历年英语四级考试的阅读理解部分11_大学英语阅读

历年英语四级考试的阅读理解部分11

　　B) thatching is a building craft first created by the English people

　　C) the English people have a special liking for thatched houses

　　D) most thatched cottages in England are located on hillsides

　　Passage Two

　　Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:

　　President Coolidges statement, The business of America is business, still points to an important truth today-that business institutions have more prestigein American society than any other kind of organization, including the government. Why do business institutions posses this great prestige?

　　One reason is that Americans view business as being more firmly based on the ideal of competition than other institutions in society. Since competition is seen as the major source of progress and prosperity by most Americans, competitive business institutions are respected. Competition is not only good in itself, it is the means by which other basic American values such as individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and hard work are protected.

　　Competition protects the freedom of the individual by ensuring that there is no monopolyof power. In contrast to one, all-powerful government, many businesses compete against each other for profits. Theoretically, if one business tries to take unfair advantage of its customers, it will lose to competing business which treats its customers more fairly. Where many businesses compete for the customers dollar, they cannot afford to treat them like inferiors or slaves.