美英报刊阅读教程答案

Lesson 1

Answers to the Questions

V. 1. D 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. D

VI.

1. The three big milestones for America’s population are the following: 1915 when America’s population grew to 100 million, 1967 when America’s population increased to 200 million and 2006 when America’s population reached 300 million.

2. America’s recent population growth has been extraordinary. Since 2000 alone, America has added 20 million people. In sharp contrast with America’s population increase, Europe’s birth rates have been plunging and Japan’s population has been shrinking.

3. There are the following three trends: migration to the west and the south, sharp increase of immigrants and fast increase of the over-65 population.

4. The fast growth of the South and the West has been buoyed by immigration, lower costs, and recreational opportunities.

5. The major factor in the population growth is immigration. Since 2000 alone, there has been a 16 percent rise in the number of immigrants living in American households.

6. The most striking difference is the change of the main source. Before 1967, the main source of immigrants was Western Europe. However, after President Johnson signed the Immigration and Naturalization Act in 1965 to stop racial and ethnic quotas for new immigrants, and once the Mexican economy tanked in the 1970s, immigrants from Mexico sharply increased. In Fort Wayne, nearly 80 percent of Hispanics are Mexican. An estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now live in America.

7. According to the article, the influx of new immigrants has caused the problem of racial tensions.

8. Back in 1990, the median age in America was 22.9 years. But with people having fewer babies, that number started to climb. Lower fertility rates mean older populations. The baby boom caused a brief pause in this movement during the 1950s and 1960s, but the aging trend has since resumed. The median age is up to 36.5 and is expected to rise to 39 by 2030 before leveling off.

9. People like Mayor Bill Saffo consider the senior citizens as a real asset because they are active in the community, and they work part-time and create businesses.

10. Its main attractions are its great beaches, low cost of living and abundant golf courses.

11. The enlarged senior population will overburden Social Security and Medicare, the two largest entitlement programs.

Outline

I. Growth of America’s population

(1—2)

1. Population growth to 300 million in October, 2006

2. Extraordinary recent growth compared with other countries

II. America’s population trends and their impacts

(3—4)

1. Three broad trends

a. Migration to the west and the south

b. Sharp increase of immigrants

c. Baby-boomers’ getting close to retirement age

2. Great impacts of the trends on America’s culture, politics and economy

III. The new migration: case study of Boise

(5—13)

1. Boise’s fast development

2. Challenge for city planners

3. Four-decade migration pattern

4. Factors in the fast growth

5. Sources of new residents in Boise

6. Developers’ purchase of land at a feverish pace

7. Economic planners’ effort to attract solid jobs

IV. Big wave of immigrants

(14—19)

1. Increase of ethnic diversity at Northwood Middle School

2. Fort Wayne’s population composition change

3. Fast growth of Hispanics

a. Example of Fort Wayne

b. Example of Goshen

4. Tensions caused by the influx of Hispanics

V. Graying of America and its impacts

(20—26)

1. Onslaught of 77 million aging boomers

2. Growth of America’s median age

3. Impacts of senior people’s increase on the economy: case study of Wilmington

a. Attractions for the senior people

b. Specific examples of Bill and Bryden

c. Senior people’s contribution to the local economy

VI. Prospects of America’s population change

(27-31)

1. Further acceleration of population growth

2. Increase of population proportion of the South and the West

3. Greater impacts of births by new immigrants

4. Doubling of the over-65 population and the heavy loads on Social Security and Medicare

Lesson 2

Answers to the Questions

V. 1. B 2. A 3. A 4. A 5. D

VI.

1. Because they are pragmatic and resourceful in money matters. They not only work hard to earn more money, but also save for retirement, make investment and hedge against the unexpected.

2. The first grim reality is that in about 30 years, just as the first of this age group step into retirement, the traditional Society Security System won’t be able to support them. The second one is the decreased job security today. The third one is that they carry more debt at their age than any other generation had. All these factors force them to pay more attention to money matters.

3. Matures are “savers” whereas Xers are “hedgers”. Matures saved what they could so that their children might have more comfortable lives. But Xers do not have such an expectation. Their different attitudes toward money were shaped by the circumstances surrounding the youth. Aftereffects of the Depression and World War Ⅱforced the Matures to be self-sacrificing and frugal. Xers experienced many uncertainties and crises: the savings-and-loan debacle of the ‘80s, recession of the early ‘90s and parents’divorce. All these experiences have helped them to develop pragmatism and the habit of protecting against the expected.

4. Because this generation is more interested and better versed in investment. A study by Amex shows that they take more risks on technology stocks.

5. They are more eager to earn money through hard work and more interested in starting up their own businesses for profits.

