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1、Passage One Equality of opportunity in the twentieth Century Has Not Destroyed theClass SystemThese days we hear a lot of nonsense about the great classless society9.The idea that thetwentieth century is the age of the common man has become one of the great cliches of our time.Thesame old arguments
2、are put forward in evidence.Here are some of them:monarchy as a system ofgovernment has been completely discredited.The monarchies that survive have been deprived of allpolitical power.Inherited wealth has been savagely reduced by taxation and,in time,the greatfortunes will disappear altogether.In a
3、 number of countries the victory has been complete.Thepeople rule;the great millennium has become a political reality.But has it?Close examinationdoesnt bear out the claim.It is a fallacy to suppose that all men are equal and that society will be leveled out if youprovide everybody with the same edu
4、cational opportunities.(It is debatable whether you can everprovide everyone with the same educational opportunities,but that is another question.)The fact isthat nature dispenses brains and ability with a total disregard for the principle of equality.The oldrules of the jungle,4survival of the fitt
5、est and might is right5 are still with us.The spread ofeducation has destroyed the old class system and created a new one.Rewards are based on merit.Foraristocracy read meritocracy;in other respects,society remains unaltered:the class system isrigidly maintained.Genuine ability,animal cunning,skill,
6、the knack of seizing opportunities,all bring materialrewards.And what is the first thing people do when they become rich?They use their wealth tosecure the best possible opportunities for their children,to give them 4a good start in life For all thelip service we pay to the idea of equality,we do no
7、t consider this wrong in the western world.Private schools which offer unfair advantages over state schools are not banned because one of theprinciples in a democracy is that people should be free to choose how they will educate theirchildren.In this way,the new meritocracy can perpetuate itself to
8、a certain extent:an able child froma wealthy home can succeed far more rapidly than his poorer counterpart.Wealth is also usedindiscriminately to further political ends.It would be almost impossible to become the leader of ademocracy without massive financial backing.Money is as powerful a weapon as
9、 ever it was.In societies wholly dedicated to the principle of social equality,privileged private education isforbidden.But even here people are rewarded according to their abilities.In fact,so great is the needfor skilled workers that the least able may be neglected.Bright children are carefully an
10、dexpensively trained to become future rulers.In the end,all political ideologies boil down to the samething:class divisions persist whether you are ruled by a feudal king or an educated peasant.1.What is the main idea of this passage?A.Equality of opportunity in the twentieth century has not destroy
