南开大学2014年考博英语真题.docVIP

南开大学2014年考博英语真题 Section A Directions: Read the following four passages. Answer the questions below each passage by choosing A, B，C or D. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (40 points，2 points each) Passage One I recently conducted a survey to see what people thought and knew about Martin Luther King, Jr. I did this by bringing up the subject of MLK Day in casual conversations with people and gauging their reaction. (The sampling was 23 friends, colleagues, and strangers； 10 Black, 9 White, 3 Hispanic, 1 Asian； 4 were between the ages 42 -35 and 19 were 34 -20. ) All knew King as the famous black civil rights leader who was killed, but few knew much more. The majority of people under 30— regardless of race—knew little more, in fact. How is it that Jill (black, 27, college educated) did not know that MLK was a Nobel Peace Prize recipient? Or that Tim (white, 31，college educated) was clueless about King’s nonviolent approach to civil rights activism? Darlene (black, 23) thought she should have the day off to sleep in. She had no idea the MLK day is really about doing something to inspire others. What is the point of having a day to mark the man if we do not understand the significance of his life? How is it that not only one of the greatest Americans, but one of the most influential humans in the history of our planet is not better known in this country? Had King been a football player or a musician, he may have registered better with the present generation. Martin Luther King, Jr. was more than just an inspirational black leader. His desire and ability to rise above his own failings and those of fellow humans uplifted us all—both those who were living at the time and those who have come after. Even if we do not know it, our world is a better place because of his light. Dr. King’s life was extinguished more than 30 years ago, but not his light. It is still here for each of us to carry, and to illuminate even brighter with our own unique creativity and contributions