6. No. they are spending money to make the time before retirement a pleasure. They spend more money than Boomers did in the same span on stereos, cellphones, beepers, all new VW Jettas and GMC Sunfires.

Outline

I. News Lead: general description of Gen-X

(1—2)

Definition: age span; total number; focus on money; buying power

II. Reasons for Xers’ focus on money

(3—7)

1. Survival instinct

2. Early awareness of the unsafe cover of the social security system

3. Faced with decreased job security

4. Burdened with heavy debt

III. Measures taken to prepare for the future

(8—24)

1. Saving for retirement

2. Hedging against the unexpected

3. Investing in stocks

a. Taking more risks on technology stocks

b. Drawing more attention from investment firms

c. Showing more interest in forming clubs

4. Money-first work ethic

a. More willing to work hard, take more job offers

b. More interested in starting up their own businesses

c. More preoccupied with money-making

IV. Xers’ purchasing power

(25—26)

1. Xers’ consumption pattern

2. Reason for the consumption pattern

Lesson 3

Answers to the Questions

V. 1. B 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. D

VI.

1. They found those Korean-Americans isolated and helpless, and recognized the attacks as a threat to Asians as a whole. For many Asian-Americans, the riots represented as an assault on their faith in America.

2. The total population of Asian-Americans is about 7.3 million. Nearly 2.5 million arrived during the 1980s. The fastest increasing groups are Koreans and Vietnamese. About half of Asian immigrants settle on the Pacific coast while hundreds of thousands move on to New York and dozens of cities in between.

3. They were brought to the United States in the 1860s to work on continental railroads as coolies. They were ill-treated and vilified as a “population befouled with all the social vices”. In 1887, there occurred the Snake River Massacre in Oregon, in which 31 Chinese were robbed and murdered.

4. Asian families earn an average of $35,900 per year, more than the average for white families. However, as the Asian family is larger, their per capita income is actually less than that of white people.

5. They are called the “model minority” because of their superiority to o ther races in habits of study and work. They are said to embody the American Dream of hard work, thrift and success. Asians, however, rebel against the model-minority label as another insidious stereotype. They think that it is a subtly racist excuse not to help underprivileged Asians and to hold back even average Asians on the ground that they already have “natural” advantages.

6. Because they believe that Asian-Americans have accepted the white mainstream culture and white people love them for everything the blacks are not.

7. They are making great efforts to preserve and acquire the Asian culture by improving their original language proficiency, attacking the model minority image and Asians who forget their original culture.

8. The main obstacles are skin color and lack of English proficiency.

9. The Indo-Chinese group is most noted for street gang activities. The main cause is unemployment.

10. The ties within each small Asian group are close and family connections are strong. A key link in the system is rotating credit association. However, many Asians lack a larger sense of unity and bring ancient rivalries from native countries. Most Asian support groups are based on nationality or even smaller units.

Outline

I. Impact of the Los Angeles riots

(1—2)

1. Korean sufferings and helpless state

2. Assault on Asian-Americans’ faith in America

II. Racial bias against Asian-Americans

(3—7)

1. Asian immigrants’ uglified image in the past

2. Present model-minority label and its harmful effects

3. Resentment against Asians for their success and behavior

4. Asians’ isolation from the rest of the society

5. Boycotts and assaults on Asian businesses

III. American culture’s influence

(8—12)

1. Fast increase of Asian immigrants wishing to realize the American Dream

2. Second generation’s tendency to abandon Asian values

3. Identity crisis resulting from two cultures’ pull

4. Young people’s efforts to preserve the original culture

5. The least assimilated group: Chinatown residents

IV. Discrimination against Asians

(13—17)

1. Hurdles for assimilation

2. Glass ceiling

3. Unemployment

V. Similarities and differences between Asians and Blacks

(18—21)

1. Similar sufferings

2. Similar spiritualities

3. Asian-Americans’ less difficulty in shrugging off the legacy of discrimination

4. First-generation Asian immigrants’ incredibly hardworking and thrifty character

VI. Asians’ ties and political status

(22—24)

1. Close community ties

2. Lack of a larger sense of unity

3. Underrepresentation at all government levels

VII. Author’s view concerning the development of Asians’ sentiment

(25) Unlikely to become a wider political movement

Lesson 4

Answers to the Questions

V. 1. C 2. A 3. A 4. D 5. C

VI.

1. The author thinks so because New Hampshire is a politically active state. From the interplay of candidates and the press to the frenetic energy of campaign volunteers, no other state provides as many opportunities to see politics in action.

2. The aim of the course was to see and learn about as many political candidates as possible and observe their relationships with media and potential voters.

