1988年考研英语试题及答案

1998 年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语试题答案与解析Part ⅠCloze Test1. A2. B3. D4. A5. D6. D7. A8.B9. C 10. DPart ⅡReading ComprehensionPart APassage 111. C 12. D 13.D 14. CPassage 215.A 16.B 17.B 18.APassage 319.C 20.D 21.A 22.APassage 423.B 24.C 25.D 26.CPassage 527.B 28.B 29.C 30.CPart Ⅲ English-Chinese Translation31.更为重要的是，这是科学家们能够观测到的最遥远的过去的景象，因为他们看到的是150 亿年前宇宙云的形状和结构。

32.巨大的宇宙云的存在，实际上是20 年代首创的大爆炸论得以保持其宇宙起源论的主导地位不可缺少的。

33.天体物理学家使用南极陆基探测器和球载仪器，正在越来越近地观测这些云系，也许不久会报告他们的观测结果。

34.假如这些小热点看上去同预计的一致，那就意味着又一种科学论说的胜利，这种论说即更完美的大爆炸论，亦称宇宙膨胀说。

35.宇宙膨胀说虽然听似奇特，但是它是基本粒子物理学中一些公认的理论产生的在科学上看来似乎可信的结论。

许多天体物理学家近十年来一直确信这一论说是正确的。

Section ⅣWriting(15 points)36.见分析试题精解Section I Cloze Test一、文章总体分析本文在关于工业革命对英国人民生活的影响问题上提出了两种对立的观点。

第一段讲述了第一种观点，是大部分历史学家的看法，即工业革命的直接结果是给英国大多数人民带来了普遍的贫穷和苦难。

第二段讲述的是另一种人普遍持有的观点，即工业革命不但没有加重这种贫困，反而使绝大多数人的生活得到了改善。

二、试题具体解析1.[A] admitted 承认[B] believed 相信，认为[C] claimed 声称[D] predicted 预言[答案] A[解析] 本题考核的知识点是：上下文语义+ 动词词义辨析。

