题目内容

The striving of countries in Central Europe to enter the European Union may offer an unprecedented chance to the continent’s Gypsies (or Roman) to be recognized as a nation, albeit one without a defined territory. And if they were to achieve that they might even seek some kind of formal place—at least a total population outnumbers that of many of the Union’s present and future countries. Some experts put the figure at 4m-plus; some proponents of Gypsy rights go as high as 15m.

Unlike Jews, Gypsies have had no known ancestral land to hark back to. Though their language is related to Hindi, their territorial origins are misty. Romanian peasants held them to be born on the moon. Other Europeans (wrongly) thought them migrant Egyptians, hence the derivative Gypsy. Most probably they were itinerant metal workers and entertainers who drifted west from India in the 7th century.

However, since communism in Central Europe collapsed a decade ago, the notion of Romanestan as a landless nation founded on Gypsy culture has gained ground. The International Romany Union, which says it stands for 10m Gypsies in more than 30 countries, is fostering the idea of “self-rallying”. It is trying to promote a standard and written form of the language; it waves a Gypsy flag (green with a wheel) when it lobbies in such places as the United Bations; and in July it held a congress in Prague, The Czech capital. Where President Vaclav Havel said that Gypsies in his own country and elsewhere should have a better deal.

At the congress a Slovak-born lawyer, Emil Scuka, was elected president of the International Tomany Union. Later this month a group of elected Gypsy politicians, including members of parliament, mayors and local councilors from all over Europe (OSCE), to discuss how to persuade more Gypsies to get involved in politics.

The International Romany Union is probably the most representative of the outfits that speak for Gypsies, but that is not saying a lot. Of the several hundred delegates who gathered at its congress, few were democratically elected; oddly, none came from Hungary, whose Gypsies are perhaps the world’s best organized, with some 450 Gypsy bodies advising local councils there. The union did, however, announce its ambition to set up a parliament, but how it would actually be elected was left undecided.

So far, the European Commission is wary of encouraging Gypsies to present themselves as a nation. The might, it is feared, open a Pandora’s box already containing Basques, Corsicans and other awkward peoples. Besides, acknowledging Gypsies as a nation might backfire, just when several countries, particularly Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, are beginning to treat them better, in order to qualify for EU membership. “The EU’s whole premise is to overcome differences, not to highlight them,” says a nervous Eurocrat.

But the idea that the Gypsies should win some kind of special recognition as Europe’s largest continent wide minority, and one with a terrible history of persecution, is catching on . Gypsies have suffered many pogroms over the centuries. In Romania, the country that still has the largest number of them (more than 1m), in the 19th century they were actually enslaved. Hitler tried to wipe them out, along with the Jews.

“Gypsies deserve some space within European structures,” says Jan Marinus Wiersma, a Dutchman in the European Parliament who suggests that one of the current commissioners should be responsible for Gypsy affairs. Some prominent Gypsies say they should be more directly represented, perhaps with a quota in the European Parliament. That, they argue, might give them a boost. There are moves afoot to help them to get money for, among other things, a Gypsy university.

One big snag is that Europe’s Gypsies are, in fact, extremely heterogeneous. They belong to many different, and often antagonistic, clans and tribes, with no common language or religion, Their self-proclaimed leaders have often proved quarrelsome and corrupt. Still, says, Dimitrina Petrova, head of the European Roma Rights Center in Budapest, Gypsies’ shared experience of suffering entitles them to talk of one nation; their potential unity, she says, stems from “being regarded as sub-human by most majorities in Europe.”

And they have begun to be a bit more pragmatic. In Slovakia and Bulgaria, for instance, Gypsy political parties are trying to form electoral blocks that could win seats in parliament. In Macedonia, a Gypsy party already has some—and even runs a municipality. Nicholas Gheorge, an expert on Gypsy affairs at the OSCE, reckons that, spread over Central Europe, there are now about 20 Gypsy MPS and mayors, 400-odd local councilors, and a growing number of businessmen and intellectuals.

That is far from saying that they have the people or the cash to forge a nation. But, with the Gypsy question on the EU’s agenda in Central Europe, they are making ground.

1.    The Best Title of this passage is

[A]. Gypsies Want to Form a Nation.         [B]. Are They a Nation.

[C]. EU Is Afraid of Their Growth.           [C]. They Are a Tribe

2.    Where are the most probable Gypsy territory origins?

[A]. Most probably they drifted west from India in the 7th century.

[B]. They are scattered everywhere in the world.

[C]. Probably, they stemmed from Central Europe.

[D]. They probably came from the International Romany Union.

3.    What does the International Romany lobby for?

[A]. It lobbies for a demand to be accepted by such international organizations as EU and UN.

