1II. Reading Comprehension

　　Section A

　　Directions: There are 5 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by 4 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 your answer on the Answer Sheet.

　　Questions 41 to 44 are based on the following passage:

　　American Indians played a central role in the war known as the American Revolution. To them, however, the dispute between the' colonists and England was peripheral. For American Indians the conflict was a war for American Indian independence, and whichever side they chose, they lost it. Mary Brant was a powerful influence among the Iroquois. She was a Mohawk, the leader of the society of all Iroquois matrons, and the widow of Sir William Johnson, Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Her brother, Joseph Brant, is the best known American Indian warrior of the Revolution, yet she may have exerted even more influence in the confederacy than he did. She used her influence to keep the western tribes of Iroquois loyal to the English king, George III. When the colonists won the war, she and her tribe had to abandon their lands and retreat to Canada. On the other side, Nancy Ward held positions of authority in the Cherokee nation. She had fought as a warrior in the war against the Creeks and as a reward for her heroism was made "Beloved Woman" of the tribe. This office made her chief of the women's council and a member of the council of chiefs. She was friendly with the white settlers and supported the Patriots during the Revolution. Yet the Cherokees too lost their land.

　　41. What is the main point the author makes in the passage?

　　A. Siding with the English in the Revolution helped American Indians regain their land.

　　B. At the time of the Revolution the Superintendent of Indian Affairs had little power.

　　C. Regardless of whom they supported in the Revolution, American Indians lost their land.

　　D. The outcome of the Revolution was largely determined by American Indian women.

　　42. The word "it" in line 4 refers to ___.

　　A. side B. revolution C. dispute D. independence

　　43. How did Ward gain her position of authority?

　　A. By bravery in battle. B. By marriage to a chief.

　　C. By joining the confederacy. D. By being born into a powerful family.

　　44. According to the passage, what did Mary Brant and Nancy Ward had in common?

　　A. Each was called "Beloved Woman" by her tribe.

　　B. Each influenced her tribe's role in the American Revolution.

　　C. Each lost a brother in the American Revolution.

　　D. Each went to England after the American Revolution.

　　Questions 45 to 48 are based on the following passage:

　　More people than ever are drinking coffee these days--but in smaller quantities than they used to. Some manufacturers of coffee makers are trying to take advantage of this trend by developing diminutive machines that brew smaller amounts of coffee. Two US appliance companies--Black & Decker, based in Towson, Maryland, and Toastmaster Inc. of Columbia, Missouri--have recently introduced "drip" coffee makers that brew one or two cup servings of coffee. Both of the products brew the coffee directly into a cup or mug, eliminating the need for a separate carafe. Since many people make a pot of coffee in the morning but drink only a single cup, the new coffee makers should reduce the wasted coffee. Black & Decker's Cup-at-a-Time costs $27, while Toastmaster's Coffee Break Retails for $20. Black & Decker also makes a coffee maker that drips coffee directly into a carry-around thermal carafe. The carafe, a glass vacuum bottle, is supposed to keep the coffee fresh for hours. The product, called the Thermal Carafe Coffee-maker, comes with a built-in lid that opens during the brewing process and close when it is completed. There are several models, including one that firs under the counter, ranging from $60 to $110 in price.

　　45. The main purpose of the text is to___.

　　A. introduce a new trend of drinking coffee

　　B. introduce new coffee makers

　　C. introduce two U.S. appliance companies

　　D. introduce the new coffee industry

　　46. The advantage of "drip" coffee makers shown in the text is that___.

　　A. they are much more economic

　　B. they can produce only one cup

　　C. they are more convenient and easier to operate

　　D. they are more economical

　　47. According to the passage, a thermal carafe is necessary when the coffee is___.

　　A. preserved B. produced C. manufactured D. brewed职称英语考试培训

　　48. Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

　　A. People used to drink coffee in larger quantities.

　　B. It is essential to attach a separate carafe, while "drip" coffee makers are applied.

　　C. People used to make a pot of coffee in the morning and drink it up.

　　D. The new coffee makers usually cost less than before.