英语四级阅读，作为大学英语能力的重要评估指标，不仅检验了学生对词汇、语法的掌握，更考察了其阅读理解和信息筛选的能力。在全球化背景下，提升这一能力对于拓宽视野、增进跨文化交流至关重要。今天，小编将分享2024年6月大学英语四级阅读真题以及答案（卷三）相关内容，希望能为大家提供帮助！
Section A
Directions: In this section,thereis a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select one wordfor each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letterfor each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.You may not use any ofthe words in the bank more than once.
Over the coming decades,millions of jobs will be threatened by robotics and artificial intelligence.Despite intensive academic 26 on these developments,there has been little study on how workers 27 to being replaced through technology.
To find out,business researchers at TUM and Erasmus University Rotterdam conducted 11 studies and surveys with over 2,000 persons from several countries.
The findings show:In principle,most people view it more 28 when workers are replaced by other people than by robots or intelligent software.This preference 29 ,however,when it refers to people's own jobs When that is the case,the majority of workers find it less upsetting to see their own jobs go to robots than to other employees.In the long term,however,the same people see machines as more threatening to their future role in the workforce.These effects can also be observed among people who have recently become unemployed.
The researchers were able to identify the causes behind these 30 paradoxica results,too:People tend to 31 themselves less with machines than with other people.Consequently,being replaced by a robotor software 32 less of a threat to their feeling of self-worth.This reduced self-threat could even be observed when participants assumed that they were being replaced by other employees who relied on technological abilities such as artificial intelligence in their work.
“Even when unemployment results from the 33 of new technologies,people still judge it in a social context,”says Christoph Fuchs,one of the authors of the study.“It is important to understand these 34 effects when trying to manage the massive changes in the working world to minimize 35 in society.”
A)compare
B)contradicts
C)conventional
D)debate
E)disruptions
F)drastically
G)favorably
H)guarantee
I)introduction
J)modifications
K)poses
L)psychological
M)react
N)reverses
O)seemingly
Section B
Directions: In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the correspondingletter on Answer Sheet 2.
No escape as 'snow day'becomes fe-learning day’
A)Certain institutions,such as schools,are likely to close when bad weather,such as snow,flooding or extreme heat or cold,causes travel difficulties,power outages(断供),or otherwise endangers public safety.When snowy weather arrives in the US,it means the chance ofschool children benefiting from the long-standing tradition ofthe “snow day”,when schools are forced to close and students get an unexpected day off.
B)The criterion for a snow day is primarily the inability ofschool buses to operate safely on their routes and danger to children who walk to school.Often,the school remains officially open even though buses do not run and classes arecanceled.Severe weather that causes cancellation or delayis more likely in regions that are less able to handle the situation.Snow days are less common in more northern areas ofthe United States that are used to heavy winter snowfall,because municipalities are well equipped to clear roads and remove snow.In areas less accustomed to snow even small snowfalls of an inch ortwo may render roads unsafe.
C)Snow days are a familiar theme in American film and TV shows,with children getting the good news and then running outside for some seasonal snowman-building and snowball throwing,against a background of joyful pop music.But the tradition is now over for pupils in several US states such as South Carolina, Nevada,Georgia and Indiana.This academic year,many school boards have introduced policies which require students to work from home if the school is shut by snow or extreme weather.They are known as “e-learning days”,which certainly sounds less fun than a snow day.
D)Teachers are also losing their snow days and instead will be expected to be on hand to take a virtual register and answer students'questions online.A pilot programme in a school district in Anderson County,South Carolina,has supplied students with electronic tablets loaded with assignments to complete in the event of a school closure.If it is successful,it could be rolled out across the state.
E)But some parents object to the new policy ifthe vigorous debate on the Facebook page ofAnderson County school district is anything to go by.“When it snows,let the kids enjoy it,”said one commenter.Another said the decision would “ruin school even more”,and someone else called snow days“a fun part of childhood”. But supporters ofthe policy say it means children will miss fewer days ofschool.It will also bring to an end a less popular US high school tradition:the “make-up day”,which requires students in many states to make up the time lost due to weatherby working during school holidays.
