1997到2004年考研英语阅读历年真题及答案.pdf

1997年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语试题 Text 1 Itwas 3:45inthemorningwhenthevotewas finallytaken.After sixmonths ofarguingandfinal 16hours ofhot parliamentary debates, Australia’sNorthern Territory became the first legal authority in the world to allow doctors to takethelivesofincurablyillpatientswhowishto die.Themeasurepassedbythe convincingvote of 15to 10.Almost immediatelywordflashedontheInternetandwaspickedup,half aworld away,byJohnHofsess,executivedirectorof theRighttoDie SocietyofCanada.Hesentitonviathegroup’son-lineservice,DeathNET. SaysHofsess:“Weposted bulletinsalldaylong,becauseofcoursethisisn’tjust somethingthathappenedinAustralia.It’sworldhistory.” Thefullimportmaytakeawhiletosinkin.TheNTRightsoftheTerminallyIIIlawhasleftphysiciansandcitizens alike trying to deal with its moral and practical implications. Some have breathed sighs of relief, others, including churches, right to life groups and the Australian Medical Association, bitterly attacked the bill and the haste of its passage. Butthe tide isunlikely to turnback. InAustralia --where anagingpopulation, life extendingtechnology and changingcommunityattitudeshaveallplayedtheirpart--otherstatesaregoingtoconsidermakingasimilarlawtodeal with euthanasia.IntheUSandCanada,wheretherighttodiemovementisgatheringstrength,observersarewaiting for thedominoestostartfalling. UnderthenewNorthernTerritorylaw,anadultpatientcanrequestdeath--probablybyadeadlyinjectionorpill -- toputanendtosuffering.Thepatientmustbediagnosedasterminallyillbytwodoctors.Aftera“coolingoff”periodof sevendays,thepatientcansignacertificateofrequest.After48hoursthewishfordeathcanbemet.ForLloydNickson, a54yearoldDarwinresidentsufferingfromlungcancer,theNTRightsofTerminallyIIIlawmeanshecangetonwith livingwithoutthehauntingfearofhissuffering:aterrifyingdeathfromhisbreathingcondition.“I’mnotafraidofdying fromaspiritualpointofview,butwhatIwasafraidofwashowI’dgo,becauseI’vewatchedpeople die