A person named Bernard Jackson today is a free man, but he has many bitter memories. He spent five years in prison after a jury (陪审团) wrongly convicted (判处……有罪) him of raping two women. At Jackson’s trial, although two witnesses testified that Jackson was with them in another location at the time of the crime, he was convicted anyway. Why? The jury believed the testimony (证词) of the two victims, who positively identified Jackson as the man who had attacked them. The court eventually freed Jackson after the police found the real criminal.
Many factors influence the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. For instance, witnesses sometimes see photographs of several suspects before they try to identify the person they saw in a group of people. They can become confused by seeing many photographs of similar faces. The number of people in the group, and whether it is a person or a photograph, may also affect a witness’s decision. People sometimes have difficulty identifying people of other races. The questions the police ask witnesses also have an effect on them.
Many people believe that police officers are more reliable than ordinary people. Psychologists decided to test this idea, and they discovered that it is not true. Two psychologists showed a film of crimes to both police officers and civilians. The psychologists found no difference between the police and the civilians in correctly remembering the details of the crimes.
Despite all the possibilities for inaccuracy, courts cannot leave out eyewitness testimony from a trial. American courts depend almost completely on eyewitness testimony to resolve (决定) court cases. Sometimes it is the only evidence to a crime, such as rape. Furthermore, eyewitness testimony is often correct. Although people do sometimes make mistakes, and convict innocent people, more importantly, eyewitness testimony has rightly convicted a larger number of guilty people.
American courts depend on the ability of the twelve jurors, and not the judges, to determine the accuracy of the witness’s testimony. It is their responsibility to decide if a certain witness could actually see, hear and remember what happened.
1.Bernard Jackson was found guilty and sentenced 5 years’ prison because .
A．the police discovered evidence leading to his guilt
B．he admitted the crime of raping two women
C．the victims insisted that he was the attacker
D．the eyewitness proved the victims’ testimony
2.The following statements may be the reasons for why sometimes the eyewitness’ testimony is not accurate EXCEPT .
A．the eyewitness is confused by the police’s questions
B．the eyewitness is shown photos of many similar faces
C．the eyewitness lacks the professional help from police
D．the eyewitness can’t identify people of other races clearly
3.An inaccurate eyewitness testimony may lead to .
A．the misunderstanding of the case B．the disbelief in the court
C．the disrespect for the eyewitness D．the conviction of an innocent person
4.Eyewitness testimony is important because .
A．it can be relied on to detect criminals in all cases.
B．it is sometimes the only way to resolve court cases.
C．it is sometimes the only clue for police investigation.
D．it is more reliable than physical evidences to a crime.
5.According to the text, we can infer that .
A．police identification is more reliable than that of the ordinary people
B．eyewitness testimony is valuable, though sometimes incorrect.
C．crime victims often fail to give positive identification of the suspects
D．the jury relies on the judge rather than the eyewitness for a decision
Russ was a lovable kid with a variety of communication challenges---a speech impediment (语言障碍), dyslexia (诵读困难), and auditory problems. __41__ today he is walking confidently, standing tall to make an acceptance __42__ for having been chosen one of the “Outstanding Young Citizens” in Ocean County, New Jersey __43__ his remarkable volunteer service in the town of Toms River.
As I listened, I closed my eyes. I found myself __44__ those memorable moments. My mind was full of warm images of Russ as a loving, caring youth, a gentle soul, __45__ his challenges. And now, as he stood at the platform, I knew his heart __46__ be racing. As Russ continued to speak, I thought about the fateful day when he was diagnosed with all those impairments(损伤) and how __47__ his tutors would be if they could see him today. Here he was at twenty-nine, being honored for ten years of service as a volunteer __48__. Russ was __49__ for organizing clothing for the homeless, teaching preschool children about fire safety, and for playing Santa Claus for very sick children by driving up in a fire truck.
Russ thanked his parents for providing him with dignity and for teaching him about morals. Then, pausing for a few seconds, he __50__ us by surprise by touching lovingly on the __51__ of his nephew, Austin. Austin was just three years old when he died from an incurable disease. At that moment, I had to close my eyes again __52__ a different set of tears ran down my cheeks. A silence __53__ the room as Russ owed his volunteer award to Austin. He __54__ his address by lifting the audience up with these words, “Austin taught me how to love.”
I have never thought of this day. __55__, no one had ever thought that Russ would make __56__ as the star of the football team, and he had never been voted “most likely to succeed,” but he __57__ to be a true “star” in his community. Russ became a man of strong character __58__ his unselfish service to others. With so many impairments, Russ now sees and acts __59__ with his heart. His words and deeds inspire everyone who knows him. It is Russ, our son, who has shown us what __60__ is.
1.A. And B. While C. As D. But
2.A. point B. speech C. call D. appeal
3.A. in spite of B. regardless of C. because of D. in face of
4.A. recalling B. recording C. seizing D. expecting
5.A. putting up with B. concerning about C. escaping from D. facing up to
6.A. could B. must C. would D. might
7.A. nervous B. excited C. proud D. surprised
8.A. policeman B. tailor C. fireman D. tutor
9.A. grateful B. responsible C. anxious D. fit
10.A. took B. got C. shocked D. moved
11.A. birth B. achievement C. loss D. disease
12.A. since B. after C. when D. before
13.A. dropped down B. fell over C. took off D. got up
14.A. concluded B. wrote C. delivered D. started
15.A. Generally B. Surprisingly C. Actually D. However
16. A. it B. him C. one D. that
17.A. happened B. rose C. appeared D. reduced
18.A. at B. on C. by D. in
19.A. cautiously B. generously C. closely D. clearly
20.A. sharing B. love C. sacrifice D. confidence
It may be fairly cheap to buy, but you’ve got to ______ the money you’ll spend on repairs.
A. take charge of B. take into account C. take advantage of D. take the place of
If you ____ the bottle and cigarettes, you’ll be much healthier.
A. keep up B. keep on C. keep to D. keep off
Some of the old beliefs passed down from one generation to another ________ the present thinking.
A. agree with B. deal with C. put up with D. come up with
Steven’s exam results put him ________ the top ten students in his grade.
A. among B. between C. in D. at
