2003年全國(guó)碩士研究生入學(xué)考試英語(yǔ)試題（閱讀部分）
Section IIIReading Comprehension
Directions： Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A，B，C or D. Mark your answers on ANAWER SHEET 1（40 points）
Text 1
Wild Bill Donovan would have loved the Internet. The American spymaster who built the Office of Strategic Services in the World War II and later laid the roots for the CIA was fascinated with information. Donovan believed in using whatever tools came to hand in the "great game" of espionage - spying as a "profession". These days the Net， which has already remade pastimes as buying books and sending mail， is reshaping Donovans vocation as well.
The last revolution isnt simply a matter of gentlemen reading other gentlemens email. That kind of electronic spying has been going on for decades. In the past three or four years， the world wide web has given birth to a whole industry of pointandclick spying. The spooks call it "open source intelligence"， and as the Net grows， it is becoming increasingly influential. In 1995 the CIA held a contest to see who could compile the most data about Burundi. The winner， by a large margin， was a tiny Virginia company called OpenSource Solutions，whose clear advantage was its mastery of the electronic world.
Among the firms making the biggest splash in the new world is Straitford， Inc.， a private intelligenceanalysis firm based in Austin， Texas. Straitford makes money by selling the results of spying（covering nations from Chile to Russia）to corporations like energyservices firm McDermott International. Many of its predictions are available online at www.straitford.com.
Straifford president George Friedman says he sees the online world as a kind of mutually reinforcing tool for both information collection and distribution， a spymasters dream. Last week his firm was busy vacuuming up data bits from the far corners of the world and predicting a crisis in Ukraine."As soon as that report runs， well suddenly get 500 new internet signups from Ukraine，" says Friedman， a former political science professor. "And well hear back from some of them." Opensource spying does have its risks， of course， since it can be difficult to tell good information from bad. That s where Straitford earns its keep.
Friedman relies on a lean staff in Austin. Several of his staff members have militaryintelligence backgrounds. He sees the firms outsider status as the key to its success. Straitfords briefs dont sound like the usual Washington back and forthing， whereby agencies avoid dramatic declarations on the chance they might be wrong. Straitford， says Friedman， takes pride in its independent voice.
41. The emergence of the Net has
A. received support from fans like Donovan. B. remolded the intelligence services.
C. restored many common pastimes. D. revived spying as a profession.
42. Donovans story is mentioned in the text to
A. introduce the topic of online spying. B. show how he fought for the U.S.
C. give an episode of the information war. D. honor his unique services to the CIA.
43. The phrase "making the biggest splash"（line 1，paragraph 3）most probably means
A. causing the biggest trouble. B. exerting the greatest effort.
C. achieving the greatest success. D. enjoying the widest popularity.
44. It can be learned from paragraph 4 that
A. Straitfords prediction about Ukraine has proved true.
B. Straitford guarantees the truthfulness of its information.
C. Straitfords business is characterized by unpredictability.
D. Straitford is able to provide fairly reliable information.
45. Straitford is most proud of its
A. official status. B. nonconformist image.
C. efficient staff. D. military background.
Text 2
To paraphrase 18thcentury statesman Edmund Burke，"all that is needed for the triumph of a misguided cause is that good people do nothing." One such cause now seeks to end biomedical research because of the theory that animals have rights ruling out their use in research. Scientists need to respond forcefully to animal rights advocates， whose arguments are confusing the public and thereby threatening advances in health knowledge and care. Leaders of the animal rights movement target biomedical research because it depends on public funding， and few people understand the process of health care research. Hearing allegations of cruelty to animals in research settings， many are perplexed that anyone would deliberately harm an animal.
For example， a grandmotherly woman staffing an animal rights booth at a recent street fair was distributing a brochure that encouraged readers not to use anything that opposed immunizations， she wanted to know if vaccines come from animal research. When assured that they do， she replied，"Then I would have to say yes." Asked what will happen when epidemics return， she said，"Dont worry， scientists will find some way of using computers." Such wellmeaning people just dons understand.
Scientists must communicate their message to the public in a compassionate， understandable wayin human terms， not in the language of molecular biology. We need to make clear the connection between animal research and a grandmothers hip replacement， a fathers bypass operation， a babys vaccinations， and even a pets shots. To those who are unaware that animal research was needed to produce these treatments， as well as new treatments and vaccines， animal research seems wasteful at best and cruel at worst.
Much can be done. Scientists could "adopt" middle school classes and present their own research. They should be quick to respond to letters to the editor， lest animal rights misinformation go unchallenged and acquire a deceptive appearance of truth. Research institutions could be opened to tours， to show that laboratory animals receive humane care. Finally， because the ultimate stakeholders are patients， the health research community should actively recruit to its cause not only wellknown personalities such as Stephen Cooper， who has made courageous statements about the value of animal research， but all who receive medical treatment. If good people do nothing there is a real possibility that an uninformed citizenry will extinguish the precious embers of medical progress.
46. The author begins his article with Edmund Burkes words to
A. call on scientists to take some actions.
B. criticize the misguided cause of animal rights.
C. warn of the doom of biomedical research.
D. show the triumph of the animal rights movement.
47. Misled people tend to think that using an animal in research is
A. cruel but natural. B. inhuman and unacceptable.
C. inevitable but vicious. D. pointless and wasteful.
48. The example of the grandmotherly woman is used to show the publics
A. discontent with animal research. B. ignorance about medical science.
C. indifference to epidemics. D. anxiety about animal rights.
49. The author believes that， in face of the challenge from animal rights advocates， scientists should
A. communicate more with the public. B. employ hitech means in research.
C. feel no shame for their cause. D. strive to develop new cures.
50. From the text we learn that Stephen Cooper is
A. a wellknown humanist. B. a medical practitioner.
C. an enthusiast in animal rights. D. a supporter of animal research.
Text 3
In recent years， railroads have been combining with each other， merging into super systems， causing heightened concerns about monopoly. As recently as 1995，the top four railroads accounted for under 70 percent of the total tonmiles moved by rails. Next year， after a series of mergers is completed， just four railroads will control well over 90 percent of all the freight moved by major rail carriers.
Supporters of the new super systems argue that these mergers will allow for substantial cost reductions and better coordinated service. Any threat of monopoly， they argue， is removed by fierce competition from trucks. But many shippers complain that for heavy bulk commodities traveling long distances， such as coal， chemicals， and grain， trucking is too costly and the railroads therefore have them by the throat.
The vast consolidation within the rail industry means that most shippers are served by only one rail company. Railroads typically charge such "captive" shippers 20 to 30 percent more than they do when another railroad is competing for the business. Shippers who feel they are being overcharged have the right to appeal to the federal governments Surface Transportation Board for rate relief， but the process is expensive， time consuming， and will work only in truly extreme cases.
Railroads justify rate discrimination against captive shippers on the grounds that in the long run it reduces everyones cost. If railroads charged all customers the same average rate， they argue， shippers who have the option of switching to trucks or other forms of transportation would do so， leaving remaining customers to shoulder the cost of keeping up the line. Its theory to which many economists subscribe， but in practice it often leaves railroads in the position of determining which companies will flourish and which will fail. "Do we really want railroads to be the arbiters of who wins and who loses in the marketplace？" asks Martin Bercovici， a Washington lawyer who frequently represents shipper.
Many captive shippers also worry they will soon be hit with a round of huge rate increases. The railroad industry as a whole， despite its brightening fortuning fortunes， still does not earn enough to cover the cost of the capital it must invest to keep up with its surging traffic. Yet railroads continue to borrow billions to acquire one another， with Wall Street cheering them on. Consider the 10.2 billion bid by Norfolk Southern and CSX to acquire Conrail this year. Conrails net railway operating income in 1996 was just 427 million， less than half of the carrying costs of the transaction. Whos going to pay for the rest of the bill？ Many captive shippers fear that they will， as Norfolk Southern and CSX increase their grip on the market.
51. According to those who support mergers railway monopoly is unlikely because
A. cost reduction is based on competition.
B. services call for crosstrade coordination.
C. outside competitors will continue to exist.
D. shippers will have the railway by the throat.
52. What is many captive shippers attitude towards the consolidation in the rail industry？
A. Indifferent. B. Supportive.
C. Indignant. D. Apprehensive.
53. It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that
A. shippers will be charged less without a rival railroad.
B. there will soon be only one railroad company nationwide.
C. overcharged shippers are unlikely to appeal for rate relief.
D. a government board ensures fair play in railway business.
54. The word "arbiters"（line 7，paragraph 4）most probably refers to those
A. who work as coordinators. B. who function as judges.
C. who supervise transactions. D. who determine the price.
55. According to the text， the cost increase in the rail industry is mainly caused by
A. the continuing acquisition. B. the growing traffic.
C. the cheering Wall Street. D. the shrinking market.
Text 4
It is said that in England death is pressing， in Canada inevitable and in California optional small wonder. Americans life expectancy has nearly doubled over the past century. Failing hips can be replaced， clinical depression controlled， cataracts removed in a 30minuts surgical procedure. Such advances offer the aging population a quality of life that was unimaginable when I entered medicine 50 years ago. But not even a great healthcare system can cure death - and our failure to confront that reality now threatens this greatness of ours.
Death is normal； we are genetically programmed to disintegrate and perish， even under ideal conditions. We all understand that at some level， yet as medical consumers we treat death as a problem to be solved. Shielded by thirdparty payers from the cost of our care， we demand everything that can possibly be done for us， even if its useless. The most obvious example is latestage cancer care. Physicians - frustrated by their inability to cure the disease and fearing loss of hope in the patient - too often offer aggressive treatment far beyond what is scientifically justified.
