Amazingly, US crime figures have been falling for 20 years now. Of course, the big question is, why? And can any lessons be learnt?
One reason could be the fall in the demand for the drug crack. During the 1980s, drug-related crimes soared, mostly caused by desperate crack users. However, according to professor Blumstein, co-author of The Crime Drop in America, news of the dangers of crack use caused its decrease and led to a fall in the number of drug-related crimes.
Some say that the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy in many cities has helped lead to a fall in crime. In New York City, for example, mayor Rudy Giuliani imposed strict and automatic punishments for all crimes, including minor offences such as graffiti and littering. Many believe this has had a very strong deterrent(威慑的) effect.
Another reason could be smarter policing strategies. Anti-theft measures and educating the community about car theft has helped see a drop in crimes in many areas. Also, the use of crime mapping schemes that can discover identify crime peaks in different parts of the city has helped police target hotspots.
Another reason could be that more criminals are now behind bars. Sociologist John Conklin (from Tufts University) says a significant factor behind the fall in crime in the 1990s is the simple fact that many criminals are in jail. In his book Why Crime Rages Fell, he says sentencing was merciful in the 1960s and 1970s, when crime rose. But then more prisons were built and more offenders were imprisoned.
Some have linked the fall in violent crime to a decline in children’s exposure to lead in petrol. Jessica Wolpaw Reyes says, “Even low to moderate levels of exposure can lead to behavioral problems, reduced IQ, hyperactivity(多动症) and youth crimes. You can link the decline in lead between 1975 and 1985 to a decline in violent crime 20 years later.”
Others say that the drop in crime has something to do with birth rates. According to statistics, birth rates peaked between 1957 and 1961, and the proportion of men in the US in their late teens and early 20s (the so-called “criminal age”) was highest in the late 70s and early 80s. However, as time went on, the proportion of people in this age group decreased.
Others claim that videogames have helped. A recent study has suggested that these games are keeping young people off the streets and therefore away from crime. Advocates of this argue that any effects the games may have in encouraging violent behavior is offset by the fact that the games keep potential criminals indoors and in front of the television.
Some argue that the widespread use of camera phones makes some criminals think twice before committing a crime and getting filmed doing it. Also, many believe that the mass use of CCTV has also had an effect.
Finally, some say that petty theft just isn’t worth it any more. The resale value of second-hand goods such as televisions, cameras or clothes is now so low (or even non-existent) that most people see no point in stealing. So, what do you think?
61. By writing this article, the writer intends to tell us ________.
A. the amazing fact that US crime figures are going down
B. the recent statistics showing that crime rates are falling in the US C. the answers to the question why US crime figures are falling
D. the special policies adopted by the US police that help a drop in crime
62. “Why Crime Rates Fell” is mentioned in the article to tell readers that ________.
A. drug crack can be extremely dangerous B. crime mapping schemes help the police C. criminals should be strictly sentenced
D. children shouldn’t be allowed to contact lead
63. The sixth reason mentioned in the article implies that ________ tend to commit
crimes.
A. children B. young people C. the poor D. crime victims 64. The underlined word “offset” most probably means ________. A. reduced B. caused C. increased D. demanded
D
For several days I saw little of Mr. Rochester. In the morning he seemed much occupied with business, and in the afternoon gentlemen from the neighborhood called and sometimes stayed to dine with him. When his foot was well enough, he rode out a great deal.
During this time, all my knowledge of him was limited to occasional meetings about the house, when he would sometimes pass me coldly, and sometimes bow and smile. His changes of manner did not offend me, because I saw that I had nothing to do with the cause of them.
One evening, several days later, I was invited to talk to Mr. Rochester after dinner. As I was looking at him, he suddenly turned, and asked me, “Do you think I’m handsome, Miss Eyre?”
The answer somehow slipped from my tongue before I realized it: “No, sir.”
“Ah, you really are unusual! You are a quiet, serious little person, but you can be almost rude.”
“Sir, I’m sorry. I should have said that beauty doesn’t matter, or something like that.”
“No, you shouldn’t! I see, you criticize my appearance, and then you stab me in the back! You have honesty and feeling. There are not many girls like you. But perhaps I go too fast. Perhaps you have awful faults to counterbalance your few good points.”