F)Students in North Carolina already have several make-up days scheduled because of school closures during Hurricane Florence,which struck in September.Tom Wilson,the superintendent(主管)of Anderson County school district,said the change away from snow days makes practical and financial sense.He said technology has changed every profession,so it makes sense to use it to“eliminate”make-up days.Adam Baker of the Department of Education in Indiana said e-learning days were proving a“great success”. He said most Indiana schools already use digital devices during lessons,so it was an“easy decision”to extend this to days when schools are closed.He denies the decision is depriving children of the chance to enjoy the snow.“Students are still able to enjoy snow days and outside time,”he said.“Many have PE and science assignments that have them out enjoying the weather.”But local school superintendents in Ohio are resisting proposals to adopt e-learning days.They fear that students without internet access at home will be disadvantaged by the policy,and superintendent Tom Roth is concerned that e-learning days will offer a lower quality of education.
G)There are also so-called“blizzard bags”,with assignments that children take home ahead of an expected snow closure.But Mr Roth says it is not sufficient as a replacement.“I think we still need the class time to give our kids the education that they deserve,”he said.“Youcan't get that with a blizzard bag or doing the work from home like that.It's not going to be as effective.”
H)There is a long-running debate on whether missing days of school affects attainment.In England,there has been a focus on tackling absenteeism(旷课)from school.The Department for Education(DFE)published research in 2016 arguing that missing any days at school could have a negative impact on results.Even a few days lost in a year could be enough to miss out on getting a good exam grade,the DFE's research concluded. This differed from the findings of a study from Harvard University in the US,which concluded that missing a few occasional days because ofthe weather did not damage learning.
I)The Harvard study examined seven years of school results data and could not find any impact from snow closures.What caused moredisruption was when schools tried to stay open in bad weather,even though many staff and pupils were absent.But weather can make a difference to school results,according to another piece of Harvard research published last summer.It's hot weather that has the negative impact.The results of 10 million school students were examined over 13 years and researchers found a“significant”link between years with extremely hotweather and lower results.
J)It's obvious that students should go to school every day to get the most out of education.In cases of extreme weather students don't always have that option.However,research shows that authorised absences from school such as during extreme weather are less problematic for students than absences that are not authorised. This is because unauthorised absences tend to reflect patterns and behaviours of student disengagement,or the possible negative attitudes of parents towards education that students adopt and carry with them through schooling.The level of impact on students'educational performance is all to do with the length of time that a student is absent from school and how regularly this occurs.
36.There is opposition to the practice of giving children assignments to take home before extreme weather forces a school closure.
37.New policies adopted by many US schools require students to do online learning at home in case of a school closure.
38.According to some research,extreme hot weather negatively affects students'performance.
39.There is a time-honoured tradition in the US for school kids to stay at home on“snow days”
40.Debates on social media show some parents are opposed to ending the“snowday”tradition.
41.In more northern regions of the US,school is less likely to be affected by snowy weather.
42.Research indicates absences from school with permission do not cause as many problems as those without permission.
43.There is objection to e-learning days owing to fear that students with no access to the Internet at home will suffer.
44.In a pilot programme,students are given electronic devices to doassignments when schools areclosed.
45.A long-standing debate is going on over the impact of school absences on students'academic performance.
Section C
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
Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.
It may sound surprising,but you don't have to be interested in fashion,or even in history,to enjoy Dress Codes:How the Laws of Fashion Made History.I happen to be interested in both,and ended up enjoying the book for completely different reasons.
Richard Thompson Ford is a law professor,and you probably won't forget that for even one page.His carefully reasoned arguments,packed with examples,sound almost like reading a court opinion,only maybe wordier.You will probably never think of fashion as a trifle again. Ford's thesis is that the best way to understand what particular fashions meant in any given era is to look at the restrictions placed on them.Through this lens,he shows us that the first laws passed in the 1200s to ensure that only the nobility were allowed to wear certain fabrics,colors and ornaments reflected the rise of the middle class,who were now able to imitate some of these fashions.The status of the upper classes was threatened;fashion was a tool to preserve it.
Ford takes the reader through the evolution of fashion while examining the underlying motivations of status sex,power,and personality,which,he assumes,influenced all innovations in fashion in the past and which continue to influence us today.His writing is more than alittle dense—dense with research,clauses,and precise adjectives and nouns.But there's also humor and enough interesting episodes to make the writing appealing.No one is spared his sharp analysis:not the easy targets of 19th century women's crippling(伤害身体的)fashions nor the modern uniforms of Silicon Valley T-shirts.