In1950， the U.S. spent 1.27 billion on health care. In 2002， the cost will be 154 billion. Anyone can see this trend is unsustainable. Yet few seem willing to try to reverse it. Some scholars conclude that a government with finite resources should simply stop paying for medical care that sustains life beyond a certain age - say 83 or so. Former Colorado governor Richard Lamm has been quoted as saying that the old and infirm "have a duty to die and get out of the way"， so that younger， healthier people can realize their potential.
I would not go that far. Energetic people now routinely work through their 60s and beyond， and remain dazzlingly productive. At 78，Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone jokingly claims to be 53.Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor is in her 70s，and former surgeon general C. Everett Koop chairs an Internet startup in his 80s.These leaders are living proof that prevention works and that we can manage the health problems that come naturally with age. As a mere 68yearold，I wish to age as productively as they have.
Yet there are limits to what a society can spend in this pursuit. As a physician， I know the most costly and dramatic measures may be ineffective and painful. I also know that people in Japan and Sweden countries that spend far less on medical care， have achieved longer， healthier lives than we have. As a nation， we may be over funding the quest for unlikely cures while under funding research on humbler therapies that could improve peoples lives.
56. What is implied in the first sentence？
A. Americans are better prepared for death than other people.
B. Americans enjoy a higher life quality than ever before.
C. Americans are overconfident of their medical technology.
D. Americans take a vain pride in their long life expectancy.
57. The author uses the example of caner patients to show that
A. medical resources are often wasted.
B. doctors are helpless against fatal diseases.
C. some treatments are too aggressive.
D. medical costs are becoming unaffordable.
58. The authors attitude to ward Richard Lamms remark is one of
A. strong disapproval. B. reserved consent.
C. slight contempt. D. enthusiastic support.
59. In contrast to the U.S.， Japan and Sweden are funding their medical care
A. more flexibly. B. more extravagantly.
C. more cautiously. D. more reasonably.
60. The text intends to express the idea that
A. medicine will further prolong peoples lives.
B. life beyond a certain limit is not worth living.
C. death should be accepted as a fact of life.
D. excessive demands increase the cost of health care.
41. 「B」問(wèn)題是：網(wǎng)絡(luò)的出現(xiàn)
文章第一段后一句，簡(jiǎn)化后便是 "Net is reshaping Donovans vocation." 句中 "reshape" 和B項(xiàng)中的 "remold" 屬同義詞，在句中意思是翻新。 "Donovans vocation"在上下文中指的也正是前句所提到的 "spying as a profession" 和 "great game of espionage" 這又與B項(xiàng)中的 "intelligent service"是一個(gè)意思，故選B.文章第一段第一句用的是虛擬語(yǔ)氣， 這表明Bill Donovan 在Internet 問(wèn)世前就已經(jīng)去世了，故不能選A； C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容只是對(duì)Net 附帶的描繪，不是作者要講關(guān)于它出現(xiàn)的主要意圖； D 項(xiàng)中用了 "revive" 這個(gè)詞， 但常識(shí)告訴我們，間諜這一行從問(wèn)世以來(lái)，一直就沒(méi)有中停過(guò)，又何談 "revive"？
42. 「A」問(wèn)題是：在文中Donovan 故事的提起，是用來(lái)
Donovan這個(gè)名字在作者展開(kāi)文章后，就從此消失。 很顯然作者提到他的目的是引導(dǎo)讀者接觸到本文的主要話題，即on line spying.C、B項(xiàng)文章沒(méi)有提到；D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容不是文章重點(diǎn)。
43. 「C」問(wèn)題是：文章第三段第一行中 "making the biggest splash" 的意思有可能是
文章在談過(guò)"net spying" 這一行業(yè)在美國(guó)欣欣向榮后，第三段第一句作者講到 "Among the firms making the biggest splash in the new world is Straitford.". 這句話到底是什么意思？下一句——"Straitford makes money by selling the results of spying".可見(jiàn)，"making the biggest splash" 和 "making money" 在上下文中指的是同一個(gè)意思。這也正是C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容（achieving the greatest success）。
44. 「D」問(wèn)題是：文中第四段我們可以推斷出
文章第四段后兩句中提到 "opensource spying" 也有它的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)，因?yàn)榕袛嘈畔⒌恼婕偻掷щy。這也正是Straitford 在這種情況下還能賺到錢的原因所在。換句話說(shuō)，Straitford 可以提供來(lái)源可靠的信息，即D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。 "earn ones keep" 意思是賺錢。
45. 「B」問(wèn)題是：Straitford 以為自豪。
文章后一段講到Straitford以他獨(dú)立的聲音而自豪。而這 "independent voice" 是與前句中 "usual Washington back and forth"形成對(duì)比，來(lái)顯示Straitford 的 "unusual".這與B項(xiàng) 內(nèi)容相符。Nonconformist的意思是"不遵守常規(guī)者".
Wild Bill Donovan應(yīng)該會(huì)愛(ài)上網(wǎng)絡(luò)。這位在二戰(zhàn)期間建立了戰(zhàn)略業(yè)務(wù)部，并且隨后為中央情報(bào)局打下根基的美國(guó)間諜頭子總是為信息所神往。Donovan堅(jiān)信在諜 報(bào)（間諜作為職業(yè)）活動(dòng)中，應(yīng)當(dāng)運(yùn)用任何可利用的（來(lái)進(jìn)行諜報(bào)活動(dòng)）。如今的網(wǎng)絡(luò)，不僅再造了像買書和發(fā)郵件這樣的消遣，也正在翻新Donovan的老本 行。
這的革命已不僅僅是一位紳士竊讀另一位紳士的郵件那么簡(jiǎn)單了。像那樣的電子特務(wù)都問(wèn)世好幾十年了。在過(guò)去約三四年中，從環(huán)球網(wǎng)（萬(wàn)維網(wǎng)）產(chǎn)生了一個(gè)完 善的"點(diǎn)擊"式間諜產(chǎn)業(yè)。間諜們稱之為"開(kāi)放資源情報(bào)業(yè)"，而隨著網(wǎng)絡(luò)的發(fā)展，它變得越來(lái)越有影響。1995年間，中央情報(bào)局舉行了一個(gè)看誰(shuí)能收集到多 關(guān)于Burundi情報(bào)的這樣一個(gè)競(jìng)賽。一個(gè)來(lái)自弗吉尼亞的名叫OpenSource Solutions 的小小情報(bào)公司以大比分優(yōu)勢(shì)終成為贏家，而這家公司的顯著優(yōu)勢(shì)便是它對(duì)網(wǎng)絡(luò)世界的精通。
Straitford，一個(gè)在得克薩斯Austin的情報(bào)分析公司，是在這個(gè)新興行業(yè)中取得巨大成功的公司之一。Straitford通過(guò)將獲得的情報(bào) （覆蓋面從Chile到Russia）賣給像McDermott International 這樣的能源服務(wù)公司來(lái)賺錢。它的許多預(yù)報(bào)都可以從www.straitford.com 上得到。
