Question

From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town’s officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square.
In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities.
In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.

1. 1.
   At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT __________. 
   1. A.
      express their opinions about the government
   2. B.
      elect officials of the towns
   3. C.
      make a decision about whom they should marry
   4. D.
      discuss some community matters
2. 2.
   In the 18th century, who had the right to vote?  
   1. A.
      All the citizens.
   2. B.
      All the men except those who were church members.
   3. C.
      The rich.
   4. D.
      The rich men and the church members.
3. 3.
   Why has the town meeting been widely imitated? 
   1. A.
      Because many people are interested in it.
   2. B.
      Because it is very democratic.
   3. C.
      Because many people enjoy themselves at town meetings.
   4. D.
      Because sometimes government agencies call them.
4. 4.
   According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? 
   1. A.
      Citizens can elect the officials in the town meeting.
   2. B.
      In recent years, town meetings are often called by a government agency.
   3. C.
      People can say what they want to say at the town meeting.
   4. D.
      Nowadays this kind of meeting is also held on radio and television.
5. 5.
   This passage mainly talks about _______.  
   1. A.
      the New England town meeting
   2. B.
      modern town meetings
   3. C.
      a democratic meeting
   4. D.
      New England towns

Answer 1

CDBBA
1.C。文中提到是付稅費，而不是生活方面的費用。
2.D。依據(jù)為第二段中的“In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, …”。
3.B。從文章的第一句和最后一段可看出市政會議之所以受歡迎是因為其民主性。
4.B。從文章的最后一段中的“Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency…”可知這種會議是偶爾召開，而不是經(jīng)常開。
5.A。文章開頭就點明了主題，主要介紹了英格蘭的新市政會議。