But the greatest strength of this book (on fashion!)is its intellectual profoundness.Ford asks us to question unconscious beliefs,to realize thatwe almost never do so,to understand that the simplest choices are charged with meaning,and yet that meaning can and does change all thetime.Consider the fact that a 1918 catalog insisted that boys and girls be dressed in the appropriate color.We believe our thinking today is evolved;Ford shows us it's not.
46.What does the author think of the book Dress Codes:How the Laws of Fashion Made History?
A)It is read by people for entirely different reasons
B)It is meant for those interested in fashion history
C)It makes enjoyable as well as informative reading.
D)It converts fashion into something for deliberation.
47.How can people best understand a particular fashion in an era,according to Ford?
A)By examining the restraints imposed on it.
B)By looking at what the nobility were wearing.
C)By glancing at its fabrics,colors and ornaments.
D)By doing a survey ofthe upper and middle classes.
48.What was the aim of the first laws passed regarding fashion in the 1200s?
A)To facilitate the rise of the middle class.
B)To loosen restrictions on dress codes.
C)To help initiate some novel fashions.
D)To preserve the status of the nobles.
49.What does the author think of Ford's writing?
A)It uses comparison and contrast in describing fashions of different eras
B)It makes heavy reading but is not lacking in humor or appeal
C)It is filled with interesting episodes to spare readers intolerable boredom.
D)It is characteristic of academics in presenting arguments.
50.What does the author say is the greatest strength of Ford's book?
A)Plentiful information.
B)Meaningful choices.
C)Evolved thinking
D)Intellectual depth
Passage Two
Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.
The art of persuasion means convincing others to agree with your point of view or to follow your course of action.For some ofus,persuasion is an instinctive quality and the power of influencing comes naturally.For the rest of us,persuasion skills can be learned and developed over time.
Employers place a great value on employees with persuasion skills because they can impact several aspects of job performance.Besides,teamwork and leadership rely heavily on the power of persuasion to get things done.Without persuasion skills,employees may not be as committed to or convinced of the importance of an organization's vision and long-term mission.Effective use of persuasion skills will not only help get your coworkers excited about your ideas,it'll also help you motivate them to achieve a common goal.
In order to learn the art of persuasion at the workplace,you need to understand how to handle conflicts and reach agreements.Good communication is the first step in effective persuasion,but logic and reasoning are just as important.Before you can get somebody on-board with your goal,you should help them understand why they should pursue it.Using visual aids to back up your ideas can help communicate your ideas better and make compelling arguments so your listeners will come to a logical choice and become fully committed to your ideas and plans.
Successful persuasion skills are based on your ability to have positive interactions and maintain meaningful relationships with people.In order to sustain thoserelationships,you must be able to work in their best interests as well.Your coworkers are more likely to agree with you when they succeed alongside you.The more they achieve and the greaterprogress they make,the more they trust your judgement and strength.
We persuade and get persuaded every day—we're either convincing or being convinced.A vast majority of people prefer collaboration and teamwork over traditional organizational structures;no one likes to be told what to do or to be pushed around.Therefore,organizations and leaders should adopt powerful persuasion skills to bring about necessary changes.
51.What does the author say about the ability to be persuasive in the first paragraph?
A)People may either be born with it or be able to cultivate it.
B)It proves crucial in making others follow one's course of action.
C)It refers to the natural and instinctive power of influencing one's coworkers.
D)People may view it as both a means to convince others and an art of communication.
52.Why are persuasion skills greatly valued in the workplace?
A)They enable employees to be convinced oftheir long-term gains.
B)They enable employees to trust their leaders unconditionally.
C)They help motivate coworkers to strive for a common goal.
D)They help an organization to broaden its vision effectively.
53.What should people do to learn the art of persuasion atthe workplace?
A)Acquire effective communication skills.
B)Avoid getting involved in conflicts with others.
C)Understand the reason for pursuing their goals.
D)Commit themselves fully to their ideas and plans
54.When are you more likely to succeed in persuading your coworkers?
A)When they are convinced you work in their interests while sacrificing your own.
B)When they become aware of the potential strength of the judgements you make.
C)When they become aware of the meaningful relationships you keep with them.
D)When they are convinced they will make achievements together with you.
55.Why are organizations and leaders advised to adopt powerful persuasion skills to bring about necessary changes?
A)To convince employees of the value of collaboration.
B)To allow for the preferences of most people of today
C)To improve on traditional organizational structures
D)To adapt to employees'ever-changing working styles.
