English improvement of IT Test（2017）

Section I Use of English

        Could a hug a day keep the doctor away? The answer may be resounding "yes!" Besides helping you feel close and connected to the people you care about, it turns out that hugs can bring a host of health benefits to your body and mind. Believe it or not, a warm embrace might even help you avoid getting sick this winter.

        In a recent study involving over 400 healthy adults, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania examined the effects of perceived social support and the receipt of hugs on the participants' susceptibility to developing the common cold after being exposed to the virus. People who perceived greater social support were less likely to come down with a cold, and the researchers calculated that the stress-reducing effects of hugging explained about 32 percent of that beneficial effect, Even among those who got a cold, the ones who felt greater social support and received more frequent hugs had less severe symptoms.

        "Hugging protects people who are under stress from the increased risk for colds that's usually associated with stress," notes Sheldon Cohen, a professor of psychology at Carnegie. Hugging "is a marker of intimacy and helps generate the feeling that others are there to help in the face of difficulty."

        Some experts attribute the stress-reducing, health-related benefits of hugging to the release of oxytocin, often called "the bonding hormone" because it promotes attachment in relationships, including that between mothers and their newborn babies. Oxyticin us made primarily in the central lower part of the brain, and some of it is released into the bloodstream. But some of it remains in the brain, where it influence mood, behavior and physiology.

Section II        Reading Comprehension

Part A

Text 1

        First two hours, now three hours——this is how far in advance authorities are recommending【v. 建议，劝告 ；推荐，介绍；使显得吸引人，使受欢迎；<古> 把……交托给，把……托付给】 people show up to catch a domestic【adj. 国内的，本国的；家用的，家庭的；n. 家庭纠纷，家庭矛盾；佣人，家仆；国货，本地产品】 flight, at least at some major U.S. airports with increasingly massive 【adj. 大而重的，结实的；非常严重的；大量的，大规模的】security lines.

        Americans are willing to tolerate time-consuming security protocols in return for increased safety. The crash of EgyptAir Fright 804, which terrorists may have downed over the Mediterranean Sea, provides another tragic reminder of why. But demanding too much of air travelers or providing too little security in return undermines【v. 逐渐削弱（损害）；故意破坏（某人）的形象（或威信）；在……下面挖，（尤指）从根基处损坏】 public support for the process. And it should: Wasted time is a drag on Americans' economic and private lives, not to mention infuriating【adj. 令人恼火的】.

        Last year, the Transportation Security Administration(TSA) found in a secret check that undercover investigators were able to sneak weapons——both fake and real——past airport security nearly every time they tried. Enhanced security measures since then, combined with a rise in airline travel due to the improving economy and low oil prices, have resulted in long waits at major airports such as Chicago's O'Hare Internetional. It is not yet clear how much more effective airline security has become——but the lines are obvious.

        Part of the issue is that the government did not anticipate the steep increase in airline travel, so the TSA is now rushing to get new screeners【n. 掩护队员；分级机，筛选器；筛分工；过滤网】 on the lines. Part of the issue is that airports have only so much room for screening lanes【n. （乡间）小路；（用于路名）道，路；车道；（比赛的）跑道，泳道；航道，航线；】. Another factor may be that more people are trying to overpack their carry-on bags to avoid checked-baggage fees, though the airlines strongly dispute【v. 对……提出质疑，否认；争论，辩论；争夺，竞争；<旧>阻止（着陆），抵抗（进攻）】 this.

        There is one step the TSA could take that would not require remodeling【n. 重塑；重构（remodel 进行式）；改建】 airports or rushing to hire: Enroll【vt. 登记；使加入；把……记入名册；使入伍】 more people in the PreCkeck program. PreCheck is supposed to be a win-win for travelers and the TSA. Passengers who pass a background check are eligible to use expedited 【v. 加快，促进；迅速执行；】screening lanes. This allows the TSA to focus on travelers who are higher risk, saving time for everyone involved. TSA wants to enroll 25 million people in PreCheck.

