广东学士学位英语试题练习(五）
Passage Three
With the possible exception of equal rights, perhaps the most controversial issue across the United States today is the deathpenalty. Many argue that it is an effective way to stop murder, while others maintain that there is no convincing evidence that death penalty reduces the number of murder.
The main argument by those opposed to the death penalty, basically, is that it is a cruel and inhuman punishment that is the mark of a brutal society, and finally it is questionable whether it is effective to reduce crime any way.
The value of the death penalty as a way to reduce crime may be open to debate. But the overwhelming majority of citizens believe that the death penalty protects them.Their belief is reinforced by evidence which shows that death-penalty reduces murder. For example, from 1954 to 1963, when the death penalty was consistently imposed in California, the murder rate remined between three and four murders for each 100, 000 population. Since 1964 the death penalty has been imposed only once, and the murder rate has risen to 10.4 murders for each 100.000 population. This sharp increase in the state"s murder rate, which began when execations stopped is no coincidence. It is convincing evidence that the death penalty does stop many murderers. If the bill reestablishing the death penalty is vetoed, innocent people will be murdered- some whose lives may have been saved if the death penalty were in effect.This is literally a life or death matter. The lives of thousands of innocent people must be protected.
26.“Penalty" means__.
A.reward B. punishment C. management D. control
27.Which of the following is NOT an argument by those opposed to death penalty?
A. Death penalty is a cruel punishment
B. Death penalty is an inhuman punishment
C. Death penalty is an effective way to reduce crime
D. Death penalty is a mark of a brutal society
28.The marjority of citizens believe that the death penalty is_.
A. inhuman to all the people
B.cruel to murders
C. a brutal way of punishment
D. effective to stop murder
29. The murder rates from 1954 to 1963 and since 196 in California are used to show that
death penalty
A. is effective to reduce murder
B. is ineffective to reduce murder
C. does not influence murder rate
D. fails to protect innocent people
30. The author of this passage is _to the reestablishing of death penalty.
A. Negat.
B. neutral
C. positive
D. Suspicious