11、ed the class system.B.Equality means money.C.There is no such society as classless society.D.Nature cant give you a classless society.2.According to the author,the same educational opportunities cant get rid of inequalitybecauseA.the principle survival of the fittest5 exists.B.Nature ignores equalit
12、y in dispensing brains and ability.C.Material rewards are for genuine ability.D.People have the freedom how to educate their children.3.Who can obtain more rapid successA.those with wealth.B.Those with the best brains.C.Those with the best opportunities.D.Those who have the ability to catch at oppor
13、tunities.4.Why does the author say the new meritocracy can perpetuate itself to a certain extent?BecauseA.money decides everything.B.Private schools offer advantages over state schools.C.People are free to choose the way of educating their children.D.Wealth is used for political ends.5.According to
14、the author,class divisions refers toA.the rich and the poor.B.Different opportunities for people.C.Oppressor and the oppressed.D.Genius and stupidity.Vocabulary1.discredit损害，破坏，败 坏（某人的名声），不可信2.monarch国王，女皇，君主政体3.millennium 千年 the millennium 千僖年4.bear out 证实5.level out（升跌之后）呈平稳状态6.meritocracy英才管理，英才教
15、育，能人统治7.knack技巧，诀窍8.perpetuate使永久，永存或持续9.indiscriminate不加鉴别的，不加分析的，任意的10.boil down 归结为.难句译注1.Close examination doesnt bear out the claim.【参考译文】深入探索证实此断言不确。（也就是说太平盛世并没有成为政治现实）。2.might is right谚语：强权即公理。3.For all the lip service we pay to the idea of equality,we do not consider this wrong in thewestern
16、 world.【结构简析】lip-service 口惠而实不至。EX:He pays lip-service to feminism but his wife stilldoes all the housework.他口 口声声说支持女权主义，但全部家务仍是他妻子的事。【参考译文】我们口声声赞扬平等思想，我们在西方世界中并不认为这一思想事错误的。4.In the end,all political ideologies boil down to the same thing:class divisions persistwhether you are ruled by a feudal kin
17、g or an educated person.【参考译文】最终，一切政治意识，都归结为一件事：不论你是由封建国王统治还是英才统治，阶级区分依然存在。写作方法与文章大意这是篇对“无阶级社会和人人平等”论点的驳斥文章。作者从四个方面进行论述。1、天赋的才能和智慧与平等原则无关。2、“适者生存，强权即公理”依然存在。3、人获得的报酬是取决于人的才能而不是平等。4、金钱的作用，它不仅可以培育有能力的人，还是政治的后盾。只有金钱加能力是成功的关键。所以所谓平等不存在，更没有无阶级的社会。答案详解1.A二十世纪平等的机遇并没有摧毁阶级。文章一开始就对无阶级社会的论点进行了反驳：有人认为君主整体已完全摧毁
18、，幸存下来的王公贵族已经被剥夺了 切政治权力，继承的财产为税收大幅度的削减，到时候，巨大的财富将消失殆尽，在许多国家中，已全面胜利，人民进行统治，伟大的太平盛世已成为政治显示。作者认为：深入检查证实这一断言不实。第二段提出了即使人人都获同样的受教育的机会，可人的天然智慧和能力与平等原则无关，适者生存，强权即公理依然存在。教育的普及摧毁了老的阶级体制，却创造新的，报酬是机遇才干成就。贵族统治就是英才统治，可在其他方面，社会依然，阶级确实存在。后面两段集中论述了金钱的作用。B.金钱意味着平等是错误的。C.不存在无阶级社会。内容是对的，但不是本文的主题思想。D.自然界不会赋予你一个无阶级社会。2.B
19、自然界在分赋人智慧和能力是不会顾及平等。A.适者生存的原则存在。根据这一原则无智慧和能力者难以生存于社会。C.物质报偿是根据人的真正能力。D.人们有自由选择如何教育自己的孩子。这三项都基于一点人的智慧和能力。有智慧能力才能生存，才能获报偿，这已经是不平等，即使获同样的受教育的机会，也不可能铲除不平等。A 有钱的人。第三段一开始就点明：真正的能力、动物般机敏狡猾、技能、善抓机会的诀窍，这一切都带来物质报偿。有了钱的人首要作的事情就是给孩子最佳教育机会，而私人学校教育优于公立学校，人们又有自由选择如何教育自己的孩子。在这个意义上，英才教育在某种程度上是永存的。一个来自富有家庭的有能力的孩子要比其对
20、立面获得成功要快得多得多。3.B具有很高智慧的人，若没有钱是难以成功的。第三段的最后一句话也点明这一点,金钱同从前一样是强有力的武器。文章最后一段即使在完全遵循社会平等原则的社会里，禁止特权的私人教育，人们也是按能力获报酬。小心翼翼而又耗费巨大地把聪明的孩子培养成未来的统治者。C.具有最佳机遇的人。D.是 B 和 C 的结合。A 金钱决定一 切。新的英才教育在一定程度上永存。没有钱，上不起私立学校，谈不上机会，更不用说英才教育。有了钱才能为孩子创造机会。B.私立学校提供的优越性高于公立学校。C.人们有自由选择教育孩子的方式方法。D.财富用于政治目的。第三段最后三句话：“财富也可以不加区别地用于
