英语专八阅读和托福阅读的对比
托福考试和专八考试都是十分难的，但是两者到底有什么不同呢?下面小编给大家带来英语专八阅读和托福阅读的对比 。
英语专八阅读和托福阅读的对比
一.基本信息
专八考生号称是国内最难的英语考试，在专八考试中，阅读部分被安排在第三部分，由两个项目sectionA和sectionB组成 。SectionA部分是reading comprehension，由数段短文组成，在其后有15道选择题，要求考生根据短文的内容，隐含意义及文章特征，在三十分钟内完成试题。SectionB部分包括skimmming and scanning，主要是测试学生的速读能力，短文之后有10道选择题，一共约3000个单词，要求考生熟练的运用速读和跳读的技巧在十分钟内完成试题。
托福阅读出现在文章的第一部分，是整个考试中最简单的题型。托福阅读考试在不出现加试的时候，一共包括三篇文章，出现加试的时候会有四篇文章。每篇文章对应11-14道题，都是选择题。除了最后一个试题之外，其他的试题都是针对文章的某一部分提问。最后一题针对整篇文章提问，要求考生从多条选择项中挑选若干个最能对全文进行总结的选项。托福阅读的中每篇文章中大约包括700个左右的单词，因为涉及的词汇量相对较大，所以对于一些专业性较强的词汇会给出注释。
二. 答题形式
专八考试分为试卷一和试卷二，而专八阅读属于试卷一部分，考生从每个题目中所给的A,B,C,D中选出最佳答案之后，要按规定用2B铅笔在答题纸上划线，做在试卷上的答案无效。每题只能选择一个答案，多选作废。多项选择题只计算答对的题数，答错不扣分。选择题由机器阅卷。
托福阅读采用机考的形式，考生在做题的时候，只有先通读或者滚动至屏幕末尾，才可以看到问题。一般来说，在每一道题目的回答界面，屏幕右手边是该题所对应的文章部分内容，题目则出现在屏幕的左侧。考生通过点击屏幕右上方区域的不同功能键，可以实现不同题目间的前进、后退、检查答题情况、查看文本、帮助等功能。在每个题目的剩余时间为0时，考试自动进入下一部分，而不再允许回看。
三.文章来源
专八阅读的文章比较广泛，包括政治，经济，健康，科技，体育和人文等等，文章的来源一般是Newsweek，Time, National Geographic，The Economist , International Herald Tribune等报刊中近五年的文章。
托福阅读文章比较学术化，基本上可以分为四类：自然和自然科学，生物科学，艺术和美国历史，社科类文章和人文类文章。这些文章的来源基本上是美国大学的教科书。当然，为了让这些文章可以达到甄别考生水平的目的，ETS会对相关的一些文章进行了简单的修整，让这篇文章中蕴含的思想更加客观。所以托福阅读中的文章内容多为陈述事实，并不涉及作者的观点。
托福阅读TPO31第3篇:Savanna Formation
【1】Located in tropical area at low altitudes, savannas are stable ecosystems, some wet and some dry consisting of vast grasslands with scattered tree or shrubs. They occur on a wide range of soil types and in extremes of climate. There is no simple or single factor that determines if a given site will be a savanna, but some factors seem to play important roles in their formation.
【2】Savannas typically experience a rather prolonged dry season. One theory behind savanna formation is that wet forest species are unable to withstand the dry season, and thus savanna, rather than rain forest, is favored on the site. Savannas experience an annual rainfall of between 1000 and 2000 millimeters, most of it falling in a five-to-eight month wet season. Though plenty of rain may fall on a savanna during the year, for at least part of the year little does, creating the drought stress ultimately favoring grasses. Such conditions prevail throughout much of northern South America and Cuba, but many Central American savannas as well as coastal areas of Brazil and the island of Trinidad do not fit this pattern. In these areas, rainfall per month exceeds that in the above definition, so other factors must contribute to savanna formation.
【3】In many characteristics, savanna soils are similar to those of some rain forests, though more extreme. For example, savanna soils, like many rain forest soils, are typically oxisols (dominated by certain oxide minerals) and ultisols (soils containing no calcium carbonate), with a high acidity notably low concentrations of such minerals as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, while aluminum levels are high. Some savannas occur on wet, waterlogged soils; other dry, sandy, well-drained soils. This many seem contradictory, but it only means that extreme soil conditions, either too wet or too dry for forests, are satisfactory for savannas. More moderate conditions support moist forests.
【4】Waterlogged soils occur in areas that are flat or have poor drainage. These soils usually contain large amounts of clay and easily become water-saturated. Air cannot penetrate between the soil particles, making the soil oxygen-poor. By contrast, dry soils are sandy and porous, their coarse textures permitting water to drain rapidly. Sandy soils are prone to the leaching of nutrients and minerals and so tend to be nutritionally poor. Though most savannas are found on sites with poor soils (because of either moisture conditions or nutrient levels of both), poor soils can and do support lush rain forest.
