An experiment was conducted to test the effect of caffeine on work performance. The employees of a company were divided into two groups. One group was told they would be given ordinary coffee containing caffeine, while the other group was told they would receive coffee without caffeine. However, in reality, the coffees given to the two groups were switched: the group that was told they would receive caffeinated coffee actually received decaffeinated coffee, and vice versa. The results showed that the group that actually consumed decaffeinated coffee had a significantly higher typing speed than the group that consumed caffeinated coffee. The conclusion drawn from this experiment was that caffeine does not improve productivity.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn from the experiment?
(A) The employees participating in the experiment were able to distinguish whether the coffee they drank contained caffeine or not.
(B) The group of employees who typed faster had a significantly higher error rate in their work.
(C) The researchers conducting the experiment made several mistakes in the process of administering the coffee to the two groups.
(D) The company had previously conducted a survey showing that the majority of employees believed that caffeine improves their work performance.
(E) The experiment was conducted only once, and the sample size of employees participating in each group was relatively small.
Federal auditors are tasked with conducting an audit of a bank to detect potential fraudulent activities. However, as per the current policy, the auditors inform the bank a week in advance of their impending audit. Critics argue that this practice is flawed, as it provides the bank with ample time to cover up any fraudulent activities successfully. They contend that for an audit to effectively uncover wrongdoing, no advance notice should be given.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the critics' argument?
(A) The bank's employees are less likely to engage in fraudulent activities if they are aware that an audit may occur at any time without prior notice.
(B) The federal auditors have a proven track record of detecting fraud in other financial institutions, despite giving advance notice of their audits.
(C) Concealing fraudulent activities within a week would require the bank to leave more obvious traces of wrongdoing, making it easier for auditors to detect.
(D) The bank has a stringent internal control system that makes it difficult for employees to commit fraud, regardless of whether an audit is announced in advance.
(E) The federal auditors are highly skilled and experienced in detecting fraud, even when banks have attempted to conceal their wrongdoing.
答案：
DC
2.RC
Astronomers have always suspected that planetsmight orbit stars other than our sun. Weimagined, though, that we would fi nd systemsmuch like our own solar system, centered on astar much like the sun. Yet when a fl ood of discoveriesbegan 15 years ago, it was apparent rightaway that extrasolar planetary systems can differdramatically from our solar system. The fi rstexample was the sunlike star 51 Pegasi, found tohave a planet more massive than Jupiter on an orbitsmaller than that of Mercury. As instrumentsbecame more sensitive, they found ever strangerinstances. The sunlike star HD 40307 hosts threeplanets with masses between four and 10 Earth masses, all on orbits less than half the size ofMercury’s. The sunlike star 55 Cancri A has nofewer than fi ve planets, with masses rangingfrom 10 and 1,000 Earth masses and orbital radiiranging from one tenth that of Mercury toabout that of Jupiter. Planetary systems imaginedin science fi ction scarce ly compare.
It is sometimes forgotten today, but the fi rstconfi rmed discovery of any extrasolar planets was around a very unsunlikestar: the neutron star PSR 1257+12, an even more extreme type of stellar corpsethan a white dwarf. It packs a mass greater than the sun’s into the size of asmall asteroid, some 20 kilometers across. The event that created this beast,the supernova explosion of a star 20 times the mass of the sun, was moreviolent than the demise of a sunlike star, and it is hard to imagine planetssurviving it. Moreover, the star that exploded probably had a radius largerthan 1 AU (astronomical unit, the Earth-sun distance), which is larger than theorbits of the planets we see today. For both reasons, those planets must haverisen up out of the ashes of the explosion.
Although supernovae typically eject most oftheir debris into interstellar space, a small amount remains gravitationallybound and falls back to form a swirling disk around the stellar remnant. Disksare the birthing grounds of planets. Astronomers think our solar system tookshape when an amorphous interstellar cloud of dust and gas collapsed under itsown weight. The conservation of angular momentum, or spin, kept some of thematerial from simply falling all the way to the newborn sun; instead it settledinto a pancake shape. Within this disk, dust and gas coagulated into planets[see “The Genesis of Planets,” by Douglas N. C. Lin; Scientific American, May2008]. Much the same process could have occurred in the postsupernova fallbackdisk.
Astronomers discovered the system around PSR1257+12 by detecting periodic deviations in the timing of the radio pulses itgives off; such deviations arise because the orbiting planets pull slightly onthe star, periodically shifting its position and thus altering the distance thepulses must travel. Despite intensive searches of other stars’ pulses,observers know of no other comparable system. Another pulsar, PSR B1620–26, hasat least one planet, but it orbits so far from the star that astronomers think itdid not form in a fallback disk but rather was captured gravitationally fromanother star.
