C. Cambodia.
D. Thailand.
13. The countries that are predicted to experience negative population growth are
mainly in ________.
A. Asia. B. Africa.
C. Latin America.
D. The Caribbean.
Questions 14 and 15 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 30 seconds to answer the questions.
Now listen to the news.
14. The trade dispute between the European Union and the US was caused by
________.
A. US refusal to accept arbitration by WTO
B. US imposing tariffs on European steel.
C. US refusal to pay compensation to EU
D. US refusal to lower import duties on EU products.
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15. Who will be consulted first before the EU list is submitted to WTO?
A. EU member states.
B. The United States. C. WTO.
D. The steel corporations.
PART II
Proofreading and Error Correction (15 min)
The passage contains TEN errors. Each indicated line contains a maximum of ONE error. In each case, only ONE word is involved. You should proofread the passage and correct it in the following way: For a wrong word, For a missing word, underline the wrong word and write the correct one in the blank provided at the end of the line.
mark the position of the missing word with a \∧\sign and write the word you believe to be missing in the blank provided at the end of the line.
cross the unnecessary word with a slash \\and put the word in the blank provided at the end of the line.
For a unnecessary word, EXAMPLE
When ∧ art museum wants a new exhibit, it never ╱buys things in finished form and hangs them on the wall. When a natural history
museum wants an exhibition, it must often build it.
One of the most important non-legislative functions of the U. S Congress
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(1)________an (2)________never
(3)________exhibit
is the power to investigate. This power is usually delegated to committees – either standing committees, special committees set for a specific purpose, or joint committees consisted of members of both houses. Investigations are held to gather information on the need for future legislation, to test the effectiveness of laws already passed, to inquire into the qualifications and performance of members and officials of the other branches, and in rare occasions, to lay the groundwork for impeachment proceedings. Frequently, committees rely outside experts to assist in conducting investigative hearings and to make out detailed studies of issues.
There are important corollaries to the investigative power. One is the power to publicize investigations and its results. Most committee hearings are open to public and are reported widely in the mass media. Congressional investigations nevertheless represent one important tool available to lawmakers to inform the citizenry and to arouse public interests in national issues. Congressional committees also have the power to compel testimony from unwilling witnesses, and to cite for contempt of Congress witnesses who refuse to testify and for perjury these who give false testimony.
PART III
Reading Comprehension (30 min)
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大1家 大2家 大3家 大4家 大5家 大6家 大7家 大8家 大9家 大10家
In this section there are four reading passages followed by a total of fifteen multiple choice questions. Read the passages and then mark your answers on your coloured answer sheet.
TEXT A
Farmers in the developing world hate price fluctuations. It makes it hard to plan ahead. But most of them have little choice: they sell at the price the market sets. Farmers in Europe, the U.S. and Japan are luckier: they receive massive government subsidies in the form of guaranteed prices or direct handouts. Last month U.S. President Bush signed a new farm bill that gives American farmers $190 billion over the next 10 years, or $83 billion more than they had been scheduled to get, and pushes U.S. agricultural support close to crazy European levels. Bush said the step was necessary to \farmer independence and preserve the farm way of life for generations\It is also designed to help the Republican Party win control of the Senate in November's mid term elections.
Agricultural production in most poor countries accounts for up to 50% of GDP, compared to only 3% in rich countries. But most farmers in poor countries grow just enough for themselves and their families. Those who try exporting to the West find their goods whacked with huge tariffs or competing against cheaper subsidized goods. In 1999 the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development concluded that for each dollar developing countries receive in aid they lose up to $14 just because of trade barriers imposed on the export of their manufactured goods. It's not as if the developing world wants any favours, says Gerald Ssendwula, Uganda's Minister of Finance. \
Agriculture is one of the few areas in which the Third World can compete. Land and labour are cheap, and as farming methods develop, new technologies should improve output. This is no pie in the sky speculation. The biggest success in Kenya's economy over the past decade has been the boom in exports of cut flowers and vegetables to Europe. But that may all change in 2008, when Kenya will be slightly too rich to qualify for the \ developed country\status that allows African producers to avoid paying stiff European import duties on selected agricultural products. With trade barriers in place, the horticulture industry in Kenya will shrivel as quickly as a discarded rose. And while agriculture exports remain the great hope for poor countries, reducing trade barriers in other sectors also works: Americas African Growth and Opportunity Act, which cuts duties on exports of everything from handicrafts to shoes, has proved a boon to Africa's manufacturers. The lesson: the Third World can prosper if the rich world gives it a fair go.
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This is what makes Bush's decision to increase farm subsidies last month all the more depressing. Poor countries have long suspected that the rich world urges trade liberalization only so it can wangle its way into new markets. Such suspicions caused the Seattle trade talks to break down three years ago. But last November members of the World Trade Organization, meeting in Doha, Qatar, finally agreed to a new round of talks designed to open up global trade in agriculture and textiles. Rich countries assured poor countries, that their concerns were finally being addressed. Bush's handout last month makes a lie of America's commitment to those talks and his personal devotion to free trade.
16. By comparison, farmers ________ receive more government subsidies than
others.
A. in the developing world
B. in Japan
C. in Europe
D. in America
17. In addition to the economic considerations, there is a ________ motive behind
Bush's signing of the new farm bill.
A. partisan B. social
C. financial
D. cultural
18. The message the writer attempts to convey throughout the passage is that
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