说到托福阅读备考，TPO是必不可少的备考神器，通过TPO练习来更好的适应阅读考试的节奏。本文小编带来的托福阅读笔记是TPO30 The Pace of Evolutionary Change的内容，希望能够与正在备考的大家一起进步。
TPO30 The Pace of Evolutionary Change
文章题材：生命科学——进化的速度
常见词汇：
proceed [prə'si:d] vi. 继续进行，开始，着手
evolve [i'vɔlv] v. 进展，进化，展开
characterize ['kæriktəraiz] vt. 表示 ... 的典型，赋予 ... 特色
experienced [iks'piəriənst] adj. 有经验的
complex ['kɔmpleks] adj. 复杂的，复合的，合成的n. 复合体
curious ['kjuəriəs] adj. 好奇的，奇特的
extinct [iks'tiŋkt] adj. 灭绝的，熄灭的，耗尽的
conceive [kən'si:v] v. 设想，构思，怀孕
separated ['sepəreitid] adj. 分居;分开的;不在一起生活的 v. 分开;隔开
compel [kəm'pel] v. 强迫，迫使，使不得已
易错题解析：
Paragraph 2:Sometimes a closed question must be reopened as new evidence or new arguments based on old evidence come to light. In 1972 paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge challenged conventional wisdom with an opposing viewpoint, the punctuated equilibrium hypothesis, which posits that species give rise to new species in relatively sudden bursts, without a lengthy transition period. These episodes of rapid evolution are separated by relatively long static spans during which a species may hardly change at all.
3. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
O The punctuated equilibrium hypothesis challenged gradualism, which holds that species evolve in relatively sudden bursts of brief duration.
O The punctuated equilibrium hypothesis developed by Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge was challenged in 1972.
O In 1972 Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge challenged gradualism by positing that change from one species to another cannot occur without a lengthy transition period.
O The punctuate equilibrium hypothesis, in opposition to gradualism, holds that transitions from one species to another occur in comparatively sudden burst.
题型：句子简化题。答案是(D)
解析：句子的主干部分是断点平衡论挑战了原来的渐进论，然后解释了断点平衡论的内容。A选项原文没提到brief duration;B选项与原文矛盾，C与原文不符，原文S和N的观点是change的发生是without lengthy transition的。D和原文意思相符，并且也包含了所有的主干部分，所以正确。
Paragraph 3:The punctuated equilibrium hypothesis attempts to explain a curious feature of the fossil record --- one that has been familiar to paleontologist for more than a century but has usually been ignored. Many species appear to remain unchanged in the fossil record for millions of years --- a situation that seems to be at odds with Darwin' s model of continuous change. Intermediated fossil forms, predicted by gradualism, are typically lacking. In most localities a given species of clam or coral persists essentially unchanged throughout a thick formation of rock, only to be replaced suddenly by a new and different species.
5. According to paragraph 3, the lack of intermediate fossils in the fossil record of some species
O has been extensively studied by paleontologist for over a century
O contradicts the idea that most species have remained unchanged for millions of years
O challenges the view that evolutionary change is gradual
O is most common in the fossil records of clam and coral species
题型：事实信息题。答案是(C)
解析：根据lack of intermediate fossils定位到第三段倒数第二句，在往前看一句说，这一情况对于达尔文学说是不和的，而达尔文学说正是渐进论，这一段的最后也说原来的物种突然被替换，而不是渐渐进化改变的。所以C符合原文意思。 A与原文第一句破折号后矛盾，原文说这一现象一直被Ignored，B选项原文矛盾，该现象应该是反对了达尔文学说，支持了物种有长期不改变的论点。D虽然正确但是只是本段的细节，不能表达主题，所以不选。
以上就是小编带来的托福阅读笔记之TPO30 The Pace of Evolutionary Change,希望能够和备考的大家一起学习。更多托福考试资讯请关注前程百利。
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