Straitford 總裁George Friedman 講到他把網(wǎng)絡(luò)世界視為信息獲取和散發(fā)的工具，這也正是一個(gè)間諜頭子的夢(mèng)。上周，他的公司從世界各地收集來(lái)情報(bào)，并預(yù)告了Ukraine的危機(jī)。"報(bào)告 一發(fā)出，我們便收到了500名來(lái)自Ukraine的網(wǎng)民登錄我們的網(wǎng)站。"Fredman， 一位前政治學(xué)教授講道，"他們還將會(huì)與我們聯(lián)系。"當(dāng)然，由于很難辨別真假情報(bào)，開(kāi)放資源間諜業(yè)具有它的冒險(xiǎn)性。但這正是Straitford 維持其生計(jì)之處。
Friedman 在Austin 僅依靠幾個(gè)雇員而已。其中有幾位還有軍事情報(bào)背景。他認(rèn)為公司的外在形象是它成功的關(guān)鍵。Straitford 的理念卻不像華府那樣扭扭捏捏；在對(duì)外公開(kāi)情報(bào)時(shí)，他們總會(huì)擔(dān)心出錯(cuò)。 "Straitford 以它獨(dú)立的聲音而驕傲。"Friedman 說(shuō)道。
46. 「A」問(wèn)題是：作者引用Edmund Burke 的話展開(kāi)全文，其目的是
Edmaund 的這句話意思是 "一個(gè)造就愚蠢的事業(yè)勝利所需的，正是人們對(duì)它的開(kāi)始無(wú)動(dòng)于衷。"緊接著，下一句作者便指出 "one such cause"正在試圖結(jié)束生物醫(yī)學(xué)的研究。很明顯，作者在文章開(kāi)頭引用名言，一是為了吸引讀者注意，更重要的是呼吁科學(xué)家們對(duì)現(xiàn)今的這個(gè) "one such cause"馬上采取行動(dòng)，即A項(xiàng)內(nèi)容
47. 「B」問(wèn)題是：受誤導(dǎo)的民眾傾向于認(rèn)為在研究中使用動(dòng)物這種行為是
文章第一段的后兩句作者講到動(dòng)物權(quán)利運(yùn)動(dòng)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人將目標(biāo)鎖定在生物醫(yī)學(xué)研究上，原因是研究主要經(jīng)費(fèi)來(lái)自于民眾，而且很少人了解研究的過(guò)程 （這表明攻擊生物醫(yī)學(xué)研究是蓄意的）。在下一句里，作者指出這樣攻擊的結(jié)果便是流傳研究所內(nèi)虐待動(dòng)物。許多人（指民眾）大為疑惑，為什么研究人員要故意傷 害動(dòng)物?？梢?jiàn)，受誤導(dǎo)的民眾認(rèn)為研究人員的行為（指在研究中使用動(dòng)物）是野蠻、無(wú)法接受的，即B項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
48. 「B」問(wèn)題是：老奶奶 的例子在文中是用來(lái)表明公眾
文章第二段作者舉老奶奶的例子來(lái)說(shuō)明上段中提到很多人受了誤導(dǎo)是因?yàn)?few people understand the process of health care research"（第一段第六～七行）。這個(gè)例子非常有趣，講的是一個(gè)老奶奶發(fā)傳單，鼓勵(lì)人們不要接受任何和動(dòng)物研究有關(guān)的免疫注射。當(dāng)問(wèn)到如果流行病 又開(kāi)始蔓延怎么辦，她回答說(shuō)："不用擔(dān)心，科學(xué)家們會(huì)通過(guò)電腦找到辦法的。"對(duì)于這個(gè)例子，作者感嘆道："such wellmeaning people just dont understand.".這個(gè)例子充分說(shuō)明了大眾對(duì)醫(yī)學(xué)研究還缺乏認(rèn)識(shí)，即B項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
49. 「A」問(wèn)題是：作者認(rèn)為在面臨來(lái)自動(dòng)物權(quán)利創(chuàng)導(dǎo)者的挑戰(zhàn)中，科學(xué)家們應(yīng)該
在講完外因后，作者從文章第三段起開(kāi)始指出科學(xué)家們也有責(zé)任向公眾宣傳科學(xué)研究這方面的知識(shí)。而且宣傳的方式一定要讓人覺(jué)得他們同樣富有同情心，表達(dá)方式 簡(jiǎn)單易懂（因?yàn)榍懊嫣岬皆斐晒娬`解的原因是他們根本不知道研究過(guò)程）。這表明科研工作者對(duì)動(dòng)物研究和人類醫(yī)學(xué)之間關(guān)系的宣傳力度本來(lái)就不夠，他們與大眾 接觸也不多，即A項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
50. 「D」問(wèn)題是：從文中我們可以得出Stephen Cooper 是
文章后一段六到七行作者提到像Stephen cooper這樣的名人也對(duì)動(dòng)物研究的價(jià)值作了勇敢聲明?？梢?jiàn)，不管Stephen是做什么出名的，他一定是動(dòng)物研究的支持者，即D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
引用18世紀(jì)演說(shuō)家Edmund Burke 的話："一個(gè)造就愚蠢的事業(yè)勝利所需的，正是人們對(duì)它的開(kāi)始無(wú)動(dòng)于衷。" 一個(gè)像這樣的事業(yè)現(xiàn)在正試圖結(jié)束生物醫(yī)學(xué)上的研究，原因是動(dòng)物具有的權(quán)利可中止它在研究中的使用?？茖W(xué)家們需要給動(dòng)物權(quán)利鼓吹者以猛烈的還擊，他們的詭辯 正使公眾困惑，從而危及了我們?cè)诮】抵R(shí)和護(hù)理上的進(jìn)步。動(dòng)物權(quán)利運(yùn)動(dòng)的將目標(biāo)鎖定在生物醫(yī)學(xué)研究上，因?yàn)樗蕾囉诠姷膿芸?，而且很少有人了解?康保健研究的過(guò)程。聽(tīng)到動(dòng)物在研究所中受到殘忍待遇的宣傳，許多人懷疑動(dòng)物被故意傷害。
比如說(shuō)，一位老大娘在動(dòng)物權(quán)利者的小亭子里散發(fā)鼓勵(lì)人們不要用疫苗。她想搞清楚疫苗是否來(lái)源于動(dòng)物研究。當(dāng)問(wèn)到她是否也反對(duì)免疫治療法時(shí)，她的回答是肯定 的。她又被問(wèn)到：如果流行病又開(kāi)始蔓延怎么辦？她回答說(shuō)："不用擔(dān)心，科學(xué)家們會(huì)通過(guò)電腦想出辦法來(lái)的。"像這樣出于好心的人們，根本就搞不懂。
科學(xué)家們必須以富有同情心和可以理解的方式與公眾交流信息，使用具有人情味的言語(yǔ)而不是分子生物學(xué)的術(shù)語(yǔ)。我們必須向公眾清楚地表明奶奶臀部替換，爸爸的 分流手術(shù)，一個(gè)男孩的疫苗，甚至一個(gè)寵物的預(yù)防針，它們與動(dòng)物研究之間的關(guān)系。對(duì)于那些不了解動(dòng)物研究是這些治療和新的治療與疫苗的必需，動(dòng)物研究似乎是 輕則浪費(fèi)，重則殘忍。
有很多可以做?？茖W(xué)家們可以借用中學(xué)課堂來(lái)展示他們的研究。他們應(yīng)當(dāng)及時(shí)回復(fù)報(bào)編的來(lái)信，以免動(dòng)物權(quán)利保護(hù)者的使人受誤導(dǎo)的信息，逃脫人們的視線，從而披 上"真理"的外衣。研究所也可以為游人開(kāi)放，證明實(shí)驗(yàn)室的動(dòng)物是受到人道的對(duì)待。后，因?yàn)槭虑榻K關(guān)系到病人，健康研究應(yīng)當(dāng)主動(dòng)積極地吸收到 Stephen Cooper 這樣的名人，他就動(dòng)物研究的價(jià)值發(fā)表了鼓舞人心的聲明。如果我們還是無(wú)動(dòng)于衷，那么不了解情況的大眾將很有可能撲滅醫(yī)學(xué)進(jìn)步上寶貴的余燼。
51. 「C」問(wèn)題是：根據(jù)那些支持鐵路貨運(yùn)產(chǎn)業(yè)合并的人，壟斷可能性不大因?yàn)?BR> 文章第一段講述了鐵路貨運(yùn)近幾年來(lái)發(fā)生的重大變化，即眾多鐵路貨運(yùn)公司合為一個(gè)超級(jí)系統(tǒng)。第二段提到對(duì)于這種新型超級(jí)系統(tǒng)（鐵道貨運(yùn)產(chǎn)業(yè)的合并）支持者， 他們的理由是這樣可以大量削減成本，提供更加協(xié)調(diào)的服務(wù)。至于任何壟斷的危險(xiǎn)，他們說(shuō)，都會(huì)被來(lái)自公路貨運(yùn)的激烈競(jìng)爭(zhēng)所排除，即C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
52. 「C」問(wèn)題是：對(duì)于鐵路貨運(yùn)合并，多數(shù)被動(dòng)托運(yùn)人的態(tài)度是
文章第二段在合并支持者給出他們合并理由后，作者指出但許多托運(yùn)人還在抱怨?？梢?jiàn)，他們對(duì)于合并的態(tài)既不 "indifferent" 也不 "support".因?yàn)橄襁\(yùn) "coal，chemicals， grain" 這樣的大件時(shí)，他們到頭來(lái)還是成為鐵路貨運(yùn)的盤中餐（have them by the throat）。這也是為什么文章后面稱這樣的被動(dòng)托運(yùn)人為 "captive" ，即俘虜。 所以C項(xiàng)中的 "indignant" （憤怒）要比D項(xiàng)中 "apprehensive"（理解）更好形容托運(yùn)人在面對(duì)這種情況時(shí)的心情。
53. 「C」問(wèn)題是：文章第三段我們可以推斷出
文章第三段主要講的是鐵路貨運(yùn)后所產(chǎn)生的對(duì)于托運(yùn)人利益的侵犯。受害者是可以尋求政府幫助的。但費(fèi)用昂貴而且耗時(shí)，只有在非常特殊的情況下才會(huì)有作用。這說(shuō)明托運(yùn)人是不太可能上訴的，即C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
54. 「B」問(wèn)題是：文中第四段第七行中的 "arbiters" 有可能指的是那些
文章第四段第六行也就是 "arbiters" 出現(xiàn)的那行的前一行，作者講到在實(shí)際操作中，鐵路貨運(yùn)所處的地位決定了哪個(gè)公司的興或亡（in the position of determining）。對(duì)于這種局勢(shì)，Martin Berocovici 問(wèn)了這樣一個(gè)問(wèn)題："我們真的希望他們成為決定市場(chǎng)上誰(shuí)勝誰(shuí)負(fù)的arbiters嗎？" 很顯然，無(wú)論 "arbiter"是什么樣的人，他一定是 "in the position of determining"， 即與B項(xiàng)內(nèi)容相同。
55. 「A」問(wèn)題是：根據(jù)文章鐵路貨運(yùn)投資成本的提高是由于
文章后一段2至3行作者指出鐵路貨運(yùn)產(chǎn)業(yè)總體上來(lái)說(shuō)，雖然有著他光輝的業(yè)績(jī)，但他的盈利仍跟不上收購(gòu)和合并所需的成本投資。第三行中的 "keep up with its surging traffic" 在上下文中指的正是下句中提到的鐵道貨運(yùn)不斷地 "acquire one another".很明顯，投資成本的提高，是由 "continues acquisition" 直接造成的，即A項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
