The origin of the theory that major geologic events may occur at regular intervals can be traced back not to a study of volcanism or plate tectonics but to an investigation of marine extinctions. In the early 1980’s, scientists began to look closely at the question of how these extinctions occur. Two paleontologists, Raup and Sepkoski, compiled a master list of marine species that died out during the past 268 million years and noted that there were brief periods during which many species disappeared at once. There mass extinctions occurred at surprisingly regular intervals.
Later studies revealed that extinctions of terrestrial reptiles and mammals also occurred periodically. These findings, combined with the research of Raup and Sepkoski, led scientists to hypothesize the existence of some kind of cyclically recurring force powerful enough to affect living things profoundly. Speculation that so powerful a force might affect geologic events as well led geologists to search for evidence of periodicity in episodes of volcanism, seafloor spreading, and plate movement.
1.The author of the passage would most likely describe the findings of Raup and Sepkoski as （ ）.
2.The author of the passage is primarily concerned with （ ）.
3.According to the passage, Raup and Sepkoski’s research was concerned with（ ）.
问题1选项
A.Plausible, because the findings supported the theories of previous researchers.
B.Significant, because the findings were an impetus for subsequent research.
C.Controversial, because the findings contradicted the theories of previous researchers.
D.Questionable, because the authors were not working in their field of expertise
问题2选项
A.Determining the dates of various geologic events
B.Defending the conclusions reached by Raup and Sepkoski
C.Establishing a link between the disciplines of paleontology and geology
D.Explaining how a theory concerning geologic events was formulated.
问题3选项
A.Learning more about the habitats of marine species.
B.Studying plate tectonics and the occurrence of volcanism over the past 268 million years
C.Examining extinctions of marine species over the past 268 million years
D.Confirming previous evidence suggesting that extinction of terrestrial species occurred regularly
第1题:
【选项释义】
The author of the passage would most likely describe the findings of Raup and Sepkoski as（ ）. 这篇文章的作者很可能会把劳普和塞普科斯基的发现描述为（ ）。
A. Plausible, because the findings supported the theories of previous researchers. A. 是可信的，是因为这些发现支持了之前研究人员的理论。
B. Significant, because the findings were an impetus for subsequent research. B. 意义重大，因为这些发现是后续研究的推动力。
C. Controversial, because the findings contradicted the theories of previous researchers. C. 有争议，因为这些发现与之前研究人员的理论相矛盾。
D. Questionable, because the authors were not working in their field of expertise. D. 有问题，因为作者不是在他们的专业领域工作。
【考查点】推理判断题。
【解题思路】根据题干关键词Raup and Sepkoski定位文章第一段第三句Two paleontologists, Raup and Sepkoski, compiled a master list of marine species that died out during the past 268 million years and noted that there were brief periods during which many species disappeared at once.（两位古生物学家劳普和塞普科斯基，汇编了一份在过去2.68亿年中消亡的海洋物种的总清单，并指出，有一段短暂的时期，许多物种同时消失了），结合第二段第二句These findings, combined with the research of Raup and Sepkoski, led scientists to hypothesize the existence of some kind of cyclically recurring force powerful enough to affect living things profoundly.（这些发现，结合劳普和塞普科斯基的研究，使科学家们假设存在某种循环往复的力量，这种力量强大到足以深刻地影响生物），可知劳普和塞普科斯基的这一发现为后续研究带来了巨大的影响，因此B选项“意义重大，因为这些发现是后续研究的推动力”正确。
【干扰项排除】
A、C、D选项均未在文中体现，属于无中生有。
第2题:
【选项释义】
The author of the passage is primarily concerned with（ ）. 这篇文章的作者主要关注的是（ ）。
A. Determining the dates of various geologic events A. 确定各种地质事件发生的日期
B. Defending the conclusions reached by Raup and Sepkoski B. 为劳普和塞普科斯基得出的结论辩护
C. Establishing a link between the disciplines of paleontology and geology C. 在古生物学和地质学之间建立联系
D. Explaining how a theory concerning geologic events was formulated D. 解释关于地质事件的理论是如何形成的
【考查点】推理判断题。
【解题思路】根据文章首段第一句The origin of the theory that major geologic events may occur at regular intervals can be traced back not to a study of volcanism or plate tectonics but to an investigation of marine extinction.（重大地质事件可能间隔一定时间发生这一理论的起源不能追溯到对火山作用或板块构造的研究，而是要追溯到对海洋物种灭绝的研究），可知全文主要是讲述地质事件理论的起源，因此D选项“解释关于地质事件的理论是如何形成的”正确。
【干扰项排除】
A、B、C选项均未在文中体现，属于无中生有。
第3题:
【选项释义】
According to the passage, Raup and Sepkoski’s research was concerned with（ ）. 根据文章，劳普和塞普科斯基的研究关注的是（ ）。
A. Learning more about the habitats of marine species A. 了解更多海洋物种的栖息地
B. Studying plate tectonics and the occurrence of volcanism over the past 268 million years B. 研究过去2.68亿年间的板块构造和火山活动
C. Examining extinctions of marine species over the past 268 million years C. 研究过去2.68亿年间海洋物种的灭绝
D. Confirming previous evidence suggesting that extinction of terrestrial species occurred regularly D. 证实了以前的证据，表明陆地物种的灭绝是经常发生的
【考查点】事实细节题。
【解题思路】根据选项关键词marine species定位文章第一段第三句Two paleontologists, Raup and Sepkoski, compiled a master list of marine species that died out during the past 268 million years and noted that there were brief periods during which many species disappeared at once.（两位古生物学家，劳普和塞普科斯基，编制了一份在过去2.68亿年间灭绝的海洋物种的总清单，并指出在一些短暂的时期内，许多物种同时消失），可知C选项“研究了过去2.68亿年间海洋物种的灭绝”正确。
【干扰项排除】
A、D选项均未在文中体现，属于无中生有；
B选项“研究过去2.68亿年间的板块构造和火山活动”，根据文章内容可知，劳普和塞普科斯基研究的是过去2.68亿年间海洋物种的灭绝，不是板块构造和火山活动，属于曲解原文。
