In the internet age, it is particularly easy to see the resentment that has always been hidden winthin American society. More difficult, in the moment , is discerning precisely how these lean times are affecting society’s character. In many respects, the U.S. was more socially tolerant entering this resession than at any time in its history, and a variety of national polls on social conflict since then have shown mixed results. We will have to wait and see exactly how these hard times will reshape our social fabric. But they certainly it, and all the more so the longer they extend.

　　36.By saying “to find silver linings”(Line 1,Para.2)the author suggest that the jobless try to___.

　　[A]seek subsidies from the govemment

　　[B]explore reasons for the unermployment

　　[C]make profits from the troubled economy

　　[D]look on the bright side of the recession

　　37.According to Paragraph 2,the recession has made people_____.

　　[A]realize the national dream

　　[B]struggle against each other

　　[C]challenge their lifestyle

　　[D]reconsider their lifestyle

　　38.Benjamin Friedman believe that economic recessions may_____.

　　[A]impose a heavier burden on immigrants

　　[B]bring out more evils of human nature

　　[C]Promote the advance of rights and freedoms

　　[D]ease conflicts between races and classes

　　39.The research of Till Von Wachther suggests that in recession graduates from elite universities tend to _____.

　　[A]lag behind the others due to decreased opportunities

　　[B]catch up quickly with experienced employees

　　[C]see their life chances as dimmed as the others’

　　[D]recover more quickly than the others

　　40.The author thinks that the influence of hard times on society is____.

　　[A]certain

　　[B]positive

　　[C]trivial

　　[D]destructive

　Part B

　　Directions:

　　Read the following text and answer the questions by finding information from the left column that corresponds to each of the marked details given in the right column. There are two extra choices in the right column. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEERT 1.(10 points)

　　“Universal history, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here,” wrote the Victorian sage Thomas Carlyle. Well, not any more it is not.

　　Suddenly, Britain looks to have fallen out with its favourite historical form. This could be no more than a passing literary craze, but it also points to a broader truth about how we now approach the past: less concerned with learning from forefathers and more interested in feeling their pain. Today, we want empathy, not inspiration.

　　From the earliest days of the Renaissance, the writing of history meant recounting the exemplary lives of great men. In 1337, Petrarch began work on his rambling writing De Viris Illustribus – On Famous Men, highlighting the virtus (or virtue) of classical heroes. Petrarch celebrated their greatness in conquering fortune and rising to the top. This was the biographical tradition which Niccolo Machiavelli turned on its head. In The Prince, the championed cunning, ruthlessness, and boldness, rather than virtue, mercy and justice, as the skills of successful leaders.