Some of this can be attributed to the disintegration of traditional communities, in which neighbors looked out for one another, she says. With today’s greater mobility and with so many couples working, those bonds have been weakened, replaced by a greater emphasis on self.

　　In a 1996 poll of Americans, loss of morality topped the list of the biggest problems facing the U.S. And Elshtain says the public is correct to sense that: Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s, such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers.

　　The desire for a higher moral standard is not a lament (挽歌) for some nonexistent “golden age,” Elshtain says, nor is it a wishful (一厢情愿的) longing for a time that denied opportunities to women and minorities. Most people, in fact, favor the lessening of prejudice.

　　Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society, she says. “Slowly, you recognize that the things that matter are those that cant’ be bought.”

　　36. Professor Elshtain is pleased to see that Americans _____________.

　　A) have adapted to a new set of moral standards

　　B) are longing for the return of the good old days

　　C) have realized the importance of material things

　　D) are awakening to the lowering of their moral standards

　　37. The moral decline of American society is caused manly by ________________.

　　A) its growing wealth

　　B) the self-centeredness of individuals

　　C) underestimating the impact of social changes

　　D) the prejudice against women and minorities

　　38. Which of the following characterizes the traditional communities?

　　A) Great mobility. C) Emphasis on individual effort.

　　B) Concern for one’s neighbors. D) Ever-weakening social bonds.

　　39. In the 1950s, classroom violence _______________.

　　A) was something unheard of C) attracted a lot of pubic attention

　　B) was by no means a rare occurrence D) began to appear in alalysts’ data

　　40. According to Elshtain, the current moral decline may be reversed _________________.

　　A) if people can return to the “golden age”

　　B) when women and mean enjoy equal rights

　　C) when people rid themselves of prejudice

　　D) if less emphasis is laid on material things

　　Part III Vocabulary and Structure (20 minutes)

　　Directions: There are 30 incomplete sentences in this part. For each sentence there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Choose the ONE that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.

　　41 By the time you get to New York, I ________ for London.

　　A) would be leaving B) am leaving

　　C) have already left D) shall have left

　　42 The article suggests that when a person ________ under unusual stress he should be especially careful to have a well-balanced diet.

　　A) is B) were

　　C) be D) was

　　43 The lawyer advised him to drop the ________, since he stands little chance to win.