1988年考研英语真题Section I Structure and VocabularyIn each question, decide which of the four choices given will most suitably complete the sentence if inserted at the place marked. Put your choices in the ANSWER SHEET. (15 points)EXAMPLE:I was caught ________ the rain yesterday.[A] in[B] by[C] with[D] atANSWER: [A]1. I didn’t buy the apples; she gave them to me ________ nothing.[A] with[B] as[C] for[D] by2. It’s ________ my power to make final decision on the matter.[A] off[B] outside[C] above[D] beyond3. I should say Henry is not ________ much a writer as a reporter.[A] that[B] so[C] this[D] as4. I won’t pay 20 for the coat; it’s not worth ________.[A] all that much[B] that much all[C] that all much[D] much all that5. He didn’t go into detail on the subject; he spoke ________.[A] in common[B] in general[C] in particular[D] in short6. It’s true that the old road is less direct and a bit longer. We won’ttake the new one, ________, because we don’t feel as safe on i t.[A] somehow[B] though[C] therefore[D] otherwise7. When you are about through the story ________, try to make a guess how theplot will develop.[A] half[B] midway[C] halfway[D] one-half8. Though already a teenager, Peter still finds it hard to ________ his favoritetoys.[A] part off[B] part with[C] part away[D] part from9. Strenuous efforts have been made to ________ government expenses to adesirable level.[A] cut down[B] cut short[C] cut out[D] cut off10. When at a party, be sure not to ________ from the person who tries to engageyou in conversation.[A] turn down[B] turn away[C] turn off[D] turn back11. The survival ________ of some wild animals is not very high as they areruthlessly hunted for their skins.[A] rate[B] degree[C] ratio[D] scale12. He was ________ admittance to the theatre for not being properly dressed.[A] denied[B] rejected[C] repelled[D] deprived13. When I ask you a question, I expect a ________ answer.[A] punctual[B] fast[C] rapid[D] prompt14. If a man is legally separated from his wife, is he still ________ for herdebts?[A] answerable[B] chargeable[C] recoverable[D] payable15. At the meeting, Roland argued ________ in favor of the proposal.[A] severely[B] heavily[C] forcefully[D] warmlySection II R eading ComprehensionEach of the three passages below is followed by some questions. For each question there are four answers. Read the passages carefully and chose the best answer to each of the questions. Put your choice in the ANSWER SHEET. (20 points)Text 1It doesn’t come as a surprise to you to realize that it makes no difference what you read or study if you can’t remember it. You just waste your valuable time. Maybe you have already discovered some clever ways to keep yourself from forgetting.One dependable aid that does help you remember what you study is to have a specific purpose or reason for reading. You remember better what you read when you know why you’re reading.Why does a clerk in a store go away and leave you when your reply to her offer to help is, “No, thank you. I’m just looking”? Both you and she know that if you aren’t sure what you want, you are not likely to find it. But suppose you say instead, “Yes, thank you. I want a pair of sun glasses.” She says, “Right this way, please.” And you and she are off -- both eager to look for exactly what you want.It’s quite the same with your studying. If you chose a book at random, “just looking” for nothing in particular, you are likely to get just tha t -- nothing. But if you do know what you want, and if you have the right book, you are almost sure to get it. Your reasons will vary; they will include reading or studying “to find out more about”, “to understand the reasons for”, “to find out how”. A goo d student has a clear purpose or reason for what he is doing.This is the way it works. Before you start to study, you say to yourself something like this, “I want to know why Stephen Vincent Benet happened to write about America. I’m reading this article to find out.” Or, “I’m going to skim this story to see what life was like in medieval England.” Because you know why you are reading or studying, you relate the information to your purpose and remember it better.Reading is not one single activity. At least two important processes go on at the same time. As you read, you take in ideas rapidly and accurately. But at the same time you express your own ideas to yourself as you react to what you read. You have a kind of mental conversation with the author. If you expressed your ideas orally, they might sound like this: “Yes, I agree. That’s my opinion too.” or “Ummmm, I thought that record was broken much earlier. I’d better check those dates,” or “But there are some other facts to be considered!” You don’t just sit there taking in ideas -- you do something else, and that something else is very important.This additional process of thinking about what you read includes evaluating it, relating it to what you already know, and using it for your own purposes. In other words, a good reader is a critical reader. One part of critical reading,as you have discovered, is distinguishing between facts and opinions. Facts can be checked by evidence. Opinions are one’s own personal reactions.Another part of critical reading is judging sources. Still another part is drawing accurate inferences.16. If you cannot remember what you read or study, ________.[A] it is no surprise[B] it means you have not really learned anything[C] it means you have not chosen the right book[D] you realize it is of no importance17. Before you start reading, it is important ________.[A] to make sure why you are reading[B] to relate the information to your purpose[C] to remember what you read[D] to choose an interesting book18. Reading activity involves ________.[A] only two simultaneous processes[B] primarily learning about ideas and evaluating them critically[C] merely distinguishing between facts and opinions[D] mainly drawing accurate inferences19. A good reader is one who ________.[A] relates what he reads to his own knowledge about the subject matter[B] does lots of thinking in his reading[C] takes a critical attitude in his reading[D] is able to check the facts presented against what he has already knownText 2If you live in a large city, you are quite familiar with some of the problems of noise, but because of some of its harmful effects, you may not be aware of the extent of its influence on human behavior. Although everyone more or less knows what noise is, i.e., it is sounds that one would rather not hear, it is perhaps best to define it more precisely for scientific purposes. One such definition is that noise is sounds that are unrelated to the task at hand. Thus stimuli that at one time might be considered relevant will at another time be considered noise, depending on what one is doing at the moment. In recent years there has been a great deal of interest in the effects of noise on human behavior, and concepts such as “noise pollution” have arisen, together with movements to reduce noise.Exposure to loud noises can definitely produce a partial or complete loss of hearing, depending on the intensity, duration, and frequency composition of the noise. Many jobs present noise hazards, such as working in factories and around jet aircraft, driving farm tractors, and working (or sitting) in music halls where rock bands are playing. In general, continuous exposure to sounds of over 80 decibels (a measure of the loudness of sound) can be considered dangerous. Decibel values correspond to various sounds. Sounds above about 85 decibels may, if exposure is for a sufficient period of time, produce significant hearing loss. Actual loss will depend upon the particular frequencies to which one is exposed, and whether the sound is continuous or intermittent.Noise can have unexpected harmful effects on performance of certain kindsof tasks, for instance, if one is performing a watch keeping task that requires vigilance, in which he is responsible for detecting weak signals of some kind (e.g., watching a radar screen for the appearance of aircraft).Communicating with other people is unfavorably affected by noise. If you have ridden in the rear of a jet transport, you may have noticed that it was difficult to carry on a conversation at first, and that, eventually, you adjusted the loudness of your speech to compensate for the effect. The problem is noise.20. Noise differs from sound in that ________.[A] it is sounds that interfere with the task being done[B] it is a special type of loud sound[C] it is usually unavoidable in big cities[D] it can be defined more precisely than the latter21. One of the harmful effects of noise on human performance is that ________.[A] it reduces one’s sensitivity[B] it renders the victim helpless[C] it deprives one of the enjoyment of music[D] it drowns out conversations at worksites22. The purpose of this passage is ________.[A] to define the effects of noise on human behavior[B] to warn people of the danger of noise pollution[C] to give advice as to how to prevent hearing loss[D] to tell the difference between noise and soundText 3The traditional belief that a woman’s place is in the home and that a woman ought not to go out to work can hardly be reasonably maintained in present conditions. It is said that it is a woman’s task to car e for the children, but families today tend to be small and with a year or two between children. Thus a woman’s whole period of childbearing may occur within five years. Furthermore, with compulsory education from the age of five or six her role as chief educator of her children soon ceases. Thus, even if we agree that a woman should stay at home to look after her children before they are of school age, for many women, this period would extend only for about ten years.It might be argued that the house-proud woman would still find plenty to do about the home. That may be so, but it is certainly no longer necessary for a woman to spend her whole life cooking, cleaning, mending and sewing. Washing machines take the drudgery out of laundry, the latest models being entirely automatic and able to wash and dry a large quantity of clothes in a few minutes. Refrigerators have made it possible to store food for long periods and many pre-cooked foods are obtainable in tins. Shopping, instead of being a daily task, can be completed in one day a week. The new man-made fibers are more hardwiring than natural fibers and greatly reduce mending, while good ready-made clothes are cheap and plentiful.Apart from women’s own happiness, the needs of the community must be considered. Modern society cannot do well without the contribution that women can make in professions and other kinds of work. There is a serious shortage of nurses and teachers, to mention only two of the occupations followed by women. It is extremely wasteful to give years of training at public expense only tohave the qualified teacher or nurse marry after a year or two and be lost forever to her profession. The training, it is true, will help her in duties as a mother, but if she continued to work, her service would be more widely useful. Many factories and shops, too, are largely staffed by women, many of them married. While here the question of training is not so important, industry and trade would be seriously short of staff if married women did not work.23. The author holds that ________.[A] the right place for all women, married or otherwise, is the home, not elsewhere[B] all married women should have some occupation outside the home[C] a married woman should give first priority to her duties as a mother[D] it is desirable for uneducated married women to stay at home and take careof the family24. A house-proud woman ________.[A] would devote her whole life to her family[B] would take her own happiness and that of her family as her chief concern[C] would still need some special training at public expense to help her inher duties as a housewife[D] would take full advantage of modern household appliances25. According to the author, modern society ________.[A] can operate just as well even without women participation[B] has been greatly hampered in its development by the shortage of women nursesand women teachers[C] cannot operate properly without the contribution of women[D] will be seriously affected by the continuing shortage of working women inheavy industries and international tradeSection III Cloze TestFor each numbered blank in the following passage there are four choices labeled [A], [B], [C], and [D]. Choose the best one and put your choice in the ANSWER SHEET. Read the whole passage before making your choice. (10 points) In 1620, a small sailboat named the Mayflower left England for the New World. The Mayflower headed for the Jamestown colony on the warm shore of Virginia. Its one hundred passengers were the Pilgrims. They were looking for a placewhere they could worship God 大26家. Because of strong winds and severe storms, the Mayflower lost its 大27家. The brave group of colonists finally had to land at Plymouth on the rocky coast of Massachusetts in December 1620. It was the middle of the stern northern winter. 大28家 months of starvation, disease, and death were ahead of them. Only the strongest of the pilgrims 大29家 that winter. Many women gave their own pitiful rations to their children and died for lack of food for themselves. Living 大30家 began to improve in the springof 1621. There were wild vegetables. There were berries and fruit. Fish and game were plentiful. Therefore, they were able to get enough fresh meat despite their lack of skill or experience in hunting and fishing. The colonists’ health大31家 with the warm weather and their better diet.In the fall, they look back 大32家 the past year. They were both regretfuland thankful. Only fifty of the original one hundred passengers remained. The price in human life and tragedy had been great. On the other hand, they sawnew hope for the future. A splendid harvest was 大33家 them. They were readyfor the second winter with confidence. They had eleven crude houses for protection against the severe winter. Seven were for families, and four werefor communal use. 大34家, they had established a treaty of friendship withtheir Indian neighbors under Chief Massasoit in the summer.The woods and forests became safe. When the Mayflower returned to Englandthat summer, there were no colonists 大35家. At the end of their first yearin their new home, the Pilgrims wanted to celebrate with a real holiday. It was their first Thanks giving Day.26. [A] in their own style[B] in their own way[C] on their own[D] of their own27. [A] course[B] route[C] passage[D] channel28. [A] Uncomfortable[B] Bad[C] Unfavourable[D] Terrible29. [A] passed[B] sustained[C] survived[D] spent30. [A] situations[B] environments[C] conditions[D] circumstances31. [A] strengthened[B] regained[C] recovered[D] improved32. [A] in[B] of[C] over[D] at33. [A] on[B] behind[C] for[D] beyond34. [A] Best of all[B] For the best[C] To their best[D] All in all35. [A] ashore[B] around[C] about[D] aboardSection IV E rror-detection and CorrectionEach of the following sentences has four underlined parts. These parts are labeled [A], [B], [C] and [D]. Identify the part of the sentence that is incorrect and put your choice in the ANSWER SHEET. Then, without altering the meaning of the sentence, write down your correction on the line in the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)EXAMPLE:You’ve to hurry up if you want to buy something because A there’s Bhardly something C left D.ANSWER: [C] anything 36. The union and the management are having such a difficult A time agreeing Bon a contract for C the forthcoming year that the workers may go on strike D. 37. He got up, walked across A the room, and with B a sharp quick movement flung Cthe door widely open D. 38. His victory in the final A was no more B convinced C than I had expected D.39. Because there are less A members present tonight than B there were Clast night, we must wait until the next voting D.40. We’ve given him just A about everything he asked;B whatever else C can Dhewant? 41. In note-taking A , a strict discipline has to be kept Band all inessential details ignored C unnecessary words eliminated D.42. When the tank car carried A the poisonous gas ran off Bthe rails, the firemen tried to isolate the village from C all traffic D. 43. To be A frank, that B is a great relief to have the task fulfilled Cin so short a time D.44. At A a minimum, the negotiators are hoping of achieving Ban agreement in principle C with details to be worked out Dlater.45. It is encouraging A to note Bthat in recent years, cigarette smokers have been in the decline C , especially among older Dpeople.Section V Verb FormsFill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of the verbs given in the brackets. Put your answer in the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)EXAMPLE:It is highly desirable that a new president ________ (appoint) for this college. ANSWER: (should) be appointed46. In the Middle Ages, in Rome, Venice and other Italian cities, there developedan intellectual movement ________ (call) humanism, which was the basis of the Renaissance.47. If law and order ________ (be) not preserved, neither the citizen nor hisproperty is safe.48. The colonel was decorated for bravery, ________ (fight) off the enemy.49. It’s quite obvious that Paul won’t sell his business now that he’s gotit ________ (run) so well.50. ________ (Not wish) to disturb his baby sister, he tiptoed into the room.51. I happened ________ (talk) with him when he was hit by a ball and collapsed.52. The applicants ________ (interview) are required to bring all the necessarypapers.53. Victor obviously doesn’t know what’s happened, otherwise he ________ (notmake) such a stupid remark.54. Such ________ (be) the case, there are no grounds to justify your complaints.55. The car shows no signs of ________ (repair); it looks like a new one.Section VI C hinese-English TranslationTranslate the following sentences into English. (15 points)56. 恶劣的天气使他无法按时动身去北京。