        It has not gotten anywhere close to that, and one big reason is sticker shock: Passengers must pay $85 every five years to process their background checks. Since the beginning, this price tag has been PreCheck's fatal【adj. 致命的；导致失败的，灾难性的】 flaw【n. 缺点，缺陷；裂痕，瑕疵】. Upcoming reforms might bring the price to a more reasonable level. But Congress should look into doing so directly, by helping to finance PreCheck enrollment or to cut costs in other ways.

        The TSA cannot continue diverting resources into underused PreCheck lanes while most of the traveling public suffers in unnecessary lines. It is long past time to make the program work.

21. The crash of EgyptAir Flight 804 is mentioned to ?

[A] explain Americans' tolerance of current security checks.

[B] stress the urgency to strengthen security worldwide.

[C] highlight the necessity of upgrading major U.S. airports.

[D] emphasize the importance of privacy protection.

22. Which of the following contributes to long waits at major airports?

[A] New restrictions on carry-on bags.

[B] The declining efficiency of the TSA.

[C] An increase in the number of travellers.

[D] Frequent unexpected secret checks.

23. The world "expedited"(Para. 5) is closest in meaning to ?

[A] quieter.

[B] cheaper.

[C] wider.

[D] faster.

24. One problem with the PreCheck program is ?

[A] a dramatic reduction of its scale.

[B] its wrongly-directed implementation.

[C] the government's reluctance to back it.

[D] an unreasonable price of enrollment.

25. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

[A] Less Screening for More Safety.

[B] PreCheck——a Belated Solution.

[C] Getting Stuck in Security Lines.

[D] Underused PreCheck Lanes.

翻译：

        前两个小时，现在是三个小时——当局建议人们提前三个小时赶国内航班，至少在一些安检队伍越来越大的美国主要机场是这样。

        美国人愿意忍受耗时的安全协议，以换取更高的安全性。恐怖分子可能在地中海上空击落的埃及航空公司804航班再次提供了一个悲惨的提醒。但对航空旅客要求过高或提供的安全保障太少，反过来会削弱公众对这一过程的支持。应该如此:浪费时间会拖累美国人的经济和私人生活，更不用说让人生气了。

        去年，美国运输安全管理局(TSA)在一次秘密检查中发现，卧底调查人员几乎每次试图通过机场安检时都能偷偷携带真假武器。从那时起加强了安全措施，再加上经济改善和低油价带来的航空旅行增加，导致在芝加哥奥黑尔国际机场等主要机场等待时间很长。目前还不清楚航空公司的安全措施提高了多少，但排队的人是显而易见的。

        去年，美国运输安全管理局(TSA)在一次秘密检查中发现，卧底调查人员几乎每次试图通过机场安检时都能偷偷携带真假武器。从那时起加强了安全措施，再加上经济改善和低油价带来的航空旅行增加，导致在芝加哥奥黑尔国际机场等主要机场等待时间很长。目前还不清楚航空公司的安全措施提高了多少，但排队的人是显而易见的。

        部分原因是政府没有预料到航空旅行的急剧增加，所以TSA现在正急于在线路上安装新的安检设备。部分原因是机场的安检空间有限。另一个因素可能是，越来越多的人试图把随身行李打包得过多，以避免托运费，尽管航空公司强烈反对这一点。

        美国运输安全管理局可以采取一个步骤，而不需要重建机场或匆忙雇佣:让更多的人加入先验计划。先验应该是旅客和运输安全管理局的双赢。通过背景调查的乘客有资格使用快速安检通道。这样TSA就可以把重点放在风险较高的旅客身上，为每个人节省时间。运输安全管理局希望让2500万人加入先验计划。

        但该公司还远远没有做到这一点，其中一个重要原因是价码过高:乘客必须每五年支付85美元来进行背景调查。从一开始，这个价格标签就是先验的致命缺陷。即将到来的改革可能会使价格降到一个更合理的水平。但国会应该通过资助先验注册或通过其他方式削减成本，直接研究这样做。

