【题目】Ask most people how they define the American Dream and chances are they’ll say, “Success.” The dream of individual opportunity has been home in American since Europeans discovered a “new world” in the Western Hemisphere. Early immigrants like Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur praised highly the freedom and opportunity to be found in this new land. His glowing descriptions of a classless society where anyone could attain success through honesty and hard work fired the imaginations of many European readers: in Letters from an American Farmer (1782) he wrote. We are all excited at the spirit of an industry which is unfettered (无拘无束的) and unrestrained, because each person works for himself We have no princes, for whom we toil (干苦力活)starve, and bleed: we are the most perfect society now existing in the world.” The promise of a land where “the rewards of a man’s industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labor” drew poor immigrants from Europe and fueled national expansion into the western territories.

Our national mythology (神化) is full of illustration of the American success story. Theres Benjamin Franklin, the very model of the self-educated, self-made man, who rose from modest origins to become a well-known scientist, philosopher, and statesman. In the nineteenth century, Horatio Alger, a writer of fiction for young boys, became American’s best-selling author with rags-to-riches tales. The notion of success haunts us: we spend million every year reading about the rich and famous, learning how to “make a fortune in real estate with no money down,” and “dressing for success.” The myth of success has even invaded our personal relationships: today it’s as important to be “successful” in marriage or parenthoods as it is to come out on top in business.

But dreams easily turn into nightmares. Every American who hopes to “make it” also knows the fear of failure, because the myth of success inevitably implies comparison between the haves and the have-nots, the stars and the anonymous crowd. Under pressure of the myth, we become indulged in status symbols: we try to live in the “right” neighborhoods, wear the “right” clothes, eat the “right” foods. These symbols of distinction assure us and others that we believe strongly in the fundamental equality of all, yet strive as hard as we can to separate ourselves from our fellow citizens.

【1】What is the essence of the American Dream according to Crevecoeur?

A. People are free to develop their power of imagination.

B. People who are honest and work hard can succeed.

C. People are free from exploitation and oppression.

D. People can fully enjoy individual freedom.

【2】By saying the rewards of a mans industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labor (Line 10, Para. 1), the author means __________ .

A. the more diligent one is, the bigger his returns

B. laborious work ensures the growth of an industry

C. a man’s business should be developed step by step

D. a company’s success depends on its employees’ hard work

【3】The characters described in Horatio Algers novels are people who ___________.

A. succeed in real estate investment

B. earned enormous fortunes by chances

C. became wealthy after starting life very poor

D. became famous despite their modest origins

【4】It can be inferred from the last sentence of the second paragraph that ____________.

A. business success often contributes to a successful marriage

B. Americans wish to succeed in every aspect of life

C. good personal relationships lead to business success

D. successful business people provide good care for their children

【5】What is the paradox (说法) of American culture according to the author?

A. The American road to success is full of nightmares.

B. Status symbols are not a real indicator of a person’s wealth.

C. The American Dream is nothing but an empty dream.

D. What Americans strive after often contradicts their beliefs.

【题目】Nine years ago, after Leo had died, people said to me. "I never knew he was your stepfather." You see, I never called him that. At first, he was no one special in my life. Then he became my friend. In time, I felt he was also my father.

Leo married my mother when I was eleven. Two years later we moved into a house in a new suburban development, where we put down roots. At first our lawn was just a mud with wild grass, but Leo saw bright possibilities. "We'll plant trees there to give us shade as well as some flowers," he said. And just these little touches made our house different from all the others. More important, a real family was forming. Leo was becoming a full-time parent, and I was learning what it meant to have a father.

Weekday mornings when the weather was bad, Leo often drove me to school. Having a father drop you off may have been something my classmates took for granted, but I always thought it was wonderful. Saturday mornings, we went to the hardware shop, then stepped into the five-and-ten, buying a sports magazine or something else. Some people might think that doing shopping together is nothing special, but I, who had ever before spent my childhood watching other families do their everyday activities, experienced them now with extreme delight. Looking back, I realized that Leo gave me what I needed mostthe experience of doing ordinary things together as a family.

Soon after we moved to the suburbs, one of our new neighbors introduced herself to me. She had already met my mother and Leo. "You know," she said, "you look just like your father." I knew she was just making conversation--but even so... "Thank you", I said. Why tell her anything different?

The phrase put down rootsin the second paragraph means _______.

A.farmed B.planted C.settled D.worked

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