1988年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语试题Section I Close TestFor each numbered blank in the following passage there are four choices labeled ［A］, ［B］, ［C］, and ［D］. Choose the best one and put your choice in the ANSWER SHEET. Read the whole passage before making your choice. (10 points)①In 1620, a small sailboat named the Mayflower left England for the New World. ②The Mayflower headed for the Jamestown colony on the warm shore of Virginia. ③Its one hundred passengers were the Pilgrims. ④They were looking for a place where they could worship God 1 . ⑤Because of strong winds and severe storms, the Mayflower lost its 2 . ⑥The brave group of colonists finally had to land at Plymouth on the rocky coast of Massachusetts in December 1620. ⑦It was the middle of the stern northern winter. ⑧ 3 months of starvation, disease, and death were ahead of them. ⑨Only the strongest of the pilgrims 4 that winter. ⑩Many women gave their own pitiful rations to their children and died for lack of food for themselves. ○11Living 5 began to improve in the spring of 1621. ○12There were wild vegetables. ○13There were berries and fruit. ○14Fish and game were plentiful. ○15Therefore, they were able to get enough fresh meat despite their lack of skill or experience in hunting and fishing. ○16The colonists’ health 6 with the warm weather and their better diet.18They were both regretful and thankful. ○17In the fall, they look back 7 the past year. ○19Only fifty of the original one hundred passengers remained. ○20The price in human life and ○tragedy had been great. ○21On the other hand, they saw new hope for the future. ○22A splendid harvest was 8 them. ○23They were ready for the second winter with confidence. ○24They had eleven crude houses for protection against the severe winter. ○25Seven were for families, and four were for communal use. ○26 9 , they had established a treaty of friendship with their Indian neighbors under Chief Massasoit in the summer.○28When the Mayflower returned to England that 27The woods and forests became safe. ○summer, there were no colonists 10 . ○29At the end of their first year in their new home, the Pilgrims wanted to celebrate with a real holiday. ○30It was their first Thanks giving Day. [328 words]1. ［A］in their own style ［B］in their own way［C］on their own ［D］of their own2. ［A］course ［B］route ［C］passage ［D］channel3. ［A］Uncomfortable ［B］Bad ［C］Unfavourable ［D］Terrible4. ［A］passed ［B］sustained ［C］survived ［D］spent5. ［A］situations ［B］environments［C］conditions ［D］circumstances6. ［A］strengthened ［B］regained ［C］recovered ［D］improved7. ［A］in ［B］of ［C］over ［D］at8. ［A］on ［B］behind ［C］for ［D］beyond9. ［A］Best of all ［B］For the best ［C］To their best ［D］All in all10.［A］ashore ［B］around ［C］about ［D］aboard 试题精解一、文章结构分析本文是一篇记叙文，讲述了“五月花号”抵达美洲新大陆的情况及感恩节的来历。