21、更远的政治目的。没有强大的财政作后盾，成为民主国家的元首几乎是不可能。金钱和过去样是强有力的武器，这也说明了金钱的力量，决 定 切。”4.A富人和穷人。纵然作者提及，同样的教育机会也不可能铲除不平等，因为上天赋予人之智慧是不可能考虑平等原则，可是作者也提到适者生存、强权即公理。贵族政治可读成英才教育。这已说明英才指的是贵族的英才。第四段进一步指出有钱的人首先要做的就是给子女一个良好的教育机会。而私立学校的教育质量优于公立学校。有钱人家的有能力的孩子成功机遇就高。财产还可用于政治目的，要成为民主国家的领袖就得有雄厚的财力支持。钱财和过去一样强有力。即使在以社会平等为原则的社会中，私立学校被禁，酬
22、劳还是以人的能力为准，大量需要有技能的工作人员，而差劲的人没有人关注。天才的孩子予以仔细而又及其昂贵的培养以成为未来的统治者。总之，政治意识归结为同一个东西一一阶级划分存在，不论你是为封建帝王统治，还是为受过教育的农民统治，从这里看，作者的class division指的是A 项。5.B人们不同的机遇。C.压迫者和被压迫者。D.天才和笨蛋。Passage Two The Most Important of All Human Qualities is a Sense of HumorBiologically,there is only one quality which distinguish
23、es us from animals:the ability to laugh.In a universe which appears to be utterly devoid of humor,we enjoy this supreme luxury.And it is aluxury,for unlike any other bodily process,laughter does not seem to serve a biologically usefulpurpose.In a divide world,laughter is a unifying force.Human being
24、s oppose each other on a greatmany issues.Nations may disagree about systems of government and human relations may beplagued by ideological factions and political camps,but we all share the ability to laugh.Andlaughter,in turn,depends on that most complex and subtle of all human qualities:a sense of
25、 humorCertain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal.This can best be seen from the world-widepopularity of Charlie Chaplins early films.The little man at odds with society never fails to amuseno matter which country we come from.As that great commentator on human affairs,Dr.SamuelJohnson,once re
26、marked,Men have been wise in very different modes;but they have alwayslaughed in the same way/A sense of humor may take various forms and laughter may be anything from a refined tingle toan earth quaking roar,but the effect is always the same.Humor helps us to maintain a correct senseof values.It is
27、 the one quality which political fanatics appear to lack.If we can see the funny side,we never make the mistake of taking ourselves too seriously.We are always reminded that tragedy isnot really far removed from comedy,so we never get a lop sided view of things.This is one of the chief functions of
28、satire and irony.Human pain and suffering are so grim;wehover so often on the brink of war;political realities are usually enough to plunge us into totaldespair.In such circumstances,cartoons and satirical accounts of somber political events redress thebalance.They take the wind out of pompous and a
29、rrogant politicians who have lost their sense ofproportion.They enable us to see that many of our most profound actions are merely comic orabsurd.We laugh when a great satirist like Swift writes about war in Gullivers Travels.TheLilliputians and their neighbors attack each other because they cant ag
30、ree which end to break an egg.We laugh because we meant to laugh;but we are meant to weep too.It is too powerful a weapon tobe allowed to flourish.The sense of humor must be singled out as mans most important quality because it isassociated with laughter.And laughter,in turn,is associated with happi
