2006 Text 1
In spite of ―endless talk of difference‖，American society is an amazing machine for homogenizing people. There is ―the democratizing uniformity of dress and discourse，and the casualness and absence of deference‖ characteristic of popular culture. People are absorbed into ―a culture of consumption‖ launched by the 19th——century dep artment stores that offered ―vast arrays of goods in an elegant atmosphere. Instead of intimate shops catering to a knowledgeable elite,‖ these were stores ―anyone could enter, regardless of class or background. This turned shopping into a public and democ ratic act.‖ The mass media, advertising and sports are other forces for homogenization.
Immigrants are quickly fitting into this common culture, which may not be altogether elevating but is hardly poisonous. Writing for the National Immigration Forum, Gregory Rodriguez reports that today's immigration is neither at unprecedented levels nor resistant to assimilation. In 1998 immigrants were 9.8 percent of population; in 1900, 13.6 percent .In the 10 years prior to 1990, 3.1 immigrants arrived for every 1，000 residents; in the 10 years prior to 1890, 9.2 for every 1, 000. Now, consider three indices of assimilation–language, home ownership and intermarriage.
The 1990 Census revealed that ―a majority of immigrants from each of the fifteen most common coun
tr ies of origin spoke English ―well‖ or ―very well‖ after ten years of residence.‖ The children of immigrants tend to be bilingual and proficient in English. ―By the third generation, the original language is lost in the majority of immigrant families.‖ Hence the description of America as a ―graveyard‖ for languages. By 1996 foreign–born immigrants who had arrived before 1970 had a homeownership rate of 75.6 percent, higher than the 69.8 percent rate among native-born Americans.
Foreign-born Asians and Hispan ics ―have higher rates of intermarriage than do U.S–born whites and blacks.‖ By the third generation, one third of Hispanic women are married to non-Hispanics, and 41 percent of Asian–American women are married to non-Asians.
Rodriguez notes that children in remote villages around the world are fans of superstars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Garth Brooks, yet ―some Americans fear that immigrant living within the United States remain somehow immune to the nation‘s assimilative power.‖
Are there divisive issues and pockets of seething anger in America? Indeed. It is big enough to have a bit of everything. But particularly when viewed against America‗s turbulent past, today‘s social induces hardly suggest a dark and deteriorating social environment.
21.The word ―homogenizing‖（Line 1, Paragraph 1）most probably means
[A] identifying [B] associating[C] assimilating [D] monopolizing
22. According to the author, the department stores of the 19th century
[A] played a role in the spread of popular culture.
[B] became intimate shops for common consumers.
[C] satisfied the needs of a knowledgeable elite.
[D] owed its emergence to the culture of consumption
23.The text suggests that immigrants now in the U.S.
[A] are resistant to homogenization.
[B] exert a great influence on American culture.
[C] are hardly a threat to the common culture.
[D] constitute the majority of the population.
24. Why are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Garth Brooks mentioned in Paragraph 5？
[A] To prove their popularity around the world.
[B] To reveal the public‘s fear of immigrants.
[C] To give examples of successful immigrants.
[D] To show the powerful influence of American culture.
25.In the author‘s opinion，the absorption of immigrants into American society is
[A] rewarding.
[B] successful.
[C] fruitless.
[D] harmful.