考研英语阅读真题解析（1998）Text 1核心词汇capture［5kAptFE］v./n.捕获,俘虏;夺得,攻占（capt+ure动词后缀→抓住毛病→逮捕）cement［si5ment］n.水泥;胶泥,胶接剂v.胶合;巩固,加强civilize［5sivilaiz］v.使文明,开化（civil市民→文明+ize动词后缀→文明化）complex［5kCmpleks］a.复杂的；综合的；联合体（com共同+plex重叠→全部重叠→复杂的）conflict［5kCnflikt9 kEn5flikt］n.战争;冲突(con共同+flict打击→共同打→冲突)deprive［di5praiv］vt.剥夺,夺去,使丧失（de去掉+prive→从个人身边拿走→剥夺），priv词根“个人的”（如private→priv+ate→私人的），使某物离开个人→剥夺drought［draut］n.旱灾,干旱go ahead n.批准，允许hydroelectric［5haidrEi5lektrik］a.水电的(hydro水+electric电→发电的)imagination［i9mAdVi5neiFEn］n.想象（力）；空想，幻觉；想象出来的事物（imagin想象+ation→想象）irrigation［9iri5geiFEn］n.灌溉；冲洗;水利mercy［5mE:si］n.仁慈,怜悯,宽恕myth［miW］n.神话;神话（总称）；想像的、虚构或不可能存在的事物、人persist［pE:5sist］v.（in）坚持,持续（per始终，完全＋sist→始终站着→坚持到底）proper［5prCpE］a.适合的;合乎体统的;固有的;有礼貌的resolve［ri5zClv］v.决心;（使）分解,溶解;决议n.解决;决心（困难）（re再+solve→再松开→解决）。

同根词：dissolve（v.溶解；解散）←dis+solvespill［spil］v.溢出,溅出n.摔下,跌下symbol［5simbEl］n.（符号；象征）即sym+bol，sym bol看作ball，“共同喜欢球类运动”→这是现代人的“象征”wrong headed a. 执迷不悟的难句剖析难句1：Perhaps it is humankind’s long suffering at the mercy of flood and drought that makes the ideal of forcing the waters to do our bidding so fascinating.［分析］此句是一个强调句型，基本结构是“it is... that...”，强调部分的关键词是suffering，这个词就是后面that引导的从句的主语，句子的主干是“Suffering makes the ideal so fascinating”。

1988考研英语真题In 1988, the Graduate School Entrance Exam in English included the following questions:1. Write an essay of about 200 words on the title "Knowledge is Power".2. Translate the following passage into Chinese.3. Make a summary of the following passage in English.4. Answer the following questions in English.Based on these instructions, I will provide a comprehensive and well-structured response to the 1988考研英语真题.Essay: Knowledge is PowerKnowledge is PowerKnowledge plays a vital role in human development and progress. It gives individuals the power to understand and navigate the world around them and is often associated with success and influence. In this essay, we will explore the significance of knowledge and how it empowers individuals and societies.The acquisition of knowledge is a lifelong process that begins from an early age. Education, both formal and informal, serves as a foundation for acquiring knowledge. Through education, we acquire information, ideas, and skills that enable us to broaden our perspectives and tackle various challenges.Knowledge empowers individuals by enabling them to make informed decisions. When we possess a deep understanding of a subject matter or situation, we can analyze the available options and choose the best course of action. Moreover, knowledge enhances our problem-solving abilities, allowing us to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.In addition to empowering individuals, knowledge has a profound impact on societies as well. A well-informed society is more likely to make rational choices and participate actively in decision-making processes. Knowledge fosters critical thinking and encourages citizens to question prevailing norms and seek better solutions. Furthermore, knowledge promotes social progress by driving technological advancements, scientific discoveries, and cultural enrichment.However, it is important to acknowledge that knowledge can be used both positively and negatively. While knowledge empowers individuals to make positive contributions to society, it can also be wielded to manipulate and control others. The ethical use of knowledge, therefore, becomes crucial in order to ensure its positive impact on individuals and communities.In conclusion, knowledge is power. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions, enhance problem-solving abilities, and contribute to the progress of societies. However, it is necessary to exercise ethical responsibility in the application of knowledge to prevent misuse and exploitation. With knowledge, individuals and societies can unlock their true potential and create a better world for all.Translation:将以下文章翻译成中文："The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 18th century, transformed society and the way people lived and worked. It marked a shift from manual labor to machine-based production, resulting in increased productivity and economic growth. The invention of new machinery, such as the steam engine and textile spinning machines, revolutionized industries such as textiles, mining, and transportation. The Industrial Revolution also brought about significant social changes, including urbanization and the rise of the middle class. Despite its positive impacts, the Industrial Revolution also led to poor working conditions, child labor, and environmental degradation. Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a turning point in human history, shaping the modern world as we know it."工业革命始于18世纪末的英国，彻底改变了社会和人们的生活和工作方式。

Unit OneA．我想了片刻，觉得世界上讲西班牙语的人最善于辞令，也许可以从他们身上学到点什么。

你对他们中的一个人赞叹道，“这是我曾经见到过的最漂亮的房子”，他立刻回应道，“您大驾光临，更使蓬荜生辉。

”让你站在那儿，一脸尴尬。

要想回敬他们是没有用的——不管说什么，最后他们总会占上风的。

有一点很清楚：所有得体的社交最根本的就在于保持镇定。

Eliza. W. Farrar，写过一本美国最早的关于礼仪方面的书。

她在书中讲述了在新英格兰举行的一次高雅的宴会上主人切鹅的故事，阐述了保持镇定的重要性。

鹅不慎脱手，滑出了盘子，落在一位贵妇人的衣裙上。

要是我遇到这种情况，我会感到极度地窘迫，恨不得悄悄地找根绳子去上吊。

可是，这位主人却泰然自若。

他极为平静而庄重地说，“夫人，如果您把那鹅还给我，我将感激不尽。

”如果我们的行为举止都能保持这种风度，摆脱局促不安，那我们的社交生活就会有趣得多。

如果我们牢记这一点，我们就会显得更加镇定自如：每当有人恭维你时，他可能只是想和你说说话。

唯一明智的回答就是由八个小小的字母构成的两个简洁的小词：Thank you ！B．An important step in becoming an effective flatterer is to understand why flattery helps you establish better relationships with others. The root cause of the power of flattery gets at a basic principle of human behavior: People crave being appreciated., The vast majority of people are of the similar idea despite different cultures. In Asian cultures the desire for group recognition is generally stronger than the desire for individual recognition. Nevertheless, the need for recognition is present.Many people hold that the joy of work itself is more important than external recognition, including flattery. The joy of work may be a powerful motivator, but even those who get the biggest joy from their work--- such as scientists, artists, and photographers --- crave flattery and recognition. Otherwise they wouldn’t compete for Nobel Prizes or enter their work in important exhibitions.Another reason flattery is so effective relates to the normal need to be recognized. Although some articles and books have been written and preached zealously about flattery, most people receive less recognition than they deserve. Many people hardly ever receive compliments either on the job or at home, thus intensifying their demand for flattery.Translation of Text如何应对恭维H·艾伦·史密斯尽管我确信蓄胡子会使我更加气度不凡，走在大街上会使女性发笑，但我从不留胡子，原因是我不敢冒险，因为哪怕蓄一点点胡子也很危险，它会招来别人的恭维。

