In a 1996 poll of Americans, loss of morality topped the list of the biggest problems facing the U.S. And Elshtain says the public is correct to sense that: Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s, such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers.
The desire for a higher moral standard is not a lament(挽歌) for some nonexistent “golden age,” Elshtain says, nor is it a wishful (一厢情愿的) longing for a time that denied opportunities to women and minorities. Most people, in fact, favor the lessening of prejudice.
Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society, she says. “Slowly, you recognize that the things that matter are those that can’t be bought.”
36. Professor Elshtain is pleased to see that Americans ________.
A) are a wakening to the lowering of their moral standards
B) have realized the importance of material things
C) are longing for the return of the good old days
D) have adapted to a new set of moral standards
37. The moral decline of American society is caused mainly by_______.
A) its growing wealth C) the prejudice against women and minorities
B) the self-centeredness of individuals D) underestimating the impact of social changes
38. Which of the following characterizes the traditional communities?
A) Concern for one’s neighbors. C) Great mobility.
B) Emphasis on individual effort. D) was by no means a rare occurrence
39. In the 1950s, classroom violence_______.
A) attracted a lot of public attention C) began to appear in analysts’ data
B) was something unheard of D) was by no means a rare occurrence
40. According to Elshtain, the current moral decline may be reversed __________.
A) when women and men enjoy equal rights C) when people rid themselves of prejudice
B) if less emphasis is laid on material things D) if people can return to the “golden age”
Part 3
Vocabulary and Structure (20 minutes)
41. There was such a long line at the exhibition ______ we had to wait for about half an hour.
A) so B) as C) that D) hence
42. Reading ______ the lines, I would say that the Government are more worried than they will admit.
A) among B) having canceled C) along D) between
43. All flights _______ because of the terrible weather, they had to go there by train.
A) were canceled B) having canceled C) had been canceled D) having been canceled
44. He wasn’t appointed chairman of the committee, ______not very popular with all its members. |
