Question

The USA is a land of immigrants. Between 1815 and 1914, the world witnessed the greatest peaceful migration in its history: 35 million people, mostly Europeans, left their homelands to start new lives in America. Why did these people risk everything by leaving their homes and families?

First, what forced emigrants to make the decision to leave? One major cause for European farmers to leave was the rise in population which in turn led to land hunger. Another was politics. There was an increased taxation（稅收） and the growth of armies, and many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid being forced to join the army.

Physical hunger provided another pressing reason. Following the collapse （衰退）of the economy of southern Italy in the 1860s, hundreds of thousands decided to start a new life in America. Religion also encouraged millions to leave the Old World.

In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. As a result, by 1890 among a total population of 63 million, there were more than nine million foreign-born Americans.

But what were the attractions? First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace.

This immigration meant that by around the 1850s Americans of non-English had started to be more than those of English. As we know, there were losers. To start with, there were those unwilling immigrants, the slaves who had been used as a source of cheap labour. Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians. By 1860 there were 27 million free whites, four million slaves and a mere 488,000 free blacks.

Nowadays, the USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. As always, it remains an attractive place to those who think it will offer them a second chance.

1.What is not the cause for people to leave their homeland?

A. The search for religious freedom.

B. The search for adventure.

C. Unwillingness to join the army.

D. Economics.

2.Why was life of the 19th Century European farmers difficult?

A. There was no land.

B. There was no peace.

C. The population had gone down.

D. There were too many of them.

3. Which of the following was not an attraction of the USA?

A. Employment                                                               B. A healthy life

C. freedom of religion                                          D. Business opportunities

4.What is the topic of this passage?

A. The USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land.

B. The USA is a land of immigrants.

C. Religion encouraged millions to leave the Old World.

D. About one-eighth of non-native born Americans live in the USA in 1890.

5. The American Indians __________.

A. were as fortunate as the slaves    

B. were more unfortunate than the slaves

C. were the most unfortunate  

D. were as unfortunate as the slaves

 

Answer 1

【答案】

 

1.B

2.D

3.B

4.B

5.D

【解析】

試題分析： 本文敘述了在 1815 和 1914之間,美國成了移民最好的去處，由于政治，經(jīng)濟、宗教信仰等的原因，歐洲的一些人開始向美國遷移，因為在這里人們有更多的就業(yè)機會、有商機有宗教自由，現(xiàn)在美國仍然是許多人的想去的樂土。

1.細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid being forced to join the army.

In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. 他們由于社會經(jīng)濟，宗教自由，不愿入伍等原因離開了自己的家鄉(xiāng)，不是為了冒險，故選B。

2.細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)One major cause for European farmers to leave was the rise in population which in turn led to land hunger. 農(nóng)民人數(shù)的增加，而相對土地的平均少了，故選D。

3.細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace.在美國有就業(yè)機會，有商機還有宗教自由吸引了外國的移民，沒有提到健康的生活，故選B。

4.主旨大意題。根據(jù)The USA is a land of immigrants.文章開始點題，短文主要論述了美國為什么會成為外國移民的主要去向，故選B。

5.細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians.美洲的印第安人與奴隸一樣地不幸，故選D。

考點：歷史類短文閱讀。