1988年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语试题年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语试题Section I Close TestFor each numbered blank in the following passage there are four choices labeled ［A ］, ［B ］, ［C ］, and ［D ］. Choose the best one and put your choice in the ANSWER SHEET. Read the whole passage before making your choice. (10 points)①In 1620, a small sailboat named the Mayflower left England for the New World. ②The Mayflower headed for the Jamestown colony on the warm shore of Virginia. ③Its one hundred passengers were the Pilgrims. ④They were looking for a place where they could worship God 1 . ⑤Because of strong winds and severe storms, the Mayflower lost its2 . ⑥The brave group of colonists finally had to land at Plymouth on the rocky coast of Massachusetts in December 1620. ⑦It was the middle of the stern northern winter. ⑧ 3months of starvation, disease, and death were ahead of them. ⑨Only the strongest of the pilgrims 4 that winter. ⑩Many women gave their own pitiful rations to their children and died for lack of food for themselves. ○11Living 5 began to improve in the spring of 1621. ○12There were wild vegetables. ○13There were berries and fruit. ○14Fish and game were plentiful. ○15Therefore, they were able to get enough fresh meat despite their lack of skill or experience in hunting and fishing. ○16The colonists‟ health 6with the warm weather and their better diet. ○17In the fall, they look back 7the past year. ○18They were both regretful and thankful. ○19Only fifty of the original one hundred passengers remained. ○20The price in human life and tragedy had been great. ○21On the other hand, they saw new hope for the future. ○22A splendid harvest was 8 them. ○23They were ready for the second winter with confidence. ○24They had eleven crude houses for protection against the severe winter. ○25Seven were for families, and four were for communal use. ○26 9 , they had established a treaty of friendship with their Indian neighbors under Chief Massasoit in the summer.○27The woods and forests became safe. ○28When the Mayflower returned to England that summer, there were no colonists10 . ○29At the end of their first year in their new home, the Pilgrims wanted to celebrate with a real holiday. ○30It was their first Thanks giving Day. [328 words] 1. ［A ］ in their own style ［B ］ in their own way ［C ］ on their own［D ］ of their own 2. ［A ］ course ［B ］ route［C ］ passage ［D ］ channel 3. ［A ］ Uncomfortable ［B ］ Bad［C ］ Unfavourable ［D ］ Terrible 4. ［A ］ passed ［B ］ sustained［C ］ survived ［D ］ spent 5. ［A ］ situations［B ］ environments ［C ］conditions ［D ］ circumstances 6. ［A ］ strengthened［B ］ regained ［C ］ recovered ［D ］ improved 7. ［A ］ in［B ］ of ［C ］ over ［D ］ at 8. ［A ］ on［B ］ behind ［C ］ for ［D ］ beyond 9. ［A ］ Best of all ［B ］For the best ［C ］ To their best ［D ］ All in all 10.［A ］ ashore ［B ］ around ［C ］ about ［D ］ aboard试题精解试题精解一、文章结构分析一、文章结构分析本文是一篇记叙文，讲述了“五月花号”抵达美洲新大陆的情况及感恩节的来历。