        运输安全管理局不能继续把资源转移到未充分利用的先验通道上，而让大多数旅客忍受不必要的排队。花了很长时间才使这个程序发挥作用。

Text 2

        "The ancient Hawaiians were astronomers," wrote Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii's last reigning【adj. 统治的；在位的；本届的；起支配作用的】 monarch【n. 君主，女王；黑脉金斑蝶；王鹟】, in 1897, Star watchers were among the most esteemed【adj. 受人尊敬的；v. 尊敬；认为】 members of Hawaiian society. Sadly, all is not well with astronomy in Hawaii today. Protests【v. 抗议；反对；n. 抗议】 have erupted【v. 爆发；长出】 over construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope(TMT), a giant observatory【n. 天文台，气象台；视野开阔的位置】 that promises to revolutionize【v. 发动革命，推翻原有政府；从事革命；彻底改革，彻底改变；灌输革命信念】 humanity's view of the cosmos【n. 宇宙；完整和谐的一统体系；秋英属植物】.

        At issue is the TMT's planned location on Mauna Kea, a dormant【adj. 休眠的；静止的；睡眠状态的；隐匿的】 volcano worshiped【v. 敬奉（神）；爱慕，崇拜;n. 敬神，拜神；崇拜，爱慕；】 by some Hawaiians as the piko[脐带], that  connects the Hawaiian Islands to the heavens. But Mauna Kea is also home to some of the world's most powerful telescopes. Rested in the Pacific Ocean, Mauna Kea's peak rises above the bulk【n. 主体，大部分；庞大的身躯，肥硕的体形；adj. 大批的，大宗的；v. 使（产品）数量显得很大；结合】 of our planet's dense atmosphere, where conditions allow telescopes to obtain images of unsurpassed【adj. 非常卓越的；未被超越的】 charity.

        Opposition to telescopes on Mauna Kea is nothing new. A small but vocal【adj. 嗓音的，发声的，歌唱的；直言不讳的，大声表达的】 group of Hawaiians and environmentalists have long viewed their presence【n. 出席，存在；】 as disrespect for sacred【adj. 神的，神圣的；宗教的，宗教性的；受尊重的，受崇敬的；不可侵犯的，不容干涉的】 land and a painful reminder of the occupation of what was once a sovereign nation【主权国家】.

        Some blame for the current controversy belongs to astronomers. In their eagerness to build bigger telescopes, they forgot that science is not the only way of understanding the world. They did not always prioritize【v. 按优先顺序列出，确定（任务）优先顺序；优先处理，优先考虑】 the protection of Mauna Kea's fragile ecosystems or its holiness to the islands' inhabitants. Hawaiian culture is not a relic【n. 遗物，遗迹，遗风；圣物，圣骨；（事物存在或发生的）证据，痕记；残留物，废墟】 of the past; it is a living culture undergoing a renaissance【n. 复兴，再生；文艺复兴】 today.

        Yet science has a cultural history, too, with roots going back to the dawn of civilization. The same curiosity to find what lies beyond the horizon that first brought early Polynesians to Hawaii's shores inspires astronomers today to explore the heavens. Calls to disassemble【v. 拆开；反汇编；分散】 all telescopes on Mauna Kea or to ban future development there ignore the reality that astronomy and Hawaiian culture both seek to answer big questions about who we are, where we come from and where we are going. Perhaps that is why we explore the starry【adj. 布满星星的；闪闪发光的，明亮的；像星星的，星状的；明星的，有关于明星的，明星特点的】 skies, as if answering a primal【adj. 原始的；主要的；最初的；n. 被压抑童年情绪的释放；vt. 释放】 calling to know ourselves and our true ancestral homes.

        The astronomy community is making compromises to change its use of Mauna Kea. The TMT site was chosen to minimize the telescope's visibility around the island and to avoid archaeological【adj. [古] 考古学的；[古] 考古学上的】 and environmental impact. To limit the number of telescopes on Mauna Kea, old ones will be removed at the end of their lifetimes and their sites returned to a natural state. There is no reason why everyone cannot be welcomed on Mauna Kea to embrace their cultural heritage【n. 遗产，传统，世袭财产】 and to study the stars.

26. Queen Liliuokalani's remark in Paragraph 1 indicates ?

[A] her conservative view on the historical rote of astronomy.

[B] the importance of astronomy in ancient Hawaiian society.

[C] the regrettable decline of astronomy in ancient times.

[D] her appreciation of star watchers' feats in her time.

