单选题 Like many of my generation, I have a weakness for hero worship. At some point, however, we all to question our heroes and our need for them. This leads us to ask: What is a hero?
Despite immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a number of characteristics that instruct and inspire people.
A hero does something worth talking about. A hero has a story of adventure to tell and community who will listen. But a hero goes beyond mere fame.
Heroes serve powers or principles larger than themselves. Like high-voltage trans- formers, heroes take the energy of higher powers and step it down so that it can be used by ordinary people.
The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. Those who imitate a genuine hero experience life with new depth, enthusiasm, and meaning. A sure test for would-be heroes is what or whom do they serve? What are they willing to live and die for? If the answer or evidence suggests they serve only their own fame, they may be famous persons but not heroes. Madonna and Michael Jackson are famous, but who would claim that their fans find life more abundant?
Heroes are catalysts (催化剂) for change. They have a vision from the mountaintop. They have the skill and the charm to move the masses. They create new possibilities. Without Gandhi, India might still be part of the British Empire. Without Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. , we might still have segregated (隔离的) buses, restaurants, and parks. It may be possible for largescale change to occur without leaders with magnetic personalities, but the pace of change would be slow, the vision uncertain, and the com- mittee meetings endless.
单选题 Although heroes may come from different cultures, they______.
  • A. generally possess certain inspiring characteristics
  • B. probably share some weaknesses of ordinary people
  • C. are often influenced by previous generations
  • D. all unknowingly attract a large number of fans
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 由题干Although…different cultures确定本题涉及第二段内容要点。
单选题 According to the passage, heroes are compared to high-voltage transformers in that______.
  • A. they have a vision from the mountaintop
  • B. they have warm feelings and emotions
  • C. they can serve as concrete examples of noble principles
  • D. they can make people feel stronger and more confident
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[解析] 由题干之关键词high—voltage transformers确定本题问及第四段的内容要点。
单选题 Madonna and Michael Jackson are not considered heroes because______.
  • A. they are popular only among certain groups of people
  • B. their performances do not improve their fans morally
  • C. their primary concern is their own financial interests
  • D. they are not clear about the principles they should follow
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[解析] 题干中提及的.Madonna和Michael Jackson在第五段提及,仅为名人,不是英雄,因为他们并未能在道德上使别人有所提升,即答案为B项。
单选题 Gandhi and Martin Luther King are typical examples of outstanding leaders who______.
  • A. are good at demonstrating their charming character
  • B. can move the masses with their forceful speeches
  • C. are capable of meeting all challenges and hardships
  • D. can provide an answer to the problems of their people
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[解析] 本题要点为最后一段第三句:They have the skill and charm to move the masses.及最后一句中的magnetic personalities。
单选题 The author concludes that historical changes would
  • A. be delayed without leaders with inspiring personal qualities
  • B. not happen without heroes making the necessary sacrifices
  • C. take place if there were heroes to lead the people
  • D. produce leaders with attractive personalities
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 问及结论的题一般均可从短文结尾处寻找答案。根据题干中。historical changes确定答案依据为短文最后一句,即英雄推动历史前进的作用,故不难确定正确答案为A。