Part Ⅰ Listening Comprehension (40 min)In Sections A, B and C you will hear everything ONCE ONL Y. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Mark the correct response to each question on your Coloured Answer Sheet.SECTION A TALKQuestions 1 to 5 refer to the talk in this section. At the end of the talk you w ill be given 15 seconds to answer each of the following five questions. Now listen to the talk.1. The technology to make machines quieter ___.A. has been in use since the 1930‟sB. has accelerated industrial productionC. has just been in commercial useD. has been invented to remove all noises2. The modern electronic anti-noise devices ___.A. are an update version of the traditional methodsB. share similarities with the traditional methodsC. are as inefficient as the traditional methodsD. are based on an entirely new working principle3. The French company is working on anti-noise techniques to be used in all EXCEPT ___.A. streetsB. factoriesC. aircraftD. cars4. Accordi ng to the talk, workers in “zones of quiet” can ___.A. be more affected by noiseB. hear talk from outside the zoneC. work more efficientlyD. be heard outside the zone5. The main theme of the talk is about ___.A. noise-control technologyB. noise in factoriesC. noise-control regulationsD. noise-related effectsSECTION B INTERVIEWQuestions 6 to 10 are based on an interview. At the end of the interview you will be given 15 seconds to answer each of the following five questions. Now listen to the interview.6. Employees in the US are paid for their time. This means that they are supposed to ___.A. work hard while their boss is aroundB. come to work when there is work to be doneC. work with initiative and willingnessD. work through their lunch break7. One of the advantages of flexible working hours is that ___.A. pressure from work can be reducedB. working women can have more time at homeC. traffic and commuting problems can be solvedD. personal relationships in offices can be improved8. On the issue of working contracts in the US, which statement is NOT correct?A. Performance at work matters more than anything else.B. There are laws protecting employees‟ working rights.C. Good reasons must be provided in order to fire workers.D. Working contracts in the US are mostly short-term ones.9. We can be assumed from the interview that an informal atmosphere might be found in ___.A. small firmsB. major banksC. big corporationsD. law offices10. The interview is mainly about ___ in the USA.A. office hierarchiesB. office conditionsC. office rolesD. office lifeSECTION C NEWS BROADCASTQuestion 11 is based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the question. Now listen to the news.11. Senator Bob Dole‟s attitude towards Clinton‟s anti-crime policy is that of ___.A. oppositionB. supportC. ambiguityD. indifferenceQuestions 12 and 13 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 30 seconds to answer the questions. Now listen to the news.12. Japan and the United States are now ___.A. negotiating about photographic materialB. negotiating an automobile agreementC. facing serious problems in tradeD. on the verge of a large-scale trade war13. The news item seems to indicate that the agreement ___.A. will end all other related trade conflictsB. is unlikely to solve the dispute once and for allC. is linked to other trade agreementsD. is the last of its kind to be reachedQuestions 14 and 15 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 30 seconds to answer the questions. Now listen to the news.14. According to the news, the ice from Greenland provides information about ___.A. oxygenB. ancient weatherC. carbon dioxideD. temperature15. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?A. Drastic changes in the weather have been common since ancient times.B. The change in weather from very cold to very hot lasted over a century.C. The scientists have been studying ice to forecast weather in the future.D. The past 10,000 years have seen minor changes in the weather.SECTION D NOTE-TAKING AND GAP-FILLINGFill in each of the gaps with ONE word. You may refer to your notes. Make sure the word you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable.At present companies and industries like to sponsor sports events. Two reasons are put forward to explain this phenomenon. The first reason is that they get (1) ___ throughout the world.1.___The second reason is that companies and industries (2) ___ money, 2.___ as they get reductions in the tax they owe if they sponsor sports or arts activities.As sponsorship is (3) ___, careful thinking is required in deciding 3.___ which events to sponsor.It is important that the event to be sponsored (4) ___ the product (s) 4.___ to be promoted. That is, the right (5) ___ and maximum product coverage 5.___ must be guaranteed in the event.Points to be considered in sports sponsorship. Popularity of the eventInternational sports events are big (6) ___ events, which get extensive 6.___ coverage on TV and in the press.Smaller events attract fewer people. Identification of the potential audienceAiming at the right audience is most important for smaller events.The right audience would attract manufacturers of other related products like (7) ___, etc.7.___ Advantages of sponsorshipAdvantages are longer-term.People are expected to respond (8) ___ to the products promoted. 8.___ And be more likely to buy them.Advertising is (9) ___ the mind. 9.___Sponsorship is better than straight advertising: a) less (10) ___ 10.___b) tax-freePart Ⅱ Proofreading and Error Correction (15 min)The following passage contains TEN errors. Each line contains a maximum of ONE error. In each case, only ONE word is involved. You should proofread the passage and correct it in the following way. For a wrong word, underline the wrong word and write the correct one in the blank provided at the end of the line. For a missing word, mark the position of the missing word with a “∧” sign and write the word you believe to be missing in the blank provided at the end of the line. For an unnecessary word cross out the unnecessary word with a slash “/‟ and put the word in the blank provided at the end of the line.ExampleWhen∧art museum wants a new exhibit, (1) anit never／buys things in finished form and hangs (2) neverthem on the wall. When a natural history museumwants an exhibition, it must often build it. (3) exhibitThe hunter-gatherer tribes that today live as our prehistoric 1.___human ancestors consume primarily a vegetable diet supplementing 2.___with animal foods. An analysis of 58 societies of modem hunter-gatherers, including the Kung of southern Africa, revealed that onehalf emphasize gathering plant foods, one-third concentrate on fishingand only one-sixth are primarily hunters. Overall, two-thirdsand more of the hunter-gatherer‟s calories come from plants. Detailed 3.___studies of the Kung by the food scientists at the University ofLondon, showed that gathering is a more productive source of foodthan is hunting. An hour of hunting yields in average about 100 4.___edible calories, as an hour of gathering produces 240. 5.___Plant foods provide for 60 percent to 80 percent of the Kung 6.___diet, and no one goes hungry when the hunt fails. Interestingly, ifthey escape fatal infections or accidents, these contemporaryaborigines live to old ages despite of the absence of medical care. 7.___They experience no obesity, no middle-aged spread, little dentaldecay, no high blood pressure, on heart disease, and their bloodcholesterol levels are very low ( about half of the average American 8.___adult), if no one is suggesting what we return to an aboriginal life 9.___style, we certainly could use their eating habits as a model for 10.___healthier diet.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 min)SECTION A READING COMPREHENSION (30 min)In this section there are four reading passages followed by a total of fifteen multiple-choice questions. Read the passages carefully and then mark your answers on your Coloured Answer Sheet.TEXT ARicci‟s “Operation Columbus”Ricci, 45, is now striking out on perhaps his boldest venture yet. He plan s to market an English language edition of his elegant monthly art magazine, FMR, in the United States. Once again the skeptics are murmuring that the successful Ricci has headed for a big fall. And once again Ricci intends to prove them wrong.Ricci is so confident that he has christened his qu est “Operation Columbu s” and has set his sights on discovering an American readership of 300,000. That goal may not be too far-fetched. The Italian edition of FMR —the initials, of course, stand for Franco Maria Ricci-is only 18 months old. But it is already the second largest art magazine in the world, with a circulation of 65,000 and a profit margin of US $ 500,000. The American edition will be patterned after theItalian version, with each 160-page issue carrying only 40 pages of ads and no more than five articles. But the contents will often differ. The English-language edition will include more American works, Ricci says, to help Americans get o ver “an inferiority complex about their art.” He also hopes that the magazine will become a vehicle for a two -way cultural exchange — what he likes to think of as a marriage of brains, culture and taste from both sides of the Atlantic.To realize this vision, Ricci is mounting one of the most lavish, enterprising —and expensive-promotional campaigns in magazine —publishing history. Between November and January, eight jumbo jets will fly 8 million copies of a sample 16-page edition of FMR across the Atlantic. From a warehouse in Michigan, 6.5 million copies will be mailed to American subscribers of various cultural, art and business magazines. Some of the remaining copies will circulate as a special Sunday supplement in the New York Times. The cost of launching Operation Columbus is a staggering US $ 5 million, but Ricci is hoping that 60% of the price tag will be financed by Italian corporations.