27. Mauna Kea is deemed as an ideal astronomical site due to?

[A] its geographical features.

[B] its protective surroundings.

[C] its religious implications.

[D] its existing infrastructure.

28. The construction of the TMT is opposed by some locals partly because ?

[A] it may risk ruining their intellectual life.

[B] it reminds them of a humiliating history.

[C] their culture will lose a chance of revival.

[D] they fear losing control of Mauna Kea.

29. It can be inferred from Paragraph 5 that progress in today's astronomy ?

[A] is fulfilling the dreams of ancient Hawaiians.

[B] helps spread Hawaiian culture across the world.

[C] may uncover the origin of Hawaiian culture.

[D] will eventually soften Hawaiians' hostility.

30. The author's attitude toward choosing Mauna Kea as the TMT site is one of ?

[A] severe criticism.

[B] passive acceptance.

[C] slight hesitancy.

[D] full approval.

翻译：

        “古代夏威夷人是天文学家，”夏威夷最后一位在位君主利留卡拉尼女王在1897年写道，星观者是夏威夷社会中最受尊敬的成员之一。遗憾的是，今天夏威夷的天文学并不是很好。30米望远镜(TMT)的建设引发了抗议，这是一个承诺改变人类宇宙观的巨大天文台。

        争论的焦点是TMT计划在莫纳克亚火山上的位置。莫纳克亚火山是一座休眠火山，被一些夏威夷人尊称为皮克火山，它连接着夏威夷群岛和天堂。但莫纳克亚山也是一些世界上最强大的望远镜的所在地。莫纳克亚山坐落在太平洋上，它的峰顶高出地球上大部分稠密的大气层，在那里的条件允许望远镜获得无与伦比的慈善图像。

        反对在莫纳克亚山上建造望远镜并不是什么新鲜事。长期以来，一小群夏威夷人和环保人士一直认为，他们的存在是对神圣土地的不尊重，是对曾经的主权国家被占领的痛苦提醒。

        一些人将目前的争议归咎于天文学家。他们急于建造更大的望远镜，却忘记了科学并不是理解世界的唯一途径。他们并不总是优先考虑保护莫纳克亚山脆弱的生态系统或对岛屿居民的神圣性。夏威夷文化不是过去的遗迹;这是一种正在经历文艺复兴的鲜活文化。

        一些人将目前的争议归咎于天文学家。他们急于建造更大的望远镜，却忘记了科学并不是理解世界的唯一途径。他们并不总是优先考虑保护莫纳克亚山脆弱的生态系统或对岛屿居民的神圣性。夏威夷文化不是过去的遗迹;这是一种正在经历文艺复兴的鲜活文化。

        然而，科学也有一段文化史，其根源可以追溯到文明的开端。最初将早期波利尼西亚人带到夏威夷海岸的好奇心，也激励着今天的天文学家探索天空。要求拆除莫纳克亚山上所有望远镜或禁止在那里进行未来开发的呼声忽视了这样一个现实，即天文学和夏威夷文化都在寻求回答我们是谁、我们从哪里来、我们要去哪里等重大问题。也许这就是我们探索星空的原因，仿佛是在回应一种原始的召唤，去了解我们自己和我们真正的祖先家园。

        天文学界正在做出妥协，改变对莫纳克亚山的使用。选择TMT场地是为了尽量减少望远镜在岛上的可见性，并避免对考古和环境的影响。为了限制莫纳克亚山上的望远镜数量，老望远镜在寿命结束时将被移除，它们的位置将恢复到自然状态。没有理由不欢迎每个人来到莫纳克亚山，拥抱他们的文化遗产，研究星星。

Text 3

        Robert F. Kennedy once said that a country's GDP measures "everything except that which makes life worthwhile【adj. 重要的，有益的，值得做的】". With Britain voting to leave the European Union, and GDP already predicted to show as a result, it is now a timely moment to assess what he was referring to.

