题目内容
It was 3:45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot debates, Australia’s Northern Territory became the first legal area in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die. Almost immediately word spread on the internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on through the group’s on-line service, Death NET. “We posted statements all day long, because this isn’t just something that happened in Australia. It’s world history.” says Hofsess.
The newly-passed law has left doctors as well as citizens trying to deal with its different meanings. Some have shown satisfaction, others, including churches, right-to-life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly fought against the law. But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia — where an aging population, life-extending (延长生命) technology and changing society attitudes have all played their part — other states are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia (安乐死). In the US and Canada, where the right-to-die movement is gathering strength, observers are waiting for the dominoes (多米诺骨牌) to start falling.
Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can require death — probably by a deadly injection or pill — to end suffering. The patient must be diagnosed as incurably ill by two doctors. After a “cooling off” period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of requirement. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin citizen suffering from lung cancer, the new law means he can get on with living without the fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. “I’m not afraid of dying, but what I was afraid of was how I’d go, because I’ve watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and tearing at their masks (氧气面罩),” he says.
1.From the second paragraph we learn that ________.
A.the disagreement of euthanasia is slow to come in other countries
B.doctors and citizens share the same view on euthanasia
C.changing technology is mainly responsible for pass of the law
D.it takes time to realize the importance of the law’s passage
2.When the author says that observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling, he means __.
A.observers are against euthanasia
B.similar laws are likely to be passed in the US, Canada and other countries
C.observers are waiting to see the result of the game of dominoes
D.the passed bill may finally come to a stop
3.When Lloyd Nickson dies, he will ________.
A.choose euthanasia and die peacefully
B.experience the suffering of a lung cancer patient
C.have a strong fear of terrible suffering
D.have a cooling off period of seven days
4.The author’s attitude towards euthanasia seems to be that of ________.
A.disagreement B.doubt C.agreement D.cold
DBAC
There were smiling children all the way. Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penage. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.
I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came into sight, immediately I came alive; I decided to wave back..
From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3:00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me. They all looked beautiful. When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug (拥抱). I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car.
I looked forward to the return journey.
【小题1】The author expected the train trip to be_________.
A.adventurous | B.dull | C.exciting | D.pleasant |
A.The mountains along the way. |
B.The friendly country people. |
C.The crowds of people in the streets. |
D.The simple lunch served on the train. |
A.choose | B.enjoy | C.prepare for | D.carry on |
A.Butterworth. | B.The Causeway. | C.Johore Baru. | D.Singapore. |
A.Comfort in traveling by train. |
B.Pleasure of living in the country. |
C.Reading gives people delight. |
D.Smiles brighten people up. |