31、ness.Courage,detcnnination,initiative-these are qualities we share with other forms of life.But the sense of humor is uniquelyhuman.If happiness is one of the great goals of life,then it is the sense of humor that provides thekey.1.The most important of all human qualities isA.a sense of humor.B.A s
32、ense of satire.C.A sense of laughter.D.A sense of history.2.The author mentions about Charlie Chaplins early films becauseA.they can amuse people.B.Human beings are different from animals.C.They show that certain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal.D.They show that people have the same ability
33、 to laugh.3.One of the chief functions of irony and satire isA.to show absurdity of actions.B.to redress balance.C.to take the wind out of politicians.D.to show too much grimness in the world.4.What do we learn from the sentence it is too powerful a weapon to be allowed to flourishin totalitarian re
34、gimes?A.It can reveal the truth of political events with satire.B.It can arouse people to riot.C.It shows tragedy and comedy are related.D.It can make people laugh.5.Who is Swift?A.A novelist.B.A poet.C.A dramatist.D.A essayist.Vocabulary1.devoid没有，缺乏2.plaguen.瘟疫，惹人烦恼的人和事v.给.造成麻烦，痛苦，困难3.faction 派别ic
35、 stereotype可笑/滑稽的模式mentator（集注）作者，评论员，解说员6.tinklen.一连串的丁零声，电话声，v.使发出丁零声7.fanatic狂 热 者（尤指宗教、政治的狂热）8.lop-sided不均匀的9.hover翱翔，盘旋；彷徨10.somber低沉的，暗淡的，严峻的11.redress纠正，补偿12.pompous自大的，浮夸的13.arrogant 傲慢的14.proportion均衡，匀称，平衡，比例15.Lilliputian微型的，极小的，源 自 格列佛游记中的小人国里的人16.totalitarian极权主义的17.regime政体，政权，统治方式或制度难
36、句译注1.In a divided world,laughter is a unifying force.【参考译文】在分裂的世界中，笑是一种促成一致（团结）的力量。2.Human relations may be plagued by ideological factions and political camps,【参考译文】人际关系可能因思想意识派别和政治阵营的不同而受侵扰。3.Certain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal.【参考译文】某些滑稽的模式具有全球性的效果。4.Charlie Chaplin查理卓别林1889-1977,英国
37、讽刺滑稽剧及电影演员，导演及制片人。5.At odds with society和社会格格不入。6.Dr.Samuel Johnson撒缪尔约翰生，1709-1784,英国辞典编撰者及作家。7.A sense of humor may take various forms and laughter may be anything from a refinedtinkle to an earth quaking roar.【参考译文】幽默感表现的方式多种多样，笑也许是银铃般优雅轻笑，也许是震耳欲聋的放声大笑。8.If we can see the funny side,we never make
38、 the mistake of taking ourselves too seriously.【参考译文】如果我们能见到可笑的一面，我们就不会犯这种错误：对自己看得过重（自以为了不起）。9.We are always reminded that tragedy is not really far removed from comedy,so we neverget a lop-sided view of things.【参考译文】我们会经常提醒自己祸兮福所伏（悲剧离喜剧实际并不遥远），那我们决不会偏执词地看事物。10.Take the wind out of sbs sails 使某人气馁或泄
39、气。11.Swift Jonathan swift乔纳森思维福特1667-1745,英国作家，生于都柏林，曾获牛津大学硕士，三一学院神学博士学位，1688年到英国，后加入英国国教会。他同情英国统治下的爱尔兰人民，积极参加他们为争取自由和民族独立的斗争。他以政治讽刺文著世，其文笔犀利、讽刺尖锐、文章推理严密，用词简洁、语言朴实清晰，被认为是英语的典范，格列佛游记是他的代表作之一。12.We laugh because we are meant to laugh;but we are meant to weep too.【结构简析】mean to do是打算或注定要，一般用于被动。【参考译文】我们
40、笑是因为想笑，可是我们也想哭。是指小人国和邻国仅仅为打鸡蛋一类小事而打仗可笑，确实也是可悲。作者结合现实指出是人类悲剧之所在。写作方法与文章大意文章以部部深入，一般到具体的写作手法论及笑是人类特有的功能。形式多种、效果一样。天下人有各种观点、制度、人际关系，对滑稽的东西都会报之以笑一一一 种 一致的力量。笑基于幽默感，有了它，人们会乐观、愉快、轻松，不偏不倚地对待一切，悲剧中寓以喜剧，幽默感又是人类开启幸福之门的钥匙。论及的同时作者佐以例子，卓别林的早期电影，格列佛游记中的小人国战争等。答案详解1.A幽默感。文章-开始就提出人类有别于动物是人有笑的功能，世界纷争繁杂、人际关系因意识观点差异而对