        The question of GDP and its usefulness has annoyed policymakers for over half a century. Many argue that it is a flawed【adj. 有缺陷的；有瑕疵的；有裂纹的】 concept. It measures things that do not matter and misses things that do. By most recent measures, the UK's GDP has been the envy of the Western world, with record low unemployment and high growth figures. If everything was going so well, then why did over 17 million people vote for Brexit【n. 英国脱欧】, despite the warnings about what it could do to their country's economic prospects?

        A recent annual【adj. 一年一度的；年度的；】 study of countries and their ability to convert growth into well-being sheds【n. 棚屋；[建]棚式建筑物】 some light on that question. Across the 163 countries measured, the UK is one of the poorest performers in ensuring that economic growth is translated into meaningful improvements for its citizens. Rather than just focusing on GDP, over 40 different sets of criteria【n. 标准，条件】 from health, education and civil society engagement【n. 婚约，订婚；约会，约定；交战，战斗；演出任务；聘用，雇用；参加，从事；(与……的)密切关系，(对……的)了解；啮合；（与……的）密切关系，（对……的）了解】 have been measured to get a more rounded assessment of how countries are performing.

        While all of these countries face their own challenges, there are a number of consistent【adj. 始终如一的，一贯的；持续的，连续的；固守的，坚持的；一致的，吻合的】 themes. Yes, there has been a budding【adj. 萌芽的；发育期的 n. 发芽】 economic recovery since the 2008 global crash, but in key indicators【n. 标志，迹象；方向灯，转向指示灯；指示器，显示器；指示剂；指示（物）种】 in areas such as health and education, major economies have continued to decline. Yet this isn't the case with all countries. Some relatively poor European countries have seen huge improvements across measures including civil society, income equality and environment.

        This is a lesson that rich countries can learn: When GDP is no longer regarded as the sole【adj. 唯一的，仅有的；专用的，独享的；（尤指女性）未婚的；单独的，没人陪伴的】 measure of a country's success, the world looks very different.

        So what Kennedy was referring to was that while GDP has been the most common method for measuring the economic activity of nations, as a measure,it is no longer enough. It does not include important factors such as environmental quality or education outcomes——all things that contribute to a person's sense of well-being.

        The sharp hit to growth predicted around the world and in the UK could lead to a decline in the everyday services we depend on for our well-being and for growth. But policymakers who refocus efforts on improving well-being rather than simply worrying about GDP figures could avoid the forecasted doom【n. 厄运，劫数；悲观，沮丧】 and may even see progress.

31. Robert F. Kennedy is cited because he ?

[A] praised the UK for its GDP.

[B] identified GDP with happiness.

[C] misinterpreted the role of GDP.

[D] had a low opinion of GDP.

32. It can be inferred from Paragraph 2 that ?

[A] the UK is relutant to remold its economic pattern.

[B] the UK will contribute less to the world economy.

[C] GDP as the measure of success is widely defied in the UK.

[D] policymakers in the UK are paying less attention to GDP.

33. Which of the following is true about the recent annual study?

[A] It excludes GDP as an indicator.

[B] It is sponsored by 163 countries.

[C] Its criteria are questionable.

[D] Its results are enligntening.

34. In the last two paragraphs, the author suggests that ?

[A] the UK is preparing for an economic boom.

[B] high GDP foreshadows an economic decline.

[C] it is essential to consider factors beyond GDP.

[D] it requires caution to handle economic issues.

35. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

[A] High GDP But Inadequate Well-being, a UK Lesson.

[B] GDP Figures, a Window on Global Economic Health.

[C] Robert F. Kennedy, a Terminator of GDP.

[D] Brexit, the UK's Gateway to Well-being.

翻译：

        罗伯特•f•肯尼迪(Robert F. Kennedy)曾经说过，一个国家的GDP衡量的是“除了让生命有价值的东西以外的一切”。随着英国投票脱离欧盟，国内生产总值(GDP)预计将显示其结果，现在是评估他所说的一切的及时时机。

        GDP及其有用性的问题已经困扰了决策者半个多世纪。许多人认为这是一个有缺陷的概念。它衡量的是无关紧要的事情，而忽略了重要的事情。根据最近的衡量标准，英国的GDP一直是西方世界羡慕的对象，失业率创历史新低，经济增长率创历史新高。如果一切都那么顺利，那么为什么1700多万人不顾英国脱欧可能对本国经济前景造成的警告，投票支持英国退欧呢?