26. D) debate(n.讨论, 辩论v.讨论, 辩论)
语义判断 文章开头提到，在未来几十年里，数以百万计的工作岗位将受到机器人和人工智能的威胁。空格所在句意为“尽管学术界对这些发展进行了激烈的_____，但关于工人如何_____被技术取代的研究却很少”, 代入选项可知, debate符合语境。
27. M) react(v.反应; 回应)
语义判断 对于将来会被机器所取代，工人会作何感想。下文便提到了相关研究，并给出了结论。react to意为“对……作出反应”, 故 react符合语境。
28. G) favorably( adv.赞成地; 有利地)
语义判断 本句意为“原则上，大多数人认为，工人被其他人取代比被机器人或智能软件取代更_____”，下文转折表述当涉及他们自己的工作时，大多数人发现，把工作交给机器人而非其他员工并不那么令人沮丧，前后表意相反，代入选项可知，favorably符合语境。
29. N) reverses(v.逆转, 彻底改变)
语义判断 前一句提到大多数人认为，工人被其他人取代比被机器人或智能软件取代更有利，而后一句是说大多数工人发现，看到自己的工作交给机器人而不是其他员工并不那么令人沮丧，前后表意相反， 因此，空格所在句指的是，当涉及自己的工作时，人们的偏好会发生逆转，故reverses符合语境。
30. O) seemingly( adv.貌似, 看似; 似乎, 好像)
语义判断 研究结果表明，和被其他员工替代相比，被机器人替代并未让人们感到那么沮丧，但从长远来看，这些人认为机器对他们的威胁性更高，这些结果似乎是相互矛盾的。因此 seemingly符合语境。
31. A) compare(v.比较, 对比n.比较)
语义判断 此处阐述研究结果自相矛盾的原因，即人们更愿意与其他人而非机器相比较，故compare符合语境。
32. K) poses(v.造成, 引起n.姿势)
语义判断 该句意为“因此，被机器人或软件取代对他们的自我价值感_____威胁较小”，posea threat意为“构成威胁”, 故 poses符合语境。
33. I) introduction (n.引进; 介绍)
语义判断 技术的发展终究会使机器人和人工智能接替更多的工作岗位，工人将被淘汰，即失业是由于新技术的引入造成的, 故 introduction符合语境。
34. L) psychological( adj.心理的; 精神上的)
语义判断 技术革新及人工智能的发展会导致工人下岗，随之而来的就是社会的变化，为了使影响最小化。了解工人对待职场变化的态度至关重要。代入选项可知， psychological符合语境。
35. E) disruptions(n.扰乱; 中断)
语义判断 该句意为“在试图应对职场的巨大变化以减少对社会的_____时，了解这些心理影响很重要”，代入选项可知, disruptions符合语境。
36. 题干译文 有人反对在极端天气导致学校停课前给学生布置家庭作业的做法。
答案解析 G。由题干关键信息 opposition、 assignments、 take home和 extreme weather forces a school closure定位到G段。该段首句提到，还有所谓的“暴风雪书包”， 孩子们可以在预计的大雪封路之前把作业带回家。但罗斯表示，这还不足以代替上课。可见有人反对这种做法，由此可见，题干是对该句的同义转述, 其中 There is opposition to是对原文 But Mr Roth says it is not sufficient as a replacement的概括总结,而 the practice of giving children assignments to take home对应原文中的 with assignments that children take home,而 before extreme weather forces a school closure对应原文中的 ahead of an expected snow closure。
37. 题干译文 美国许多学校所采取的新政策要求学生在遇到学校停课的情况下， 在家进行线上学习。
答案解析 C。由题干关键信息 New policies、 many US schools、 online learning 和 school closure定位到C段。该段最后两句承接上文提到， 本学年，许多学校董事会都出台了政策，要求学生在学校因下雪或极端天气停课时在家学习。这被称为“线上学习日”，听起来当然没有雪休日有趣。由此可知，题干是对原文内容的概括总结。其中 New policies adopted by many US schools对应原文中的 many school boards have introduced policies, 而 require students to do online learning at home对应原文中的 require students to work from home和“e- learning days”, 而 in case of a school closure对应原文中的 if the school is shut by snow or extreme weather。
38. 题干译文 一些研究表明， 极端炎热的天气会对学生的学习成绩产生负面影响。
答案解析 I。由题干关键信息 some research、 extreme hot weather和 negatively affects students' performance定位到I段。该段讲述天气对学生学习成绩的影响，最后一句提到，炎热的天气对成绩有负面影响。研究人员对1000万名学生13年来的成绩进行了调查，发现极端炎热天气的年份与成绩下降之间存在“显著”联系。由此可知,题干是对该句内容的概括总结。题干中的 According to some research对应原文中的 The results of 10 million school students were examined over 13 years and researchers found, extreme hot weather对应原文中的 extremely hot weather, negatively affects对应原文中的 has the negative impact, 而 students' performance对应原文中的 lower results。
39. 题干译文 在美国，学生因“雪休日”放假在家是一个悠久的传统。
答案解析 A。由题干关键信息a time- honoured tradition in the US、 school kids、 stay at home和 snow days定位到A段。该段第二句提到，当美国出现降雪天气时， 这意味着学校的孩子们有机会享受“雪休日”这一由来已久的传统，即学校被迫停课， 学生们得到一个意想不到的休息日。由此可见，题干是对该句的同义转述, 其中a time- honoured tradition对应原文中的 the long- standing tradition, in the US属于原词重现, snow days对应原文中的 snow day, school kids对应原文中的 school children, 而 stay at home对应原文中的 get an unexpected day off。