[B]. It lobbies for a post in any international Romany Union.

[C]. It lobbies for the right as a nation.

[D]. It lobbies for a place in such international organizations as the EU or UN.

4.    Why is the Europe Commission wary of encouraging Gypsies to present themselves as a nation?

[A]. It may open a Pandora’s Box.

[B]. Encouragement may lead to some unexpected results.

[C]. It fears that the Basgnes, Corsicans and other nations seeking separation may raise the same demand.

[D]. Gyspsies’ demand may highlight the difference in the EU.

5.    The big problem lies in the fact that

[A]. Gypsies belong to different and antagonistic clans and tribes without a common language or religion.

[B]. Their leaders prove corrupt.

[C]. Their potential unity stems from “being regarded as sub-human”.

[D]. They are a bit more pragmatic.

【小题1】B

【小题2】A

【小题3】D

【小题4】C

【小题5】A


解析:

【小题1】他们是一个民族/国家吗?整篇文章环境这一点而写,文章一开始就提出中欧入欧盟的国家会给大陆吉普塞人一个机会,承认他们是一个民族——国家,虽然没有界定的领土(作为国家,应有领土)。吉普塞人的领袖人物也指出其人数超过欧盟中许多现在有的和将来要入盟的国家。他们至少要在欧盟中有一席之地。第二段提出,吉普塞和犹太人不同,他们没有可回归的祖居地。他们的语言属印欧语系。英国人认为他们来自埃及及移民。最可能的是七世纪时一些流浪的手工业工人和艺人从印度向西方流移。第三段涉及一种思想——以吉普塞文化为基础的无疆土的吉普塞民族应有个说话的地方—越来越为人接受。国际吉普塞人联盟声称代表30多个国家的吉普塞人,做了几件事:展开自我联合,提出语言标准和书面形式,在联合国进行游说活动时挥动吉普塞国旗,在布鲁塞尔设立办事处,六月在捷克首都布拉格召开会议。第四段集中讲到会上选出了联盟主席。一群选出吉普塞的政治家——国会议员,市长,地方政务委员再次在布拉格开会,会议由欧洲安全合作条约组织召集,来讨论如何动员更多的吉普塞人参政。第五段涉及联盟雄心勃勃的宣布要建立国会,但如何实际操作还未落实。后面主要是外界对吉普塞的态度。第六段描述欧盟委员会在吉普塞作为最大的大陆少数民族,历史上遭到残酷的迫害,应赢得特别承认。19世纪他们横遭奴役,希特勒企图把它们和犹太人一起消灭。第八段讲了欧洲会议中有人提出吉普塞在欧洲机构中应有一席之地,还提议一个常务委员负责吉普塞事务。还有行动筹建建立一所吉普塞大学。后面两段讲的是困难,第九段点出。最后一段指出,现在说他们有人有钱可以组成(国家)为时还早,可是吉普塞是欧盟中日程表上的一个问题,他们日益接近解决。从内部,外部情况分析都说明吉普塞是一个组成国家的民族。全文都是环绕它是不是,该不该承认为民族/国家而写,所以B项他们是不是民族是最佳标题。

A. 吉普塞要想组成一个国家(民族)。这只是文章涉及到的部分内容,中欧国家想加入欧盟一事可能产生的结果。      C. 欧盟害怕它们成长。      D. 他们是一个部落。

【小题2】A. 最可能是在7世纪从印度流浪到西方。见第1题第二注释。

B. 他们分散在世界各地。        C. 可能他们源于中欧。      D. 他们可能来自国际吉普塞人联盟。

【小题3】D. 它们在这些国际组织,如欧盟,联合国中进行活动游说要取得一席之地。见第1题第一段,三段注释。

A. 它们游说活动欧盟和联合国接受他们的要求。太抽象。       B. 它们活动游说在国际机构取得职位。           C. 他们游说作为民族的权利。

【小题4】C. 它害怕巴斯克人,科西嘉人和其它要求分裂的民族会提出同样的要求。见难句译注11。

A. 它可能会打开潘多拉盒子。此盒子在文章中只是比喻。     B. 鼓励可能会导致某些意想不到的结果。           D. 吉普塞的要求会加深欧盟分歧。     B,D两项不够明确。

【小题5】     A. 吉普塞人属于不同的,而且常常是对抗的民族的部落,还没有共同的语言和宗教信仰。

B. 他们领袖很腐败。      C. 他们潜在的团结来自被人看作是低于人类(次等人)。    D. 他们有点太讲究实效, B,C, D 三项不是主要问题。主要问题是A. 项。

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Ever since news of widespread food recalls caused by a carcinogenic dye broke, there has been confusion(混淆) over possible links to the country of the same name, but Sudan officials say there is no connection whatever.