In 2006, however, NASA’s Spitzer SpaceTelescope discovered unexpected infrared emission from the neutron star 4U0142+61. The infrared light might arise from the star’s magnetosphere or from acircumstellar disk. This star formed in a supernova explosion about 100,000years ago, and it typically takes about a million years or so for planets toagglomerate, so if the radiation does signal the presence of a disk, thissystem may one day resemble that revolving around PSR 1257+12.
Question 1:
The author mentions the planetary system around HD 40307 in order to:
(A) Illustrate the similarity between extrasolar planetary systems and our solar system
(B) Provide an example of an extrasolar planetary system with Earth-sized planets
(C) Demonstrate the increasing sensitivity of instruments used to detect extrasolar planets
(D) Emphasize the unusual nature of extrasolar planetary systems compared to our solar system
(E) Suggest that sunlike stars are more likely to host planetary systems than other types of stars
Question 2:
The passage implies that the supernova explosion that created PSR 1257+12 was:
(A) Less violent than the demise of a sunlike star
(B) Similar in violence to the demise of a sunlike star
(C) More violent than the demise of a sunlike star
(D) Unlikely to have affected the orbits of any planets around the star
(E) Insufficient to destroy any preexisting planets around the star
Question 3:
According to the passage, which of the following is true of the planets orbiting PSR 1257+12?
(A) They are the only known planets orbiting a pulsar that likely formed in a fallback disk
(B) They are similar in mass and orbital radius to the planets in our solar system
(C) They likely formed from an amorphous interstellar cloud of dust and gas
(D) They are less massive than the planet orbiting PSR B1620–26
(E) They were likely captured gravitationally from another star
Question 4:
The passage suggests that the infrared emission detected from the neutron star 4U 0142+61 is:
(A) Definitive proof of the existence of a circumstellar disk
(B) Unlikely to be related to the presence of a circumstellar disk
(C) Indicative of the presence of fully formed planets around the star
(D) Similar to the infrared emission detected from PSR 1257+12
(E) A potential sign of a circumstellar disk where planets may form in the future
Question 5:
Based on the information in the passage, which of the following can be inferred about the formation of planetary systems?
(A) Planetary systems can only form around sunlike stars
(B) Planetary systems can form in the aftermath of supernova explosions
(C) Planetary systems always include planets with masses similar to Earth
(D) Planetary systems cannot form around neutron stars
(E) Planetary systems require the presence of an amorphous interstellar cloud of dust and gas
Question 6:
The author's attitude towards the discovery of extrasolar planetary systems can best be described as one of:
(A) Skepticism regarding the accuracy of the discoveries
(B) Disappointment that the systems differ from our solar system
(C) Surprise at the unusual characteristics of the systems
(D) Indifference towards the significance of the discoveries
(E) Certainty that extrasolar planetary systems would closely resemble our solar system
Question 7:
The passage suggests that the conservation of angular momentum plays a role in:
(A) The formation of neutron stars during supernova explosions
(B) The creation of fallback disks around stellar remnants after supernova explosions
(C) The capture of planets from other stars by pulsars like PSR B1620–26
(D) The formation of planetary systems from interstellar clouds of dust and gas
(E) The detection of periodic deviations in the timing of pulsars' radio pulses
Question 8:
The primary purpose of the passage is to:
(A) Describe the methods used by astronomers to detect extrasolar planetary systems
(B) Compare and contrast the characteristics of different extrasolar planetary systems
(C) Argue for the importance of studying extrasolar planetary systems
(D) Explain the formation and characteristics of extrasolar planetary systems, including those around neutron stars
(E) Critique the current theories regarding the formation of planetary systems
Nintendo, a titan in the Japanese video game industry, has captivated audiences worldwide with its innovative consoles and iconic franchises. According to a recent report by Newzoo, a renowned market intelligence firm, Nintendo's revenue for the fiscal year 2020 reached an impressive $12.3 billion, a 34% increase from the previous year. This surge in revenue can be attributed to the overwhelming success of the Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 79.87 million units since its launch in March 2017.
The Nintendo Switch's success is due in large part to its unique hybrid design, allowing players to seamlessly transition between handheld and home console gaming. This innovative approach has resonated with consumers, as evidenced by the console's impressive attach rate of 7.6 games per console, significantly higher than the industry average of 4.2. Furthermore, Nintendo's first-party titles have been a driving force behind the Switch's success, with games like "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" selling over 31.18 million copies and "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" surpassing 33.41 million copies sold.