40.题干译文 社交媒体上的争论表明，一些家长反对终结“雪休日”的传统。
答案解析 E。由题干关键信息 Debates on social media、 some parents、 are opposed to和 the“ snow day” tradition定位到E段。该段首句承接前文提到， 但是一些家长反对这项新政策，如果安德森县学区的 Facebook页面上的激烈争论能说明什么的话。该句中的“新政策”即指前文提到的用“线上学习日”取代传统的“雪休日”, 由此可知,题干是对原文内容的概括总结。题干中的 Debates on social media对应原文中的 the vigorous debate on the Facebook page of Anderson County school district, 而 some parents are opposed to ending the“ snow day” tradition对应原文中的 some parents object to the new policy。
41. 题干译文 在美国北部地区，学校受雪天影响(而停课)的可能性较小。
答案解析 B。由题干关键信息 more northern regions of the US、less likely和 be affected by snowy weather定位到B段。该段倒数第二句提到，在习惯了冬季大量降雪的美国北部地区，雪休日不大常见，因为市政当局设备精良，能够及时清理道路和清除积雪，即学校受雪天影响(而停课)的可能性较小。由此可知，题干是对原文内容的同义转述。题干中的 In more northern regions of the US对应原文中的 in more north ern areas of the United States, 而 school is less likely to be affected by snowy weather是对 Snow days are less common... that are used to heavy winter snowfall, because municipalities are well equipped to clear roads and remove snow的概括总结。
42.题干译文 研究表明， 经批准的旷课比未经批准的旷课(对学业)造成的问题更少。
答案解析 J。由题干关键信息 Research、absences from school with permission和 many problems定位到J段。该段第三句提到，然而，研究表明，与未经批准的旷课相比，在极端天气等情况下经批准的旷课对学生造成的问题要少得多。由此可知，题干是对该句内容的同义转述。其中 Research indicates对应原文中的 research shows, absences from school with permission 对应原文中的 that authorised absences from school, 而 do not cause as many problems as those without permission对应原文中 are less problematic for students than absences that are not authorised。
43. 题干译文 有人反对线上学习日，因为担心在家不能上网的学生将会受到影响。
答案解析 F。由题干关键信息 objection to e- learning days、 fear和 students with no access to the Internet at home定位到F段。该段最后两句提到，但俄亥俄州当地的学校校长正在抵制采用线上学习日的提议。他们担心，在家不能上网的学生将因这项政策而处于不利地位。由此可知，题干是对原文内容的同义转述。题干中的 There is objection to e- learning days对应原文中的 local school superintendents in Ohio are resisting proposals to adopt e- learning days, 而 owing to fear that students with no access to the Internet at home will suffer对应原文中的 They fear that students without internet access at home will be disadvantaged by the policy。
44. 题干译文 在一个试点项目中，当学校停课时，学生会获得电子设备来完成作业。
答案解析 D。由题干关键信息a pilot programme、 electronic devices、 do assignments和 schools are closed定位到D段。该段第二句提到，南卡罗来纳州安德森县一个学区的试点项目为学生提供了布置作业的电子平板电脑，以便他们在学校停课时完成作业。由此可知，题干是对原文内容的同义转述。其中a pilot programme属于原词重现, students are given electronic devices to do assignments when schools are closed对应原文中的 has supplied students with electronic tablets loaded with assignments to complete in the event of a school closure。
45. 题干译文 关于旷课对学生学习成绩的影响，长期以来一直存在着争论。
答案解析 H。由题干关键信息A long- standing debate、the impact of school absences和 students' academic performance定位到H段。该段首句提到，关于旷课是否会影响学习成绩的争论由来已久。由此可知，题干是对原文内容的同义转述, 其中A long- standing debate is going on over对应原文中的 There is a long- running debate on, 而 the impact of school absences on students' academic performance对应原文中的 whether missing days of school affects attainment。
46. 作者如何看待《着装规范： 时尚法则如何创造历史》这本书?
