The word tolerance is widely used in liberal democracies. It indicates a positive meaning. Politicians urge us to be tolerant towards minorities. Educators teach us to be tolerant towards the other. The press is full of references to the need to display tolerance when faced with individuals or groups espousing a different view or holding a different religious belief. A tolerant society is an objective sought after by anyone who believes in the values of democracy. A tolerant individual is attributed with virtuous qualities.
The question we must ask is whether we have been using the word tolerance fully aware of its meaning and whether we have applied it correctly to reflect what we really wish to convey?
The word tolerance means to bear, or to bear with. If I tolerate something or someone, I basically say that I am ready to bear it or him. I can tolerate a bad smell or a noisy neighbour. The act of toleration forces me to desist from conveying my objection to the existence of a phenomenon, which I find difficult to bear. A bad smell or a noisy neighbour is considered by me to be an objectionable phenomenon. By tolerating either of them, I am not transforming the bad smell or the noisy neighbour into positive phenomena. Let's be honest: I don't have a different taste when it comes to bad smells. I simply dislike it and wish that it disappears. I don't respect the noisy neighbour. I would rather have him stop at once the noise he is making so I can live in peace.
To try to remove the bad smell or take reasonable action in order for the noisy neighbour to stop bothering me would most probably not be considered an intolerant act by most people.
Now, let's try to apply the word tolerance in reference to a person who is law-abiding and holds a legally acceptable different view from my own. I may have a strong view, which is opposed to his. Quite frankly, I may decide to tolerate his view. By so doing, I would be attributing to it a negative characteristic. I would apply the same attitude to his view as to the bad smell or noisy neighbour. Thus, to try to take action in order to make his view disappear would be considered an intolerant act. To tolerate his view the way I would a bad smell or a noisy neighbour, could hardly be considered virtuous.
The subject tolerating is by nature not equal to the object being tolerated. If I tolerate you, I essentially say that I am above you and am prepared, although unwillingly, to bear with your presence or with your practices or opinions. That may be true in the case of an individual who is ready to tolerate the other. However, this attitude by such an individual, though empirically true, is hardly a virtue. Certainly, the fact that an individual, in reality, may merely tolerate the other or his opinion does not justify a government or any official authority promoting tolerance as a virtue. One cannot tolerate an equal being. True equality involves respect, not toleration. To respect the other as a distinctive person is hardly to tolerate him. This is the true meaning of equality: diversity existing in a mutually-respectful socio-legal setting.
The danger with tolerance is that it can lead to the acceptance of individuals or groups bent on destroying the foundations of democratic systems. We have seen such cases with regard to political parties or destructive religious groups that have been treated in a liberal manner under the guise of tolerance.
A tolerant attitude involves the grant of a favour, not a right. The question we should ask ourselves is whether we would ever wish a parliament to make laws according to us, as individuals and as part of a collective entity or a permission to pursue certain actions interpreted as a favour rather than a right? Indeed, would we ever wish anyone to listen to our views and accept us the way we are simply because he is kind enough to tolerate us?
1. The first two paragraphs are mainly intended to show that __________.
A. tolerance is a symbol of liberal democracies
B. democratic society always advocates tolerance
C. people’s understanding of tolerance is one-sided
D. tolerance can be applied to many situations
2. The example of a bad smell and a noisy neighbour is raised to indicate that _________.
A. the writer are fed up with them
B. most people find them hard to tolerate
C. the writer isn’t prejudiced against them
D. tolerating them isn’t a virtuous act
3.Which of the following will the writer probably agree with?
A. Too much tolerance will endanger the foundations of democratic systems.
B. By tolerating people can transform something negative into the opposite.
C. People tolerating others are likely to consider them as their equals.
D. Being tolerant should be regarded as a right instead of a favour
4.The best title for this passage should be “___________”.
A. Tolerance and respect B. What is to be tolerated?
C. Is Tolerance a Virtue? D. Should people be tolerant?
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-- Hey, Mary. Is the film ________?
-- Hi, Tom. I think the film is ________.
A. worth seeing; worthwhile to be seen
B. worthy to be seen; worthwhile to see
C. worthwhile to see; worth seeing
D. worth seeing; worthy of being seen
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书面表达
假设你是李华,你打算利用假期出国旅游。请你就此给你的美国朋友Michael发一封电子邮件,谈谈你出国旅游的原因,并邀请Michael有时间来中国。
要点: 1. 出国旅游很有意义;
2. 开阔眼界,了解国外的风俗和历史;
3. 和来自不同文化背景的人交朋友,学外语;
4. 放松身心,欣赏美景。
注意:100词左右;可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
Dear Michael,
How are you?