重点词汇：
homogenize/ hə'mɔdʒənaiz/  vt. cause to become equal or homogeneous as by mixing；均质化，使（某物）成分均匀
[例]homogenized milk 均质牛奶
[形] homogeneous    a. 由同类部分组成的[名] homogeneity n. 同种，同质
[巧记]词头：homo- 同、相同如homophone n. 同音异形词；homosexual    a. 同性恋的
assimilation n. 同化, 同化作用, 消化[巧记]as+simil(er)+ation
democratize / di'mɔkrətaiz/vt. become (more) democratic; of nations 使民主化
[例]democratize the administration of an organization 使一组织的管理民主化
[名] democracy n. 民主、民主政治，民主制度；democrat n. 民主主义者；（Democrat指美国民主党党员或其拥护者）democratization n. 民主化
[形]democratic    a. 民主的，民主政治的；民主作风的，平等的
discourse [ dis'kɔ s, 'diskɔ s ] n. lengthy or serious treatment of a subject in speech or writing 论文、演讲vi. talk、preach or lecture about sth（usu at length）（通常长篇大论的）论说、宣扬或讲授某事物
[例]The speaker discoursed knowledgeably on a variety of subjects 演讲者头头是道的论述了一系列问题。
casual
（偶然的；漫不经心的）(详见02 text1)
launch n.开始从事，发起，发动(活动)
[例] launch an
appeal/inquiry/investigation/campaign 开始进
行上诉/质询/调查/一场运动
intimate [ 'intimit ]    a. having or being a very closely or friendly relationship 亲密的，私人的,
秘密的；private and personal 私人的，个人的；vt make sth known to sb exp discreetly or indirectly 将某事透露给某人，（尤其指谨慎的或间接的）暗示、示意
[例] intimate friends 知心朋友an intimate diary 私人日记She has intimated to us that she no longer wishes to be considered for the post 她已向我们透露希望不再考虑让她担任该职。[习]be/get on intimate terms with sb （渐渐）熟悉某人并关系密切
[名]intimation n. 示意、暗示
cater [ 'keitə ] v. provide food or services，esp. at social functions 备办食物或服务（尤其指社交方面）；投合，迎合
[用法] ～for sb/sth 由某人/某事物提供、迎合（即主语必须是被用来迎合sb/sth的那个东西）～to sth 满足某种需要或要求（即主语必须是发起迎合动作的主体）
[例]TV must cater for many different tastes 电
视节目必须迎合各种人的爱好。Newspapers catering to people‘s love of scandal 迎合人们爱看丑闻消息的报纸
[名]catering n. 承办酒席（的行为或行业）caterer n. 承办酒席的人
elevate [ '    it
] v. lift up，raise to a higher place or rank 举起，提拔；make the mind or morals better or more educated 使思想
或道德更好，更有修养
[例] He has been elevated to the peerage 他已升为贵族The teacher hoped to elevate the minds of her young pupils by reading them religious stories. 教师希望给小学生读宗教故事来提高他们的修养.
[形]elevated    a. 好的，高尚的
elevating    a. 提高思想道德的，引人向上的[名]elevation n. 提高、被提高，高度（尤指海拔），建筑物正视图
unprecedented [
ə    ] a. 空前的
[例]Science and technology have come to pervade every aspect of our lives and, as a result, society
is changing at a speed which is quite unprecedented. 科学和技术已经开始渗透了我们生活的各个领域；结果，社会正以空前的速度改变着
resistant [      ə  ]  a. relating to or conferring immunity (to disease or infection)抵抗的，反抗的
[例]This new type of infection is resistant to antibiotics. 这种新的传染病对抗菌素有抗药性。
[名]resistance n. 抵抗，对抗
indices n. index的复数形式，标志，指标，表征[例] a price index物价指数cost of living index 物价消费指数The number of new houses being built is a good index of a country‘s prosperity.新建房屋的数目是国家繁荣的一个有用指标.]
census n. 人口(户口)调(普)查,(调查)统计的数字; v. 调查人口数字,
[例] The census enumerated eighty-six persons over one hundred years old in this mountain area.根据人口调查这一带山区共有八十六位百岁老人。
bilingual adj.(能说)两种语言的[巧记] bi(双)+lingu(语言)+al→双语者(参考05 text4 linguist)
[例]a bilingual English - Chinese dictionary英汉双语词典
graveyard n. 墓地，坟场[巧记] grave(坟墓)+yard(院子) (参考05 text2 grave)
divisive adj. 区分的, 不和的, 分裂的
[例] That politician is a divisive influence at meetings.那位政客在会议上总是起着分裂的作用。
pocket n. (与周围不同的)小组织，小区域
[例]There are still a few isolated pockets of resistance to the new regine.现在仍有零星孤立的势利反对新政权.
remote adj. 遥远的, 偏僻的, 细微的
[例] the remote future 遥远的未来  a remote village 偏僻的村落Y our chances are remote. 你的机会极少。
[巧记]re(词根back)+mot(词根move)+e→向后移动→遥远的.
immune adj. 免疫的(参考03 text2 immunization)
[例]The criminal was told he would be immune from punishment if he helped the police."罪犯被告知
说，如果他协助警方，就可以免受惩罚。" deteriorate v.(使)恶化
[例]His work has deteriorated in the last month.他的工作在最后一个月变糟了。
难句分析：
①Immigrants are quickly fitting into this common culture, which may not be altogether elevating but is hardly poisonous.
