问答题 In the author's opinion, what really underlies the rising status of English in France and Europe?
【正确答案】A practical need for effective communication among Europeans.
【答案解析】第3段指出,除了美国的霸主地位之外,还有更持久(more enduring)的原因促使欧洲人使用英语:因为这些国家在政治、经济上紧密融合。欧洲人需要一种方式在相互之间以及与世界上其他国家交流。基于各种原因,他们选定英语作为通用语。也就是说,欧洲需要一种语言互相交流以及同世界交流,所以答案可表述为Apractical need for effective communication among Europeans。
问答题 What does the author want to show by using the example of CNN broadcasting in Spanish?
【正确答案】The media cannot afford to ignore non-English speakers.
【答案解析】倒数第2段首句说,“所有这一切并不意味着英语已经主宰着欧洲人的生活”,然后用数字表明,在欧洲,会说英语的人不到欧洲总人口的一半。“即使那些从英语传播中受益最多的英美传媒公司为争得受众也要多方下注”,并用CNN和《财经时报》为例,说明其他语言的作用,也就是说还是有大量人不说英语,以致这些传媒也不敢忽视非英语受众,故答案可表述为The media cannot afford to ignore non—English speakers。
问答题 Under what circumstances would Gypsies unite?
【正确答案】They would unite only when they face external threats.
【答案解析】文中第1段后半部分提到,只有在面对非吉普赛人的威胁时吉普赛人才会联合起来(only really unify—ing in the face of enmity from non-Gypsies),所以答案为They would unite only when they face external threats。
问答题 On the issue of who should be included in the DNB, what does the writer suggest?
【正确答案】The editors were irrational in their choices.
【答案解析】第3段中举出了许多例子说明词典在收录人物的选择上是不妥当的,并无规则可循,故答案可表述为The editors were irrational in their choices。
问答题 What is the role of the entries quoted in the last paragraph?
【正确答案】To emphasize the author's argument.
【答案解析】作者在最后一段引用了词典中的一些人物条目,并加以评述。其目的决不是赞美讴歌,而是强调说明自己的观点:DNB的编纂方法与内容存在问题,故答案可表述为To emphasize the author's argument。
问答题 According to the passage, why is the decline of good manners more worrying?
【正确答案】Because It affects our daily life more often.
【答案解析】第3段首句告诉我们“文明礼貌消亡的长期结果是它给人们的日常生活带来不安、不自在与不愉快”,即它会影响我们的日常生活,接着下一句指出它比犯罪更常遇见,因而比犯罪更令人忧虑。综合起来,即礼貌的消亡因其更频繁地对人们生活造成困扰而更为令人担忧,故答案可表述为Because it affects our daily life more often。