＇C＇ the advantages of human cloning。 ＇D＇ the limitations of tissue replacements。
24。Which of the following is true according to the text？
＇A＇ The principle of gene therapy is applicable to that of cloning。
＇B＇ The isolation of stem cells is too difficult to be feasible。
＇C＇ It is reasonable for all body instructions to be activated。
＇D＇ Cloned animals will eventually take control of the world。
25。Towards the genetic research； the author’s attitude can best be said to be that of
＇A＇ Frustration。 ＇B＇ Indifference。 ＇C＇ Amazement。 ＇D＇ Opposition。
Text 2
What our society suffers from most today is the absence of consensus about what it and life in it ought to be； such consensus cannot be gained from society’s present stage； or from fantasies about what it ought to be。 For that the present is too close and too diversified； and the future too uncertain； to make believable claims about it。 A consensus in the present hence can be achieved only through a shared understanding of the past； as Homer’s epics informed those who lived centuries later what it meant to be Greek； and by what images and ideals they were to live their lives and organize their societies。
Most societies derive consensus from a long history； a language all their own； a common religion； common ancestry。 The myths by which they live are based on all of these。 But the United States is a country of immigrants； coming from a great variety of nations。 Lately； it has been emphasized that an asocial； narcissistic personality has become characteristic of Americans； and that it is this type of personality that makes for the lack of wellbeing； because it prevents us from achieving consensus that would counteract a tendency to withdraw into private worlds。 In this study of narcissism； Christopher Lash says that modern man； “tortured by selfconsciousness； turns to new therapies not to free himself of his personal worries but to find meaning and purpose in life； to find something to live for”。 There is widespread distress because national morale has declined； and we have lost an earlier sense of national vision and purpose。
Contrary to rigid religions or political beliefs； as are found in totalitarian societies； our culture is one of the great individual differences； at least in principle and in theory； but this leads to disunity； even chaos。 Americans believe in the value of diversity； but just because our is a society based on individual diversity； it needs consensus about some dominating ideas more than societies based on uniform origin of their citizens。 Hence； if we are to have consensus； it must be based on a myth — a vision about a common experience； a conquest that made us Americans； as the myth about the conquest of Troy formed the Greeks。 Only a common myth can offer relief from the fear that life is without meaning or purpose。 Myths permit us to examine our place in the world by comparing it to a shared idea。 Myths are shared fantasies that form the tie that binds the individual to other members of his group。 Such myths help to ward off feelings of isolations； guilt； anxiety； and purposelessness — in short； they combat isolation and the breakdown of social standards and values。
26。In the eyes of the author； the greatest trouble with the US society may lie in
＇A＇ the nonexistence of consensus on the forms of the society should take。
＇B＇ the lack of divergence over the common organizations of social life。
＇C＇ the nonacceptance of a society based on individual diversity。
＇D＇ the pervasive distress caused by national morale decline。
27。The asocial personality of Americans may stem from
＇A＇ the absence of a common religion and ancestry。
＇B＇ the multiracial constituents of the US society。
＇C＇ the want of a shared myths they possess in life。
＇D＇ the counterbalance to narcissistic personality。
28。Homer’s epics is mentioned in Paragraph 1 in order to
＇A＇ exemplify the contributions made by ancient poets。
＇B＇ illustrate the role of shared fantasies about society。
＇C＇ show an ideal stage of eternal social progress。
＇D＇ make known myths of what a society ought to be。
29。The author concludes that only shared myths can help Americans
＇A＇ to bring about the uniformity of their culture。
＇B＇ to regain their consensus about a common experience。
＇C＇ to stay away from negative feelings in their life。
＇D＇ to counteract the effects of consensus about society。
30。It can be inferred from Paragraph 2 that Christopher Lash is most probably
＇A＇ a reform advocate。＇B＇ a senior psychologist。
＇C＇ a reputed poet。＇D＇ a social historian。
Text 3
The early retirement of experienced workers is seriously harming the U。S。 economy； according to a new report from the Hudson Institute； a public policy research organization。 Currently； many older experienced workers retire at an early age。 According to the recently issued statistics； 79 percent of qualified workers begin collecting retirement benefits at age 62； if that trend continues； there will be a labor shortage that will hinder the economic growth in the twenty…first century。
Older Americans constitute an increasing proportion of the population； according to the U。 S。 Census Bureau； and the population of those over age 65 will grow by 60％ between 2001 and 2020。 During the same period； the group aged 18 to 44 will increase by only 4％。 Keeping older skilled workers employed； even part time； would increase U。S。 economic output and strengthen the tax base； but without significant policy reforms； massive early retirement among baby boomers seems more likely。
Retirement at age 62 is an economically rational decision today。 Social Security and Medicaid earnings limits and tax penalties subject our most experienced workers to marginal tax rates as high as 67％。 Social Security formulas encourage early retirement。 Although incomes usually rise with additional years of work； any pay increases after the 35…year mark result in higher social Security taxes but only small increases in benefits。
Hudson Institute researchers believe that federal tax and benefit policies are at fault and reforms are urgently needed； but they disagree with the popular proposal that much older Americans will have to work because Social Security will not support them and that baby boomers are not saving enough for retirement。 According to the increase in 401 （k） and Keogh retirement plans； the ongoing stock market on Wall Street； and the likelihood of large inheritances； there is evidence that baby boomers will reach age 65 with greater financial assets than previous generations。
The Hudson institute advocates reforming government policies that now discourage work and savings； especially for older worker。 Among the report’s recommendations： Tax half of all Social Security benefits； regardless of other income； provide 8％ larger benefits for each year beyond 65； and permit workers nearing retirement to negotiate compensation packages that m