        最近一项关于各国及其将增长转化为福祉的能力的年度研究为这个问题提供了一些线索。在衡量的163个国家中，在确保经济增长转化为对公民有意义的改善方面，英国是表现最差的国家之一。为了对各国的表现进行更全面的评估，研究人员从健康、教育和公民社会参与等方面衡量了40多个不同的标准，而不仅仅是关注GDP。

        尽管所有这些国家都面临着各自的挑战，但仍有一些一致的主题。没错，自2008年全球金融危机以来，经济出现了初步复苏，但在卫生和教育等领域的关键指标方面，主要经济体仍在继续下滑。然而，并非所有国家都是如此。一些相对贫穷的欧洲国家在公民社会、收入平等和环境等方面取得了巨大进步。

        这是富裕国家可以吸取的教训:当GDP不再被视为衡量一个国家成功的唯一标准时，世界看起来就会大不相同。

        肯尼迪所指的是，虽然GDP一直是衡量国家经济活动最常用的方法，但作为一种衡量方法，它已经不够了。它不包括重要的因素，如环境质量或教育成果，所有这些都有助于一个人的幸福感。

        肯尼迪所指的是，虽然GDP一直是衡量国家经济活动最常用的方法，但作为一种衡量方法，它已经不够了。它不包括重要的因素，如环境质量或教育成果，所有这些都有助于一个人的幸福感。

        预计全球和英国的经济增长将遭受重创，这可能导致我们赖以维持福祉和经济增长的日常服务下降。但是，如果政策制定者重新把精力集中在改善福祉上，而不是仅仅担心GDP数据，就可以避免预期的厄运，甚至可能看到进展。

Text 4

        In a rare unanimous【adj. （投票、决定、协议等）全体同意的，无异议的；（所有人）一致同意的，意见一致的】 ruling, the US Supreme Court has overturned the corruption conviction【n. 定罪，判罪；坚定的信仰，深信的观点；确信，深信】 of a former Virginia governor, Robert McDonnell. But it did so while holding its nose at the ethics【n. 行为准则，道德原则；伦理学，道德学】 of his conduct, which included accepting gifts such as a Rolex watch and a Ferrari Automobile from a company seeking access to government.

        The high court's decision said the judge in Mr. McDonnell's trail【n. 痕迹，踪迹】 failed to tell a jury【n. 陪审团；（竞赛的）裁判委员会】 that it must look only at his "official acts", or the former governor's decisions on "specific" and "unsettled" issues related to his duties.

        Merely【仅仅】 helping a gift-giver gain access to other officials, unless done with clear intent to pressure those officials, is not corruption, the justices found.

        The court did suggest that accepting favors in return for opening doors is "distastful" and "nasty". But under anti-bribery【n. 贿赂，受贿】 laws, proof must be made of concrete benefits, such as approval of a contract or regulation. Simply arranging a meeting, making a phone call, or hosting an event is not an "official act".

        The court's ruling is legally sound in defining a kind of favoritism【n. 偏袒；得宠】 that is not criminal. Elected leaders must be allowed to help supporters deal with bereaucratic problems without fear of prosecution【n. 起诉，诉讼；原告，控方；从事，进行】 of bribery. "The basic compact【adj. 小型的，袖珍的；紧凑的；紧密的，坚实的；矮小而健壮的；简洁的，简练的；n. 带镜小粉盒；合约，协定；小型汽车；袖珍物；坯块】 underlying【v. 位于…的下面；构成…的基础】 representative government," wrote Chief Justice John Roberts for the court, "assumes that public officials will hear from their constituents【n. 选民；成分，构成要素；委托人；adj. 组成的，构成的；选举的，有任命（或选举）权的；立宪的，有宪法制定（或修改）权的】 and act on their concerns."

        But the ruling reinforces【v. 加强，强化】 the need for citizens and their elected representatives, not the courts, to ensure equality of access to government. Officials must not be allowed to play favorites in providing information or in arranging meeting simply because an individual or group provides a campaign donation or a personal gift. This type of integrity【n. 正直，诚实；完整，完全；职业操守；（电子数据的）集成度】 requires well-enforced laws in government transparency, such as records of official meetings, rules on lobbying【adj. 游说】, and information about each elected leader's source of wealth.

