Section C

　　Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

　　Passage One

　　Questions 56 to 60are based on the following passage.

　　The question of whether our government should promote science and technology or the liberal arts in higher education isn’t an either/or proposition(命题)，although the current emphasis on preparing young Americans for STEM(science, technology, engineering, maths)-related fields can make it seem that way.

　　The latest congressional report acknowledges the critical importance of technical training, but also asserts that the study of the humanities (人文学科)and social sciences must remain central components of America’s educational system at all levels. Both are critical to producing citizens who can participate effectively in our democratic society, become innovative(创新的)leaders, and benefit from the spiritual enrichment that the reflection on the great ideas of mankind over time provides.

　　Parents and students who have invested heavily in higher education worry about graduates’ job prospects as technological advances and changes in domestic and global markets transform professions in ways that reduce wages and cut jobs. Under these circumstances, it’s natural to look for what may appear to be the most “practical” way out of the problem “Major in a subject designed to get you a job” seems the obvious answer to some, though this ignores the fact that many disciplines in the humanities characterized as “soft” often, in fact, lead to employment and success in the long run. Indeed, according to surveys, employers have expressed a preference for students who have received a broadly-based education that has taught them to write well, think critically, research creatively, and communicate easily.

　　Moreover, students should be prepared not just for their first job, but for their 4th and 5th jobs, as there’s little reason to doubt that people entering the workforce today will be called upon to play many different roles over the course of their careers. The ones who will do the best in this new environment will be those whose educations have prepared them to be flexible. The ability to draw upon every available tool and insight—picked up from science, arts, and technology—to solve the problems of the future, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, will be helpful to them and the United States.

　　注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

　　56. What does the latest congressional report suggest?

　　A) STEM-related subjects help students find jobs in the information society.

　　B) The humanities and STEM subjects should be given equal importance.

　　C) The liberal arts in higher education help enrich students’ spiritual life.

　　D) Higher education should be adjusted to the practical needs of society.

　　57. What is the main concern of students when they choose a major?

　　A) Their interest in relevant subjects.

　　B) The academic value of the courses.

　　C) The quality of education to receive.

　　D) Their chances of getting a good job.

　　58. What does the author say about the so called soft subjects?

　　A) The benefit students in their future life.

　　B) They broaden students’ range of interests.

　　C) They improve students’ communication skills.

　　D) They are essential to students’ healthy growth.

　　59. What kind of job applicants do employers look for?

　　A) Those who have a strong sense of responsibility.

　　B) Those who are good at solving practical problems.

　　C) Those who are likely to become innovative leaders.

　　D) Those who have received a well-rounded education.

　　60. What advice does the author give to college students?

　　A) Seize opportunities to tap their potential.

　　B) Try to take a variety of practical courses.

　　C) Prepare themselves for different job options.

　　D) Adopt a flexible approach to solving problems.

　　Passage Two

　　Questions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.

　　Energy independence. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn’t it? If you think so, you’re not alone, because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession.

　　“Energy independence” and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion “energy security” are, however, slippery concepts that are rarely though through. What is it we want independence from, exactly?

　　Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil. But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.

　　The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.

　　Second, Americans have basically decided that they don’t really want to produce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?

　　Third, there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. And although you don’t read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.

　　There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices, At the same time, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.

　　注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

　　61. What does the author say about energy independence for America?

　　A) It sounds very attractive.

　　B) It ensures national security.

　　C) It will bring oil prices down

　　D) It has long been everyone’s dream.

　　62. What does the author think of biofuels?

　　A) They keep America’s economy running healthily.

　　B) They prove to be a good alternative to petroleum.

　　C) They do not provide a sustainable energy supply.

　　D) They cause serious damage to the environment.

　　63. Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?

　　A) It wants to expand its storage of crude oil.

　　B) Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.

　　C) It wants to keep its own environment intact.

　　D) Its own oil production falls short of demand.

　　64. What does the author say about oil trade?

　　A) It proves profitable to both sides.

　　B) It improves economic efficiency.

　　C) It makes for economic prosperity.

　　D) It saves the cost of oil exploration.

　　65. What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?

　　A) To justify America’s dependence on oil imports.

　　B) To arouse Americans’ awareness of the energy crisis.

　　C) To stress the importance of energy conservation.

　　D) To explain the increase of international oil trade.