近幾年來(lái)，鐵路貨運(yùn)公司相互合并形成超級(jí)貨運(yùn)系統(tǒng)從而導(dǎo)致了人們對(duì)壟斷的關(guān)注。早在1995年，大的四家貨運(yùn)公司只占噸級(jí)鐵路貨運(yùn)總量的不到70%.到明年，經(jīng)過(guò)一系列的合并后，4個(gè)貨運(yùn)公司便可以控制超過(guò)90%的市場(chǎng)。
新超級(jí)系統(tǒng)的支持者們認(rèn)為，這些兼并將使成本發(fā)生實(shí)質(zhì)性的降低，并提供更協(xié)調(diào)的服務(wù)。他們認(rèn)為，任何壟斷的威脅都將被來(lái)自卡車的激烈競(jìng)爭(zhēng)所解除。但許多托運(yùn)人都抱怨說(shuō)如長(zhǎng)途運(yùn)輸像炭、化學(xué)物品和糧食這樣的大件時(shí)，卡車顯然成本太高，后還是鐵路獲利。
鐵路系統(tǒng)內(nèi)部廣泛的合并意味著大多數(shù)托運(yùn)者將只能由一家鐵路公司服務(wù)。在沒(méi)有另外公司競(jìng)爭(zhēng)的情況下，這樣的鐵路公司通常從高出平常收費(fèi)的20%到30%來(lái) 對(duì)托運(yùn)者收費(fèi)。發(fā)現(xiàn)被高收費(fèi)的托運(yùn)者有權(quán)上訴到聯(lián)邦政府的地面運(yùn)輸委員會(huì)，請(qǐng)求降低收費(fèi)，但上訴費(fèi)用昂貴，同時(shí)耗時(shí)，只有在非常特殊的情況下才會(huì)有作用。
鐵路公司認(rèn)為他們收取托運(yùn)人的收費(fèi)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是合理的，理由是從長(zhǎng)久來(lái)看，所有方的成本將會(huì)降低。他們認(rèn)為，如鐵路還是按照前標(biāo)準(zhǔn)收費(fèi)，那么一部分托運(yùn)人將會(huì)選 擇像卡車或其他的貨運(yùn)方式，從而讓剩下的托運(yùn)人承擔(dān)這個(gè)費(fèi)用。許多經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家都支持這個(gè)理論，但事實(shí)上，這使鐵路公司處于決定其他公司興或亡的地位。一位名 叫Martin Bercovici 來(lái)自華盛頓專為托運(yùn)公司打官司的律師問(wèn)道："難道我們真正想要鐵路來(lái)裁決誰(shuí)在市場(chǎng)中贏或輸嗎？"
許多受束縛的托運(yùn)者同樣擔(dān)心他們不久將遭受一系列的收費(fèi)提價(jià)。鐵路工業(yè)總的來(lái)說(shuō)，盡管有著光明的前景，但它所賺的還是不夠用來(lái)持平它在兼并中所花的成本。 然而，鐵路繼續(xù)借款幾十億美元來(lái)收購(gòu)其他公司，華爾街也大肆吹捧。想一想今年南方Norfolk公司和CSX公司出價(jià)102億購(gòu)買Conraid吧。而 Conraid公司1996年的純經(jīng)營(yíng)收入才4.27億美元，不到交易運(yùn)輸成本的一半。誰(shuí)來(lái)付剩下的賬單？隨著南方Norfolk和CSX 對(duì)市場(chǎng)控制的增加，許多受束縛的托運(yùn)者都變得不安起來(lái)。
56. 「D」問(wèn)題是：文章的第一句暗示了什么？
文章第一段開(kāi)頭作者講到："人們都說(shuō)死亡在英國(guó)視為迫切的；在加拿大視為不可避免的；而在加州（即美國(guó)）卻被視為一個(gè)小小而隨意的驚奇。"由此可見(jiàn)，美國(guó) 人對(duì)于死亡樂(lè)觀灑脫的態(tài)度是眾所周知的。但在本段后兩句作者卻指出，再好的健康醫(yī)療體制都不能治愈死亡。而且美國(guó)人在面臨這個(gè)現(xiàn)實(shí)（指死亡）的失敗時(shí)， 也正威脅著我們的建樹(shù)（即美國(guó)人對(duì)死亡樂(lè)觀的態(tài)度），這與D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容一致。
57. 「A」問(wèn)題是：作者用癌癥病人的這個(gè)例子來(lái)說(shuō)明
文章第二段第四行作者講到 "its useless".而 "it" 所指的正是同句中的 "everything that can possibly done"（ 一切可行的辦法）。而對(duì)這 "everything"的支持，又是來(lái)自于美國(guó)健康醫(yī)療體制?？梢?jiàn)，作者舉這個(gè)晚期癌癥病人的意圖是用來(lái)說(shuō)明事實(shí)上一部分的醫(yī)療開(kāi)銷是 "useless"，這與A項(xiàng)中的 "wasted" 在上下文中同義。
58. 「B」問(wèn)題是：作者對(duì)于Richard Lamm所說(shuō)的態(tài)度是
文章第三段是第二段的延伸，作者繼續(xù)舉例說(shuō)明政府在健康醫(yī)療上的開(kāi)銷過(guò)于龐大。隨后，在本段末，作者引用了前科羅拉多州州長(zhǎng)Richard Lamm 對(duì)于這個(gè)問(wèn)題的看法。他說(shuō)， "老弱病殘的應(yīng)該有死的責(zé)任，不要擋在路上，這樣更年輕更健康的才可以實(shí)現(xiàn)他們的潛力。" 對(duì)于Richard 粗糙的發(fā)言，作者講道： "I would not go that far.".接著列出許多高齡并且對(duì)社會(huì)做出巨大貢獻(xiàn)的人。表明作者不完全同意州長(zhǎng)所說(shuō)的。B項(xiàng) "reserved consent"，帶保留性的同意，符合作者本意。
59. 「D」問(wèn)題是：和美國(guó)不同， 日本和瑞典醫(yī)護(hù)撥款
文章后一段作者指出，任何社會(huì)中，在這方面（指health and care）所花銷的應(yīng)該有個(gè)節(jié)制。作為一個(gè)醫(yī)護(hù)人員，作者深知昂貴和戲劇性醫(yī)療措施的后果有時(shí)是無(wú)效甚至痛苦的。日本和瑞典作為正面的例子，證明了要使一 個(gè)國(guó)家的人民過(guò)得更長(zhǎng)、更健康生活的關(guān)鍵，不在于這個(gè)國(guó)家在醫(yī)護(hù)方面開(kāi)銷的大小。這也暗示了日本和瑞典在 "medical care"上的撥款是科學(xué)合理的， 即D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
60. 「C」問(wèn)題是：文章試圖表達(dá)的觀點(diǎn)是
文章第一段作者便暗示了美國(guó)在健康醫(yī)療體制上巨大花費(fèi)的原因還是"our failure to confront that reality（death）".接著作者陳述了自己的（也就是文章要表達(dá)的）觀點(diǎn)—— "death is normal"，死亡是正常的，他也是生命的一部分，即C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。A項(xiàng)與文章呈現(xiàn)觀點(diǎn)相反，B項(xiàng)不是作者觀點(diǎn)，D項(xiàng)是現(xiàn)象，而問(wèn)題問(wèn)的是本質(zhì)。
據(jù)說(shuō)，死亡在英國(guó)是急迫之事，在加拿大是不可避免之事，而在加利福尼亞它卻是一個(gè)小小而隨意的驚奇。美國(guó)人在過(guò)去的一個(gè)世紀(jì)以來(lái)壽命延長(zhǎng)了幾乎一倍。脫節(jié) 的臂部可被替換，住院的沮喪感得到了控制，30分鐘的手術(shù)便可清楚白內(nèi)障。這些先進(jìn)的醫(yī)療為老年人口提供了一個(gè)我50年前進(jìn)入醫(yī)療界時(shí)不敢想象的高質(zhì)量生 活。但是再優(yōu)秀的保健系統(tǒng)還是不可以治愈死亡，而我們對(duì)于面臨這個(gè)現(xiàn)實(shí)的失敗也正在威脅著我們的建樹(shù)。
死亡是正常的，即使是在理想的條件下，我們基因還是注定被瓦解和消亡。這在不同程度上，我們都可以理解；但作為醫(yī)藥消費(fèi)者，我們卻試圖把死亡當(dāng)作問(wèn)題來(lái) 解決。用第三方作為我們醫(yī)護(hù)經(jīng)費(fèi)的支持，我們要求可能為我們做到的每一件事，即使它毫無(wú)作用。明顯的例子是晚期癌癥治療。醫(yī)生為他們無(wú)法治療這樣的疾病 而感到苦惱，同時(shí)又害怕病人會(huì)失去希望，他們常常提供遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超出醫(yī)學(xué)允許范圍的過(guò)度治療方案。
1950年內(nèi)美國(guó)在保健護(hù)理上的花費(fèi)就高達(dá)12.7億美元，2002年里，這個(gè)數(shù)目將上升到1540億。任何人都可以看出這種趨勢(shì)是令人無(wú)法支撐的。但似 乎沒(méi)人愿意改變這種趨勢(shì)。一些專家們認(rèn)為一個(gè)有限資源的政府應(yīng)當(dāng)停止負(fù)擔(dān)超過(guò)一定歲數(shù)國(guó)民的醫(yī)護(hù)費(fèi)用——比如說(shuō)83歲。前科羅拉多州長(zhǎng)Richard Lamm的話被引用，他說(shuō)，老年和病弱者"有義務(wù)死去并讓出路來(lái)"，這樣年輕人、健康者才能發(fā)揮出自己的潛力。
我不會(huì)到這個(gè)地步。即使超過(guò)60歲的具有活力的老人還是可以保持他們工作的效率：78歲高齡的Summer Redstone 主席Viacom 開(kāi)玩笑說(shuō)他自己只有53歲；高級(jí)法院院長(zhǎng)Sandra Day OConnor 也是古稀之人；前外科專家C. Everett Koop 在他80多歲時(shí)還主持Internet.這些領(lǐng)袖們都是活生生的例子，證明了預(yù)防有效而且我們可以自然地處理老齡問(wèn)題。作為一名68歲的老人，我但愿我和 他們一樣老得有益處。
一個(gè)社會(huì)在這方面的花費(fèi)是有限度的。作為一個(gè)醫(yī)生，我深知昂貴而帶戲劇性的醫(yī)療措施往往是無(wú)效甚至是痛苦的。我也同樣了解日本和瑞典人，這些國(guó)家在醫(yī)療保 健上的花費(fèi)少得多，但卻享有此我們更長(zhǎng)的壽命和更健康的生活。作為一個(gè)國(guó)家，我們也許對(duì)幾乎沒(méi)有可能的療法過(guò)于花費(fèi)，而忽視了在可以提高人民健康更簡(jiǎn)單療 法上的研究。
Section IIIReading Comprehension
Directions： Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A，B，C or D. Mark your answers on ANAWER SHEET 1（40 points）
Text 1
Wild Bill Donovan would have loved the Internet. The American spymaster who built the Office of Strategic Services in the World War II and later laid the roots for the CIA was fascinated with information. Donovan believed in using whatever tools came to hand in the "great game" of espionage - spying as a "profession". These days the Net， which has already remade pastimes as buying books and sending mail， is reshaping Donovans vocation as well.