▲分析：该句话是由一个主句加一个非限定性定语从句组成，immigrants做主语，fit做谓语，culture做宾语，which引导非限定性从句。
翻译：移民们很快适应了这个主流文化，他们也许总共也不能为这个文化增多少，但也不会有害于它的。
②Rodriguez notes that children in remote villages around world are fans of superstars like Amold Schwarzenegger and Garth Brooks, yet
―some Americans fear that immigrant living within the United States remain somehow immune to the nation‘s assimilative power.‖
▲分析：这是个复杂句，yet把它分成两部分，前后是转折关系。前半部分是个简单句；后半部分由that引导了一个宾语从句。
翻译：罗得里格斯写道，即使那些住在世界各地偏僻村庄的的孩子们都是诸如阿诺.施瓦辛格和加思.布鲁克斯等明星的星迷，然而―一些美国人却害怕住在美国的移民不知为何能不受这个国家的同化力量的影响‖ 。
答案分析：
21. 本题的难度值为0.713，属于较容易的题目，区分度为0.385。
标准答案：C。homogenizing是homogenize的动名词形式，本意是：vi.均质化vt.使均匀。即同一化。在第一段可以看出，文章是说明美国社会的民主化和其巨大的亲和力，因此在American society is an amazing machine for homogenizing people这句话中，将homogenizing 翻译成吸引，吸收最贴切。然后观察四个选项，A选项是identifying，意思是：识别, 鉴别, 把...和...看成一样。与文章没有联系，排除。B选项associating是比较强的干扰项，其意思是：vt.使发生联系, 使联合vi.交往, 结交。如果能引申为团结的意思的话，与文章倒是有点关系，但是根据最优选项的原则，此选项也不能入选。C选项assimilateing是吸收的意思，最符合原文的观点，即吸收以融为一体的意思。因此C 选项入选。D选项monopolizing的意思是独占，垄断的意思，与原文没有联系，排除。
22.. 本题的难度值为0.436，属于中等难度的题目。
标准答案：A。该题目定位到第一段的这几句话：launched by the 19th –century department stores that offered ‗vast arrays of goods in an elegant atmosphere. Instead of intimate shops catering to a knowledgeable elite.‖ these were stores ―anyone could enter, regardless of class or background. This turned shopping into a public and democratic act.‖大体意思是说，商店不再只是属于那些有见识的精英们了，而成为一种任何人都可以进入，不管你的社会地位或背景的地方。最重要的是最后一句，说商店使购物成为一种公众的，民主的活动。因此，商店在普及文化中扮演着重要的角。此中的文化也可以具体到消费文化。联系A选项：商店在普及通俗文化中发挥着作用。因此A入选。B选项属于比较强的干扰项，主要是intimate这个词的用法不够理解。intimate的意思是adj.亲密的, 隐私的vt.宣布, 明白表示。在文章的意思应该是私人的意思。由原句Instead of intimate shops catering to a knowledgeable elite可以得出，intimate是为...所私有的意思。因此B选项应该翻译为：变成了普通消费者的私有商店。因此排除该选项。C选项意思是：满足了知识渊博的社会精英们的需要。这与原文正好相反，注意instead这个词。因此C选项排除。D选项意思是：其出现归功于消费文化。恰恰相反，应该是普及的消费文化归功于这种商店的出现。因此D选项排除。
23. 本题的难度值为0.48，属于中等难度的题目，区分度为0.384。
标准答案：C。该题目首先能定位到第二段的首句：Immigrants are quickly fitting into this common culture, which may not be altogether elevating but is hardly poisonous.意思是说移民迅速融入了这种通俗文化，虽然不至于能够促进这种文化，但是决不至于有害。因此联系C 选项：对通俗文化基本构不成威胁，入选。再看A选项，意思是移民对同一化的抗拒。由上面这句原文可以轻松排除这个选项。B选项的意思是移民对美国文化产生了巨大影响。同样还是那句原文，可看出移民不至于能够促进这种文化，也不至于毒害这种文化，因此可以得出结论，即移民对文化的影响不大。因此排除B选项。最后看D选项，意思是组成了人口的大多数。即使从常识角度来看，这也肯定不对。
