10.About 60% of the women engaged in election would have succeeded if .　　　 .

A. there were less prejudice against women　　　　　 B. less Muslim leaders had objected

C. more women had been engaged in the election　　 D. more preachers had supported them

9.In the past, women in Sierra Leone .　　　 .

A. took active part in politics　　　　　　　　　　 B. contested for parliamentary seats

C. danced and cooked for the election campaigning　 D. shared the equal rights with men

8.Which of the following is the right order of the least-first of the percent of illiterates?

A. Germany, Cuba, Nicaragua.　　　　 B. Germany, Nicaragua, Cuba.

C. Nicaragua, Japan, Cuba.　　 　　　　D. Cuba, Japan, Nicaragua.

C

Never in the history of Sierra Leone’s elections have women so actively engaged in politics or competed for parliamentary seats. In the past, women did the dancing and cooking for elections campaigning. In the May 14th elections, we saw over 168 women candidates competitive for President, Vice President and Parliamentary seats.

One would think that about 60% of these women would have emerged as winners. But it was not so, because of our cultural perception of women. We need to change our culture. Women could be active politicians. The Christians in their own way encouraged women to be preachers(传教士) but the Muslim leaders say women should not head for officiating(主持) prayers.

The same happens in certain parts of the country where women are not part of decision taken in male secret societies. This prevents them from achieving some of their goals. A senior head in one of the ministries told me that she was getting problems with some of her staff members especially the male staff. Most women that come from the Northern part of country experience such problems. Some men are saying that a woman cannot be their leader.

Some women are also prejudiced against their women folks. In the last elections, most woman did not support their colleagues. In some parts of the country, because they are not members of secret societies they were not allowed to contest for chieftaincies (酋长或首领的位置). However, Sierra Leones not withstanding the cultural prejudice against women has witnessed women occupying high public offices. They have been appointed to head certain areas.

Sierra Leone is moving from its past culture. We need a change in our culture. Women all over the world are recognized one way or the other as they are now involved in the use of technology. We now see women as air pilots, and they even attempt to go to travel in space.

7.Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

A. President Bush carried out his promise made in his first State of Union message.

B. The education in Japan and Germany is in higher level.

C. According to Bush, the number of illiterates accounts for 9% of the total.

D. Teachers in the United States enjoy good treatment and great respect.

6.The cause of low educational level in America include the following EXCEPT that .　　　

A. some problems exist in primary and secondary education

B. society keeps teachers in low respect

C. America pays more attention to economy instead of education

D. America has no uniform national courses

5.By“the United States came 12 out of 14”(Para. 2), the author means .　　　

A. the United States ranked 12th not 14th in the chemistry test

B. the United States ranked 12th in the chemistry test conducted by 14 countries

C. the United States progressed from 14th to 12th in the chemistry test

D. the United States ranked 12th in chemistry test and 14th in general science test

4.The passage mainly talks about .　　　 .

A. American virtues　 B. American characters　 C. American faults　 D. American lifestyles

B

The United States is trying to improve an edueation system that produces millions of citizens who cannot read, write, or add-let alone finding their country on a map.

In his first State of Union message since taking office a year ago, President George Bush promised to wipe out illiteracy(文盲) in the next decade and declared that “by the year 2008, U.S students must be first in the world in math and science achievements. ” They have a long way to go. American students were placed 14th in a recent general science test conducted in 16 countries. In a separate survey of chemistry students, the United States came 12 out of 14. In a mathematics test, they were last. According to Bush, there are 17 million illiterates in this country of 245 million people. Other estimates put the number as high as 23 million. In percentage terms, that ranks the United States alongside Niearague and below Cuba. “This nation,” Bush said in his State of the Union address, “will not accept anything but excellent in education.” Bush, who has declared himself “Education president”, and senior officials of his administration are warning that the United States will be unable to compete in the world without an educated workforce.

How to increase educational standards is a matter of debate in a country whose schools have no uniform national curriculum and are subject to a confusing variety of state and local controls. Most experts think that the problem lies at the elementary and high school 'levels rather than with universities-but even their graduates show huge gaps in general knowledge. Among the root causes most frequently mentioned in education debates is the low respect in which U.S. society holds teachers-in contrast to Japan and Germany. In Japan teaching is a profession of high prestige(威望) and high pay. In the United States teachers are near the bottom of the society.

3.It can be inferred from the passage that . 　　　　.

A. American people are more critical of everything than people from other cultures

B. the author believes that American character has more faults than virtues

C. the author admires American virtues as they are viewed as competitive and anti traditional

D. it is difficult for newcomers to get on with Americans

2.Why is the extremely competitive nature considered as one of American faults?

A. Because people from other cultures fear competition.

B. Because only American people own it.　 C. Because it will make people forget leisure.

D. Because it may sometimes urge people to do something bad.

1.In order to show the respect for older people,.　　　 .

A. people from some other cultures will always express their true feeling

B. people from some other cultures may sometimes hide their true feeling

C. Americans always show their true feelings　　 D. Americans usually argue with them