The last revolution isnt simply a matter of gentlemen reading other gentlemens email. That kind of electronic spying has been going on for decades. In the past three or four years， the world wide web has given birth to a whole industry of pointandclick spying. The spooks call it "open source intelligence"， and as the Net grows， it is becoming increasingly influential. In 1995 the CIA held a contest to see who could compile the most data about Burundi. The winner， by a large margin， was a tiny Virginia company called OpenSource Solutions，whose clear advantage was its mastery of the electronic world.
Among the firms making the biggest splash in the new world is Straitford， Inc.， a private intelligenceanalysis firm based in Austin， Texas. Straitford makes money by selling the results of spying（covering nations from Chile to Russia）to corporations like energyservices firm McDermott International. Many of its predictions are available online at www.straitford.com.
Straifford president George Friedman says he sees the online world as a kind of mutually reinforcing tool for both information collection and distribution， a spymasters dream. Last week his firm was busy vacuuming up data bits from the far corners of the world and predicting a crisis in Ukraine."As soon as that report runs， well suddenly get 500 new internet signups from Ukraine，" says Friedman， a former political science professor. "And well hear back from some of them." Opensource spying does have its risks， of course， since it can be difficult to tell good information from bad. That s where Straitford earns its keep.
Friedman relies on a lean staff in Austin. Several of his staff members have militaryintelligence backgrounds. He sees the firms outsider status as the key to its success. Straitfords briefs dont sound like the usual Washington back and forthing， whereby agencies avoid dramatic declarations on the chance they might be wrong. Straitford， says Friedman， takes pride in its independent voice.
41. The emergence of the Net has
A. received support from fans like Donovan. B. remolded the intelligence services.
C. restored many common pastimes. D. revived spying as a profession.
42. Donovans story is mentioned in the text to
A. introduce the topic of online spying. B. show how he fought for the U.S.
C. give an episode of the information war. D. honor his unique services to the CIA.
43. The phrase "making the biggest splash"（line 1，paragraph 3）most probably means
A. causing the biggest trouble. B. exerting the greatest effort.
C. achieving the greatest success. D. enjoying the widest popularity.
44. It can be learned from paragraph 4 that
A. Straitfords prediction about Ukraine has proved true.
B. Straitford guarantees the truthfulness of its information.
C. Straitfords business is characterized by unpredictability.
D. Straitford is able to provide fairly reliable information.
45. Straitford is most proud of its
A. official status. B. nonconformist image.
C. efficient staff. D. military background.
Text 2
To paraphrase 18thcentury statesman Edmund Burke，"all that is needed for the triumph of a misguided cause is that good people do nothing." One such cause now seeks to end biomedical research because of the theory that animals have rights ruling out their use in research. Scientists need to respond forcefully to animal rights advocates， whose arguments are confusing the public and thereby threatening advances in health knowledge and care. Leaders of the animal rights movement target biomedical research because it depends on public funding， and few people understand the process of health care research. Hearing allegations of cruelty to animals in research settings， many are perplexed that anyone would deliberately harm an animal.
For example， a grandmotherly woman staffing an animal rights booth at a recent street fair was distributing a brochure that encouraged readers not to use anything that opposed immunizations， she wanted to know if vaccines come from animal research. When assured that they do， she replied，"Then I would have to say yes." Asked what will happen when epidemics return， she said，"Dont worry， scientists will find some way of using computers." Such wellmeaning people just dons understand.
Scientists must communicate their message to the public in a compassionate， understandable wayin human terms， not in the language of molecular biology. We need to make clear the connection between animal research and a grandmothers hip replacement， a fathers bypass operation， a babys vaccinations， and even a pets shots. To those who are unaware that animal research was needed to produce these treatments， as well as new treatments and vaccines， animal research seems wasteful at best and cruel at worst.
Much can be done. Scientists could "adopt" middle school classes and present their own research. They should be quick to respond to letters to the editor， lest animal rights misinformation go unchallenged and acquire a deceptive appearance of truth. Research institutions could be opened to tours， to show that laboratory animals receive humane care. Finally， because the ultimate stakeholders are patients， the health research community should actively recruit to its cause not only wellknown personalities such as Stephen Cooper， who has made courageous statements about the value of animal research， but all who receive medical treatment. If good people do nothing there is a real possibility that an uninformed citizenry will extinguish the precious embers of medical progress.
46. The author begins his article with Edmund Burkes words to
A. call on scientists to take some actions.
B. criticize the misguided cause of animal rights.
C. warn of the doom of biomedical research.
D. show the triumph of the animal rights movement.
47. Misled people tend to think that using an animal in research is
A. cruel but natural. B. inhuman and unacceptable.
C. inevitable but vicious. D. pointless and wasteful.
48. The example of the grandmotherly woman is used to show the publics
A. discontent with animal research. B. ignorance about medical science.
C. indifference to epidemics. D. anxiety about animal rights.
49. The author believes that， in face of the challenge from animal rights advocates， scientists should
A. communicate more with the public. B. employ hitech means in research.
C. feel no shame for their cause. D. strive to develop new cures.
50. From the text we learn that Stephen Cooper is
A. a wellknown humanist. B. a medical practitioner.
C. an enthusiast in animal rights. D. a supporter of animal research.
Text 3
In recent years， railroads have been combining with each other， merging into super systems， causing heightened concerns about monopoly. As recently as 1995，the top four railroads accounted for under 70 percent of the total tonmiles moved by rails. Next year， after a series of mergers is completed， just four railroads will control well over 90 percent of all the freight moved by major rail carriers.
Supporters of the new super systems argue that these mergers will allow for substantial cost reductions and better coordinated service. Any threat of monopoly， they argue， is removed by fierce competition from trucks. But many shippers complain that for heavy bulk commodities traveling long distances， such as coal， chemicals， and grain， trucking is too costly and the railroads therefore have them by the throat.
The vast consolidation within the rail industry means that most shippers are served by only one rail company. Railroads typically charge such "captive" shippers 20 to 30 percent more than they do when another railroad is competing for the business. Shippers who feel they are being overcharged have the right to appeal to the federal governments Surface Transportation Board for rate relief， but the process is expensive， time consuming， and will work only in truly extreme cases.
Railroads justify rate discrimination against captive shippers on the grounds that in the long run it reduces everyones cost. If railroads charged all customers the same average rate， they argue， shippers who have the option of switching to trucks or other forms of transportation would do so， leaving remaining customers to shoulder the cost of keeping up the line. Its theory to which many economists subscribe， but in practice it often leaves railroads in the position of determining which companies will flourish and which will fail. "Do we really want railroads to be the arbiters of who wins and who loses in the marketplace？" asks Martin Bercovici， a Washington lawyer who frequently represents shipper.
Many captive shippers also worry they will soon be hit with a round of huge rate increases. The railroad industry as a whole， despite its brightening fortuning fortunes， still does not earn enough to cover the cost of the capital it must invest to keep up with its surging traffic. Yet railroads continue to borrow billions to acquire one another， with Wall Street cheering them on. Consider the 10.2 billion bid by Norfolk Southern and CSX to acquire Conrail this year. Conrails net railway operating income in 1996 was just 427 million， less than half of the carrying costs of the transaction. Whos going to pay for the rest of the bill？ Many captive shippers fear that they will， as Norfolk Southern and CSX increase their grip on the market.
51. According to those who support mergers railway monopoly is unlikely because
A. cost reduction is based on competition.
B. services call for crosstrade coordination.
C. outside competitors will continue to exist.
D. shippers will have the railway by the throat.
52. What is many captive shippers attitude towards the consolidation in the rail industry？
A. Indifferent. B. Supportive.
C. Indignant. D. Apprehensive.
53. It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that
A. shippers will be charged less without a rival railroad.
B. there will soon be only one railroad company nationwide.
C. overcharged shippers are unlikely to appeal for rate relief.
D. a government board ensures fair play in railway business.
54. The word "arbiters"（line 7，paragraph 4）most probably refers to those
A. who work as coordinators. B. who function as judges.
C. who supervise transactions. D. who determine the price.
55. According to the text， the cost increase in the rail industry is mainly caused by
A. the continuing acquisition. B. the growing traffic.
C. the cheering Wall Street. D. the shrinking market.
Text 4
It is said that in England death is pressing， in Canada inevitable and in California optional small wonder. Americans life expectancy has nearly doubled over the past century. Failing hips can be replaced， clinical depression controlled， cataracts removed in a 30minuts surgical procedure. Such advances offer the aging population a quality of life that was unimaginable when I entered medicine 50 years ago. But not even a great healthcare system can cure death - and our failure to confront that reality now threatens this greatness of ours.
Death is normal； we are genetically programmed to disintegrate and perish， even under ideal conditions. We all understand that at some level， yet as medical consumers we treat death as a problem to be solved. Shielded by thirdparty payers from the cost of our care， we demand everything that can possibly be done for us， even if its useless. The most obvious example is latestage cancer care. Physicians - frustrated by their inability to cure the disease and fearing loss of hope in the patient - too often offer aggressive treatment far beyond what is scientifically justified.
In1950， the U.S. spent 1.27 billion on health care. In 2002， the cost will be 154 billion. Anyone can see this trend is unsustainable. Yet few seem willing to try to reverse it. Some scholars conclude that a government with finite resources should simply stop paying for medical care that sustains life beyond a certain age - say 83 or so. Former Colorado governor Richard Lamm has been quoted as saying that the old and infirm "have a duty to die and get out of the way"， so that younger， healthier people can realize their potential.