3. Politics and media are clearly intertwined in shaping the national political agenda. What makes the relationship even more complex is a greater public voice utilizing various means to engage citizen participants in the unfolding story.

4. As the multitude of channels that bombard us on a daily basis and inundate them with messages from all directions, the impact of any single message is often diffused as audiences selectively tune in and pay attention to only certain messages.

5. According to early deterministic theories, media were all-powerful and capable of shaping human behavior in significant ways.

6. Major corporations’ control of the media has the following two impacts. First, it underscores the fact that most media outlets are profit-generating enterprises and maintain stock holders. Therefore, creating news coverage that can enhance ratings and increase viewership is always the first goal. Furthermore, these profit-making goals often directly contrast with the requirements of responsible, objective journalism. A second impact is the lack of diversity. As corporation ownership narrows, power lies in the hands of a few, making it difficult for diverse voices to be heard. These monopolies tend to create a mainstream mentality that makes it especially difficult for marginalized voices to gain publicity.

7. The bloggers are often called “the Sixth Estate” because they exert great influence on politics. They can provide an added level of transparency to the process and transform how the public access and absorb political news. Through careful fact-checking, scathing critiques, and dialogue, these web journals written by journalists, professors, and average citizens provide another layer of influence as they attempt to ensure that political claims are substantiated and well-developed.

8. Through email and websites, candidates can often bypass traditional media and directly interact with the public in an electronic form of direct mail that is relatively inexpensive and far more expedient. Candidates and their surrogates send daily e-mail messages to supporters and potential voters, keeping them apprised of critical moments, popularity surges, and the need to send more money to maintain momentum. Websites generate armies of political supporters willing to give money and work locally for their candidates. Electronic bulletin boards keep voters informed about candidate sightings and other political events. These technological developments and candidates’ ability to embrace the new technologies will help the public to become more interested in elections.

9. According to the author, the victory pose of the two leaders illustrates the role visual power has in establishing authority and credibility for the incoming president. The uncritical coverage of Medvedev angered many bloggers as they attempted to identify the characteristics of Medvedev and his relationship with Putin, while also pointing out the merits of other political candidates.

10. Kenya’s blogging community has been playing a highly vibrant role in the country’s politics. Over 60 blog sites devoted specifically to the Kenyan election process discuss the violence and unrest that has resulted from perceived fraudulent activities, involving vote tabulations that put incumbent president Mwai Kabaki back in power. When the government instituted a media blackout, blogs were critical in spreading the latest news. Even after the blackout was lifted, bloggers were faster and more detailed in their reporting about the latest clashes than were other news sources. Blogs are attempting to tell the story in ways that reflect the pain and struggle of the Kenyan people.

11. Considering the new realities, media outlets must find multiple ways to feed consumers and new ways to maintain viability.

12. The public can increase their political literacy by becoming more aware of these integrated systems. They can learn how to analyze the ways candidates shape messages to acquire media attention and how media outlets support much of this shaping.

Outline

I. New Hampshire as an ideal place for the study of U.S. politics

(1-2)

1. Strong primary election atmosphere in Manchester, New Hampshire

2. New Hampshire’s better conditions for the study of media, politics and citizen participation

a. Providing more opportunities for the observation of U.S. politics in action

b. Providing an early view of something profound happening

II. Relationship between media, politics and citizen participation

(3-6)

1. Inextricable link between politics and media

2. Influence of citizen participation through Internet social networks and blogging sites

3. Changes in the ways of media’s influence on politics

4. Nature of media influence

III. Media plurality’s impact on politics

(7-8)

1. Diffusion of media messages’ impact

2. Difficulty in gauging media’s influence on politics

IV. Media ownership changes and their impacts

(9-10)

1. Major corporations’ control of the media

2. Impacts of major corporations’ control

a. More emphasis on profits

b. Reduction of diversity in views

V. Technological development and its impacts on politics

(11-12)

1. Interactive technology and new way of civic engagement in politics

2. Personalization of electronic messages between the candidate and potential voters

VI. Shifting influences in media and increased citizens’ political participation in the international arena

(13-17)

1. Politicians’ learning ways to stage political influence

2. Case of Russia’s election

a. Government’s use of the victory pose for political influence

b. Challenge posed by bloggers’ reporting

c. Government’s consideration of legislation to control blogging

3. Case of the Pakistan’s election

a. Websites’ reflection of citizens’ anger over U.S. involvement

b. More engaged citizenry

4. Case of Kenya’s election

Bloggers’ efforts to expose the fraudulent activities in the election

5. Internet’s tremendous potential in shaping future campaign and elections

VII. Prediction about the evolution of politics, media and civil participation in the future

(18-21)

1. Further development of online networks and growth of their influence

2. Need for political literacy and the way to increase literacy

3. Positive effect of creating a more civil discourse

4. Politician s’ continuous use of the art of persuasion

Lesson 5

Answers to the Questions

V. 1. B 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. D

VI.