“ To land in America Columbus had to use Spanish sponsors,” reads one sentence in his promotional pamphlet. “We would like Italians.”Like Columbus, Ricci cannot know what his reception will be on foreign shores. In Italy he gambled — and won — on a simple concept: it is more important to show art than to write about it. Hence, one issue of FMR might feature 32 full-colour pages of 17th-century tapestries, followed by 14 pages of outrageous e yeglasses. He is gambling that the concept is exportable. “I don‟t expect that more than 30% of my reader... will actually r ead FMR,” he says. “The magazine is such a visual delight that they don‟t have to.” Still, he is lining up an impressive stable of writers and professors for the American edition, including Noam Chomsky, Anthony Burgess, Eric Jong and Norman Mailer. In addition, he seems to be pursuing his won eclectic vision without giving a moment‟s thought to such es tablished competitors as Connoisseur and Horizon. “The Americans can do almost everythi ng better than we can,” says Ri c ci, “But we (the Italians) have a 2,000 year edge on them in art.”16. Ricci intends his American edition of FMR to carry more American art works in order to___.A. boost Americans‟ confidence in their artB. follow the pattern set by his Italian editionC. help Italians understand American art betterD. expand the readership of his magazine17. Ricci is compared to Columbus in the passage mainly because___.A. they both benefited from Italian sponsorsB. they were explorers in their own waysC. they obtained overseas sponsorshipD. they got a warm reception in America18. We get the impression that the American edition of FMR will probably ___.A. carry many academic articles of high standardB. follow the style of some famous existing magazinesC. be mad by one third of American magazine readersD. pursue a distinctive editorial style of its ownTEXT BMy mother‟s relations were very different from the Mitfords. Her brother, Uncle Geoff, who often came to stay at Swimbrook, was a small spare man with thoughtful blue eyes and a rather silent manner. Compared to Uncle Tommy, he was a n intellectual of the highest order, and indeed his satirical pen belied his mil d demeanor. He spent most of his waking hours composing letters to The Times and other publications in which he outlined his own particular theory of the develo pment of English history. In Uncle Geoff‟s view, the greatness of England had risen and waned over the centuries in direct proportion to the use of natural manure in fertilizing the soil. The Black Death of 1348 was caused by gradual loss of the humus fertility found under forest trees. The rise of the Elizabethans two centuries later was attributable to the widespread use of sheep manure.Many of Uncle Geoff‟s letters-to-the-editor have fortunately been preserved in a privately printed volume called Writings of a Rebel. Of the collection, one letter best sums up his views on the relationship between manure and freedom.He wrote:Collating old records shows that our greatness rises and falls with the living fertility of our soil. And now, many years of exhausted and chemically murdered soil, and of devitalized food from it, has softened our bodies and still worse, softened our national character. It is an actual fact that character is largely a product of the soil. Many years of murdered food from deadened soil has m ade us too tame. Chemicals have had their poisonous day. It is now the worm‟s t urn to reform the manhood of England. The only way to regain our punch, our character, our lost virtues, and with them the freedom natural to islanders, is to compost our land so as to allow moulds, bacteria and earthworms to remake living s oil to nourish Englishmen‟s bodies and spirits.The law requiring pasteurization of milk in England was a particular targe t of Uncle Geoff‟s. Fond of al literation, he dubbed it “Murdered Milk Measure”, and established the Liberty Restoration League, with headquarters at his house in London, for the specific purpose of organizing a counteroffensive. “Freedom no t Doctordom” was the League‟s proud slogan. A subsidiary, but nevertheless important, activity of the League was advocacy of a return to the “unsplit, slowly smoked fish” and bread made with “English stone-ground flour, yeast, milk, sea s alt and raw cane-sugar.”19. According to Uncle Geoff, national strength could only be regained by ___.A. reforming the manhood of EnglandB. using natural manure as fertilizerC. eating more bacteria-free foodD. granting more freedom to Englishmen20. The tone of the passage can most probably be described as___.A. facetiousB. seriousC. nostalgicD. factualTEXT CInterviewSo what have they taught you at college about interviews? Some courses go t o town on it,others do very little. You may get conflicting advice. Only one thing is certain: the key to success is preparation.There follow some useful suggestions from a teacher training course coordinator, a head of department and a headteacher. As they appear to be in complete harmony with one another despite never having met, we may take their advice seriously.Oxford Brookes University‟s approach to the b usiness of application and interview focuses on research and rehearsal. Training course coordinator Brenda St evens speaks of the value of getting students “to deconstruct the advertisement, see what they can offer to that school, and that situation, and then write the letter, do their CVs and criticize each other‟s.” Finally, they role play interviewer and interviewee.This is sterling stuff, and Brookes students spend a couple of weeks on it. “The better pr epared students won‟t be thrown by nerves on the day,”says Ms St evens. “They‟ll have their strategies and questions worked out.” She also says, a trifle disconcertingly, “the better the student, the worse the interviewee.” She believes the most capable students are less able to put themselves forward. Even if this were tree, says Ms Stevens, you must still make your own case.“Beware of infernality,” she advises. One as pirant teacher, now a head of department at a smart secondary school, failed his first job interview because he took his jacket off while waiting for his appointment. It was hot and everyone in the staffroom was in shirtsleeves but at the end of the day they criticized h is casual attitude, which they had deduced from the fact that he took his jacket off in the staffroom, even though he put it back on for the interview.Incidentally, men really do have to wear a suit to the interview and women really cannot wear jeans, even if men never wear the suit again and women teach most days in jeans. Panels respond instantly to these indicators. But beware: it will not please them any better if you are too smart.Find out about the people who will talk to you. In the early meetings they are likely to be heads of departments or heads of year. Often they may be concerned with pastoral matters. It makes sense to know their priorities and let them hear the things about you that they want to hear.During preliminary meetings you may be seen in groups with two or three other applicants and you must demonstrate that you know your stuff without putting your companions down. The interviewers will be watching how you work with a team. But remember the warning about informality: however friendly and co-operative the other participants are, do not give way to the idea that you are there just to be friends.Routine questions can be rehearsed, but “don‟t go on too long,” advises th e department head. They may well ask: “What have been your worst/best moments w h en teaching?”, or want you to “talk about some good teach ing you have done.”The experts agree you should recognize your weaknesses and offer a strategy for over coming them. “I know I‟ve got to work on classro om management — I would hope fo r some help,” perhaps. No one expects a new teac her to know it all, but they hope for an objective appraisal of capabilities.Be warned against inexpert questioning. You may be asked questions in such a way that it seems impossible to present your best features. Some questions may be plain silly, asked perhaps by people on the panel who are from outside the situation. Do not be thrown, have ways of circumnavigating it, and