2004年9月上海市中級口譯筆試真題
County and district councils consists of directly elected councilors. Broadly speaking, county councils have 60-100 members, metropolitan district councils 50-80 members, non-metropolitan district councils 30-60 members. The councilors elect annually one of their members as chairman. On certain district councils with historical status the chairman is called 'mayor' or 'Lord Mayor'. This has ceremonial significance, but makes no difference to the administrative functions of the area. Councillors are voluntary and unpaid, though they claim an attendance allowance of up to £10 a day.
All county councils are elected at four-yearly intervals. The pattern of election to district councils varies. All local elections due in any one year are held on the same day, normally the first Thursday in May. The people entitled to vote at local government elections are those who are resident in the local authority area on the qualifying date, are 18 or over on election day, are British subjects or citizens of the Irish Republic (this will therefore include Commonwealth citizens e.g. Australians). Candidates for councilors must have British nationality and be over 21, and must either have lived or worked in the area for a year. Most candidates stand as representatives of one of the national political parties (Labour, SDP, Conservatives or Liberal for the most part), a few as members of associations representing some local interests or as independents.
21. What are NOT included in the functions of local authorities according to the passage?
(A) environment health and education.
(B) housing and country development planning.
(C) local libraries and the police.
(D) court and charity organizations.
22. How does the government work out the amount of the "rate" paid by the individuals?
(A) It depends on how many properties the individual own and the amount the authority needs.
(B) It is calculated by the value of the property and the total sum needed by the authority.
(C) It depends on the annual income of the individual and the value of the property.
(D) It is calculated by the family annual income and the total sum needed by the authority.
23. How often are county council elections held?
(A) Every four years.
(B) Every two years.
(C) Twice a year.
(D) Four times a year.
24. According to the passage, directly elected councilors _______.
(A) can claim an attendance allowance of more than £10 a day
(B) would elect one of their members as 'mayor' every two years
(C) will do the voluntary work and are not paid
(D) must have either British or Irish nationality
25. Which of the following candidates is eligible for the election of councilors?
(A) A 20-yea
