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

The right to die

It was 3:45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot parliamentary(议会的) debates, Australia’s northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably sick patients who wish to die.

The measure passed by the convincing vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, executive director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on via the group's on line service, Death NET. Says Hofsess: "We posted bulletins all day long, because of course this isn't just something that happened in Australia. It's world history."

The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage（通过）.

But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia - where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community 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 to start falling.

Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death, probably by a deadly injection or pill, to put an end to suffering. The patient must be diagnosed(诊断) as terminally ill by two doctors. After a "cooling off" period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally III law means he can get on with living without the haunting fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. "I'm not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks," he says.

1.This passage is mainly about ________.

A．the development and function of euthanasia

B．the passage（通过）of a law on euthanasia and its worldwide influence.

C．some successful examples about euthanasia

D．conditions and procedures to perform euthanasia in Australia.

2.What does “observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling” mean?

A．Observers are taking a wait-and –see attitude towards the future of euthanasia.

B．There is a possibility of similar bills being passed in the US and Canada.

C．Observers are waiting to see the movement end up in failure.

D．The process of the bill taking effect may finally come to a stop.

3. During a “cooling off” period, a patient will _________.

A．wait for two doctors’ diagnosis

B．sign a certificate of request

C．think over his decision of euthanasia

D．turn to his doctors for more advice

4.What’s the author’s attitude towards euthanasia?

A．Hostile           B．doubtful           C．Favorable         D．Indifferent

The right to die
It was 3:45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot parliamentary(议会的) debates, Australia’s northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably sick patients who wish to die.
The measure passed by the convincing vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, executive director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on via the group's on line service, Death NET. Says Hofsess: "We posted bulletins all day long, because of course this isn't just something that happened in Australia. It's world history."
The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage（通过）.
But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia - where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community 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 to start falling.
Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death, probably by a deadly injection or pill, to put an end to suffering. The patient must be diagnosed(诊断) as terminally ill by two doctors. After a "cooling off" period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally III law means he can get on with living without the haunting fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. "I'm not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks," he says.
【小题1】This passage is mainly about ________.

The right to die
It was 3:45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hot parliamentary(议会的) debates, Australia’s northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably sick patients who wish to die.
The measure passed by the convincing vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, executive director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on via the group's on line service, Death NET. Says Hofsess: "We posted bulletins all day long, because of course this isn't just something that happened in Australia. It's world history."
The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage（通过）.
But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia - where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community 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 to start falling.
Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death, probably by a deadly injection or pill, to put an end to suffering. The patient must be diagnosed(诊断) as terminally ill by two doctors. After a "cooling off" period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally III law means he can get on with living without the haunting fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. "I'm not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks," he says

1. 1.

   This passage is mainly about ________

   1. A.
      the development and function of euthanasia
   2. B.
      the passage（通过）of a law on euthanasia and its worldwide influence
   3. C.
      some successful examples about euthanasia
   4. D.
      conditions and procedures to perform euthanasia in Australia
2. 2.

   What does “observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling” mean?

   1. A.
      Observers are taking a wait-and –see attitude towards the future of euthanasia
   2. B.
      There is a possibility of similar bills being passed in the US and Canada
   3. C.
      Observers are waiting to see the movement end up in failure
   4. D.
      The process of the bill taking effect may finally come to a stop
3. 3.

   During a “cooling off” period, a patient will _________

   1. A.
      wait for two doctors’ diagnosis
   2. B.
      sign a certificate of request
   3. C.
      think over his decision of euthanasia
   4. D.
      turn to his doctors for more advice
4. 4.

   What’s the author’s attitude towards euthanasia?

   1. A.
      Hostile
   2. B.
      doubtful
   3. C.
      Favorable
   4. D.
      Indifferent

阅读理解

阅读下面短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。

　　It was 3:45 in the morning when the vote was finally taken. After six months of arguing and final 16 hours of hat parliamentary debates, Australia's Northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die. The measure passed by the convincing vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up; half a world away, by John Hofsess, executive director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on via the group's on line service. Death NET. Says Hofsess: “We posted bulletins all day long, because, of course, this isn't just something that happened in Australia. It's world history.”

　　The full import may take a while to sink in. The NT Rights of the Terminally Ⅲ law has left physicians and citizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste(急忙) of its passage. But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia-where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community 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 to start falling.

　　Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death-probably by a deadly injection or pill-to put an end to suffering. The patient must be diagnosed(诊断) as terminally ill by two doctors. After a “cooling off” period of seven days, the patient can sign a certificate of request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54 year old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally Ⅲ law means he can get on with living without the haunting(不易忘怀的) fear of his suffering: a terrifying death from his breathing condition. “I'm not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks.”he says.