I thought to myself that he might have too. He seemed to read my mind, and said
quickly, “Yes, you’re right. I have plenty of faults. I went the wrong way when I was twenty-one, and have never found the right path again. I might have been very different. I might have been as good as you, and perhaps wiser. I am not a bad man, take my word for it, but I have done wrong. It wasn’t my character, but circumstances that were at fault. Why do I tell you all this? Because you’re the sort of person people tell their problems and secrets to, because you’re sympathetic and give them hope.”
“Don’t be afraid of me, Miss Eyre.” He continued. “You don’t relax or laugh very much, perhaps because of the effect Lowood school has had on you. But in time you will be more natural with me, and laugh, and speak freely. You’re like a bird in cage. When you get out of the cage, you’ll fly very high. Good night.”
65. At the beginning Miss Eyre’s impressions about Mr. Rochester were all EXCEPT ________.
A. moody B. busy C. accessible D. sociable
66. By saying “you stab me in the back”, Mr. Rochester meant ________. A. Jane was not being honest B. Jane had an evil intention
C. Jane’s criticism about his appearance hurt him deeply D. Jane added something that hurt him deeper
67. In Mr. Rochester’s eyes, Miss Eyre was ________. A. irritable and indifferent B. sympathetic and special C. hopeful but rude D. direct and optimistic
68. From what Mr. Rochester told Miss Eyre, we can conclude that he wanted to ________.
A. share his troubles with her
B. prove that appearance doesn’t matter C. leave a deep impression on her
D. warn her not to choose the wrong path
69. At the end of the passage, Mr. Rochester sounded ________.
A. pessimistic B. encouraging C. patient D. enthusiastic 70. According to the passage, which is NOT true? A. Lowood school had an impact on Jane.
B. It’s a long time since Jane arrived at Mr. Rochester’s house. C. Mr. Rochester is a man who has experienced a lot.
D. Mr. Rochester is confident he will get along well with Jane.
第II卷（非选择题，共45分）
五、单词拼写：（10*1=10分）
71. If I tell you, you have to s_________ not to say anything to anyone.
72. To learn a language we must follow the __________ of gradual improvement. (原
则)
73. The US army has __________ taken down its website after a hacking attack. (暂时地)
74. I have to say in her d________ that she knew nothing about it beforehand. 75. The group of bicycle racers __________ past. (疾驰而过)
76. Mary sometimes can't distinguish between f_________ and reality, which made her parents worried a lot.
77. Fast-food restaurants have s_________ up all over town, which makes life there more convenient.
78. Eleven million bottles of water had to be w__________ from sale due to a health scare.
79. Faced with so much pressure and competition, I have never s__________ to the view that schooldays are the happiest days of your life.
80. His story of what happened that night didn't c__________ with the witness's version, which made us doubtful about his honesty.
六、任务型阅读(10*1=10分)：
Cinemas in Mumbai, Bollywood’s homeland are striking against high taxes on ticket sales.
Owners of Mumbai’s single-screen theatres will keep their shutters (百叶窗) down until Friday to protest about taxes, which they say are driving them out of business.
More than a third of single-screen cinemas in the state of Maharashtra have closed down in the last five years. According to the Cinema and Exhibitors Association of India, just 700 are still in operation. The association blames the closing down on Maharashtra’s high rate of entertainment tax. Its president, R V Vidhani, says that cinemas must pay a tax for every ticket sold, which is 45%, and this makes it hard to break even. It’s the highest of all states across India. The majority of the states in India pay zero entertainment tax. Mr Vidhani says his members had decided to go ahead with a one-week closure after getting no response from the state government on the matter.
It is not just a high tax rate contributing to the shrinking number of traditional cinemas, however. Large costs and declining box office takings also make times tougher.
Mr Vidhani has run the New Excelsior Theatre in South Mumbai since 1974. Last week a screening of Bollywood movie Tanu Weds Manu sold just 71 tickets despite a capacity of more than 1,000. Whether it’s a full house or an empty screening, running costs are more or less the same. “Air conditioning, regular business — every expenditure (支出) is the same, but the income has stopped.”
The cricket World Cup is not helping matters, according to Mr Vidhani. “The
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