英语六级(CET6)阅读理解模拟练习题及答案(2)_大学英语阅读

英语六级(CET6)阅读理解模拟练习题及答案(2)

　　In addition to monitoring legal imports, a nations customs agency also works to keep out illegal or contraband （违禁品） items. Customs agencies must fight the flow of illegal materials across borders. In addition to drugs, customs agencies may watch for weaponry, child pornography （色情资料）, counterfeit merchandise and stolen goods. They also watch for people carrying illegally gained money across borders.

　　These sorts of illegal materials make up only one category of contraband goods. Customs agents also stop the importation of legal goods that are a threat to the nations security. In most countries, the importation of fruits, meats, animals and plants is heavily regulated due to the fear of disease or ecological imbalance. While it may seem strange that a piece of fruit is considered a threat to national security, the risk of biological contamination is very real. In the late 1980s, one traveler with one piece of contaminated fruit caused an infestation （出没,横行） of Mediterranean fruit flies that destroyed millions of dollars worth of crops in California.

　　Some completely harmless items are deemed contraband simply because of the country they come from. If country A is considered to be a national enemy of country B, or has a record of violating international law, country B （and other countries） might institute an embargo（禁运）against that country （a ban on the importation of country As goods）. This cuts off potential business for country A, and this may persuade its leaders to change their policies. In the United States, the best known example of this sort of sanction is the embargo against Cuban products. There is a high demand for Cuban cigars in the United States, but they are strictly regulated because of the strained relationship between the United States and Cuba. As with drugs, smugglers are eager to sneak in a supply to meet this demand, and are constantly trying to get around customs.