Question

Every four years on November 8, the American people will vote for the next U. S. president. Before election day, people following the presidential campaign will see many polls (民调). A poll is a public opinion study. Research organizations ask people questions about the candidates to find out who they support.

For example, one of the poll is run by a professor at a university in the U.S. state of Connecticut. People who work for the polling service call likely voters on the telephone.

How can one poll be so different from others? Here are some things to remember when you are looking at polls:

Not all polling groups are the same

Some polls target specific groups of people. Many polls make sure they collect many different opinions. Sometimes, however, polling organizations receive money from groups that support a specific political issue. It is important to look at which group carried out the poll along with the results.

A poll's method is important

Some polls are using new technology. Traditionally, polls are done over the phone. But that is slowly changing. Many polls are now done online. While online polls can produce good information, it is sometimes hard to reach as many different types of people over the Internet.

Also important the size of the poll. Try to find out how many people were polled before believing its results.

Polls are not predictions(预测)

Polls only show how people feel at one moment in time. They do not show what will happen in the future. Public opinion may change before the general election on November 8. Some things that could change the opinions of voters include: the debates on television, the release of the candidates’ tax or medical records, and unexpected illnesses.

1.What do political polls in the U. S. try to do?

A. Call on people to be active in the election.

B. Help political parties to win the election.

C. Find out the support rate in the election.

D. Affect people's opinions in the election.

2.What do you know about polling organizations?

A. Some serve for certain groups.    B. They all collect different opinions.

C. They all make money from their polls.    D. All of them try to find the correct results.

3.What is the disadvantage of polls done online?

A. People may refuse to respond.    B. Results sometimes lack of representation.

C. Only the young give their ideas.    D. People refuse to tell their true thoughts.

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A. Effects of Political Polls in the U. S..

B. Various Kinds of Political Polls in the U. S..

C. Ways to Carry Out Political Polls in the U. S..

D. Things to Know About Political Polls in the U. S..

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】本文为介绍说明文。美国总统大选前有各种各样的民调，有时得出的结果差別很大。文章介绍了影响结果的因素。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段的Research organizations ask people questions about the candidates to find out who they support可知，美国总统大选前的民调是调査大选中的支持率的。故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第一个小标题的Sometimes, however, polling organizations receive money from groups that support a specific political issue可知，一些民调机构是为特定人群服务的。故选A。

3.细节理解题。根据第二个小标题的 it is sometimes hard to reach as many different types of people over the Internet可知，网上民调很难涉及到尽量多的人群，代表性不够。故选B。

4.主旨大意题。根据第三段的How can one poll be so different from others? Here are some things to remember when you are looking at polls可知，文章介绍了美国大选民调的有关信息。作者提醒，在看民调结果时，还要注意其他信息。故选D。

【名师点睛】

阅读理解所设试题主要考察细节查找，做题关键是找出原文的根据，认真核查题支和原文的异同，常犯错误有：绝对化语言，范围扩大或缩小，以偏概全，张冠李戴等。考生首先要浏览短文后的小题题干，标出关键词（组），带着问题去阅读，能够做到心中有数，目的明确；然后再仔细阅读短文，完整了解信息，准确把握细节信息，并在标出能得出答案的有效信息。如第3小题“What is the disadvantage of polls done online?”，要求找出在线民意调查的缺陷是什么?根据A poll's method is important部分的While online polls can produce good information, it is sometimes hard to reach as many different types of people over the Internet.可知，虽然在线民意调查能产生好的信息，但是有时候通过网络，很难涉及到尽可能多的不同人群，由此可知，在线民意调查存在一定的局限性、缺乏代表性。于是，我们将这一句话在原文中用第3小题的题号标识出来，作为答案的依据。做阅读理解题时，一定要细心，这样才能准确找到正确答案。