However, Nintendo faces increasing competition from rival console manufacturers and the growing mobile gaming market. According to a report by App Annie, mobile gaming revenue is projected to reach $100 billion by 2023, a 43% increase from 2020. To maintain its competitive edge, Nintendo has begun to explore the mobile gaming landscape, partnering with developers to bring its beloved franchises to smartphones and tablets. Notable successes include "Fire Emblem Heroes," which has generated over $656 million in revenue since its launch in 2017, and "Mario Kart Tour," which has been downloaded over 200 million times since its release in 2019.
As Nintendo looks to the future, it must navigate the challenges posed by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and the increasing convergence of gaming and other forms of entertainment. The company has already taken steps to address these challenges, such as the recent partnership with Universal Studios to create Super Nintendo World, a theme park that brings Nintendo's iconic characters and worlds to life. By leveraging its unique strengths in storytelling, innovation, and brand recognition, Nintendo is well-positioned to maintain its position as a leader in the global video game industry.
Questions:
Based on the information provided in the passage, which of the following statements about Nintendo's revenue growth in the fiscal year 2020 is accurate?
(A) Nintendo's revenue increased by 34% compared to the previous fiscal year.
(B) Nintendo's revenue reached $7.9 billion, a 12% increase from the previous year.
(C) Nintendo's revenue surpassed $15 billion, a 50% increase from the previous year.
(D) Nintendo's revenue grew by 25%, reaching $10.6 billion.
The passage suggests that the Nintendo Switch's success can be primarily attributed to:
(A) Its low price point compared to other gaming consoles
(B) The popularity of third-party titles available on the platform
(C) The unique hybrid design that allows for both handheld and home console gaming
(D) The extensive library of classic Nintendo games available through the Virtual Console
According to the passage, which of the following Nintendo Switch games has sold the most copies?
(A) Animal Crossing: New Horizons
(B) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
(C) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
(D) Super Mario Odyssey
The passage mentions that Nintendo has begun to explore the mobile gaming landscape. Which of the following mobile games has generated the most revenue for the company?
(A) Fire Emblem Heroes
(B) Mario Kart Tour
(C) Super Mario Run
(D) Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Based on the information provided in the passage, what is the projected increase in mobile gaming revenue between 2020 and 2023?
(A) 23%
(B) 33%
(C) 43%
(D) 53%
The passage suggests that Nintendo's partnership with Universal Studios to create Super Nintendo World is an example of:
(A) Nintendo's efforts to maintain its competitive edge in the face of evolving consumer preferences
(B) Nintendo's focus on developing new hardware to rival other console manufacturers
(C) Nintendo's strategy to dominate the mobile gaming market
(D) Nintendo's attempt to acquire other video game companies to expand its market share
According to the passage, the Nintendo Switch's attach rate of 7.6 games per console is:
(A) Lower than the industry average
(B) Equal to the industry average
(C) Slightly higher than the industry average
(D) Significantly higher than the industry average
The passage implies that Nintendo's success in the global video game industry can be attributed to its:
(A) Ability to consistently release new gaming consoles every year
(B) Focus on developing games exclusively for mobile devices
(C) Partnerships with major Hollywood studios to create movies based on its franchises
(D) Unique strengths in storytelling, innovation, and brand recognition
The author's primary purpose in writing this passage is to:
(A) Criticize Nintendo's approach to the mobile gaming market
(B) Provide an overview of Nintendo's success, challenges, and strategies in the video game industry
(C) Compare Nintendo's performance to other major video game companies
(D) Argue that Nintendo should focus solely on developing console games
Based on the information provided in the passage, which of the following statements about the video game industry is least supported?
(A) Mobile gaming is expected to experience substantial revenue growth in the coming years.
(B) The video game industry is facing increasing convergence with other forms of entertainment.
(C) Successful video game companies must navigate evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements.
(D) The success of a gaming console is primarily determined by its processing power and graphical capabilities.
1. 逻辑链：experiment—2G, switch caffeine (differ from what they were told) ---performance与常识相反结果----caffeine与productivity无关
A 能分辨是加强结论（减少experiment变量因素）
B 错误率与生产力关系不大
C 什么错误，没说清楚，无关
D 大部分员工相信咖啡因可以提高工作表现—引入新变量因素，说明有别的原因也会影响生产力，打破experiment控制变量效果，削弱，对
E experiment的次数和样本选取可能使结论存在“一定偏差”，但是相比于D来说这种未知偏差的削弱效果远小于确定的其他变量
2. 逻辑链： auditors inform advance --- bank cover up fraudulent activities –no advance notice
A 如果银行员工知道审计随时会来，就不太会参与此类活动。与逻辑链无关
B other institutions和bank没关系
C 藏匿此类活动—更多明显的踪迹---更易追查，削弱逻辑链中1—2的关系，bank无法很好cover up
D 员工很难承认错误，与detect的过程没关系
E 联邦auditors经验丰富与advance notice之间的关系没说，无关
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