2015年考研英语一真题及答案 阅读理解
2015年考研英语一真题解析:阅读理解
Section II Reading Comprehension
Part A
Read the following four texts. Answer the questionsbelow each text by choosi ng [A], [B], [C] or [D]. Markyour answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (40 points)
TEXT 1
King Juan Carlos of Spain once insistedkings dont abdicate, they die in their sleep. Butem barrassing scandals and the popularity of the republicans left in the recent Euro-elections haveforced him to eat his words and stand down. So, does the Spanish crisis suggest th at monarchy isseeing its last days? Does that mean the writing is on the wall for all Euro pean royals, with theirmagnificent uniforms and majestic lifestyles?
The Spanish case provides arguments both for and against monarchy. When public opini on isparticularly polarized, as it was following the end of the France regime, monarchs ca n rise abovemere polities and embody a spirit of national unity.
It is this apparent transcendence of polities that explains monarchys continuing popularit y as headsof state. And so, the Middle East expected, Europe is the most monarch-infest ed region in theworld, with 10 kingdoms (not counting Vatican City and Andorra). But unl ike their absolutistcounterparts in the Gulf and Asia, most royal families have survived be cause they allow voters toavoid the difficult search for a non-controversial but respected public figure.
Even so, kings and queens undoubtedly have a downside. Symbolic of national unity as t hey claimto be, their very history-and sometimes the way they behave today-embodies o utdated andindefensible privileges and inequalities. At a time when Thomas Piketty and o ther economists arewarming of rising inequality and the increasing power of inherited we alth, it is bizarre that wealthyaristocratic families should still be the symbolic heart of mo dern democratic states.
The most successful monarchies strive to abandon or hide their old aristocratic ways. Pri nces andprincesses have day-jobs and ride bicycles, not horses (or helicopters). Even so, these are wealthyfamilies who party with the international 1%, and media intrusiveness makes it increasingly difficultto maintain the right image.
While Europes monarchies will no doubt be smart enough to survive for some time to co me, it isthe British royals who have most to fear from the Spanish example.
It is only the Queen who has preserved the monarchys reputation with her rather ordinar y (if well-heeled) granny style. The danger will come with Charles, who has both an expe nsive taste oflifestyle and a pretty hierarchical view of the world. He has failed to underst and that monarchieshave largely survived because they provide a service-as non-controv ersial and non-political headsof state. Charles ought to know that as English history show s, it is kings, not republicans, who arethe monarchys worst enemies.
21. According to the first two graphs, King Juan Carlos of Spain
[A]eased his relationship with his rivals.
[B]used to enjoy high public support.
[C]was unpopular among European royals.
[D]ended his reign in embarrassment.
22. Monarchs are kept as head of state in Europe mostly
[A]to give voters more public figures to look up to.
[B]to achieve a balance between tradition and reality.
[C]owing to their undoubted and respectable status.
[D]due to their everlasting political embodiment.
23. Which of the following is shown to be odd, according to graph 4?
[A] The role of the nobility in modern democracies.
[B] Aristocrats excessive reliance on inherited wealth.
[C] The simple lifestyle of the aristocratic families.
[D] The nobilitys adherence to their privileges.
24. The British royals have most to fear because Charles
[A]takes a tough line on political issues.
[B]fails to change his lifestyle as advised.
[C]takes republicans as his potential allies.
[D]fails to adapt himself to his future role.
25. Which of the following is the best title of the text?
[A]Carlos, Glory and Disgrace Combined
[B]Charles, Anxious to Succeed to the Throne
[C]Charles, Slow to React to the Coming Threats
[D]Carlos, a Lesson for All European Monarchs
21.Dended his reign in embarrassment.
22. C owing to the undoubted and respectable status
23. A the role of the nobility in modern democracy
24. B fails to change his lifestyle as advised.
25. D Carlos, a lesson for all Monarchies
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