1 From the second paragraph we learn that ________.

[　　]

A．the objection to euthanasia is slow to come in other countries

B．physicians and citizens share the same view on euthanasia

C．changing technology is chiefly responsible for the hasty passage of the law

D．it takes time to realize the significance of the law's passage

2．When Lloyd Nickson dies, he will ________.

[　　]

A．face his death with calm characteristic of euthanasia

B．experience the suffering of a lung cancer patient

C．have an intense fear of terrible suffering

D．undergo a cooling-off period of seven days

3．The author's attitude towards euthanasia seems to be that of ________.

[　　]

4．Under the new Northern territory law, an adult patient, once diagnosed as terminally ill, can practice euthanasia ________.

[　　]

5．Which of the following is not the reason for sanctification of euthanasia?

[　　]

A．An aging population.

B．Development of life extending technology.

C．Changing attitude towards death.

D．Over population of the world.

Australia---The vote for euthanasia(安乐死)was finally taken at 3:45 this morning. After six months’ argument and final 16 hours’ hot debates, Australia’s Northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die. The bill was passed by the vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, the director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on through the group’s on-line service, Death NET. Hofsess says, “We posted it all day long, because this isn’t just something that happened in Australia. It’s world history.”
The full import may take a while to understand. The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens trying to deal with its moral and practical meaning. Some have breathed sighs of relief, but others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste(匆忙,急忙) of its passage. But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia — where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part — other states are going to consider making a similar law to for euthanasia. 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 request death — probably by a deadly injection or pill — to put an end to 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 request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54 year old Darwin man suffering from lung cancer, the 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 from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I’d go, because I’ve watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks,” he says.
【小题1】According to the text ,which of the following statements is TRUE?

Australia---The vote for euthanasia(安乐死)was finally taken at 3:45 this morning. After six months’ argument and final 16 hours’ hot debates, Australia’s Northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die. The bill was passed by the vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, the director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on through the group’s on-line service, Death NET. Hofsess says, “We posted it all day long, because this isn’t just something that happened in Australia. It’s world history.”

The full import may take a while to understand. The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens trying to deal with its moral and practical meaning. Some have breathed sighs of relief, but others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste(匆忙,急忙) of its passage. But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia — where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part — other states are going to consider making a similar law to for euthanasia. 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 request death — probably by a deadly injection or pill — to put an end to 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 request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54 year old Darwin man suffering from lung cancer, the 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 from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I’d go, because I’ve watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks,” he says.

1.According to the text ,which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Australia now is the only country in the world to pass the law of euthanasia.

B. All people in Australia don’t have the same positive attitude to euthanasia.

C. Many patients will ask their doctors for euthanasia because they are afraid of death.

D. According to the law, if a patient requests death, his or her wish will be met after 48 hours.

2.The underlined sentence in Para 2, “observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling.” means that observers are waiting to see ___________.

A. the result of the game of dominoes.

B. that people’s attitude to euthanasia will be changed.

C. that the bill about euthanasia in Australia will come to an end.

D. the similar bills will be passed in other countries.

3.Australia was the first country to pass the bill of euthanasia, but not USA or Canada. Which one is NOT the reason ?

A. In Australia, the technology of extending life is advanced.

B. In Australia, it is easy to deal with the moral and practical meaning.

C. In Australia, old people take up great part in the population of the whole country.

D. Australians gradually realize suffering from a terrible disease is worse than immediate death.

4.It can be inferred from the text that _____________.

A. when Lloyd Nickson dies, he will face his death with calm characteristic of euthanasia.

B. physicians and citizens in Australia share the same view on euthanasia.

C. other countries are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia.

D. under the bill, patients requesting death are sure to be injected by deadly medicine.

5.What’s the author’s attitude to euthanasia?

A. Negative        B. Critical          C. Positive        D. Doubtful

Australia---The vote for euthanasia(安乐死)was finally taken at 3:45 this morning. After six months’ argument and final 16 hours’ hot debates, Australia’s Northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die. The bill was passed by the vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately word flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, the director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on through the group’s on-line service, Death NET. Hofsess says, “We posted it all day long, because this isn’t just something that happened in Australia. It’s world history.”
The full import may take a while to understand. The NT Rights of the Terminally III law has left physicians and citizens trying to deal with its moral and practical meaning. Some have breathed sighs of relief, but others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste(匆忙,急忙) of its passage. But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia — where an aging population, life extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part — other states are going to consider making a similar law to for euthanasia. 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 request death — probably by a deadly injection or pill — to put an end to 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 request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54 year old Darwin man suffering from lung cancer, the 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 from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of was how I’d go, because I’ve watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks,” he says

1. 1.