1. Because they regard First Amendment freedom as essential American rights and will not allow any restriction on it.

2. Because it holds the view that the reform will place restriction on individual rights and therefore should be fiercely resisted.

3. Because the situation is not the same as before. In the 1950s, McCarthy and his inquisitors trampled the free expression of left-wing view; and so for the next two decades or so it was essential to defend the principle of free speech at every opportunity. Now the free speech is not in jeopardy, it should not be rigidly defended.

4. Mr. Neuborne holds that in modern political campaign rich candidates flood voters with commercials and propaganda of every kind, so that others have no chance of attracting attention. Poor candidates may enjoy the right to speak, but not the hope that everyone will hear what they have to say. To give them a hearing, he suggests that the speech of rich candidates be limited.

5. The authors mean that the situation now is different from that of the 1960s. Americans should not abide by the same principle in spite of the change of time. In the 1960s heyday, the ACLU was

absolutely correct in upholding citizens’ rights against the police and other authorities. This was because they did not reflect the interests of America’s black minority. However, all that has now changed: many policemen, and police chiefs, are black, as are many mayors. If these leaders, reflecting the wishes of their constituencies, choose to adopt tough measures to fight crime, the ACLU should not presume to second-guess them. It’s time to adopt a different attitude.

6. The ACLU’s rigid defence of rights ends up favoring the strong more than the weak.

7. He thinks that America’s free speech has a price. Though America has been one of the freest countries in the world, it is one of those in which the gap between the rich and poor is the starkest.

Outline

I. The burial of the campaign finance reform and its implications

(1)

II. Two sides’ views on the reform

(2)

1. Opponents’ view

2. Majority’s view

III. American public’s qualified support for free speech

(3—5)

1. Firm belief in the first amendment

2. Strong support for the campaign finance reform

3. Deep split within the ACLU over the campaign finance

IV. Criticism of the ACLU’s rigid defence of rights

(6—11)

1. Burt Neuborne’s view on the ACLU’s line on campaign spending

2. Tracey Meares and Dan Kahan’s criticism of the ACLU’s other issues

V. Author’s comment

(12) Liberty has a price.

Lesson 6

Answers to the Questions

V. 1. D 2. C 3. D 4. D 5. B

VI.

1. It indicates that Microsoft corp. has tight control over the software business.

2. The present honeymoon will not last long. The industry does not speak with one voice. At the same time, their success has greatly damaged the interests of other industries. So there will be troubles ahead. Besides this, there’s also potential for a huge culture clash. A lot of Silicon Valley

types don’t realize the importance of politics and have disdain for government.

3. President Clinton promised to keep the Internet tax-free for now and Hewlett Packard Co. won approval to export sophisticated cryptography chips. The 1986 semiconductor trade agreement was signed to stop the dumping of Japanese chips in the US and set market-share goals for US chips in Japan.

4. The industry believes that government should do what it needs to do but leave them alone. The software tycoons have little patience for bureaucratic oversight and tend to be uncompromising. The hardware tycoons are willing to look for compromise.

5. They are: easing immigration restriction; securities-litigation reform and ending export limit of encryption technology.

6. The Internet and electronic commerce have been rearranging the business landscape—changing how Americans buy everything. They are spreading into all sorts of digital services, from entertainment to online banking to telephony.

7. Because high-tech leaders have realized that the industry’s future is less about technology and more about policy.

Outline

I. Close contact between high tech industry and Washington politicians

(1—2)

1. Specific example: Bill Gates and Scott G. McNealy’s attendance at the March 3 hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee

2. Increasing contact between high tech industry and Washington policy makers

II. Reasons for the close relationship

(3—6)

1. High tech industry’s fast expansion and the appearance of more issues

2. Politicians’ strong interest in the job growth industry

3. Increasing conflicts between high tech industry and other industries

4. High tech industry’s urgent need for solution to many problems

III. Relationship between high tech industry and government

(7—11)

1. Good relationship at present

2. Difficulties in maintaining the honeymoon

3. Need for high tech new executives to learn lobbying

IV. Efforts made by high tech companies at lobbying

(12—14)

1. Computer companies’ fight for a high-definition TV format

2. The establishment of Washington offices

3. Crusade to fight alleged Japanese dumping of computer chips

V. Problems with the high tech industry

(15—16)

1. Lack of unity

2. Little patience for bureaucratic oversight

VI. Objectives of the high tech executives

(17—18)