Question

From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town’s officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square.

In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities.

In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.

1.At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT __________. 

A．express their opinions about the government

B．elect officials of the towns

C．make a decision about whom they should marry

D．discuss some community matters

2.In the 18th century, who had the right to vote?  

A．All the citizens.

B．All the men except those who were church members.

C．The rich.

D．The rich men and the church members.

3.Why has the town meeting been widely imitated? 

A．Because many people are interested in it.

B．Because it is very democratic.

C．Because many people enjoy themselves at town meetings.

D．Because sometimes government agencies call them.

4.According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? 

A．Citizens can elect the officials in the town meeting.

B．In recent years, town meetings are often called by a government agency.

C．People can say what they want to say at the town meeting.

D．Nowadays this kind of meeting is also held on radio and television.

5.This passage mainly talks about _______.  

A．the New England town meeting             B．modern town meetings

C．a democratic meeting                    D．New England towns

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.B

4.B

5.A

【解析】

试题分析：文章开头就点明了主题，主要介绍了英格兰的新市政会议，以及市政会议的主要讨论内容。

1.C。文中提到是付税费，而不是生活方面的费用。

2.D。依据为第二段中的“In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, …”。

3.B。从文章的第一句和最后一段可看出市政会议之所以受欢迎是因为其民主性。

4.B。从文章的最后一段中的“Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency…”可知这种会议是偶尔召开，而不是经常开。

5.A。文章开头就点明了主题，主要介绍了英格兰的新市政会议。

考点：考查新闻报告类短文阅读