College English Examination
Band IV
注意：此试卷所有试题均在答题纸上作答。
Part Reading Comprehension (35 minutes) (45’)
Section A
Directions: There are two passages in this ction. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and write the corresponding letter in the box under the question number on the Answer Sheet. (3’×10=30’)
Passage One
Questions 1 to 5 are bad on the following passage:
Family Relationships in the US
Most Chine are aware that family ties — such as the tie between married couples or between parents and children — tend to be loor in Western countries like the US than they are in China. For example, couples in the US are far more likely to divorce than couples in China are. Americans are also much less likely to live with and personally take care of elderly parents than Chine people are. Some Chine may feel that the examples show Americans don’t consider family ties as important as Chine people do, and they may even be quite critical of such behavior, feeling that it indicates lfishness and a lack of concern for others. While there may be some truth to such judgments, a good understanding of the aspects of American culture requires a somewhat deeper explanation.
Divorce in the US: The high divorce rate in the US is certainly related to American individualism. Americans tend to feel that most relationships are largely voluntary, in other words, that people can choo whether or not to stay in them. Thus, many Americans tend to feel a marriage relationship should be bad on the free choice of both partners rather than on obligation. If one or both of the partners in a marriage no longer feels his/h
er needs are being met, and no longer want to continue in the relationship, most Americans tend to feel the couple should be free to end it — even if that means breaking up a family, with the resulting negative conquences for children.
However, it would be too simple to explain the high US divorce rate by saying that Americans don’t consider the marriage relationship important enough. In one way, part of the problem is also that Americans tend to view marriage as being too important — or have expectations for marriage that are too high. The influential book Habits of the Heart, notes that many Americans believe that marriage should be bad on love — the romantic love of finding “Mr. Right” or “Miss Right” — and they expect a lot from that partner. (This view is reflected in and probably influenced by Hollywood movies and romance novels.) In marriage they expect to find romance, understanding, support, sharing, trust, and a place where they can “be themlves,” — i.e. act the way they feel like acting. In one way, the high expectations are a problem — they are no doubt one important reason why many Americans become dissatisfied with their marriage partners and decide to divorce. However, they also suggest that Americans feel marriage is a very
important part of one’s life.
Taking care of elderly parents: The fact that elderly Americans usually don’t live with their children is certainly another aspect of American individualism; both parents and children tend to live their own lives independently. However, the picture is more complicated than a simple failure of American children to do their duty toward their parents.
It is important to remember that both parents and children are part of the same culture, and that, to a greater extent than in China, American parents do not necessarily expect to live with their grown children or to be taken care of by them. The children’s ideas of independence and lf-reliance were taught by their parents, and many parents feel they should let their children live their own lives and not be dependent on them. Of cour, this does not mean they wish to lo contact with their children, and many want to e their children fairly often. However, American parents also tend to accept their children’s need to move away in arch of better living conditions or job opportunities. In return, American
children generally feel a need to ensure that their parents are physically taken care of, but do not necessarily feel they need to personally care for their elderly parents. (It is important to note that in a variety of ways — pension plans, Social Security, retirement homes, and so forth — American society is structured to make it easier for elderly people to live on their own without depending heavily on their children.)
The discussion above tries to demonstrate two points: First, broad generalizations can rve as a uful place to start trying to understand other cultures. For example, the generalization that family ties in the US are loor than tho in China is true to some degree. Second, such broad generalizations are only the first step. The issues of divorce and care of elderly parents in American culture are very complex, and even the simple analysis above is only a beginning.
1. What is the real reason for the high divorce rate in the US?
A. Americans don't value the marriage relationship.
B. Americans tend to feel that a couple should be free to end their marriage.
C. Americans have high expectations of marriage.
D. Americans tend to feel that their marriage relationship is voluntary.
2. Which of the following statements an American would disagree with?
A. A marriage relationship should be bad on the free choice of both partners.
B. A marriage relationship could be accepted on the basis of family commitment and obligation.
C. Marriage should be bad on the romantic love of finding "Mr. Right" or "Miss Right".
D. In the marriage relationship, an American tends to expect a lot from his/her partner.
3. Which of the following generalizations is too broad?
A. Family ties tend to be loor in Western countries like the US than they are in China.
B. In the US, both parents and children tend to live their own lives independently.
C. The high divorce rate in the US is certainly related to American individualism.
D. Loo family ties indicate lfishness and a lack of concern for others.
4. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Although American parents do not need to depend on their children, American children generally feel they need to personally care for their elderly parents.
