The word tolerance is widely used in liberal democracies. It indicates a positive meaning. Politicians urge us to be tolerant towards minorities. Educators teach us to be tolerant towards the other. The press is full of references to the need to display tolerance when faced with individuals or groups espousing a different view or holding a different religious belief. A tolerant society is an objective sought after by anyone who believes in the values of democracy. A tolerant individual is attributed with virtuous qualities.
The question we must ask is whether we have been using the word tolerance fully aware of its meaning and whether we have applied it correctly to reflect what we really wish to convey?
The word tolerance means to bear, or to bear with. If I tolerate something or someone, I basically say that I am ready to bear it or him. I can tolerate a bad smell or a noisy neighbour. The act of toleration forces me to desist from conveying my objection to the existence of a phenomenon, which I find difficult to bear. A bad smell or a noisy neighbour is considered by me to be an objectionable phenomenon. By tolerating either of them, I am not transforming the bad smell or the noisy neighbour into positive phenomena. Let's be honest: I don't have a different taste when it comes to bad smells. I simply dislike it and wish that it disappears. I don't respect the noisy neighbour. I would rather have him stop at once the noise he is making so I can live in peace.
To try to remove the bad smell or take reasonable action in order for the noisy neighbour to stop bothering me would most probably not be considered an intolerant act by most people.
Now, let's try to apply the word tolerance in reference to a person who is law-abiding and holds a legally acceptable different view from my own. I may have a strong view, which is opposed to his. Quite frankly, I may decide to tolerate his view. By so doing, I would be attributing to it a negative characteristic. I would apply the same attitude to his view as to the bad smell or noisy neighbour. Thus, to try to take action in order to make his view disappear would be considered an intolerant act. To tolerate his view the way I would a bad smell or a noisy neighbour, could hardly be considered virtuous.
The subject tolerating is by nature not equal to the object being tolerated. If I tolerate you, I essentially say that I am above you and am prepared, although unwillingly, to bear with your presence or with your practices or opinions. That may be true in the case of an individual who is ready to tolerate the other. However, this attitude by such an individual, though empirically true, is hardly a virtue. Certainly, the fact that an individual, in reality, may merely tolerate the other or his opinion does not justify a government or any official authority promoting tolerance as a virtue. One cannot tolerate an equal being. True equality involves respect, not toleration. To respect the other as a distinctive person is hardly to tolerate him. This is the true meaning of equality: diversity existing in a mutually-respectful socio-legal setting.
The danger with tolerance is that it can lead to the acceptance of individuals or groups bent on destroying the foundations of democratic systems. We have seen such cases with regard to political parties or destructive religious groups that have been treated in a liberal manner under the guise of tolerance.
A tolerant attitude involves the grant of a favour, not a right. The question we should ask ourselves is whether we would ever wish a parliament to make laws according to us, as individuals and as part of a collective entity or a permission to pursue certain actions interpreted as a favour rather than a right? Indeed, would we ever wish anyone to listen to our views and accept us the way we are simply because he is kind enough to tolerate us? The first two paragraphs are mainly intended to show that __________.
| A．tolerance is a symbol of liberal democracies |
| B．democratic society always advocates tolerance |
| C．people’s understanding of tolerance is one-sided |
| D．tolerance can be applied to many situations |
The example of a bad smell and a noisy neighbour is raised to indicate that _________.
| A．the writer are fed up with them |
| B．most people find them hard to tolerate |
| C．the writer isn’t prejudiced against them |
| D．tolerating them isn’t a virtuous act |
Which of the following will the writer probably agree with?
| A．Too much tolerance will endanger the foundations of democratic systems. |
| B．By tolerating people can transform something negative into the opposite. |
| C．People tolerating others are likely to consider them as their equals. |
| D．Being tolerant should be regarded as a right instead of a favour |
The best title for this passage should be “___________”.
| A．Tolerance and respect | B．What is to be tolerated? |
| C．Is Tolerance a Virtue? | D．Should people be tolerant? |
Five million people visit Grand Canyon in the US every year. For the purpose of helping project Grand Canyon for your fellow visitors and future generations, please follow the guidelines below.
Camping
To protect the park, camping is allowed only within permitted campgrounds. Permits are required for overnight camping at the North Rim. Advance booking can be received by mail. Please write: Information Center, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Fires
Because of the extreme fire danger, campfires are not allowed except at Mather and Desert View campgrounds. Collection of firewood is not allowed either.
Hiking(远足)
Please stay on permitted paths. Otherwise you may destroy desert plants. Pack out what you pack in, so you leave no signs of your visit. It is important to keep in mind that you are in a national park where wildlife exists.
Weather
The weather at Grand Canyon can change very quickly. With so much rock, lightning(闪电) causes a particular danger during sudden summer storms. These storms also frequently bring floods inside valleys, a danger to hikers. Watch the skies and check daily weather reports.