A)人们出于完全不同的原因阅读它。
B)它是为对时尚史感兴趣的人准备的。
C)它阅读起来令人十分愉快， 又长见识。
D)它将时尚转化为值得深思的事物。
解析：第一段第一句指出，这听起来可能令人惊讶，但你并不需要对时尚甚至历史感兴趣，就可以享受阅读《着装规范：时尚法则如何创造历史》这本书。接下来第二段第二句指出， 该书作者的论点经过缜密且充分的论证，而且书中充满了例子，看完后你可能再也不会认为时尚是件小事了。由此可知，在作者看来，这本书令人享受，且能让人增长见识，选项C与原文意思一致，故本题选C。选项A错在，原文是说作者出于不同的原因喜欢上了这本书，并不是人们出于完全不同的原因阅读它，故排除。选项B以偏概全，选项D属于过度推断， 均排除。
47. 根据福特的说法， 人们如何才能最好地理解一个时代的特定时尚?
A)通过仔细研究对其施加的限制。
B)通过观察贵族的穿着。
C)通过浏览面料、颜色和装饰品。
D)通过对上层阶级和中产阶级进行调查。
解析：第三段第一句指出，福特的论点是，要理解任何一个时代的特定时尚意味着什么， 最好的方法是看一看当时对时尚施加的限制。由此可知,本题选A。选项中的 restraints imposed on it与原文中的 restrictions placed on them是同义替换, restraint和 restriction都是“限制”的意思。其他三项虽然包含部分原文词汇,但都不是福特所说的理解一个时代特定时尚的最佳方式， 故排除。
48. 13世纪首批通过的时尚行业的法律的目的是什么?
A)促进中产阶级的崛起。
B)放宽对着装规范的限制。
C)帮助开创一些新时尚。
D)维护贵族的地位。
解析：第三段第二句指出，福特向我们展示了13世纪首批通过的确保只有贵族才能穿着某些面料、颜色和佩戴某些装饰品的法律，这反映了中产阶级的崛起，他们现在能够模仿其中一些时尚风格。但是仅从这句话，我们无法推断通过该法律的目的。我们继续读下一句：上层阶级的地位受到了威胁； 时尚是维护其地位的工具。由此可知，首批通过的时尚行业的法律规定贵族才能穿某些面料、颜色和装饰品，其目的也就是维护贵族的地位，故本题选D，选项中的 preserve是原词重现。虽然原文提到了中产阶级的崛起，但这是这部法律的颁布反映出的一个现象，而不是其目的， 故排除A。选项B和C原文没有提及， 均排除。
49. 作者认为福特的作品怎么样?
A)它使用比较和对比的手法来描述不同时代的时尚。
B)它读起来很晦涩， 但不乏幽默感或吸引力。
C)它充满了有趣的章节， 使读者免于无法忍受的枯燥。
D)在提出论点方面，它具有学术特点。
解析：倒数第二段第二句和第三句指出，他的作品比较晦涩难懂——充满了研究细节、从句和精确的形容词和名词。但这部作品中也不乏幽默和足够有趣的章节，使文字充满吸引力。对比四个选项，只有选项B概括最为全面且符合文章内容，故本题选B，选项中的 heavy reading与原文中的 dense属于同义替换。本题还可以用排除法来做。选项A原文未提及，故排除。选项C错在，原文说作品“不乏”足够有趣的章节，并没有说“充满”了有趣的章节，而且该选项对福特作品的概括也不全面，故排除。作者只是提到福特的作品中论点论证缜密，例子丰富，听起来就像阅读法庭意见书一样，这表明作者认为福特的书有法律文献的味道，而并非D项所说的具有学术特点，故D项可排除。
50. 作者认为福特这本书最大的优点是什么?