   Sudan?1 is a red industrial dye that has been found in some chilli powder, but was banned in food products across the European Union (EU) in July 2003.

   Since the ban was put in place, EU officials have been striving to remove some food products from the shelves. So far 580 products have been recalled.

Last week Sudan’s Embassy in the United Kingdom asked the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for clarification of the origin of the dye’s name.

   Omaima Mahmoud Al Sharief, a press official at Sudan’s Embassy in China, explained the purpose of the inquiry was to clear up any misunderstanding over links between the country and the poisonous dye.

  "We want to keep an eye on every detail and avoid any misunderstanding there," she said. "Our embassy to Britain asked them how the dye got that name and whether the dye had something to do with our country. But they told us there was no relationship."

   The FSA, an independent food security watchdog in Britain, received a letter from the Sudanese embassy last week.

 "They asked us why the dye is named Sudan, however, we also do not know how it got the name," she said. "People found the dye in 1883 and gave it the name. Nobody knows the reason, and we cannot give any explanation before we find out."

   Sudan dyes, which include Sudan?1 to 4, are red dyes(颜料) used for colouring solvents(溶剂), oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

What does the underlined word mean in paragraph one?

A. Causing cancer.    B. Having side effect.    C. Containing poison.    D.Poisonous.

How did the Sudan?1 get its name?

A. The dye is often produced in Sudan.

B. The dye has something to do with the country named Sudan.

C. Nobody is sure of the origin of the name.

D. Many foods produced in Sudan contain the dye.

We can infer from the passage that.

A. the Sudan government is paying much attention to the food safety

B. Sudan?1 is often used to be added to the food

C. people didn’t realize the danger of Sudan?1 until 2003

D. many food shops will be closed down

Which of the following is the best title?

A. Keep away from Sudan?1

B. No Sudan?1 dye links to the country

C. How Sudan?1 dye got its name?

D. Pay attention to the food safety

Five years ago, Steven Gerrard fulfilled a boyhood dream when he was made captain of   Liverpool, the football club he   had supported all his life. As one of the best teams in the English Premier League, the captain's armband weighed heavy on a player who had only turned 23.

  But through a combination of individual brilliance on the pitch (球场) and a growing awareness of what being a skipper (队长) is all about, Gerrard has gone on to make the captain's role his own.

He performed a rescue act for Liverpool by twice scoring as they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Hull City on December 13.His efforts steered (带领) the team to the top of the Premier League. “It's  easy for me to say we're a great team  and the squad's great,” said Gerrard.  “The hardest thing is to actually go out there and prove it on the pitch. I call the Premier League the bread and butter and I'm desperate for the title.”

Liverpool enjoyed some real success during the five years when Gerrard has been captain of the club—they've been to two Champions League finals and an FA Cup final, winning two out of three. But Gerrard believes he has learned more from being a captain “when things haven't gone too well”.

“You learn more from bad experiences really. Bad defeats, going out of competitions or failing short in the league, as captain, I feel more responsible, particularly when we get beaten,” he said. “I remember all those experiences and learn from all of that.”

 Gerrard grew up watching Liverpool. He joined the club's youth academy as a school boy. He then had tryouts with various clubs at 14, including Manchester United, which he claimed in his autobiography (自传) was “to pressure Liverpool into giving me a contract.” He signed with the club in 1997.

 Gerrard has dedicated his entire career to Liverpool and he is confident that the club will start another legend soon. “You just expect that dynasty to come,” he said.

1.The passage is mainly about ________.

A.Gerrard's love of Liverpool

B.what kind of person Gerrard is

C.Gerrard's latest performance on the pitch

D.Gerrard as captain of the Liverpool football club

2.From the text, we can see that ________.

A.Gerrard has outshone other captains of Liverpool

B.Gerrard did quite a good job in leading his team

C.Gerrrad intended to make the captain's role his own

D.Gerrrad has been confident of being a captain since chosen

3.Gerrard admitted that he learned more from ________.

A.try outs with various clubs

B.unsuccessful experiences

C.steering the team to the top

D.striving for the league title

4.From the last two paragraphs, we know that ________.