I would not go that far. Energetic people now routinely work through their 60s and beyond， and remain dazzlingly productive. At 78，Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone jokingly claims to be 53.Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor is in her 70s，and former surgeon general C. Everett Koop chairs an Internet startup in his 80s.These leaders are living proof that prevention works and that we can manage the health problems that come naturally with age. As a mere 68yearold，I wish to age as productively as they have.
Yet there are limits to what a society can spend in this pursuit. As a physician， I know the most costly and dramatic measures may be ineffective and painful. I also know that people in Japan and Sweden countries that spend far less on medical care， have achieved longer， healthier lives than we have. As a nation， we may be over funding the quest for unlikely cures while under funding research on humbler therapies that could improve peoples lives.
56. What is implied in the first sentence？
A. Americans are better prepared for death than other people.
B. Americans enjoy a higher life quality than ever before.
C. Americans are overconfident of their medical technology.
D. Americans take a vain pride in their long life expectancy.
57. The author uses the example of caner patients to show that
A. medical resources are often wasted.
B. doctors are helpless against fatal diseases.
C. some treatments are too aggressive.
D. medical costs are becoming unaffordable.
58. The authors attitude to ward Richard Lamms remark is one of
A. strong disapproval. B. reserved consent.
C. slight contempt. D. enthusiastic support.
59. In contrast to the U.S.， Japan and Sweden are funding their medical care
A. more flexibly. B. more extravagantly.
C. more cautiously. D. more reasonably.
60. The text intends to express the idea that
A. medicine will further prolong peoples lives.
B. life beyond a certain limit is not worth living.
C. death should be accepted as a fact of life.
D. excessive demands increase the cost of health care.
41. 「B」問(wèn)題是：網(wǎng)絡(luò)的出現(xiàn)
文章第一段后一句，簡(jiǎn)化后便是 "Net is reshaping Donovans vocation." 句中 "reshape" 和B項(xiàng)中的 "remold" 屬同義詞，在句中意思是翻新。 "Donovans vocation"在上下文中指的也正是前句所提到的 "spying as a profession" 和 "great game of espionage" 這又與B項(xiàng)中的 "intelligent service"是一個(gè)意思，故選B.文章第一段第一句用的是虛擬語(yǔ)氣， 這表明Bill Donovan 在Internet 問(wèn)世前就已經(jīng)去世了，故不能選A； C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容只是對(duì)Net 附帶的描繪，不是作者要講關(guān)于它出現(xiàn)的主要意圖； D 項(xiàng)中用了 "revive" 這個(gè)詞， 但常識(shí)告訴我們，間諜這一行從問(wèn)世以來(lái)，一直就沒(méi)有中停過(guò)，又何談 "revive"？
42. 「A」問(wèn)題是：在文中Donovan 故事的提起，是用來(lái)
Donovan這個(gè)名字在作者展開(kāi)文章后，就從此消失。 很顯然作者提到他的目的是引導(dǎo)讀者接觸到本文的主要話題，即on line spying.C、B項(xiàng)文章沒(méi)有提到；D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容不是文章重點(diǎn)。
43. 「C」問(wèn)題是：文章第三段第一行中 "making the biggest splash" 的意思有可能是
文章在談過(guò)"net spying" 這一行業(yè)在美國(guó)欣欣向榮后，第三段第一句作者講到 "Among the firms making the biggest splash in the new world is Straitford.". 這句話到底是什么意思？下一句——"Straitford makes money by selling the results of spying".可見(jiàn)，"making the biggest splash" 和 "making money" 在上下文中指的是同一個(gè)意思。這也正是C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容（achieving the greatest success）。
44. 「D」問(wèn)題是：文中第四段我們可以推斷出
文章第四段后兩句中提到 "opensource spying" 也有它的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)，因?yàn)榕袛嘈畔⒌恼婕偻掷щy。這也正是Straitford 在這種情況下還能賺到錢的原因所在。換句話說(shuō)，Straitford 可以提供來(lái)源可靠的信息，即D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。 "earn ones keep" 意思是賺錢。
45. 「B」問(wèn)題是：Straitford 以為自豪。
文章后一段講到Straitford以他獨(dú)立的聲音而自豪。而這 "independent voice" 是與前句中 "usual Washington back and forth"形成對(duì)比，來(lái)顯示Straitford 的 "unusual".這與B項(xiàng) 內(nèi)容相符。Nonconformist的意思是"不遵守常規(guī)者".
Wild Bill Donovan應(yīng)該會(huì)愛(ài)上網(wǎng)絡(luò)。這位在二戰(zhàn)期間建立了戰(zhàn)略業(yè)務(wù)部，并且隨后為中央情報(bào)局打下根基的美國(guó)間諜頭子總是為信息所神往。Donovan堅(jiān)信在諜 報(bào)（間諜作為職業(yè)）活動(dòng)中，應(yīng)當(dāng)運(yùn)用任何可利用的（來(lái)進(jìn)行諜報(bào)活動(dòng)）。如今的網(wǎng)絡(luò)，不僅再造了像買書和發(fā)郵件這樣的消遣，也正在翻新Donovan的老本 行。
這的革命已不僅僅是一位紳士竊讀另一位紳士的郵件那么簡(jiǎn)單了。像那樣的電子特務(wù)都問(wèn)世好幾十年了。在過(guò)去約三四年中，從環(huán)球網(wǎng)（萬(wàn)維網(wǎng)）產(chǎn)生了一個(gè)完 善的"點(diǎn)擊"式間諜產(chǎn)業(yè)。間諜們稱之為"開(kāi)放資源情報(bào)業(yè)"，而隨著網(wǎng)絡(luò)的發(fā)展，它變得越來(lái)越有影響。1995年間，中央情報(bào)局舉行了一個(gè)看誰(shuí)能收集到多 關(guān)于Burundi情報(bào)的這樣一個(gè)競(jìng)賽。一個(gè)來(lái)自弗吉尼亞的名叫OpenSource Solutions 的小小情報(bào)公司以大比分優(yōu)勢(shì)終成為贏家，而這家公司的顯著優(yōu)勢(shì)便是它對(duì)網(wǎng)絡(luò)世界的精通。
Straitford，一個(gè)在得克薩斯Austin的情報(bào)分析公司，是在這個(gè)新興行業(yè)中取得巨大成功的公司之一。Straitford通過(guò)將獲得的情報(bào) （覆蓋面從Chile到Russia）賣給像McDermott International 這樣的能源服務(wù)公司來(lái)賺錢。它的許多預(yù)報(bào)都可以從www.straitford.com 上得到。
Straitford 總裁George Friedman 講到他把網(wǎng)絡(luò)世界視為信息獲取和散發(fā)的工具，這也正是一個(gè)間諜頭子的夢(mèng)。上周，他的公司從世界各地收集來(lái)情報(bào)，并預(yù)告了Ukraine的危機(jī)。"報(bào)告 一發(fā)出，我們便收到了500名來(lái)自Ukraine的網(wǎng)民登錄我們的網(wǎng)站。"Fredman， 一位前政治學(xué)教授講道，"他們還將會(huì)與我們聯(lián)系。"當(dāng)然，由于很難辨別真假情報(bào)，開(kāi)放資源間諜業(yè)具有它的冒險(xiǎn)性。但這正是Straitford 維持其生計(jì)之處。
