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Ⅲ.Reading Comprehension (30 points, 2 points for each item)
从下列每篇短文的问题后所给的四个选项中选出一个最佳答案，并在答题纸上将相应的答案涂黑。
Passage One
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage.
When Rowland Hill, little more than a hundred years ago, first advocated the introduction of cheap postage in England, he had to face many opponents of the scheme; some said that it would not pay, others that it was unworkable. But Hill, supported by general public opinion, eventually overcame opposition, and late in 1839 the Penny Post was established. From then until the first world war the cost of sending a letter any distance within the United Kingdom remained at one penny. The gloomy prophecies (预言) of the critics were not fulfilled: the profits of the Post Office were maintained and improvements in transport and administration made it possible not only to handle the increased volume of correspondence but also to extend postal facilities.
Before this great change took place, the charge for sending a letter varied according to the distance the letter was carried and had to be paid for on delivery by the person to whom it was addressed. The lowest charge was four pence and for long distances as much as eighteen pence. Such high rates, when wages were low, could rarely be afforded by poor people, who were often compelled to refuse letters from their dear ones because they were unable to pay. Under the new scheme, a letter was paid for by the sender, who affixed(贴上) to it an adhesive(粘的) postage stamp, the cost of which was within reach of all. Thus the poor were enabled to exchange news with their relations and friends at a time when many of them had left their homes to seek work elsewhere.
Businessmen also found cheap postage a boom and, since it soon turned out to be a great financial success, the new scheme was, before long, adopted by every civilized country in the world——a final tribute(明证) to the wisdom and vision of its promoter.
21. “Some said that it (i.e. Rowland Hill's scheme) would not pay” means ________.
A. some said that people would refuse to pay for the scheme
B. some said that the scheme would not be profitable
C. some said that the scheme was not economical
D. some said that they did not have enough money to pay for the scheme
22. Rowland Hill's system is known as the ‘Penny post’ ________.
A. because it undertook the delivery of all inland letters for the charge of one penny
B. since it was established late in 1839
C. because many people who used its facilities were poor
D. as a result of the gloomy prophecies of those who had said scheme would not pay
23. Postal facilities were extended after the introduction of the Penny Post ________.
A. because the volume of correspondence increased
B. as a result of improvements in transport and administration
C. until the first world war
D. provided that the cost of sending a letter remained at one penny
24. Under the old system the poor had frequently been compelled to refuse letters ________.
A. because they could not afford to pay the high postage rates which had to be paid on receipt of a letter
B. unless the charge on them was less than four pence
C. although rates varied according to the distance letters were carried
D. because many of them had left their homes to seek work elsewhere
25. The new postal scheme was adopted by every civilized country in the world ________.
A. because it enabled the poor, as well as the rich, to exchange news
B. as a tribute to the wisdom and vision of its promoter
C. since the scheme, in addition to its convenience, had proved financially successful
D. a hundred years after its adoption by the English
参考答案：
21. B 22. A 23. B 24. A 25. B
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