Wildlife
Do not feed park wildlife. There have been a few cases at Grand Canyon National Park where deer(鹿) were purposely shot because they are plastic bags that left them sick and weak. Hungry deer can be danger and have kicked and bitten visitors at Grand Canyon. Some other animals will also beg and bite. For your own safety and the well-being of the animals, please do not feed wildlife, no matter how gentle they may appear.
1. What can you do first if you want to go camping?
A. Know the permitted B. Book campgrounds in advance
C. Make sure not to make a fire D. Stop at Mather and Desert View
2. What do the underlined words “pack out what you pack in” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A. keep every out of campgrounds B. take away everything you bring in
C. carry all the necessary food D. look after your personal belongings
3. Why were some deer killed on purpose at Grand Canyon?
A. They ate wrong things and became very ill.
B. They were a danger to other gentle animals.
C. They begged food from visitors.
D. They kicked and bit visitors.
4. What is the main purpose of the text?
A. To provide travel information B. To report some recent news.
C. To teach tourists hiking skills D. To introduce the wild life
第二部分：阅读理解。共六篇，30题，60分。
For a while, my neighborhood was taken ever by an army of joggers(慢跑者). They were there all the time: early morning, noon, and evening. There were little old ladies in gray sweats, young couples in Adidas shoes, middle-aged men with red faces. “Come on!” My friend Alex encouraged me to join him as he jogged by my house every evening. “You’ll feel great.”
Well, I had nothing against feeling great and if Alex could jog every day, anyone could. So I took up jogging seriously and gave it a good two months of my life, and not a day more. Based on my experience, jogging is the most overvalued form of exercise around, and judging from the number of the people who left our neighborhood jogging army. I’m not alone in my opinion.
First of all, jogging is very hard on the body. Your legs and feet take a real pounding（重击）ruining down a road for two or three miles. I developed foot, leg, and back problems. Then I read about a
nationally famous jogger who died of a heart attack while jogging, and I had something else to worry about. Jogging doesn’t kill hundreds of people, but if you have any physical weaknesses, jogging will surely bring them out, as they did with me.
Secondly, I got no enjoyment out of jogging. Putting one foot in front of the other for forty-five minutes isn’t my idea of fun. Jogging is also a lonely pastime. Some joggers say, “I love being out there with just my thoughts. “Well, my thoughts began to bore me, and most of them were on how much my legs hurt.
And how could I enjoy something that brought me pain? And that wasn’t just the first week: it was practically every day for two months. I never got past the pain level, and pain isn’t fun. What a cruel way to do it! So many other exercises, including walking, lead to almost the same results painlessly, so why jog?
I don’t jog any more, and I don’t think I ever will. I’m walking two miles three times a week at a fast pace, and that feels good. I bicycle to work when the weather is good. I’m getting exercise, and I’m enjoying it at the same time. I could never say the same for jogging, and I’ve found a lot of better ways to stay in shape.
1. From the first paragraph, we learn that in the writer’s neighborhood ______.
A. jogging became very popular
B. people jogged only during the daytime
C. Alex organized an army of joggers
D. jogging provided a chance to get together
2. The underlined word “them”(Paragraph 3) most probably refers to _____.
A. heart attacks B. Back problems C. famous joggers D. physical weaknesses
3. What was the writer’s attitude towards jogging in the beginning?
A. He felt it was worth a try. B. He was very fond of it.
C. He was strongly against it. D. He thought it must be painful.
4. Why did the writer give up jogging two months later?
A. He disliked doing exercise outside.
B. He found it neither healthy nor interesting.
C. He was afraid of having a heart attack.
D. He was worried about being left alone.
5. From the writer’s experience, we can conclude that______.
A. not everyone enjoys jogging
B. he is the only person who hates jogging
C. nothing other than jogging can help people keep fit
D. jogging makes people feel greater than any other sport.
If you’re a male and you’re reading this, congratulations! You’re a survivor. According to statistics，you’re more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman，and nine times more likely to die of AIDS.
There're many reasons for this--typically，men take more risks than women and are more likely to drink and smoke but perhaps more importantly, men don’t go to the doctor.
“Men aren't seeing doctors as often as they should，” says Dr. Gullotta. This is particularly so for the over-40s, when diseases strike. According to a recent survey, 95％of women aged between 15 and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70％of men in the same age group.
“A lot of men think they’re unbeatable，”Gullotta says. “They only come in when a friend drops dead on the golf course and they think, if it could happen to him …”
Then there’s the ostrich（鸵鸟）approach. “Some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know,” says Dr. Ross Cartmill.
“Most men get their cars serviced more regularly than they service their bodies,” Cartmill says. He believes most diseases that commonly affect men could be found by preventive examinations.
“Prevention is cheaper in the long run than having to treat the diseases. Besides, the final cost is far greater，it’s called death.”