哪怕像新西兰之类的高移民率国家，也不至于让移民们反客为主了。而且原文也可看出，只是不到五分之一而已。因此D选项排除。
24. 本题的难度值为0.522，属于中等难度的题目。
标准答案：D。定位到题目所说的第五段：Rodriguez not that children in remote villages around world are fans of superstars like Amold Schwarzenegger and Garth Brooks, yet ―some Americans fear that immigrant living within the United States remain somehow immune to the nation‘s assimilative power.‖大体意思是说即使偏远地区的孩子们也是美国明星的追随者，然而却有美国人害怕自己国家的吸引力对移民者不起作用。显然后半句用的是反语，可以说是批评那些美国人的。因此
作者的意思是说美国的吸引力非常大。再联系全文的中心思想：美国是个有巨大吸引力和融合力的大熔炉。因此D 选项：表现了美国文化的巨大影响力。入选。再看A选项：证明了他们在全世界的知名度。这个选项显然是表面的，并没有深入到作者的本意中去。因此排除。然后是B选项：揭露了公众对移民的害怕。首先，文章只是说有些美国人，而没有达到公众这么大的范围。而且，作者的用意更不是说公众对移民的害怕，而是借此说明美国的巨大融合力。因此B选项排除。最后是C选项，意思是列举了成功移民者的例子。这个和B选项属于相同的干扰项，都不是作者的本意。即使你知识渊博，知道史瓦辛格是移民，但是也不能以偏概全。因此同样不能入选。
25. 本题的难度值为0.467，属于中等难度的题目。
标准答案：B。文章的中心思想就是说美国是个有巨大融合力的大熔炉，当然对于吸收移民者来讲也是很成功的了。A选项意思是有益的，有好处的。文章并没有说吸收移民是有益的，而只是说美国在吸收移民方面做的很成功。因此该选项属于偷换概念，不能入选。这个选项也有较大争议。C选项意思是没有结果的，显然可以排除。D选项意思是有害的，比较关键的一点，就是文章第一段已经说过了which may not be altogether elevating but is hardly poisonous，因此可看出移民问题没有害。而文章结尾这句today‘s social indices hardly suggest a dark and deteriorating social environment更可以看出，作者强调了当今的社会一点也不算黑暗和恶化。因此D选项排除。
全文翻译：
不管我们如何喋喋不休地谈论差别，美国社会实际上是一台同化人们的神奇的机器。这就是民主化的着装和言谈，并且还有种随意和缺乏尊重感，这些构成了通俗文化的特性。人们被一种消费文化所吸引了，这种文化是由十九世纪在高雅的氛围中陈列着琳琅满目的商品的百货商店所开始的。他们不是为了迎合有知识的精英们而开设的专门商店，而是创建了―不分阶层和背景人人都可以进入‖的大众商店。这使得购物成为一种大众的、民主的行为。大众传媒、广告和体育也是协助人们均质化的推动力。
尽管这种文化并不算高雅，但也算不上有害，移民们很快就融入了这种共同文化。Gregory Rodriguez为美国移民研讨会撰文指出，今天的移民既不是处于空前的水平，也不抵制同化。在1998年，移民占全国人口的9.8%；在1900年为13.6%。在1990年以前的十年之中，在每千位居民当中，有千分之3.1的新来的移民；而在1890年以前的十年之中，每千位居民当中就有千分之9.2的移民。现在，让我们来看一下三个同化指标——语言、拥有产权住房和异族结婚情况。
1990年的人口普查透露：―来自十五个移民数量最多的国家的移民在到美国十年后英语说得‗好‘或‗很好‘。‖移民的子女几乎都说两种语言，且精通英语。―到了第三代，在大多数移民家庭，他们的母语就消失了。‖因此，有人就把美国描述成了―语言的坟场‖。到了1996年，出生于国外的、在1970年以前到达美国的移民有75.6%购置了自己的住房，这个数字高出土生土长的美国人的拥有自己所有权住房的百分比——69.8%。
在国外出生的亚裔和西班牙裔移民―与美国本土白人和黑人相比，与异族通婚的比率要高。‖到了第三代，有三分之一的西班牙裔女性与非西班牙裔男性结婚，而有41%亚裔美国妇女与非亚裔男性结婚。罗得里格斯写道，即使那些住在世界各地偏僻村庄的孩子们都是诸如阿诺.施瓦辛格和加思.布鲁克斯等明星的星迷，index复数

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