Friedman 在Austin 僅依靠幾個(gè)雇員而已。其中有幾位還有軍事情報(bào)背景。他認(rèn)為公司的外在形象是它成功的關(guān)鍵。Straitford 的理念卻不像華府那樣扭扭捏捏；在對(duì)外公開(kāi)情報(bào)時(shí)，他們總會(huì)擔(dān)心出錯(cuò)。 "Straitford 以它獨(dú)立的聲音而驕傲。"Friedman 說(shuō)道。
46. 「A」問(wèn)題是：作者引用Edmund Burke 的話展開(kāi)全文，其目的是
Edmaund 的這句話意思是 "一個(gè)造就愚蠢的事業(yè)勝利所需的，正是人們對(duì)它的開(kāi)始無(wú)動(dòng)于衷。"緊接著，下一句作者便指出 "one such cause"正在試圖結(jié)束生物醫(yī)學(xué)的研究。很明顯，作者在文章開(kāi)頭引用名言，一是為了吸引讀者注意，更重要的是呼吁科學(xué)家們對(duì)現(xiàn)今的這個(gè) "one such cause"馬上采取行動(dòng)，即A項(xiàng)內(nèi)容
47. 「B」問(wèn)題是：受誤導(dǎo)的民眾傾向于認(rèn)為在研究中使用動(dòng)物這種行為是
文章第一段的后兩句作者講到動(dòng)物權(quán)利運(yùn)動(dòng)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人將目標(biāo)鎖定在生物醫(yī)學(xué)研究上，原因是研究主要經(jīng)費(fèi)來(lái)自于民眾，而且很少人了解研究的過(guò)程 （這表明攻擊生物醫(yī)學(xué)研究是蓄意的）。在下一句里，作者指出這樣攻擊的結(jié)果便是流傳研究所內(nèi)虐待動(dòng)物。許多人（指民眾）大為疑惑，為什么研究人員要故意傷 害動(dòng)物?？梢?jiàn)，受誤導(dǎo)的民眾認(rèn)為研究人員的行為（指在研究中使用動(dòng)物）是野蠻、無(wú)法接受的，即B項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
48. 「B」問(wèn)題是：老奶奶 的例子在文中是用來(lái)表明公眾
文章第二段作者舉老奶奶的例子來(lái)說(shuō)明上段中提到很多人受了誤導(dǎo)是因?yàn)?few people understand the process of health care research"（第一段第六～七行）。這個(gè)例子非常有趣，講的是一個(gè)老奶奶發(fā)傳單，鼓勵(lì)人們不要接受任何和動(dòng)物研究有關(guān)的免疫注射。當(dāng)問(wèn)到如果流行病 又開(kāi)始蔓延怎么辦，她回答說(shuō)："不用擔(dān)心，科學(xué)家們會(huì)通過(guò)電腦找到辦法的。"對(duì)于這個(gè)例子，作者感嘆道："such wellmeaning people just dont understand.".這個(gè)例子充分說(shuō)明了大眾對(duì)醫(yī)學(xué)研究還缺乏認(rèn)識(shí)，即B項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
49. 「A」問(wèn)題是：作者認(rèn)為在面臨來(lái)自動(dòng)物權(quán)利創(chuàng)導(dǎo)者的挑戰(zhàn)中，科學(xué)家們應(yīng)該
在講完外因后，作者從文章第三段起開(kāi)始指出科學(xué)家們也有責(zé)任向公眾宣傳科學(xué)研究這方面的知識(shí)。而且宣傳的方式一定要讓人覺(jué)得他們同樣富有同情心，表達(dá)方式 簡(jiǎn)單易懂（因?yàn)榍懊嫣岬皆斐晒娬`解的原因是他們根本不知道研究過(guò)程）。這表明科研工作者對(duì)動(dòng)物研究和人類醫(yī)學(xué)之間關(guān)系的宣傳力度本來(lái)就不夠，他們與大眾 接觸也不多，即A項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
50. 「D」問(wèn)題是：從文中我們可以得出Stephen Cooper 是
文章后一段六到七行作者提到像Stephen cooper這樣的名人也對(duì)動(dòng)物研究的價(jià)值作了勇敢聲明?？梢?jiàn)，不管Stephen是做什么出名的，他一定是動(dòng)物研究的支持者，即D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
引用18世紀(jì)演說(shuō)家Edmund Burke 的話："一個(gè)造就愚蠢的事業(yè)勝利所需的，正是人們對(duì)它的開(kāi)始無(wú)動(dòng)于衷。" 一個(gè)像這樣的事業(yè)現(xiàn)在正試圖結(jié)束生物醫(yī)學(xué)上的研究，原因是動(dòng)物具有的權(quán)利可中止它在研究中的使用?？茖W(xué)家們需要給動(dòng)物權(quán)利鼓吹者以猛烈的還擊，他們的詭辯 正使公眾困惑，從而危及了我們?cè)诮】抵R(shí)和護(hù)理上的進(jìn)步。動(dòng)物權(quán)利運(yùn)動(dòng)的將目標(biāo)鎖定在生物醫(yī)學(xué)研究上，因?yàn)樗蕾囉诠姷膿芸?，而且很少有人了解?康保健研究的過(guò)程。聽(tīng)到動(dòng)物在研究所中受到殘忍待遇的宣傳，許多人懷疑動(dòng)物被故意傷害。
比如說(shuō)，一位老大娘在動(dòng)物權(quán)利者的小亭子里散發(fā)鼓勵(lì)人們不要用疫苗。她想搞清楚疫苗是否來(lái)源于動(dòng)物研究。當(dāng)問(wèn)到她是否也反對(duì)免疫治療法時(shí)，她的回答是肯定 的。她又被問(wèn)到：如果流行病又開(kāi)始蔓延怎么辦？她回答說(shuō)："不用擔(dān)心，科學(xué)家們會(huì)通過(guò)電腦想出辦法來(lái)的。"像這樣出于好心的人們，根本就搞不懂。
科學(xué)家們必須以富有同情心和可以理解的方式與公眾交流信息，使用具有人情味的言語(yǔ)而不是分子生物學(xué)的術(shù)語(yǔ)。我們必須向公眾清楚地表明奶奶臀部替換，爸爸的 分流手術(shù)，一個(gè)男孩的疫苗，甚至一個(gè)寵物的預(yù)防針，它們與動(dòng)物研究之間的關(guān)系。對(duì)于那些不了解動(dòng)物研究是這些治療和新的治療與疫苗的必需，動(dòng)物研究似乎是 輕則浪費(fèi)，重則殘忍。
有很多可以做?？茖W(xué)家們可以借用中學(xué)課堂來(lái)展示他們的研究。他們應(yīng)當(dāng)及時(shí)回復(fù)報(bào)編的來(lái)信，以免動(dòng)物權(quán)利保護(hù)者的使人受誤導(dǎo)的信息，逃脫人們的視線，從而披 上"真理"的外衣。研究所也可以為游人開(kāi)放，證明實(shí)驗(yàn)室的動(dòng)物是受到人道的對(duì)待。后，因?yàn)槭虑榻K關(guān)系到病人，健康研究應(yīng)當(dāng)主動(dòng)積極地吸收到 Stephen Cooper 這樣的名人，他就動(dòng)物研究的價(jià)值發(fā)表了鼓舞人心的聲明。如果我們還是無(wú)動(dòng)于衷，那么不了解情況的大眾將很有可能撲滅醫(yī)學(xué)進(jìn)步上寶貴的余燼。
51. 「C」問(wèn)題是：根據(jù)那些支持鐵路貨運(yùn)產(chǎn)業(yè)合并的人，壟斷可能性不大因?yàn)?BR> 文章第一段講述了鐵路貨運(yùn)近幾年來(lái)發(fā)生的重大變化，即眾多鐵路貨運(yùn)公司合為一個(gè)超級(jí)系統(tǒng)。第二段提到對(duì)于這種新型超級(jí)系統(tǒng)（鐵道貨運(yùn)產(chǎn)業(yè)的合并）支持者， 他們的理由是這樣可以大量削減成本，提供更加協(xié)調(diào)的服務(wù)。至于任何壟斷的危險(xiǎn)，他們說(shuō)，都會(huì)被來(lái)自公路貨運(yùn)的激烈競(jìng)爭(zhēng)所排除，即C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
52. 「C」問(wèn)題是：對(duì)于鐵路貨運(yùn)合并，多數(shù)被動(dòng)托運(yùn)人的態(tài)度是
文章第二段在合并支持者給出他們合并理由后，作者指出但許多托運(yùn)人還在抱怨?？梢?jiàn)，他們對(duì)于合并的態(tài)既不 "indifferent" 也不 "support".因?yàn)橄襁\(yùn) "coal，chemicals， grain" 這樣的大件時(shí)，他們到頭來(lái)還是成為鐵路貨運(yùn)的盤中餐（have them by the throat）。這也是為什么文章后面稱這樣的被動(dòng)托運(yùn)人為 "captive" ，即俘虜。 所以C項(xiàng)中的 "indignant" （憤怒）要比D項(xiàng)中 "apprehensive"（理解）更好形容托運(yùn)人在面對(duì)這種情況時(shí)的心情。
53. 「C」問(wèn)題是：文章第三段我們可以推斷出
文章第三段主要講的是鐵路貨運(yùn)后所產(chǎn)生的對(duì)于托運(yùn)人利益的侵犯。受害者是可以尋求政府幫助的。但費(fèi)用昂貴而且耗時(shí)，只有在非常特殊的情況下才會(huì)有作用。這說(shuō)明托運(yùn)人是不太可能上訴的，即C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
54. 「B」問(wèn)題是：文中第四段第七行中的 "arbiters" 有可能指的是那些
文章第四段第六行也就是 "arbiters" 出現(xiàn)的那行的前一行，作者講到在實(shí)際操作中，鐵路貨運(yùn)所處的地位決定了哪個(gè)公司的興或亡（in the position of determining）。對(duì)于這種局勢(shì)，Martin Berocovici 問(wèn)了這樣一個(gè)問(wèn)題："我們真的希望他們成為決定市場(chǎng)上誰(shuí)勝誰(shuí)負(fù)的arbiters嗎？" 很顯然，無(wú)論 "arbiter"是什么樣的人，他一定是 "in the position of determining"， 即與B項(xiàng)內(nèi)容相同。
55. 「A」問(wèn)題是：根據(jù)文章鐵路貨運(yùn)投資成本的提高是由于