41、峙，国家制度不一，但人们都能笑。笑基于人类最复杂而又微妙的品质一一幽默感。反过来说没有幽默感的人恐怕难以笑。第二段正式指出：幽默感表现形式多种多样，而笑可由微笑到狂笑种种，但其效果相同，幽默感有助于我们保持正确的价值观。这是政治狂热者所缺乏的特征。如果我们能看见滑稽可笑的一面，我们就不会犯过于看重自己的错误。我们总会记得悲剧离喜剧不愿，因此，我们不会有偏重某一测的观点。第四段画龙点睛的指出幽默是人类最重要的特征，因为它和笑声结合在一起。而笑又是和幸福联系在一起。勇气、决心、创造力特征，我们和其他生命形式共享，而幽默感是人类所独有的。如果幸福是我们生活的伟大目标，那幽默感就是开启幸福的钥匙。B讽
42、刺感。这是第三段讲的内容，讽刺的功能，但不是人类最重要的特征。C.笑感。D.历史观点。2.C作者提卓别林的电影的目的是证明某些喜剧模式对全世界都有吸引力。A.它可以取悦任何人。B.人类和动物不同。D.证明人有同样笑的功能。3.B使各种事情重新相等和均衡。第三段着重讲了这一点。人类在痛苦中挣扎，常处于战争的边缘。政治实现令人绝望，在这种处境中，对某些政治事物的讽刺挖苦和漫画可以使各种心理重新平衡，可使失去均衡感的政客地下高傲头颅；可使我看见许多深邃的事情荒谬可笑。A.表现行为的荒唐。C.使政治家气馁。D.表现世界上太多的令人沮丧之事。4.A它可以以讽刺的手法解释政治时间的真相。B.这可促使人民暴
43、动。C.它表示了悲剧和喜剧相联系。D.它能使人哭。5.A小说家。B.诗人。C.戏剧家。D.散文家。Passage Three The Improving Economic Situation In GreeceGreece,economically,is in the black.With very little to export other than such farm products astobacco,cotton and fruit,the country earns enough from invisible earnings to pay for its needed,grow
44、ing imports.From the sending out of things the Greeks,earn only$285 million;from tourism,shipping and the remittances of Greeks abroad,the country takes in an additional#375 million andthis washes out the almost$400 million by which imports exceed exports.It has a balanced budget.Although more than
45、one drachma out of four goes for defense,thegovernment ended a recent year with a slight surplus-$66 million.Greece has a decent reserve ofalmost a third of a billion dollars in gold and foreign exchange.It has a government not dependenton coalescing incompatible parties to obtain parliamentary majo
46、rities.In thus summarizing a few happy highlights,I dont mean to minimize the vast extent ofGreeces problems.It is the poorest country by a wide margin in Free Europe,and poverty iswidespread.At best an annual income of$60 to$70 is the lot of many a peasant,and substantialunemployment plagues the co
47、untryside,cities,and towns of Greece.There are few natural resourceson which to build any substantial industrial base.Some years ago I wrote here:“Greek statesmanship will have to create an atmosphere in which home and foreign savings willwillingly seek investment opportunities in the back ward econ
48、omy of Greece.So far,most Americanand other foreign attempt have bogged down in the Greek governments red tape and shrewdnessabout small points.Great strides have been made.As far back as 1956,expanding tourism seemed a logical way tobring needed foreign currencies and additional jobs to Greece.At t
49、hat time I talked with the HiltonHotel people,who had been examining hotel possibilities,and to the Greek government divisionresponsible for this area of the economy.They were hopelessly deadlocked in almost totaldifferences of opinion and outlook.Today most of the incredibly varied,beautiful,histor
50、ical sights of Greece have new,if in manycases modest,tourist facilities.Tourism itself has jumped from approximately$31 million to over$90 million.There is both a magnificent new Hilton Hotel in Athens and a completely modernized,greatly expanded Grande Bretagne,as well as other first-rate new hote