The United States became a rich industrial nation toward the end of 1800s. There were more goods, more services, more jobs, and a higher standard of living. There was more of everything, including problems. One problem was monopoly, that is, to be the only seller of a certain line of products or a service. In some cases, several companies that manufactured the same product would agree not to compete with one another. They would all agree to charge the same price. These arrangements made it impossible for customers to shop around for lower prices for certain products.

Some people decided that huge corporations had too much power and controlled too many markets. Because of their wealth and power, they could see to it that governments passed laws favorable to them. Many people believed that monopoly and price fixing were bad for customers and bad for the country so that they should be broken up.

Finally the national government and some states passed laws that placed limits on corporations and big companies. These laws made it illegal for companies to make agreements to charge only a certain price. Later on the national government forced monopoly to be broken up.

Such laws and government action didn’t entirely do away with monopolies. Nor did they stop the growth of huge corporations. But they did show that American people had decided that some of the changes that had occurred were harmful. (from www.nmet168.com)

1. The underlined word “monopoly” in the first paragraph most probably means ________.

A. the production of certain kinds of goods  B. complete control and possession of trade

C. a big corporation of company             D. an agreement on prices

2. Because of the agreements between big companies ________.

A. people had to buy things at certain shops  B. the prices of their goods were much lower

C. customers had no choice but to buy      D. there were fewer markets in some states

3. According to the laws, companies ________.

A. were not allowed to control the markets

B. could not force the customers to buy their products

C. should have fixed prices for their products

D. must produce the same kind of goods for the same markets

4. Which of the following is not true according to the passage?

A. Big companies could not influence the government.

B. A large number of markets were controlled by big companies.

C. Many Americans were worried about the changes in their country.

D. Some of the laws were in favor of customers.

I had been to several doctors as a child, but I have a special place in my heart for Dr. Vincent. He was a Pediatric Cardiologist at UCLA back in 1971 who saved my life. I was eight years old at the time with a severe heart problem and I needed heart surgery. My Mom did not have the money, and without the surgery there was a real good chance I would not live to be thirteen years old. After contacting several organizations Dr. Vincent was able to get financial help for me through United Way, a Crippled Children’s Organization.

Dr. Vincent was a handsome man; he was also very gentle and caring. I remember being in the hospital for an Angiogram test, and during the procedure I was crying terribly, so the medical staff called in Dr. Vincent to calm me down, and he was able to comfort me when no one else could. Then the time came for me to have heart surgery; there was a fifty- percent chance that I would not make it through the surgery because it was experimental. At the time I was only the second or third person to have this procedure done. I was absolutely terrified, and again Dr. Vincent reassured me he would see to it that everything would be all right.

I had a lot of confidence and trust in Dr. Vincent; He came to see me after the surgery, which was extremely painful but very successful, and brought me a stuffed animal. I was so surprised to get this gift from Dr. Vincent; I gave him a hug. I guess Dr. Vincent must have known I was feeling very lonely and scared. You see, I had no family or friends visit me while I was in the hospital except for my Mom, and I am not sure why. I do know one thing; I had a wonderful doctor who took the time to help a scared little girl who felt all alone.

This was twenty eight years ago, so wherever you are Dr. Vincent, I want to thank you for not only saving my life, but you helped me live a normal productive life, and for showing me that you truly cared, for that I will be eternally grateful to you.

1.Why did Dr. Vincent have a special place in her heart? Because________.

2.Dr. Vincent was called in during my test to ________________.

3.Which of the following is true except ___________.

4.How did Dr. Vincent get the money for the operation?

请根据句子的意思和汉语提示完成下列句子，每空只填一个单词。

1.She is not very o_______ about the outcome of the talks.

2.The plan will be submitted to the committee for official a_______.

3.We regret this service is t_______ unavailable and we will see to it as soon as possible.

4.The writer is guilty of discrimination and _______ (accurate) in his article.

5.Please keep me fully _______ (inform) of any change of the situation.

6.Jack is an intelligent student, but he lacks _______ (动机，动力).

7.The tourist industry plays a v_______ (重要的) role in the national economy.

8.She has been d_______ (故意地) ignoring him all day.

9.Teamwork is a key f_______ (特点，特色) of the training program.

10.His p_______ (建议) that the system should be changed was rejected.

I had been to several doctors as a child, but I have a special place in my heart for Dr. Vincent. He was a Pediatric Cardiologist at UCLA back in 1971 who saved my life. I was eight years old at the time with a severe heart problem and I needed heart surgery. My Mom did not have the money, and without the surgery there was a real good chance I would not live to be thirteen years old. After contacting several organizations Dr. Vincent was able to get financial help for me through United Way, a Crippled Children’s Organization.
Dr. Vincent was a handsome man; he was also very gentle and caring. I remember being in the hospital for an Angiogram test, and during the procedure I was crying terribly, so the medical staff called in Dr. Vincent to calm me down, and he was able to comfort me when no one else could. Then the time came for me to have heart surgery; there was a fifty- percent chance that I would not make it through the surgery because it was experimental. At the time I was only the second or third person to have this procedure done. I was absolutely terrified, and again Dr. Vincent reassured me he would see to it that everything would be all right.
I had a lot of confidence and trust in Dr. Vincent; He came to see me after the surgery, which was extremely painful but very successful, and brought me a stuffed animal. I was so surprised to get this gift from Dr. Vincent; I gave him a hug. I guess Dr. Vincent must have known I was feeling very lonely and scared. You see, I had no family or friends visit me while I was in the hospital except for my Mom, and I am not sure why. I do know one thing; I had a wonderful doctor who took the time to help a scared little girl who felt all alone.
This was twenty eight years ago, so wherever you are Dr. Vincent, I want to thank you for not only saving my life, but you helped me live a normal productive life, and for showing me that you truly cared, for that I will be eternally grateful to you.
【小题1】Why did Dr. Vincent have a special place in her heart? Because________.

 Alice, you see to it that the children here are well fed, ______?

  A. don’t you          B. doesn’t she                    C. will you                            D. would she