同等學力英語閱讀及翻譯專項練習 5

Nowadays, we hear a lot about the growing threat of globalization, accompanied by those warnings that the rich pattern of local life is being undermined, and many dialects and traditions are becoming extinct. But stop and think for a moment about the many positive aspects that globalization is bringing. Read on and you are bound to feel comforted, ready to face the global future, which is surely inevitable now.

Consider the Internet, that prime example of our shrinking world. Leaving aside the all-to-familiar worries about pornography and political extremism, even the most narrow-minded must admit that the net offers immeasurable benefits, not just in terms of education, the sector for which it was originally designed, but more importantly on a global level, the spread of news and comment. It will be increasingly difficult for politicians to maintain their regimes of misinformation, as the oppressed will not only find support and comfort, but also be able to organize themselves more effectively.

MTV is another global provider that is often criticized for imposing popular culture on the unsuspecting millions around the world. Yet the viewers' judgment on MTV is undoubtedly positive; it is regarded as indispensable by most of the global teenage generation who watch it, a vital part of growing up. And in the final analysis, what harm can a few songs and videos cause?

Is the world dominance of brands like Nike and Coca-Cola so bad for us when all is said and done? Sportswear and soft drinks are harmless products when compared to the many other things that have been globally available for a longer period of time—heroin and cocaine, for example. In any case, just because Nike shoes and Coke cans are for sale, it doesn't mean you have to buy them—even globalization cannot deprive the individual of his free will.

Critics of globalization can stop issuing their doom and gloom statements. Life goes on, and has more to offer for many citizens of the world than it did for their parents' generation.

1. Some people feel sad about globalization because they believe it will ______.

A. bring threat to the world peace

B. impact the diversified local life

C. disrupt their present easy lifestyle

D. increase the size of people speaking dialects

2. Internet was originally designed ______.

A. to promote education B. to distribute news and comment

C. to relieve people of worries D. to publicize political beliefs

3. What is the writer's attitude towards globalization?

A. Suspicious. B. Positive. C. Indifferent. D. Contemptuous.

4. It is implied in the passage that Nike and Coca-cola ______.

A. should not become dominant brands B. have been ignored by many people

C. cannot be compared with drugs D. shouldn't have caused so much concern

5. Which of the following could be the best title of the passage?

A. Globalization Is Standardization B. Globalization: Like It or Lump It

C. Globalization: Don't Worry, Be Happy D. Globalization Brings Equality

如今，我們聽到了不少有關全球化的威脅在不斷增長的說法，還聽到了這樣的警告：豐富多彩的地方生活方式正在遭到破壞，許多方言和傳統正在消亡。但是，靜下心來，考慮一下全球化帶來的許多有利之處。繼續思考下去，你肯定會覺得有所慰藉，樂于面對全球化的未來——現在看來，這種未來不可避免。

想一想因特網這個使我們這個世界變小的絕好例子。不用考慮人們對色情文學和政治極端化的普遍擔憂，就連最目光短淺的人都肯定承認：因特網給我們帶來了不可估量的利益，不只是在教育方面——因特網最初就是為教育設計的，更重要的是全球范圍內信息和觀念的傳播。對于政治家來說，要想維持他們誤傳的政權將會越來越困難，因為被壓迫者將不僅得到支持與安慰，而且能夠更有效地組織自己。

音樂電視是另一個全球性的傳播物——因為在全世界數以百萬計沒有疑心的人中強行推廣流行文化而經常受到批評。不過，毫無疑問，觀眾對音樂電視的看法還是肯定的；全世界看過音樂電視的大多數青少年——正在成長的主要群體——都認為音樂電視絕對必要。總而言之，幾首歌和幾部錄像能夠造成怎樣的損害？

在該說的都說了、該采取的行動也采取了時，像耐克和可口可樂這樣的世界主導品牌就會對我們有害嗎？同許多其他更長時期內在全世界都可得到的產品相比——比如海洛因和可卡因，運動裝和不含酒精的飲料沒有害處。無論如何，正是因為耐克運動鞋和可樂易拉罐在待銷，所以并不意味著你非得購買它們不可——即使是全球化也不可能剝奪人們的自由意愿。

全球化的批評者可以停止發表他們的悲觀言論了。生活會繼續，生活將給予世界上許多人的樂趣比給予這些人的父輩的樂趣多。

參考答案 ： 1 ． B 2 ． A 3 ． B 4 ． D 5 ． C