Question

The American dream is the faith held by many people in the United States of America that through hard work, courage, creativity and determination, they can achieve a better life for themselves. More specifically, they agree on how to get ahead in America: get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy their own house. But do Americans still believe in that path, and if they do, is it attainable?

The most recent National Journal poll asked participants about the American dream, what it takes to achieve their goal, and whether or not they felt the control over their ability to be successful. Obviously, the results show that today, the idea of the American dream and what it takes to achieve it looks quite different from it did in the late 20th century. Generally speaking, people felt that their actions and hard work not outside force deciding their lives. But the participants had definitely mixed feelings about what actions make for a better life in the current economy.

In the last seven years, Americans have grown more pessimistic(悲观的) about the power of education to lead to success. Even though they see going to college as a fairly achievable goal, a majority 52 percent think that young people do not need a 4-year college education in order to be successful.

Miguel Maeda, 42, who has a master’s degree and works in public health, was the first in his family to go to college, which has allowed him to achieve a sense of financial stability(稳定) his parents and grandparents never did. While some, like Maeda, emphasized the value of degree rather than the education itself, others still see college as a way to gain new viewpoints and life experiences. To Fendley, a sense of drive and purpose, as well as an effective high-school education, and basic life skills, like balancing a checkbook(支票簿), are the necessary elements for a successful life in America.

1.It used to be commonly acknowledged that to succeed in America, one had to have ____.

A. a sense of drive and purpose    B. an advanced academic degree

C. a firm belief in their dream    D. an ambition to get ahead

2.What is the finding of the latest National Journal poll concerning the American dream?

A. More and more Americans are finding it hard to realize.

B. It remains alive among the majority of American people.

C. An increasing number of young Americans are abandoning it.

D. Americans’ idea of it has changed over the past few decades.

3.What do Americans now think of the role of college education in achieving success?

A. It still remains open to debate.

B. It has proved to be beyond doubt.

C. It is much better understood now than ever.

D. It is no longer as important as it used to be.

4.How do some people view college education these days?

A. It helps broaden their minds.    B. It needs to be strengthened.

C. It widens cultural diversity.    D. It promotes gender equality.

Answer

1. B

2. D

3. D

4. A

【解析】

这是一篇新闻报道。美国《国家期刊》最近的一项关于美国梦的民意调查表明在过去的几十年里，美国人的美国梦的理念和实现它所需要的因素发生了变化。他们认为大学教育在取得成功中所起的作用不再像过去那样重要了。

1.细节理解题。由第一段“More specifically, they agree on how to get ahead in America: get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy their own house”可知，更具体地说，他们就如何在美国获得成功达成了一致的意见:接受大学教育，找到一份稳定的工作，买他们自己的房子。所以过去人们普遍认为，要想在美国取得成功，就必须有高学位。故B选项正确。

2.推理判断题。由第二段“the results show that today, the idea of the American dream and what it takes to achieve it looks quite different from it did in the late 20th century. Generally speaking, people felt that their actions and hard work not outside force deciding their lives.”可知，显然，结果表明，今天美国梦的理念和实现它所需要的因素看起来与20世纪晚期有很大的不同。一般来说，人们觉得他们的行动和努力工作而不是外部力量决定着他们更好的生活。所以判断出《国家期刊》关于美国梦的最新调查结果表明在过去的几十年里，美国人的美国梦的理念和实现它所需要的因素发生了变化。故D选项正确。

3.推理判断题。由第三段“In the last seven years, Americans have grown more pessimistic(悲观的) about the power of education to lead to success. Even though they see going to college as a fairly achievable goal, a majority 52 percent think that young people do not need a 4-year college education in order to be successful.”可知，在过去的七年里，美国人对教育决定成功越来越悲观。尽管他们认为上大学是一个相当容易实现的目标，但是52%的人认为年轻人不需要四年的大学教育就能成功。所以判断出美国人认为大学教育在取得成功中所起的作用不再像过去那样重要了。故D选线正确。

4.推理判断题。由最后段“While some, like Maeda, emphasized the value of degree rather than the education itself, others still see college as a way to gain new viewpoints and life experiences”可知，虽然像Maeda这样的一些人强调学位的价值而不是教育本身的价值，但其他人仍然把大学视为获得新观点和生活经验的一种方式。所以判断出，现在一些人认为大学教育有助于开阔他们的视野。故A选项正确。