   According to the text ,which of the following statements is TRUE?

   1. A.
      Australia now is the only country in the world to pass the law of euthanasia
   2. B.
      All people in Australia don’t have the same positive attitude to euthanasia
   3. C.
      Many patients will ask their doctors for euthanasia because they are afraid of death
   4. D.
      According to the law, if a patient requests death, his or her wish will be met after 48 hours
2. 2.

   The underlined sentence in Para 2, “observers are waiting for the dominoes to start falling.” means that observers are waiting to see ______.

   1. A.
      the result of the game of dominoes
   2. B.
      that people’s attitude to euthanasia will be changed
   3. C.
      that the bill about euthanasia in Australia will come to an end
   4. D.
      the similar bills will be passed in other countries
3. 3.

   Australia was the first country to pass the bill of euthanasia, but not USA or Canada. Which one is NOT the reason ?

   1. A.
      In Australia, the technology of extending life is advanced
   2. B.
      In Australia, it is easy to deal with the moral and practical meaning
   3. C.
      In Australia, old people take up great part in the population of the whole country
   4. D.
      Australians gradually realize suffering from a terrible disease is worse than immediate death
4. 4.

   It can be inferred from the text that ______.

   1. A.
      when Lloyd Nickson dies, he will face his death with calm characteristic of euthanasia
   2. B.
      physicians and citizens in Australia share the same view on euthanasia
   3. C.
      other countries are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia
   4. D.
      under the bill, patients requesting death are sure to be injected by deadly medicine
5. 5.

   What’s the author’s attitude to euthanasia?

   1. A.
      Negative
   2. B.
      Critical
   3. C.
      Positive
   4. D.
      Doubtful

Australia – The vote for euthanasia (安乐死) was finally taken at 3:45 this morning. After six months’ argument and final 16 hours’ hot debates. Australia’s Northern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to take the lives of incurably ill patients who wish to die. The bill was passed by the vote of 15 to 10. Almost immediately world flashed on the Internet and was picked up, half a world away, by John Hofsess, the director of the Right to Die Society of Canada. He sent it on through the group’s on – line service, Death NET. Hofsess says, “We posted it all day long, because this isn’t just something that happened in Australia. It’s world history.”

The full import may take a while to understand. The NT Rights of the Terminally Ill law has left physicians and citizens trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief; but others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage. But the tide is unlikely to turn back. In Australia--where an aging population, life-extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part—other states are going to consider making a similar law to for euthanasia. In the U. S. and Canada, where the right to die movement is gathering strength, observers are waiting for the dominoes (多米诺骨牌) to start failing.

Under the new Northern Territory law, an adult patient can request death--probably by a deadly injection or pill--to put an end to 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 request. After 48 hours the wish for death can be met. For Lloyd Nickson, a 54-year-old Darwin resident suffering from lung cancer, the NT Rights of Terminally Ill law means he can get on with living without the haunting fear of his suffering: a terrifying deat from his breathing condition. "I' m not afraid of dying from a spiritual point of view, but what I was afraid of washow I'd go, because I've watched people die in the hospital fighting for oxygen and clawing at their masks," he says.

According to the text, which of the following statements is TURE?

    A．Australia now us the only country in the world to pass the law of euthanasia.

    B．All people in Australia don’t have the same positive attitude to euthanasia.

    C．Many patients will ask their doctors for euthanasia because they are afraid of death.

    D．According to the law, if a patient requests death, his or her wish will be met after 48 hours.

The underlined sentence in Para 2, “observes are waiting for the dominoes to start falling.” means that observes are waiting to see         .

    A．the result of the game of dominoes.

    B．that people’s attitude to euthanasia will be changed.

    C．that the bill about euthanasia in Australia will come to an end.

    D．the similar bills will be passed in other countries.

Australia was the first country to pass the bill of euthanasia, but not USA or Canada. Which one is NOT the reason?

    A．In Australia, the technology of extending life is advanced.

    B．In Australia, it is easy to deal with the moral and practical meaning.

    C．In Australia, old people take up great part in the population of the whole country.

    D．Australians gradually realize suffering from a terrible disease is worse than immediate death.

It can be inferred from the text that          .

    A．when Lloyd Nickson dies, he will face his death with calm characteristic of euthanasia.

    B．physicians and citizens in Australia share the same view on euthanasia.

    C．other countries are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia.

    D．under the bill, patients requesting death are sure to be injected by deadly medicine.

What’s the author’s attitude to euthanasia?

    A．Negative B．Critical C．Positive D．Doubtful