.
.
.
Best wishes!
Yours truly,
Li Hua
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Social media and the mobile web have given rise to a strange phenomenon(现象) called the selfie. It refers to a picture of yourself, usually shared on any social networking website.
1. Some selfies are extremely close-ups, and others show part of an arm held straight outward. A few of them even feature the subject standing in front of a bathroom mirror.
Everyone takes selfies, but the younger crowd seems to be especially involved in the trend. Young people are relatively heavier digital users. They are interested in staying connected to their friends. 2.
There are also kinds of psychological(心理学的) factors driving people to take a selfie and upload it to a social networking site. 3. A quick and easy way to attract others’ attention is to get “likes” and comment from friends. Secondly, it is human nature to show off your own great achievements. When you feel good about yourself or look good, it is far too easy to take out your phone and document it all through one or several selfies. 4. That is right. Sometimes people are bored at work, bored at school, bored at home and even bored on the toilet. Last but not the least, social media is about being social! If that means uploading as many selfies as possible, then so be it. It is fun, and it’s a cool way to sort of document of your own life.
Finally, there are things to be mindful of when you are posting. It’s easy to think you’re sharing a photo with a few people. 5. So don’t post anything online, selfie especially.
A. There are a lot of selfie styles.
B. The rise of selfies has become universal.
C. Social media, to some extent, is the driving force of their selfie activity.
D. The desire to take, post and get “likes” on selfies goes back to a biological behavior.
E. But the whole world of social media is public and every individual can get access to it.
F. There are also people who will take selfies because they have nothing else better to do.
G. The leading factor is that people want to get attention from as many people as possible.
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The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC has thousands of objects on display, including the 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, and a lunar rock you can touch. In addition to our exhibition galleries, you may want to visit the Albert Einstein Planetarium, Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, and the Public Observatory on the east end. There are many things to do at the Museum in DC. We offer daily tours and educational activities for both children and adults. We also have scheduled lectures and events throughout the year.
Hours & Admission: Open every day except December 25.Admission is free.
Regular Hours: 10: 00 am to 5: 30 pm
Extended Hours: 10: 00 am to 7: 30 pm
December 26—30, 2014.
March 30—April 20, 2015.
Fridays and Saturdays, April 24—May 16, 2015.
May 17—September 7, 2015.
VISITING TIPS:
Limit the Number of Bags: All visitors are screened through metal detectors upon entry.The fewer items you bring inside the Museum, the faster your entry. Before you visit, please review the list of prohibited items, which include pocket knives and tripods (三脚架).Visitors carrying prohibited items will not be allowed inside the Museum, so please leave them at home or in your car.
No Food and Drink: Only bottled water is permitted in the Museum. You may only consume food and other drinks in the Food Court, not in the Museum. Groups who bring food are encouraged to picnic on the National Mall.
Please Take Photos: You are welcome to take photos for personal use. However, tripods and monopods (单脚架) are not permitted without approval.
First Aid: The Museum has a First Aid office and a nurse on duty. Please contact the nearest security officer or the Welcome Center for assistance.
Visit the Welcome Center:
At our Welcome Center in the South Lobby, staff and volunteers can answer any questions you have during your visit.
Open 10: 00 am to 5: 30 pm
Phone: 202-633-2214
E-mail: NASM-VisitorServices@ si.edu
1.According to the passage, the National Air and Space Museum is a museum __.
A. where only adults can take part in some educational activities
B. everyone can pay a visit to without buying tickets
C. where one can touch anything he likes
D. everyone can visit without time limits all the year round
2.If the Greens plan to visit the Museum at 6: 00 pm, it is accessible on _______.
A. December 24, 2014 (Wednesday) B. March 1, 2015 (Sunday)
C. July 6, 2015 (Monday) D. September 15, 2015 (Tuesday)
3.A visitor to the museum can _______.
A. eat and drink in the Museum or in the Food Court
B. take photos with tripods for personal use
C. bring fewer bags to go through metal detectors
D. get some medical treatment if he suddenly falls ill
4.The purpose of this passage is to _______.
A. make an advertisement for the museum
B. attract people to explore the universe
C. encourage adults to bring their children there
D. show what is on display in the museum
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His first book _______ next month is based on a true story.
A. published B. to be published
C. to publish D. being published
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