【5】Most savannas probably experience mild fires frequently and major burns every two years or so. Many savanna and dry-forest plant species are called pyrophytes, meaning they are adapted in various ways to withstand occasional burning. Frequent fire is a factor to which rain forest species seem unable to adapt, although ancient charcoal remains from Amazon forest soils dating prior to the arrival of humans suggest that moist forests also occasionally burn. Experiments suggest that if fire did not occur in savannas in the Americas, species composition would change significantly. When burning occurs, it prevents competition among plant species from progressing to the point where some species exclude others, reducing the overall diversity of the ecosystem. But in experimental areas protected from fire, a few perennial grass species eventually come to dominate, outcompeting all others. Evidence from other studies suggests that exclusion of fire results in markedly decreased plant-species richness, often with an increase in tree density. There is generally little doubt that fire is a significant factor in maintaining savanna, certainly in most regions.
【6】On certain sites, particularly in South America, savanna formation seems related to frequent cutting and burning of moist forests for pastureland. Increase in pastureland and subsequent overgrazing have resulted in an expansion of savanna. The thin upper layer of humus (decayed organic matter) is destroyed by cutting and burning. Humus is necessary for rapid decomposition of leaves by bacteria and fungi and for recycling by surface roots. Once the humus layer disappears, nutrients cannot be recycled and leach from the soil, converting soil from fertile to infertile and making it suitable only for savanna vegetation. Forests on white, sandy soil are most susceptible to permanent alteration.
托福阅读TPO31第3篇题目:Savanna Formation
1.The word "prolonged" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.predictable.
B.destructive.
C.lengthy.
D.unproductive.
2.In paragraph 2，the author mentions savannas in Central America, Brazil, and the island of Trinidad in order to
A.argue that these savannas are similar to those in South America and Cuba.
B.point out exceptions to the pattern of savanna formation in areas with drought stress.
C.provide additional examples of savannas in areas with five- to eight-month wet seasons.
D.indicate areas where savannas are being gradually replaced by rain forests.
3.According to paragraph 3, rain forests and savannas differ in that
A.the soils in rain forests contain fewer minerals than savanna soils do.
B.savannas affect soil conditions more than rain forests do.
C.unlike rain forests, savannas prefer sandy, well-drained soils to soils that are very wet.
D.unlike rain forests, savannas may develop under both very dry and very wet soil conditions.
4.The word "notably" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.similarly.
B.especially.
C.usually.
D.relatively.
5.According to paragraph 3, all of the following are true of savanna soils EXCEPT
A.They have high concentrations of potassium.
B.They contain high levels of aluminum.
C.They are very acidic.
D.They contain large amounts of certain oxide minerals.
6.According to paragraph 4, which of the following is true of waterlogged soils?
A.Their upper layers are usually sandy and porous.
B.They cannot support savannas.
C.They contain little oxygen.
D.They are prone to the leaching of nutrients and minerals.
7.The fact that "poor soils can and do support lush rain forest" suggests that
A.poor soils alone may not be enough to explain why an area becomes a savanna.
B.rain forest vegetation can significantly lower the quality of soils.
C.drought stress is the single most important factor in savanna formation.
D.minerals are more important than moisture for the growth of trees.
8.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
A.Rain forest species seem unable to adapt to fires created by humans.
B.Ancient charcoal remains suggest that, prior to the arrival of humans, fires occurred frequently in rain forests.
C.Ancient charcoal remains in Amazon forests suggest that rain forest species adapted to the area long before the arrival of humans.
D.Rain forest species appear unable to adapt to frequent fires, but evidence from the past suggests that rain forests sometimes do burn.
9.The word "markedly" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.dangerously.
B.noticeably.
C.rapidly.
D.gradually.
10.Paragraph 5 supports which of the following statements regarding the importance of fires in maintaining savannas?
A.Fires prevent the growth of pyrophytes.
B.Fires eliminate some species and thus reduce the overall diversity of the ecosystem.
C.Fires that occur once every two years are unlikely to help maintain savannas.
D.Fires prevent some species from eliminating other species with which they compete.
11.The word "subsequent" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A.expanded in area.
B.harmful.
C.following in time.
D.repeated.
12.According to paragraph 6，human activity affects soils in all of the following ways EXCEPT
A.Decomposition of leaves occurs too fast for surface roots to obtain nutrients.
B.Nutrients are not recycled.
C.Humus is destroyed.
D.Certain soils become unable to support vegetation other than savanna vegetation.
13. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence can be added to the passage.Where would the sentence best fit? In addition, humans have contributed to the conditions favoring the formation of savannas.
