英美報(bào)刊選讀 考到的課本問題及答案.doc

Lesson ElevenIs Americas new declinism for real1. What is the difference between the latest global trends report and the one issued four years ago?The latest report foresees world in which the US plays a prominent role in global events，butthe US is seen as one among many global actors. The report issued four years ago had projected continuing US dominance. 2. What does new declinism mean?It means that Americans，especially the intellectuals，think that America is in decline. They have lost the aggressive confidence of the Bush years and the unipolar moment. It is new because there were times in US history when people had similar thoughts. 3. What are the reasons of the new declinism?There are three reasons：First，the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have made it clear that US military supremacy does not automatically translate into political victory. Second，the rise of China and India suggests that Americas days as the worlds largest economy are numbered. Third, the financial crisis has fed the notion that the US is living beyond its means and that something is badly wrong with the American model.4. What does William Wohlforth of Dartmouth College think of the new declinism?He pointed out that America may recover from the new declinism just like before and there may be a resurgence of American confidence.5. Why does the writer think that the new declinism may be more soundly based than the previous ones?Because he thinks that China may pose more challenge to the US than the Soviet Union and Japan since it has a large size and a record of sustained and dynamic economic growth.6. What do you think of Americas decline? And Chinas rise? Open Lesson FifteenLibby Defense Portrays Client as a Scapegoat1. For what was I. Lewis Libby charged?Mr. Libby was charged for perjury and obstruction of justice because he was considered to have lied to investigators. He was charged with five felony accounts of lying to the grand jury and to officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who were investigating the leak of Ms. Wilsons name to Mr. Novak.2. How did Libby defend himself on the charges of perjury and obstruction of justice?Mr. Libby said that he believed he first learned about Ms. Wilson in a conversation with Tim Russert of NBC. He also told the grand jury that he had been taken aback by Mr. Russerts information. He had testified that he did not discuss Ms. Wilsons identity with Judith Miller，a former reporter for The Times,or with Matthew Cooper of Time magazine.3. How did Mr. Wells defend Mr. Libby?Trying to present the case as hopelessly complicated as possible, Mr. Wells spoke for nearly two and a half hours to leave the jurors in doubt about the validity of the charges. And he asserted that Mr. Libby had become enmeshed in legal difficulty because of White House efforts to protect Mr. Rove.4. Why did the White House intend to protect Mr. Rove?Because Mr. Rove was Mr. Bushs right-hand man and was most responsible for seeing the Republican Party stayed in office.”And he had a major role in guiding Mr. Bushs re-election campaign.5. Do you think the Bush administration had distorted intelligence about Iraqi efforts to obtain uranium? Why or why not?Yes，I think so. Because the weapons of mass destruction have not been found up to now.6. How do you understand Mr. Cheneys words that Not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the guy who was asked to stick his neck in the meat grinder because of the incompetence of others?Mr. Cheney means that he is not going to sacrifice Libby just for the purpose of protecting Mr. Rove.Mr. Cheney means that he is not going to sacrifice Libby just for the purpose of protecting Mr. Rove.Lesson EighteenA Race We Can All Win1. What are the different views between the author and some other American politicians on China? Why does he think so?Many American politicians have played tovoters economic insecurities by scapegoating China，while the author believes that China is not a threat to America，but an incredible opportunity. Since the author has worked 35 years in the private sector, and has run the nations largest city for 6 years.2. What does the author see behind the growing Chinese economy?Although China emerges as an economic dynamo，the author has also seen the frailties underpinning its system. The increasingly congested roads and polluted air choke its economy and its people. The growth of cities is also exposing other fundamental long-term economic challenges，for instance，the education system is simply not producing enough skilled workers- engineers，doctors，scientists and mangers. At the same time，health-care costs are skyrocketing.3. What common problems do both China and America meet? Give an example to illustrate how China is solving these problems.Both China and America have congestion，pollution，education, and rising health-care costs. 4. Compared with China，what are the advantages for America to solve these problems? Do you agree with the author? The author advocates that America has a system of government that is far less corrupt and far more stable，owing to American democratic politics，free press and open, transparent markets. 5. In the authors opinion, how can America meet the challenge?The Americans should prevent themselves from slowing down, which means overcoming the political inertia that has stopped them from investing in the 21st-century infrastructure that they need.6. Do you agree with the authors opinions about China and the US? Please illustrate your own views with some examples.Open.Lesson NineteenWhy the Monarchy Must Stay1. What was Mr. Churchills view on Britains system of government? Do you agree with him?a. he thought it was the best that man had yet devised though it was imperfect. b. Open.2. What role does Queen Elizabeth II play? Can she play a better role than an American president in a sense? Explain.a. she, as head of state, carries out ceremonial duties, and takes the political accountability while remaining above politics and taking no sides in any political debate. b. In the authors view, she can. An American president is also the leader of a political party, so he cant remain above politics. 3. What power does Queen Elizabeth II have/ does Her Majesty have the real power to choose a prime minister? Why or why not?a. she can choose a prime minister, dissolve Parliament and declare war.b. No. she is a figurehead bound by the tradition, constitution and laws of the nation. She does it on the advice of Parliament. 4. If the monarchy were abolished, what would things in Britain be like?The government, Parliament, nation, and Commonwealth would be turned upside down. Every nut and bolt of every one of Britains major institutions would have to be altered to make way for change.5. Do you know any scandals about some members of the royal family? Be specific.There are a couple of scandals involving the Queens sister and children. Apart from Camillagate卡米拉門and Squidgygate魷魚門事件, it was reported that Princess Michael ofKent had an affair with oil tycoon John Ward Hunt, a relative of the fabulously wealthy Bunker Hunt of Houston, U. S. A.6. Why must the monarchy stay? Can it keep a politician from holding all the powers? Do you think the monarchy must go? State the reasons.a. In the authors view , it has served both the British Empire and the Commonwealth with great distinction. Besides, it is legitimate and accords with traditions.b. Yes, it can, but it is not the monarchy but the parliamentary democracy that can keep a politician from holding all the powers and becoming a dictator.c. It depends. It is the British people that can decide its future.Lesson TwentyThe Coming Conflict in the Arctic1. What issues would the two heads of states discuss at the Lobster Summit at Kennebunkport?Putin and Bush spent most of their time at the “l(fā)obster summit” discussing how to prevent the growing tensions between their two countries caused by missile defense in Europe and the final status of Kosovo.2. Whats the real purpose of Russias claim to the vast area of the ice covered Arctic seabed?The claim is not really about territory, but rather about the huge hydrocarbon reserves that are hidden on the seabed under the Arctic ice cap. Since these newly discovered energy reserves will play a crucial role in the global energy balance as the existing reserves of oil and gas will be depleted over the next 20 years. And the Russian government wants to secure Russias long-term dominance over global energy markets.3. Why are the Arctic reserves so attractive to Arctic-rim countries?Because the whole world is in danger of depleting natural resources, and scientists estimate that the Arctic territory contains more than 10 billion tons of gas and oil deposits. Thats why the Arctic reserves will be of such crucial importance to the worlds energy future, though they are still largely unexplored.4. Why doesnt international Law recognize Russias right to the entire Arctic seabed north of the Russian coastline?The U.S. government has been jealous of Russias attempts to project its dominance in the energy sector and has sought to limit opportunities for Russia to control export routes and energy deposits outside Russias territory. As a result, it refused to recognize Russias claim to the entire Arctic seabed and blocked the anticipated Russian bid.5. What is the viable scientific evidence supporting Russias claim? What has boosted Russias claim over the oil- and gas-rich triangle?After a g