2018年成人高等学校招生全国统一考试专升本大学英语（三）

Passage Two

There were many different cultures in the ancient world, but the two that had the most influence on European and American civilizations were the Greek and the Roman. Often these two cultures are lumped together in our minds, as if they were really exactly alike. But that is not the case. In many ways the Greeks and the Romans could not have been more different.

The Greeks were truly democratic, often without a single leader but instead governed by a group of men chosen by the people. The Romans were semi-democratic. They had a governing Senate, but the political power was mostly or completely in the hands of a single emperor.

Both cultures were great builders. But the construction interests of the two cultures were also different. The Greeks tended to be more artistic. Their buildings were well constructed and they were especially interested in temples, columns, and decorative forms. The Romans, on the other hand, were more engineers than artists. They concentrated their efforts on urban planning, well-functioning water pipes, and the best roads.

Only in cooking and eating habits are the two cultures really similar. Both peoples ate very well indeed: lots of fish, fresh vegetables and fruits, healthy meals, holding at the same time long discussions and tasting excellent wines.

In fact, it would probably be fair to say that they both loved life in their warm, sea-oriented climates, and they both lived a full life.

40. What is the first paragraph about?

A. The Greek and the Roman were similar.

B. People misunderstood European civilization.

C. Greek civilization was quite different from Roman civilization.D. European civilization influenced American civilization greatly.

41. Which of the following is TRUE?

A. The Romans had more political awareness.

B. The Romans had less political freedom and democracy.

C. The Romans had more freedom to choose their leader.

D. The Romans had fewer people elected into the government.

42.What were the Greeks famous for?

A.The overall planning of a city or a town.B.The artistic decoration of the buildings.C.The practical functions of the buildings.

D.The system of water supply and transportation.

43.How are the two cultures alike?

A.Both loved the sea.B.Both lived long lives.

C.Both loved cooking.D.Both enjoyed talking over meals.

Passage Three

As recently as three decades ago, many Americans believed that using credit was an unwise anddangerous way to pay for what they bought. Some even thought that owing money to a store or acredit company was something to be ashamed of. Good citizens, they believed, always bought what they wanted with real money and they paid the full price immediately.

Today, however, all that has changed. Credit, as some observers have noted, has become a way of life in the United States. More and more Americans now are depending on those small pieces of plastic, credit cards, to pay for large purchases such as televisions, record players or furniture. Many people today would consider it unusual not to use a credit card to pay for a costly restaurant dinner,a hotel room or an airline trip. And there are some situations in which Americans must have credit cards. If they want the temporary use of a car, for example, they first must give the car rental company the number of their credit card. That number is considered a guarantee that they will retum the car and pay for using it.

Credit cards offer two major services to Americans. First of all, they are easier and safer to carry than large amounts of money. Second, they permit people to borrow, to have the immediate pleasure of owning something, even if they do not have enough money to pay for it at the time. With credit cards people pay for goods or services at the end of each month instead of when they buy them.

And when the time does come to pay, most credit cards offer people a choice. They can pay all of what they owe for the month or they can just pay usually between 5 and 10 percent of what they owe.

44. What do Americans feel about using credit cards nowadays according to the passage?

A. They consider it valuable.B. They regard it as a shame.

C. They think it dangerous.D. They find it quite convenient.

45. Why does the car rental company ask for the credit card number?

A. To prevent the overuse of the car.

B. To make sure that the car won't be damaged.

C. To make sure the user return the car and pay for using it.

D. To ensure that the car is safely and timely returned.

46.What advantage can credit card holders have?

A.They can choose not to pay for their purchases.

B.They can easily borrow money at a lower interest.

C.They can own something before they actually pay for it.

D.They can pay only a small amount of what they owe.

47.What is the best title for the passage?

A.Credit-a Way of Life in America B.Credit Services in America C.Convenience of Living in America D.History of Credit Cards in America