1. Why does the author congratulate male readers at the beginning of the passage?
A. They can live longer than they expected.
B. They are leading a long and happy life.
C. They have lived long enough to read this article.
D. They are unlikely to survive serious diseases now.
2. Which of the author’s statements is the most important reason that men are more likely to die of some diseases than women according to the passage?
A. Men drink and smoke much more than women.
B. Men don’t seek medical care as often as women.
C. Men are more likely to suffer from deadly diseases.
D. Men aren’t as cautious as women in face of danger.
3.Which of the following best completes the underlined sentence “if it could happen to him…” （in Para 4） ?
A. it could happen to me，too.
B. it would be a big misfortune.
C.I should avoid playing golf.
D.I should consider myself lucky.
4.What does Dr.Ross Cartmill mean by mentioning “the ostrich approach”（in Para 5）?
A.A casual(随意的) attitude towards one’s health conditions.
B. A new treatment for certain diseases.
C. Refusal to get medical treatment for fear of the pain.
D. Unwillingness to find out about one’s disease because of fear.
A murder will occur this weekend in the peaceful seaside town of Langley, Washington. In fact, a murder has occurred there every February for the past 25 years. But don’t panic! It’s all part of the town’s yearly Mystery Weekend.
What began as a local event in 1984 now attracts visitors from over the U.S. and even abroad. Would-be detectives（侦探）arrive on Saturday. There, they receive a packet, including a newspaper with details about the crime and information telling where to find clues（线索）. Visitors then travel to various shops, restaurants and other places, searching for clues as they go. Along the way, they meet and interview suspects (疑犯) played by local people. The visitors need turn in their guesses on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.. Then as everyone gathers, the murderer is found, and prizes are awarded for correct answers.
For visitors, Mystery Weekend is not only fun but also a great introduction to the charms of Langley. It’s a very attractive place with historic buildings, exciting ocean views and above all, friendly people. Since Langley is on an island, a fun way to get there is by taking a ship to the nearby town of Clinton and then driving the rest of the way. Langley has a delightful selection of hotels with bed and breakfasts that are open all year round. And activities in Langley aren’t limited to Mystery Weekend. There is also great hiking, biking, golfing and diving to enjoy. And for a special adventure, visitors can book on one of the whale–watching ships that leave nearby harbors each day.
1. The second paragraph mainly tells us__________.
A. where visitors can pick up the clues
B. what people do during Mystery Weekend
C. when Mystery Weekend came into being
D. how the detectives try to clear up the case
2.According to the passage, visitors in Langley canNot__________.
A. watch whales performing
B. take a ship to Clinton.
C. enjoy a wide variety of activities like dancing and singing
D. stay in hotels opened throughout the year
3.We learn from the text that Mystery Weekend______.
A. is an eventwhich happens once a year.
B. aims to decrease crime rate
C. is intended for detectives
D. offers visitors a chance to make money
4. What would be the best title for the passage
A. Langley B. Mystery Weekend C. Would-be detectives D. A murder
Here is a poster on a middle school web site. Read the web-site poster.
Going, Going, Gone!
The Haynes Middle School Parent-Teacher organization
Invites you to attend our latest fund-raiser,
The Fourth Annual Haynes School Auction(拍卖)!
Saturday, May 10
6:00 p.m.-11: p.m.
in the school hall
6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m: All items for auction are previewed.
6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m: Silent auction begins.
7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m: Highest bidders (出价人)from silent auction are determined.
7:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m: Main auction begins.
Items up for bid in the silent auction range in value from $ 5.00 to $ 30.00.
Items up for bid in the main auction include the following:
Airline tickets to a place of your choice
Weekend getaways at first-class hotels
Season tickets to the Chicago Bears football game
$ 50 gift tickets to local gift shops, restaurants, and salons
Don’t miss the boat! Book your tickets today.
Last year, tickets sold out in five days!
Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
$ 15.00 per person
All the money from the auction will be given to the Haynes School computer lab.
1. Which of the following is not mentioned as being up for bid at the auction?
A. A movie pass to the local cinema.
B. A weekend stay at a hotel.
C. A ticket to a restaurant.
D. Airline tickets.
2. The more items that are given or bought for auction, __________.
A. the less money that will be charged for the tickets to the auction
B. the more money that can be raised to support the computer lab
C. the faster the ticket will be sold to the auction
D. the higher the value that will be placed on the items in the silent auction
3. Which of the following is most likely to happen at the year’s auction?
A. The airline tickets will receive higher bids than any other item.
B. All items up for bid will be sold for at least twice their value.
C. More money will be raised this year than in any other year before.
D. Tickets for the event will be sold out in less than one week.
4. The phrase “first-come, first-served” tells you that __________.
A. people can buy the tickets on the first day only
B. the person who is first to arrive will receive a ticket at no charge
C. food and drinks will be served at the auction
D. tickets are sold in the order of who arrives first to buy them