        Favoritism in official access can fan public perceptions【n. 认知；观念（perception 的复数）；理解】 of corruption. But it is not always corruption. Rather officials must avoid double standards, or different types of access for average people and the weathy. If connections can be bought, a basic premise【n. 前提，假设；】 of democratic society——that all are equal in treatment by government——is undermined【v. 暗地里破坏；挖……的下面】. Good government rests on an understanding of the inherent【adj. 内在的，固有的；<法律>（权利，特权）固定属于（某人）的；（形容词）作定语和表语时意义相同的】 worth of each individual.

        The court's ruling is a step forward in the struggle against both corruption and official favoritism.

36. The underlined sentence(Para. 1) most probably shows that the court ?

[A] avoided defining the extent of McDonnell's duties.

[B] made no compromise in convicting McDonnell.

[C] was contemptuous of McDonnell's conduct.

[D] refused to comment on McDonnell's ethics.

37. Accorting to Paragraph 4, an official act is deemed corruptive only if it involves ？

[A] concrete returns for gift-givers.

[B] sizable gains in the form of gifts.

[C] leaking secrets intentionally.

[D] breaking contracts officially.

38. The court's ruling is issued on the assumption that public official are ?

[A] allowed to focus on the concerns of their supporters.

[B] qualified to deal independently with bureaucratic issues.

[C] justifid in addressing the needs of their constituents.

[D] exempt from conviction on the charge of favoritism.

39. Well-enforced laws in government transparency are needed to ?

[A] awaken the conscience of officials.

[B] guarantee fair play in official access.

[C] allow for certain kinds of lobbying.

[D] inspire hopes in average people.

40. The author's attitude towards the court's ruling is ?

[A] sarcastic【adj. 讽刺的，嘲笑的，挖苦的】.

[B] tolerant.

[C] skeptical.

[D] supportive.

翻译：

        美国最高法院罕见地一致裁定，推翻了对前弗吉尼亚州州长罗伯特·麦克唐奈(Robert McDonnell)的腐败指控。但它在这么做的同时，却对他的行为道德嗤之以鼻，他的行为包括从一家寻求与政府接触的公司接受劳力士(Rolex)手表和法拉利汽车(Ferrari Automobile)等礼物。

        高等法院的裁决说，审理麦克唐奈案件的法官没有告诉陪审团，必须只审查他的“官方行为”，或者前州长在与他职责有关的“具体”和“未解决”问题上的决定。

        法官们发现，仅仅帮助送礼者接触其他官员，除非有明确的意图向这些官员施压，否则不是腐败。

        法院确实表示，接受人情作为开门的回报是“令人厌恶的”和“下流的”。但根据反贿赂法，必须证明有具体利益，比如批准合同或监管。简单地安排一个会议，打一个电话，或者主持一个活动都不是“官方行为”。

        法院的裁决在法律上是合理的，它定义了一种偏袒而不是犯罪。选举出来的领导人必须被允许帮助支持者处理官僚问题，而不必担心被起诉受贿。“代议制政府的基本契约，”首席大法官约翰·罗伯茨(John Roberts)代表最高法院写道，“假定公职人员将听取选民的意见，并就他们的关切采取行动。”

        但这项裁决强化了公民和他们选出的代表，而不是法院，确保平等接触政府的必要性。不能仅仅因为个人或团体提供了竞选捐款或个人礼物，就允许官员在提供信息或安排会面时偏心。这种类型的诚信需要在政府透明度方面执行良好的法律，比如官方会议记录、游说规则以及每位当选领导人的财富来源信息。

        对官员的偏袒会加深公众对腐败的看法。但并不总是腐败。相反，官员必须避免双重标准，或为普通人和富人提供不同的途径。如果关系可以用钱买到，民主社会的一个基本前提——政府平等对待所有人——就会遭到破坏。好的政府建立在对每个人内在价值的理解之上。

        最高法院的裁决在打击腐败和官员徇私的斗争中向前迈进了一步。