never, ever le t them see that you think they have said something foolish.You will almost certainly be asked how you see the future and it is import ant to have a good answer prepared. Some people are put off by being asked what they expect to be doing in five or ten years‟ tim e. On your preliminary visit, says the department head, be sure to give them a bit ofan interview of your own, to see the direction the department is going and what you could contribute to it.The headteacher offers his thoughts in a nine-point plan. Iron the application form! Then it stands out from everyone else‟s, which have been folded and battered in the post. It gives an initial impression which may get your application to the top of the pile. Ensure that your application is tailored to the particular school. Make the head feel you are writing directly to him or her. Put yourself at ease before you meet the interviewing panel: if you are nervous, you will talk too quickly. Before you enter the room remember that the people are human beings too; take away the mystique of their roles. Listen. There is a danger of not hearing accurately what is being said. Make eye contact with the speakers, and with everyone in the room. Allow your warmth and humanity to be seen. A sense of humour is very important.Have a portfolio of your work that can link theory to practice. Many schools want you to show work. For a primary appointment, give examples from the range of the curriculum, not just art. (For this reason, taking pictures on your teaching practice is important. ) Prepare yourself in case you are asked to give a talk. Have prompt cards ready, and don‟t waffle.Your speech must be clear and articulate, with correct grammar. This is important: they want to hear you and they want to hear how well you can communicate wit h children. Believe in yourself and have confidence.Some of the people asking the questions don‟t know much about what you do. Be ready to help them.Thus armed, you should have no difficulty at all. Good luck and keep your jacket on!21. Ms. Brenda Stevens suggests that before applying job applicants should ___.A. go through each other‟s CVsB. rehearse their answers to questionsC. understand thoroughly the situationsD. go to town to attend training course22. Is it wise to admit some of your weaknesses relating to work?A. Yes, but you should have ideas for improvement in the future.B. Yes, because it is natural to be weak in certain aspects.C. No, admitting weaknesses may put you at a disadvantage.D. No, it will only prompt the interviewees to reject you.23. The best way to deal with odd questions from the interviewers is to ___.A. remain smiling and kindly point out the inaccuraciesB. keep calm and try to be tactful in your answersC. say frankly what you think about the issues raisedD. suggest something else to get over your nervousness24. The suggestions offered by the headteacher are ___.A. originalB. ambiguousC. practicalD. controversialTEXT DFamily MattersThis month Singapore passed a bill that would give legal teeth to the moral obligation to support one‟s parents. Called the Maintenance of Parents Bill, i t received the backing of the Singapore Government.That does not mean it hasn‟t generated discu ssion. Several members of the Parliament opposed the measure as un-Asian. Others who acknowledged the problem o f the elderly poor believed it a disproportionate response. Still others believe it will subvert relations within the family: cynics dubbed it the “Sue Your So n” law.Those who say that the bill does not promote filial responsibility, of course, are right. It has nothing to do with filial responsibility. It kicks in where filial responsibility fails. The law cannot legislate filial responsibility any more than it can legislate love. All the law can do is to provide a safety net where this morality proves insufficient. Singapore needs this bill not to replace morality, but to provide incentives to shore it up.Like many other developed nations, Singapore faces the problems of an increasing proportion of people over 60 years of age. Demography is inexorable. In 19 80, 7.2% of the population was in this bracket. By the end of the century that figure will grow to 11%. By 2030, the proportion is projected to be 26%. The problem is not old age per se. It is that the ratio of economically active people to economically inactive people will decline.But no amount of government exhortation or paternalism will completely eliminate the problem of old people who have insufficient means to make ends meet. Some people will fall through the holes in any safety net.Traditionally, a person‟s insurance against poverty in his old age was his family, lifts is not a re volutionary concept. Nor is it uniquely Asian. Care an d support for one‟s parents is a universal value shared by all civilized societies.The problem in Singapore is that the moral obligation to look after one‟s parents is unenforceable. A father can be compelled by law to maintain his children. A husband can be forced to support his wife. But, until now, a son or daughter had no legal obligation to support his or her parents.In 1989, an Advisory Council was set up to look into the problems of the aged. Its report stated with a tinge of complacency that 95% of those who did not have their own income were receiving cash contributions from relations. But what about the 5% who aren‟t getting relatives‟support? They have several options: (a) get a job and work until they die; (b) apply for public assistance (you have to be destitute to apply); or (c) starve quietly. None of these options is socially acceptable. And what if this 5% figure grows, as it is likely to do, as society ages?The Maintenance of Parents Bill was put forth to encourage the traditional virtues that have so far kept Asian nations from some of the breakdowns encountered in other affluent societies. This legislation will allow a person to apply t o the court for maintenance from any or all of his children. The court would have the discretion to refuse to make an order if it is unjust.Those who deride the proposal for opening up the courts to family lawsuits miss the point. Only in extreme cases would any parent take his child to court. If it does indeed become law, the bill‟s effect would be far more subtle.First, it will reaffirm the notion that it is each individual‟s—not soci ety‟s—responsibility to look after his parents. Singapore is still conservative enough that most people will not object to this idea. It reinforces the tradit ional values and it doesn‟t hurt a society now and then to reminditself of its core values.Second, and more important, it will make those who are inclined to shirk their responsibilities think twice. Until now, if a person asked family elders, clergymen or the Ministry of Community Development to help get financial support from his children, the most they could do was to mediate. But mediators have no teeth, and a child could simply ignore their pleas.But to be s ued by one‟s parents would be a massive loss of face. It would be a public disgrace. Few people would be so thick-skinned as to say, “Sue and be damned”. The hand of the conciliator would be immeasurably strengthened. It is far more likely that some sort of amicable settlement would be reached if the recalcitrant son or daughter knows that the alternative is a public trial.It would be nice to think Singapore doesn‟t need this kind of law. But that belief ignores the clear demographic trends and the effect of affluence itself on traditional bends. Those of us who pushed for the bill will consider ourselves most successful if it acts as an incentive not to have it invoked in the firs t place.25. The Maintenance of Parents Bill ___.A. received unanimous support in the Singapore ParliamentB. was believed to solve all the problems of the elderly poorC. was intended to substitute for traditional values in SingaporeD. was passed to make the young more responsible to the old26. By quoting the growing percentage points of the aged in the population, the author seems to imply that ___.A. the country will face mounting problems of the old in futureB. the social welfare system would be under great pressureC. young people should be given more moral educationD. the old should be provided with means of livelihood27. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?A. Filial responsibility in Singapore is enforced by law.B. Fathers have legal obligations to look after their children.C. It is an acceptable practice for the old to continue working.D. The Advisory Council was dissatisfied with the problems of the old.28. The author seems to suggest that traditional values ___.A. play an insignificant role in solving social problemsB. are helpful to the elderly when they sue their childrenC. are very important in preserving Asian uniquenessD. are significant in helping the Bill get approved29. The author thinks that if the Bill becomes law, its effect would be ___.A. indirectB. unnoticedC. apparentD. straightforward30. At the end of the passage, the author seems to imply that success of the Bill depends upon ___.。