II．閱讀理解。認真閱讀下列兩篇短文，每篇短文有5個問題，根據(jù)短文的內(nèi)容從A、B、C、D四個選項中選出一個最佳答案，并填在答題紙相應的位置上。錯選、多選或未選均無分。(本大題共10小題。每小題2分，共20分)
Passage One
No country in the world has more daily newspapers than the USA. There are almost 2,000 of them, as compared with 180 in Japan, 164 in Argentina and 111 in Britain. The quality of some American papers is extremely high and their views are quoted all over the world. Famous dailies like the Washington Post or the New York Times have a powerful influence all over the country. However, they are not national newspapers in the sense that The Times is in Britain or Le Monde is in France, since each American city has its own daily newspaper. The best of these present detailed description of national and international news, but many tend to limit themselves to state or city news.
Like the press in most other countries, American newspapers range from the “sensational” which feature crime and gossip (閑談), to the “serious”, which focus on factual news and the analysis of world events. But with few exceptions, American newspapers try to entertain as well as give information, for they have to compete with the attraction of television.
Just as American newspapers satisfy all tastes, so do they also try to attract readers of all political parties. A few newspapers support extremist (極端主義的) groups on the far right and on the far left, but most daily newspapers try to attract middle-of-the-road Americans who are moderate. Many of these papers print columns by well-known journalists of different political and social views, in order to present a balanced picture.
As in other countries, American newspapers can be either responsible or irresponsible, but it is generally accepted that the American press serves its country well and that it has more than once courageously exposed political scandals (丑聞) or crimes, for instance, the Watergate Affair (水門事件). The Newspapers drew the attention of the public to the horrors of the Vietnam War.
21. There are fewer national newspapers in ______.
A. Britain than in the USA. B. France than in Britain
C. the USA than in Britain or France D. France than in the USA or Britain
22. Most American newspapers try hard to entertain their readers because ______.
A. they have to keep up a good relation with them
B. they have to compete with television
C. they have to write about crime and gossip
D. they have to give factual news in an interesting way
23. Many American newspapers attract readers of different political preference by ______.
A. supporting extremist groups from time to time
B. inviting middle-of-the-road Americans to write articles for them
C. avoiding carrying articles about extremists
D. printing articles representing different political viewpoints
24. The passage is mainly about ______.
A. the characteristics of American newspapers
B. the development of American newspapers
C. the functions of American newspapers
D. the advantages and disadvantages of American newspapers
25. Which of the following adjectives is similar to the word “middle of-the-road”?
A. neutral B. anxious
C. merry D. aggressive
