There are several new methods of system building. One is the panel method. In this case, the construction company sometimes erects a factory on the site. The walls and floors of the building, called panels, are cast in a horizontal or vertical position. Conduits for electrical wires and sleeves for pipes are cast in the panels when they are being made. The moulds for making these castings are situated all around the building.

　　After the concrete panels are cast, they are allowed to set and harden for a week. Next they are lifted by a tower crane on to any section of the building. There the panels are cemented together at their joints and the floor covering is laid.

　　After the panels have been cemented together, the crane lifts a case into the area. It contains all the fittings to be installed, such as wash-basins, radiators and pipes. Finishing tradesmen, such as plumbers, plasterers, painters and electricians, follow behind to complete the work.

　　In some building developments, in some countries, whole flats with internal features like their bathrooms, bedrooms and connecting stairs, and weighing as much as twenty tons, are carried to the building-site ready-made. A giant overhead crane is used to lift them into position. In the future, this method may become more widespread.

　　1. The main difference between panel method and the method discussed in the last paragraph is_______.

　　A. the latter uses ready-made internal features

　　B. panels are cast in a level position

　　C. the former is used to build walls and floors while the latter to construct bathrooms or bedrooms

　　D. the former is more expensive than the latter

　　2. Which of these statements is TRUE of system building?

　　A. It employs more men. B. It is difficult and dangerous.

　　C. It can save both time and money. D. It means less mechanization.

　　3. According to the passage, the principle of system building is that_______.

　　A. construction methods are safer

　　B. buildings are made from a set of standardized units

　　C. similar buildings can be produced

　　D. all units are produced on the site

　　4. The usual fixed length in the modular system is_______.

　　A. twenty centimeters B. ten millimeters

　　C. fifty centimeters D. ten centimeters

　　5. What lifts the concrete panels onto the building?

　　A. Cranes. B. Man-power.

　　C. Pulleys. D. Hydraulic jacks.

　　參考答案：

　　1. A 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. A

　　六級閱讀理解精選練習2：

　　According to the latest research in the' United States of America, men and women talk such different languages that it is like people from two different cultures trying to communicate. Professor Deborah Tannen of Georgetown University, has noticed the difference in the style of boy's and girl's conversations from an early age. She says that little girls' conversation is less definite than boys' and expresses more doubts. Little boys use conversation to establish status with their listeners.

　　These differences continue into adult life, she says. In public conversations, men talk most and interrupt other speakers more. In private conversations, men and women speak in equal amounts—although they say things in a different style. Professor Tannen believes that, for woman, private talking is a way to establish and test intimacy. For men, private talking is a way to explore the power structure of a relationship.

　　Teaching is one job where the differences between men's and women's ways of talking show. When a man teaches a woman, says Professor Tannen, he wants to show that he has more knowledge, and hence more power in conversation. When a woman teaches another woman, however, she is more likely to take a sharing approach and to encourage her student to join in. But Professor Tannen does not believe that women are naturally more helpful. She says women feel they achieve power by being able to help others. Although the research suggests men talk and interrupt people more than women, Professor Tannen says, women actually encourage this to happen because they believe it will lead to more intimacy and help to establish a relationship.

　　Some scientists who are studying speech think that the brain is pre¬programmed for language. As we are usually taught to speak by women, it seems likely that the brain must have a sexual bias(傾向性) in its programming,

　　otherwise male speech patterns would not arise at all.

　　1. In the opinion of the writer, women encourage men to talk because

　　A. it will lead to more intimacy and help to establish a relationship

　　B. it will help to establish status with their listeners

　　C. it will help to express more clearly

　　D. it will help to communicate better

　　2. There are_______in little girls' conversation than in boys'.

　　A. fewer doubts B. more demands

　　C. more doubts D. fewer uncertainties

　　3. Some scientists believe that brain is pre-programmed for language. The word "pre programmed" means_______.

　　A. programmed already B. programmed before one is born

　　C. programmed early D. programmed by women

　　4. In private conversation, women speak

　　A. the same things as men B. less than men

　　C. more than men D. as much as men

　　5. The theme of this article is _______.

　　A. women are naturally more helpful

　　B. men and women talk different languages

　　C. men talk most and interrupt other speakers more

　　D. little girls' conversation is less definite

　　參考答案：

　　1. A 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. B