段第二句：For example, a driver, annoyed after receiving continuous warnings, could decide to just ignore the message.（例如，在收到持续警告后感到恼火的司机，可能会决定直接忽略信息）。ignore the message 即不采取行动。对应选项 C (Take no action despite repeated warnings 尽管有反复警告也不采取任何行动)。

49. D。解析：题干问作者认为继续要求买家签署终端用户许可协议会怎样。定位第四段最后一句：...it likely won't fully protect automakers from their legal liability should the system malfunction or an accident occur.（...如果系统出现故障或发生事故，这可能无法完全保护汽车制造商免受法律责任）。对应选项 D (It will probably not provide manufacturers adequate protection from legal responsibilities 它可能无法为制造商提供免避法律责任的足够保护)。

50. B。解析：题干问应该做什么来帮助司机充分了解系统的能力和局限性。定位最后一段第一句：Driver training for self-driving vehicles can help ensure that drivers fully understand system capabilities and limitations.（针对自动驾驶车辆的司机培训有助于确保司机充分理解系统的能力和局限）。对应选项 B (Familiarizing them with the systems through training 通过培训让他们熟悉系统)。

Passage Two: Protein Myth

51. A。解析：题干问关于美国关于蛋白质的宣传我们能了解到什么。定位第三段：Many of us living in the most developed countries are buying into a myth of protein deficiency created by food companies and self-identified health experts.（由于食品公司和自封的健康专家的宣传，许多生活在最发达国家的人陷入了缺乏蛋白质的迷思）。对应选项 A (It has helped to create the myth of protein deficiency 它帮助制造了蛋白质缺乏的迷思)。

52. C。解析：题干问为什么美国医生从未真正检查过缺乏蛋白质的病人。定位第四段：...because simply by eating an adequate number of daily calories we are also most likely getting enough protein.（...因为只要每天摄入足够数量的卡路里，我们也很可能获得了足够的蛋白质）。意思是吃够日常所需的食物就不会缺蛋白质。对应选项 C (Americans can get sufficient protein just by eating adequate foods daily 美国人只要每天吃足够的食物就能获得充足的蛋白质)。

53. B。解析：题干问人们在决定最合适的蛋白质摄入量时应该考虑什么。定位第五段：...although the most desirable protein intake may vary depending on age and activity level.（...尽管最理想的蛋白质摄入量可能因年龄和活动水平而异）。对应选项 B (How old they are and what activities they do 他们多大了以及做什么活动)。

54. D。解析：题干问哪些食物一个多世纪以来在很大程度上失宠了。定位第七段：While fats and sugar have taken the beating in turns since over a century ago...（尽管一个多世纪以来，脂肪和糖轮流遭受抨击...）。这说明高糖和高脂食物不再受欢迎。对应选项 D (Sugary and fatty foods 甜食和高脂肪食物)。

55. A。解析：题干问作者暗示发达国家的人们应该怎么做才能保持健康。定位最后一段：When we replace meals with a protein bar or drink, we also risk missing out on the rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins and many other benefits of real food.（当我们用蛋白质棒或饮料代替正餐时，我们也面临着错过抗氧化剂、维生素和许多其他真正食物的好处的风险）。作者的观点是真正的食物（天然食物）能提供更多好处。对应选项 A (Enjoy natural food 享受天然食物)。

核心搭配与高分句型

【核心搭配与高频短语】

• far from：远非，一点也不（far from being errorproof / far from ideal）
• buy into：相信，接受（某观点）（buying into a myth of protein deficiency）
• in search of：寻找，寻求（in search of more protein-rich diets）
• miss out on：错过，错失（risk missing out on the rich sources）
• take the beating：遭受打击，挨批评（have taken the beating in turns）
• red-hot：炙手可热的，非常受欢迎的（remain our red-hot favorite）
• out of favor：失宠，不受欢迎（largely out of favor for more than a century）

【亮点句型解析】

• Should 引起的虚拟语气倒装：
  "...it likely won't fully protect automakers from their legal liability should the system malfunction or an accident occur."
  （...如果系统发生故障或发生事故，它可能无法完全保护汽车制造商免受法律责任。）`should the system malfunction` 等同于 `if the system should malfunction`。在表示与将来事实可能相反的虚拟条件句中，若有助动词 `should`, `had`, `were`，可将其提至主语前，省略 `if`。这在学术和法律文献中是非常高级的正式用法。
• Depending on 引导的状语：
  "...although the most desirable protein intake may vary depending on age and activity level."
  （...尽管最理想的蛋白质摄入量可能会根据年龄和活动水平而有所不同。）`depending on` 作为分词短语作状语，解释了变化的具体条件，是四六级阐述观点的万能句式。