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Section B
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 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.
There he was America's first President with a MBA, the man who loves to boast about his business background, whose presidential campaign raised unprecedented sums from corporate wallets and whose cabinet is stuffed with chief executives. Faith in the integrity of American business leaders was being undermined(破壞), George Bush said fiercely, by executives "breaching trust and abusing power". It was time for "a new ethic of personal responsibility in the business community". He was going to "end the days of cooking the books, shading the truth and breaking our laws".
Only months ago, the idea that George W Bush would publicly lambaste America's cooperate bosses was laughable. As a candidate, born on the wave of a decade-long economic boom and an unprecedented 18-year bull market, he cashed in on American's love affair with corporate success. But things are different now. The stock market bubble has burst and, despite signs of economic recovery. Wall Street seems to be sunk in gloom. A string of scandals at some of America's most high-flying firms--including Enron, Xerox. Tyco, Global Crossing and most recently, World Com¬¬has radically changed the public mood.
As political pressure for reform increases, so too does the heat on Mr Bush. Is the businessman's president really prepared to take business on and push hard for reform? Despite the set jaw and aggrieved tone in New York. Probably not. Mr. Bush thinks the current crisis stems from a few bad-apple chief executives rather than the system as a whole. Hence he focus on tough penalties for corrupt businessmen and his plea for higher ethical standards. The president announced the creation of a financial-crimes SWAT team, at the Justice Department to root out corporate fraud, and wants to double the maximum prison sentence for financial fraud from five to ten years. But he offered few concrete suggestions for systemic reform: little mention of changes to strengthen shareholders' rights, not even an endorsement of the Senate corporate-reform bill.
There are few signs yet that cleaning up corporate America is an issue that animates the voters. Polls show that Americans have little faith in their business leaders, but politicians do not seem to be suffering as a result. Mr. Bush's approval ratings have fallen from their sky-highs, but they are still very strong.
The president, therefore, need do no more than talk tough. This alone will convince ordinary Americans that he is on top of the issue. As the economy rebounds and public outage subsides, the clamor for change will be quieter. Democratic attacks will fizzle, and far-reaching reform bills will be watered down before they become law. Politically, the gamble makes sense. Unfortunately for American capitalism, a great opportunity will be missed.
52. We can infer from the third paragraph that Mr. Bush______.
A) didn't intend to take business on and push hard for reform
B) did not do anything at all for the presence of the current situation
C) took shareholders' right into account, but he didn't approve reform bill
D) took some measures to pave the way for the reform
53. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) Bush had to offer concrete suggestions for reform as political pressure increase
B) At present, the maximum prison sentence for financial fraud is five year
C) It is laughable that M Bush publicly attacked America's corporate bosses
D) Americans have little faith in their business as well as political leaders
54. Which of the following statements about Mr. Bush is mentioned in this passage?
A) M Bush is the second President with an MBA in American history
B) M Bush contributes a lot to decade-long economic boom
C) M Bush's approval ratings are still high
D) M Bush didn't get support in his presidential campaign
55. The author's attitude towards the reform is______.
A) indifferent
B) optimistic
C) skeptical
D) favorable
56. The phrase "a great opportunity" mentioned in the last paragraph refers to an opportunity to______.
A) carry out reform
B) boom economy
C) animate the voters
D) attack chief executive