A)丰富的信息。
B)有意义的选择。
C)进化的思维。
D)思想的深度。
解析：根据题干关键词 the greatest strength of Ford's book可以将答案定位到最后一段第一句。
最后一句段第一句指出，这本书(关于时尚！ )最大的优势在于其思想的深刻程度， 故本题选D。选项 Intellectual depth与原文中的 intellectual profoundness是同义替换。其他三项均不符合题意, 故排除。
51. 在第一段中，关于说服他人的能力，作者说了什么?
A)它可能是人们与生俱来的， 也能够后天培养。
B)事实证明， 它对于让他人遵循自己的行动方案至关重要。
C)它指的是影响同事的自然且本能的力量。
D)人们可能将其视为一种说服他人的手段和沟通的艺术。
解析：第一段第一句指出什么是说服的艺术。接着， 第二、三句指出，对一些人来说， 说服是一种本能的特质，对于其他人来说，说服的技巧是可以随着时间的推移而学习和发展的。由此可知， 选项A正确，说服力既有可能与生俱来,也有可能后天培养。选项中的 cultivate(培养) 与原文中的 learned and developed属于同义替换。其他三项虽然包括原文中的词汇，但是表达的意思都不准确，可以排除。
52. 为什么说服技巧在工作场所受到高度重视?
A)它们能让员工相信他们的长期收益。
B)它们能让员工无条件地信任他们的领导。
C)它们有助于激励同事为了一个共同的目标而奋斗。
D)它们帮助组织有效地拓宽其视野。
解析：第二段讲的是在工作场所说服力为什么很重要。首先，有说服力的员工可以影响工作表现的几个方面。其次，团队合作和领导力在很大程度上依赖于说服力。第三，说服技巧可以让员工为组织的愿景和长期使命全心投入，且深信不疑。第四， 有效使用说服技巧不仅可以让你的同事对你的想法感到兴奋，还可以帮你激励他们实现共同的目标。对比四个选项，只有选项C与第四点符合，故为正确答案。其他三项均与原文不符， 故排除。
53. 在工作场所，人们应该如何学习说服的艺术?
A)获得有效的沟通技巧。
B)避免卷入与他人的冲突。
C)了解追求目标的原因。
D)全身心地投入到自己的想法和计划中。
解析：第三段讲的是人们应如何学习说服的艺术。首先，在工作场所学会说服的艺术，你需要了解如何处理冲突并达成一致。其次，需要良好的沟通、逻辑和推理。第三，在让别人支持你的目标之前，你应该帮他们理解为什么要追求这个目标。第四，使用视觉辅助工具来支持你的想法。对比四个选项，可知选项A“获得有效的沟通技巧”，与原文第二点“需要良好的沟通”相符，为正确答案。选项B错在应该是了解如何解决冲突， 选项C错在应该是让支持你的人理解为什么追求这个目标， 故排除。选项D原文没有提及，故排除。
54. 什么时候你更有可能成功说服你的同事?
A)当他们确信你为他们的利益而工作，同时牺牲你自己的利益时。
B)当他们意识到你做判断的潜在力量时。
C)当他们意识到你与他们保持着有意义的关系时。
D)当他们确信他们将和你一起取得成就时。
解析：第四段第三句指出，当你的同事和你一起取得成功时，他们更有可能同意你的观点。由此可知， 当同事们确信跟你一起会取得成就时，你更有可能说服他们，故选项D正确。选项A错在原文没有提到牺牲自己的利益；选项B用原文词汇混淆视听，表达的意思与原文不符； 原文没有提到同事们意识到你与他们保持着有意义的关系， 故排除选项C。
55.为什么建议组织和领导者采用强有力的说服技巧，以促成必要的变革?
A)让员工相信协作的价值。
B)考虑到当今大多数人的偏好。
C)改进传统的组织结构。
D)适应员工不断变化的工作方式。
解析：最后一段后两句指出，与传统的组织结构相比，绝大多数人更喜欢协作和团队合作；没有人喜欢被人告之应该做什么或被人摆布。因此，组织和领导者应该采用强有力的说服技巧，以促成必要的变革，也就是说，考虑到大多数人更喜欢协作，不喜欢被摆布，所以组织和领导者需要用强有力的说服技巧以促成必要的变革，故选项B正确。其他三个选项都与原文不符，可以排除。
