Part II Reading Comprehension (35 minutes)

Passage one

21. D) To discourage people from insisting on having grandchildren.

22. B) draw attention to the troubles and difficulties grandchildren may cause

23. A) they find it hard to resist the carrot-and-stick approach of their parents

24. A) her parents kept pressuring her to have a child

25. C) It is troublesome but rewarding.

Passage Two

26. D) People can fully enjoy individual freedom.

27. A) the more diligent one is, the bigger his returns

28. C) became wealthy after starting life very poor

29. B) Americans wish to succeed in every aspect of life

30. D) What Americans strive after often contradicts their beliefs.

Passage Three

31. B) The reduction of public expenditure.

32. C) obtain funding from the government

33. A) They think they work in an environment hostile to the free pursuit of knowledge.

34. D) they could be influenced by their association with the project concerned

35. B) People would not believe scientists even when they tell the truth.

Passage Four

36. D) the globalization of economy

37. B) Information technology has removed the restrictions of time and space in business transactions

38. C) it should not overlook the importance of information, services, support, and distribution

39. A) can eliminate an entire business segment

40. D) businesses have to meet individual customers’ specific needs in order to succeed