A.Gerrard compared Liverpool with other football clubs and finally decided on it

B.Gerrard was made captain soon after he signed with Liverpool

C.Gerrard believed the next season would be his dynasty

D.it was Liverpool that Gerrard had his eye on all along

Passage 1 is from the introduction to a Zen Buddhist (禅宗的佛教僧侣) manual on the art of “mindfulness”, the practice of paying close attention to the present moment. Passage 2 is from an essay by a United States author.
Passage 1
Every morning, when we wake up, we have 24 brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these 24 hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and to others.
Peace is right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We don’t have to travel far away to enjoy the blue sky. We don’t have to leave our city or even our neighborhood to enjoy the eyes of a beautiful child. Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy.
We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing how to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with joy, peace, and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.
Passage 2
The argument of both the hedonist (享乐主义者) and the guru (印度教的宗师)is that we were but to open ourselves to the richness of the moment, to concentrate on the feast before us, we would be filled with bliss. I have lived in the present from time to time and can tell you that it is much overrated. Occasionally, as a holiday from stroking one’s memories or brooding (担忧) about future worries, I grant you, it can be a nice change of pace. But to “be here now,” hour after hour, would never work. I don’t even approve of stories written in the present tense. Ads for poets who never use a past participate, they deserve the eternity they are striving for.
Besides, the present has a way of intruding whether you like it or not. Why should I go out of my way to meet it? Let it splash on me from time to time, like a car going through a puddle, and I, on the sidewalk of my solitude (孤独), will salute it grimly like any other modern inconvenience.
If I attend a concert, obviously not to listen to the music but to find a brief breathing space in which to meditate on the past and future. I realize that there may be moments when the music invades my ears and I am forced to pay attention to it, note for note. I believe I take such intrusions gracefully. The present is not always anunwelcome guest, so long as it doesn’t stay too long and cut into my remembering or brooding time.
【小题1】The author of Passage 1 would most likely view the author of Passage 2 as _______.

A.failing to respect the feelings of other people
B.squandering (浪费) a precious opportunity on a daily basis
C.advocating an action without considering the consequences
D.attaching too much importance to the views of others
【小题2】The author of Passage 1 would most likely respond to the “argument” (line 1 Passage 2) with_______.
A.absolute neutralityB.partial acceptance
C.complete agreementD.surprised disbelief
【小题3】In Passage 1 line 11, the list (“a job…house”) presents things that most people ________.
A.assume they will eventually obtain
B.eventually realize are overrated
C.are unwilling to make sacrifices for
D.see as worth much effort to acquire
【小题4】In Passage 2 lines 8—10, the “present” is characterized as _________.
A.an unavoidable imposition (强加)
B.an unsolvable puzzle
C.a dangerous threat
D.a burdensome obligation
【小题5】Which of the following phrases from Passage 2would the author of Passage 1 most likely choose as a title for Passage 1?
A.“the hedonist and the guru” (line 1)
B.“a brief breathing space” (line 11)
C.“the feast before us” (line 2)
D.“an unwelcome guest” (line 14)

Ever since news of widespread food recalls caused by a carcinogenic dye(颜料) broke, there has been confusion over possible links to the country of the same name, but Sudan officials say there is no connection whatever.
Sudan1 is a red industrial dye that has been found in some chilli powder, but was banned in food products across the European Union (EU) in July 2003.
Since the ban was put in place, EU officials have been striving to remove some food products from the shelves. So far 580 products have been recalled.
Last week Sudan’s Embassy in the United Kingdom asked the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for clarification of the origin of the dye’s name.
Omaima Mahmoud Al Sharief, a press official at Sudan’s Embassy in China, explained the purpose of the inquiry was to clear up any misunderstanding over links between the country and the poisonous dye.
  "We want to keep an eye on every detail and avoid any misunderstanding there," she said. "Our embassy to Britain asked them how the dye got that name and whether the dye had something to do with our country. But they told us there was no relationship."
The FSA, an independent food security watchdog in Britain, received a letter from the Sudanese embassy last week.
 "They asked us why the dye is named Sudan, however, we also do not know how it got the name," she said. "People found the dye in 1883 and gave it the name. Nobody knows the reason, and we cannot give any explanation before we find out."
Sudan dyes, which include Sudan1 to 4, are red dyes used for colouring solvents(溶剂), oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
【小题1】What does the underlined word mean in paragraph one?

A.Causing cancer.B.Having side effect.C.Containing poison.D.Poisonous.
【小题2】How did the Sudan1 get its name?
A.The dye is often produced in Sudan.
B.The dye has something to do with the country named Sudan.
C.Nobody is sure of the origin of the name.
D.Many foods produced in Sudan contain the dye.
【小题3】We can infer from the passage that        .
A.the Sudan government is paying much attention to the food safety
B.Sudan1 is often used to be added to the food
C.people didn’t realize the danger of Sudan1 until 2003
D.many food shops will be closed down
【小题4】 Which of the following is the best title?
A.Keep away from Sudan1
B.No Sudan1 dye links to the country
C.How Sudan1 dye got its name?
D.Pay attention to the food safety

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