文章后一段2至3行作者指出鐵路貨運(yùn)產(chǎn)業(yè)總體上來(lái)說(shuō)，雖然有著他光輝的業(yè)績(jī)，但他的盈利仍跟不上收購(gòu)和合并所需的成本投資。第三行中的 "keep up with its surging traffic" 在上下文中指的正是下句中提到的鐵道貨運(yùn)不斷地 "acquire one another".很明顯，投資成本的提高，是由 "continues acquisition" 直接造成的，即A項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
近幾年來(lái)，鐵路貨運(yùn)公司相互合并形成超級(jí)貨運(yùn)系統(tǒng)從而導(dǎo)致了人們對(duì)壟斷的關(guān)注。早在1995年，大的四家貨運(yùn)公司只占噸級(jí)鐵路貨運(yùn)總量的不到70%.到明年，經(jīng)過(guò)一系列的合并后，4個(gè)貨運(yùn)公司便可以控制超過(guò)90%的市場(chǎng)。
新超級(jí)系統(tǒng)的支持者們認(rèn)為，這些兼并將使成本發(fā)生實(shí)質(zhì)性的降低，并提供更協(xié)調(diào)的服務(wù)。他們認(rèn)為，任何壟斷的威脅都將被來(lái)自卡車的激烈競(jìng)爭(zhēng)所解除。但許多托運(yùn)人都抱怨說(shuō)如長(zhǎng)途運(yùn)輸像炭、化學(xué)物品和糧食這樣的大件時(shí)，卡車顯然成本太高，后還是鐵路獲利。
鐵路系統(tǒng)內(nèi)部廣泛的合并意味著大多數(shù)托運(yùn)者將只能由一家鐵路公司服務(wù)。在沒(méi)有另外公司競(jìng)爭(zhēng)的情況下，這樣的鐵路公司通常從高出平常收費(fèi)的20%到30%來(lái) 對(duì)托運(yùn)者收費(fèi)。發(fā)現(xiàn)被高收費(fèi)的托運(yùn)者有權(quán)上訴到聯(lián)邦政府的地面運(yùn)輸委員會(huì)，請(qǐng)求降低收費(fèi)，但上訴費(fèi)用昂貴，同時(shí)耗時(shí)，只有在非常特殊的情況下才會(huì)有作用。
鐵路公司認(rèn)為他們收取托運(yùn)人的收費(fèi)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是合理的，理由是從長(zhǎng)久來(lái)看，所有方的成本將會(huì)降低。他們認(rèn)為，如鐵路還是按照前標(biāo)準(zhǔn)收費(fèi)，那么一部分托運(yùn)人將會(huì)選 擇像卡車或其他的貨運(yùn)方式，從而讓剩下的托運(yùn)人承擔(dān)這個(gè)費(fèi)用。許多經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家都支持這個(gè)理論，但事實(shí)上，這使鐵路公司處于決定其他公司興或亡的地位。一位名 叫Martin Bercovici 來(lái)自華盛頓專為托運(yùn)公司打官司的律師問(wèn)道："難道我們真正想要鐵路來(lái)裁決誰(shuí)在市場(chǎng)中贏或輸嗎？"
許多受束縛的托運(yùn)者同樣擔(dān)心他們不久將遭受一系列的收費(fèi)提價(jià)。鐵路工業(yè)總的來(lái)說(shuō)，盡管有著光明的前景，但它所賺的還是不夠用來(lái)持平它在兼并中所花的成本。 然而，鐵路繼續(xù)借款幾十億美元來(lái)收購(gòu)其他公司，華爾街也大肆吹捧。想一想今年南方Norfolk公司和CSX公司出價(jià)102億購(gòu)買Conraid吧。而 Conraid公司1996年的純經(jīng)營(yíng)收入才4.27億美元，不到交易運(yùn)輸成本的一半。誰(shuí)來(lái)付剩下的賬單？隨著南方Norfolk和CSX 對(duì)市場(chǎng)控制的增加，許多受束縛的托運(yùn)者都變得不安起來(lái)。
56. 「D」問(wèn)題是：文章的第一句暗示了什么？
文章第一段開(kāi)頭作者講到："人們都說(shuō)死亡在英國(guó)視為迫切的；在加拿大視為不可避免的；而在加州（即美國(guó)）卻被視為一個(gè)小小而隨意的驚奇。"由此可見(jiàn)，美國(guó) 人對(duì)于死亡樂(lè)觀灑脫的態(tài)度是眾所周知的。但在本段后兩句作者卻指出，再好的健康醫(yī)療體制都不能治愈死亡。而且美國(guó)人在面臨這個(gè)現(xiàn)實(shí)（指死亡）的失敗時(shí)， 也正威脅著我們的建樹(shù)（即美國(guó)人對(duì)死亡樂(lè)觀的態(tài)度），這與D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容一致。
57. 「A」問(wèn)題是：作者用癌癥病人的這個(gè)例子來(lái)說(shuō)明
文章第二段第四行作者講到 "its useless".而 "it" 所指的正是同句中的 "everything that can possibly done"（ 一切可行的辦法）。而對(duì)這 "everything"的支持，又是來(lái)自于美國(guó)健康醫(yī)療體制?？梢?jiàn)，作者舉這個(gè)晚期癌癥病人的意圖是用來(lái)說(shuō)明事實(shí)上一部分的醫(yī)療開(kāi)銷是 "useless"，這與A項(xiàng)中的 "wasted" 在上下文中同義。
58. 「B」問(wèn)題是：作者對(duì)于Richard Lamm所說(shuō)的態(tài)度是
文章第三段是第二段的延伸，作者繼續(xù)舉例說(shuō)明政府在健康醫(yī)療上的開(kāi)銷過(guò)于龐大。隨后，在本段末，作者引用了前科羅拉多州州長(zhǎng)Richard Lamm 對(duì)于這個(gè)問(wèn)題的看法。他說(shuō)， "老弱病殘的應(yīng)該有死的責(zé)任，不要擋在路上，這樣更年輕更健康的才可以實(shí)現(xiàn)他們的潛力。" 對(duì)于Richard 粗糙的發(fā)言，作者講道： "I would not go that far.".接著列出許多高齡并且對(duì)社會(huì)做出巨大貢獻(xiàn)的人。表明作者不完全同意州長(zhǎng)所說(shuō)的。B項(xiàng) "reserved consent"，帶保留性的同意，符合作者本意。
59. 「D」問(wèn)題是：和美國(guó)不同， 日本和瑞典醫(yī)護(hù)撥款
文章后一段作者指出，任何社會(huì)中，在這方面（指health and care）所花銷的應(yīng)該有個(gè)節(jié)制。作為一個(gè)醫(yī)護(hù)人員，作者深知昂貴和戲劇性醫(yī)療措施的后果有時(shí)是無(wú)效甚至痛苦的。日本和瑞典作為正面的例子，證明了要使一 個(gè)國(guó)家的人民過(guò)得更長(zhǎng)、更健康生活的關(guān)鍵，不在于這個(gè)國(guó)家在醫(yī)護(hù)方面開(kāi)銷的大小。這也暗示了日本和瑞典在 "medical care"上的撥款是科學(xué)合理的， 即D項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。
60. 「C」問(wèn)題是：文章試圖表達(dá)的觀點(diǎn)是
文章第一段作者便暗示了美國(guó)在健康醫(yī)療體制上巨大花費(fèi)的原因還是"our failure to confront that reality（death）".接著作者陳述了自己的（也就是文章要表達(dá)的）觀點(diǎn)—— "death is normal"，死亡是正常的，他也是生命的一部分，即C項(xiàng)內(nèi)容。A項(xiàng)與文章呈現(xiàn)觀點(diǎn)相反，B項(xiàng)不是作者觀點(diǎn)，D項(xiàng)是現(xiàn)象，而問(wèn)題問(wèn)的是本質(zhì)。
據(jù)說(shuō)，死亡在英國(guó)是急迫之事，在加拿大是不可避免之事，而在加利福尼亞它卻是一個(gè)小小而隨意的驚奇。美國(guó)人在過(guò)去的一個(gè)世紀(jì)以來(lái)壽命延長(zhǎng)了幾乎一倍。脫節(jié) 的臂部可被替換，住院的沮喪感得到了控制，30分鐘的手術(shù)便可清楚白內(nèi)障。這些先進(jìn)的醫(yī)療為老年人口提供了一個(gè)我50年前進(jìn)入醫(yī)療界時(shí)不敢想象的高質(zhì)量生 活。但是再優(yōu)秀的保健系統(tǒng)還是不可以治愈死亡，而我們對(duì)于面臨這個(gè)現(xiàn)實(shí)的失敗也正在威脅著我們的建樹(shù)。
死亡是正常的，即使是在理想的條件下，我們基因還是注定被瓦解和消亡。這在不同程度上，我們都可以理解；但作為醫(yī)藥消費(fèi)者，我們卻試圖把死亡當(dāng)作問(wèn)題來(lái) 解決。用第三方作為我們醫(yī)護(hù)經(jīng)費(fèi)的支持，我們要求可能為我們做到的每一件事，即使它毫無(wú)作用。明顯的例子是晚期癌癥治療。醫(yī)生為他們無(wú)法治療這樣的疾病 而感到苦惱，同時(shí)又害怕病人會(huì)失去希望，他們常常提供遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超出醫(yī)學(xué)允許范圍的過(guò)度治療方案。
1950年內(nèi)美國(guó)在保健護(hù)理上的花費(fèi)就高達(dá)12.7億美元，2002年里，這個(gè)數(shù)目將上升到1540億。任何人都可以看出這種趨勢(shì)是令人無(wú)法支撐的。但似 乎沒(méi)人愿意改變這種趨勢(shì)。一些專家們認(rèn)為一個(gè)有限資源的政府應(yīng)當(dāng)停止負(fù)擔(dān)超過(guò)一定歲數(shù)國(guó)民的醫(yī)護(hù)費(fèi)用——比如說(shuō)83歲。前科羅拉多州長(zhǎng)Richard Lamm的話被引用，他說(shuō)，老年和病弱者"有義務(wù)死去并讓出路來(lái)"，這樣年輕人、健康者才能發(fā)揮出自己的潛力。
我不會(huì)到這個(gè)地步。即使超過(guò)60歲的具有活力的老人還是可以保持他們工作的效率：78歲高齡的Summer Redstone 主席Viacom 開(kāi)玩笑說(shuō)他自己只有53歲；高級(jí)法院院長(zhǎng)Sandra Day OConnor 也是古稀之人；前外科專家C. Everett Koop 在他80多歲時(shí)還主持Internet.這些領(lǐng)袖們都是活生生的例子，證明了預(yù)防有效而且我們可以自然地處理老齡問(wèn)題。作為一名68歲的老人，我但愿我和 他們一樣老得有益處。
一個(gè)社會(huì)在這方面的花費(fèi)是有限度的。作為一個(gè)醫(yī)生，我深知昂貴而帶戲劇性的醫(yī)療措施往往是無(wú)效甚至是痛苦的。我也同樣了解日本和瑞典人，這些國(guó)家在醫(yī)療保 健上的花費(fèi)少得多，但卻享有此我們更長(zhǎng)的壽命和更健康的生活。作為一個(gè)國(guó)家，我們也許對(duì)幾乎沒(méi)有可能的療法過(guò)于花費(fèi)，而忽視了在可以提高人民健康更簡(jiǎn)單療 法上的研究。