1 . The United States you may not know

The United States is the only superpower in the world, and it is far more advanced than any other country. However, we can’t simply owe its _________ and prosperity to its lucky escape from the destruction of the two world wars. What other nations should _________ is the American spirit and its social system.

The most obvious features of the American spirit are _________ and pragmatism (务实思想). Nearly 70% of the important inventions have been made in the US since the first industrial revolution. Since the US occupies such an important position in science and technology, naturally it has become the first superpower in the world.

Americans are always _________ with what they have achieved, and they have an appetite for adventure over the love of _________. European countries have been pursuing a reformist policy of “high tax and high welfare” since the 1960s, while only the US _________ the policy of “high risk and high return”. _________ , the US has become the leader of the third industrial revolution (in technology of information, materials and biology).

High salary is not the only _________ that the talents from other countries find in the United States. Some characteristics of American society should not be _________. Family backgrounds and great wisdom in building connections and playing up to the boss, to which great importance is attached in other countries, are not so important to __________ development in the US. Most people are on the same starting line, and whether one can succeed or not depends on his own ability and hard work.

However, the American character is full of paradoxes (矛盾). The American people are both extremely romantic and pragmatic. The American is a(n) __________ people, but in every field there are workaholics. The Americans are open-minded but they are very conservative on certain matters. Since China’s reform and opening-up to the outside world, many media in Western countries have greatly __________ their attitudes towards China. However, the American media are singing the same old tune against China as they were in the Cold War period. The Americans __________ freedom, but their government is very fond of interfering in other countries’ internal affairs. What’s most puzzling is that the Americans __________ authority, but they highly respect the laws and regulations of the society. Therefore, in such a nation that values personal liberty, the society can still be kept in good order and operate with high __________ . Is it odd? No one can provide a satisfactory answer.

1.

A．powerfulness

B．ability

C．energy

D．resource

2.

A．reflect on

B．deal with

C．agree to

D．carry out

3.

A．preservation

B．perseverance

C．curiosity

D．creativity

4.

A．dissatisfied

B．concerned

C．engaged

D．pleased

5.

A．nature

B．competition

C．ease

D．innovation

6.

A．goes against

B．sticks to

C．exposes to

D．gives up

7.

A．After all

B．As a result

C．In other words

D．Above all

8.

A．potential

B．passion

C．attraction

D．recommendation

9.

A．considered

B．mentioned

C．ignored

D．defined

10.

A．staff

B．assemble

C．private

D．individual

11.

A．pleasure-seeking

B．outgoing

C．self-disciplined

D．well-educated

12.

A．maintained

B．changed

C．adopted

D．compared

13.

A．oppose

B．rebel

C．care

D．value

14.

A．show

B．admire

C．challenge

D．establish

15.

A．efficiency

B．spirits

C．honour

D．status

2 . The United States is a large country. From the East Coast to the West Coast it is about 3, 000 miles wide. The Atlantic Ocean is on the East Coast and the Pacific Ocean is on the West Coast. Canada is the country to the north of the United States and Mexico is the country to the south. There are many rivers in the United States. The most important ones are the Mississippi River and the Missouri River in the central part of the country, and the Colorado and Columbia River in west. There are 50 states in the United States today.

The American people are of almost every race in the world. This is because of immigrations from abroad throughout American history. The population is now over two hundred million. English is the common language. The largest city in the United States is New York. It is on New York Bay and at the mouth of the Hudson River.

1. It is about 3, 000 miles wide________.

A．from Canada to Mexico

B．from the East Coast to the West Coast

C．from the Atlantic Ocean to the East Coast

D．from the Pacific Ocean to Canada

2. “The American people are of almost every race in the world,” means________.

A．the American people include nearly all the races of the world

B．there are several main races in the United States

C．the American people are made up of the white and the black people

D．the American people consist of only one race

3. What do you know about New York?

A．It is the capital of the United States.

B．It is in the central part of the country.

C．It is the largest city in the United States.

D．It is at the mouth of the Missouri River.

4. New York is________.

A．in the central part of the U. S.

B．on the West Coast

C．at the mouth of the Mississippi River

D．at the mouth of the Hudson River