Most savannas probably experience mild fires frequently and major burns every two years or so. Many savanna and dry-forest plant species are called pyrophytes, meaning they are adapted in various ways to withstand occasional burning. Frequent fire is a factor to which rain forest species seem unable to adapt, although ancient charcoal remains from Amazon forest soils dating prior to the arrival of humans suggest that moist forests also occasionally burn. Experiments suggest that if fire did not occur in savannas in the Americas, species composition would change significantly. When burning occurs, it prevents competition among plant species from progressing to the point where some species exclude others, reducing the overall diversity of the ecosystem. But in experimental areas protected from fire, a few perennial grass species eventually come to dominate, outcompeting all others. ■【A】 Evidence from other studies suggests that exclusion of fire results in markedly decreased plant-species richness, oftenwithan increase in tree density. ■【B】 There is generally little doubt that fire is a significant factor in maintaining savanna, certainly in most regions.■【C】 On certain sites, particularly in South America, savanna formation seems related to frequent cutting and burning of moist forests for pastureland. ■【D】 Increase in pastureland and subsequent overgrazing have resulted in an expansion of savanna. The thin upper layer of humus (decayed organic matter) is destroyed by cutting and burning. Humus is necessary for rapid decomposition of leaves by bacteria and fungi and for recycling by surface roots. Once the humus layer disappears, nutrients cannot be recycled and leach from the soil, converting soil from fertile to infertile and making it suitable only for savanna vegetation. Forests on white, sandy soil are most susceptible to permanent alteration.
14. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passages or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Several factors seem to play important roles in savanna formation.
A.Savannas can form in areas with a five- to eight-month wet season, but they more commonly have a
B.Soil stress caused by drought, extreme moisture, or low nutrient levels favors the formsticm of
C.Studies conducted in various regions indicate that an upper layer of white, sandy, soil is
D.Drought stress affects trees and shrubs in savannas far less than it affects savanna grasses.
E.Frequent fire is a major factor contributing to the formation and maintenance of
F.In some areas, human cutting and burning is associated with savanna formation, and
托福阅读TPO31第3篇答案:Savanna Formation
1.可以根据词根分析，原文中prolonged，词根为long，长度。Prolonged为延长的。选项中C，length本来是长度的意思，lengthy变为形容词格式，符合原词词义。
2.以 savannas in Central America, Brazil, and the island of Trinidad作为关键词定位到原文，看到这半句和前 半句中间有but的转折，那么也就是说central America，Brazil这些地方和前面介绍的不一样，所以是例外情况。
3.本段第一句就指出，rain forest和savannas的土壤是相似的，但是更极端一点。后面就给了examples。最后一句 给出了两种土壤的总结"this may seem….Either too wet or too dry for forests" 所以选 D。
4.Notably从notice发展而来，以为显著的，因此选择B。另外也可通过and的并列格式来推断。
5.这一题对应for example后面的内容，A直接和红色标注部分矛盾，因此是要选的except的选项。
6.A对于"by contrast…"那一句，sandy soil和waterlogged soils 是相反的。B 与原文矛盾，上段最后就说要么很干要么很湿，waterlogged 就是很湿的那种。C对于那个 making the soil oxygen-poor。D对应" Sandy soils are prone to ....."，而不是选项中说的 waterlogged soils的特征。
7.这句话说虽然几乎全部 的savannas都发生在poor soils之上，但是poor soils足以支撑茂盛的热带雨林。所以是转折，说明poor soils不是唯一决定了savannas的因素， 还有别的。
8.原句主干是说frequent fire是造成热带雨林不能形成的原因，即使在人类出现之前亚马逊雨林也出现过偶尔的 燃烧。所以D是意思最完整的。可根据转折关系来判断。
9.根据词根判断，原词词根为mark意为标注，跟选项中B的notice意思相近，所以选B。
10.对应部分从but in experimental areas protected from fire开始，后面的内容都对其重要性进行了解释，如果没有火来保持savannas，那么就很少有perennial grass species可以outcompeting其他的种类，从而减少了plant-species的丰富，而树的密度则会更大。对应了 D的描述。
11.subsequence是后果的意思，subsequent就是后来，然后的意思。因此选择C。
12.human activity包括了cutting and burning，然后这句的后面，从''increase....''开始就是后果。先说humus is destroyed，对应 C，然后 humus 对于decomposition是非常必 要的，而 human activity destroy了humus，所以减慢了decomposition，和A矛盾。 后面说 nutrients cannot被recycled，对应了B。converting那一句对应了D。
13.要插入的句子描述的是 savannas的形成原因，并且开头是in addition，证明是对前面句子的补充，前面句子说的应该是savannas形成的原因之一，对应了第二句。并且第三空后面的句子提到了cutting和burning，这些都是human activity。所以选 C。
14.BEF
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