2004年自学考试英语国家概况模拟试题(四) | |
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http://www.sina.com.cn 2004/10/21 16:09 华夏大地教育网 | |
IV.Directions: Write between 100-120 words on EITHER of the following topics in the corresponding space on the answer sheet.(10 points) 1. What was the impact of the Vietnam War on American society? (1)At the beginning of the Vietnam civil war, the United States supported the South Vietnam to contain the North Vietnam and the Communists in the south,but the South Vietnamese government was corrupt and repressive and had no support of the people. The United States had to take over the fighting itself. Thus, the war was Americanized, that is ,the war was fought with American money, weapon, and soldiers. (2)The Vietnam War had great impact on American society. ①The United States was weakened as a result of the long war. The war affected American competitiveness in the world, drained American resources, brought about unfavorable balance of trade and saw a significant outflow of gold. ②American society had never been so divided since the Civil War. People were confused and disappointed. ③The war brought about serious disagreement within the ruling circle. A number of high-ranking officials in the Johnson Administration resigned. Contradiction between Congress and the Executive sharpened, which resulted in the passing of the War Power Act. ④The image of the United States and its armed foresees was discredited. American insistence on the continuation of the war drew criticism from American allies and some of its allies refused to support the United States. [解析]越南战争对美国社会造成重大影响。 (1)国力削弱,大大影响了美国在世界上的竞争力,消耗资源,造成了贸易逆差和大量黄金外流。 (2)社会分化。反战运动、民权运动、反正统文化运动和女权运动等等把社会撕得四分五裂。人们普遍感到迷茫、失望。 (3)统治圈子内部也出现了严重的分歧。国会和政府间的矛盾加深,导致通过了《战争权力法》。这一法案限制总统向海外派兵的权力,要求总统在采取此类行动时与国会协商。 (4)国家形象特别是美国军队的形象受到损坏。战争也遭到了盟国的批评,盟国拒绝支持美国的战争努力。 2. How did the English Industrial Revolution proceed? (1) The English Industrial Revolution began with the textile industry. There were a series of inventions and improvements of weaving and spinning machines. In 1733, John Kay invented his flying shuttle. It speeded up hand weaving, creating demand for faster yarn spinning. The spinning was revolutionized by James Margraves’ “spinning Jenny” in 1776, and it enabled one hand laborer to spin many threads at the time. Richened Arkwright’s “water frame” (1769) and Samuel Compton’s “mule” (1779) replaced hand labor and required power to drive the machines: first water power, then steam. Thomas Newcomer devised the first steam engine at the end of the 17th century, but it was the Scottish inventor James Watt who produced a very efficient steam engine with rotary motion that could be applied to textile and other machinery. (2)George Stephenson invented the first locomotive in 1848. (3)The wide use of coal instead of charcoal hugely increased the production of iron, especially high-quality iron, which was used for machinery, railways and shipping. (4)A railway network quickly developed, gradually replacing the old stagecoach as the steamship gradually replaced the sailing ship on the sea-improved transportation ran parallel with production. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, Britain was the “workshop of the world” by 1830; no other country was yet ready to compete with her in industrial production. [解析]工业革命指18世纪后期和19世纪早期英国的工业机械化及其在社会经济结构上带来的相应变化,它使英国成为第一个实现工业化的国家。 新技术和水力机械的采用可以组织大规模工业生产。变化最早、最快是纺织业。约翰·凯伊发明的飞梭,詹姆斯·哈格里夫斯发明的“珍妮”纺纱机,理查德·阿克莱特的水力纺纱机和赛缪尔·克朗普顿的“骡机”为纺纱业带来革命性变革。以水力和随后的蒸汽动力为代表的动力驱动,例如:埃得蒙德·卡特怀特的动力织布机,苏格兰人詹姆斯·瓦特制成旋转运动的高效蒸汽机,都广泛应用于纺织和其他机械行业。加速工业进程的最重要的因素也许是亚伯拉罕·达比在1709年成功地在炼铁中增加了铁含量。同时,运输情况也得到改善。 |