2016年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解练习题(八)

　　Newdays, a standard for measuring power has changed. These changes foretell a new standard for measuring power. No longer will a nation's political influence be based solely on the strength of its military forces. Of course, military effectiveness will remain a primary primary measure of power. But political influence is also closely tied to industrial competitiveness. It's often said that without its military the Soviet Union would really be a third-world nation. The new standard of opwer and influence that is evolving now places more emphasis on the ability of a country to compete effectively in the economic markets of the world.

　　America must recognize this new course of events. Our success in shaping world events over the past 40 years has been the direct result of our ability to adapt technology and to take advantage of the capabilities of our people for the purpose of maintaining peace. Our industrial prowess over most of this period was unchallenged. It is ironic that it is just this prowess that has enabled other countries to prosper and in turn to threaten our industrial leadership.

　　The competitiveness of America's industrial base is an issue bigger than the Department of Defense and is going to require the efforts of the major institutional forces in our society-government, industry, and education. That is not to say that the Defense Department will not be a strong force in the process because we will. But we simply cannot be, nor should we be, looked upon by others as the savior of American industry.

　　1. Now a nation's political influence depends on ________.

　　a. the strength of its military forces

　　b. its ability to compete in industry

　　c. economic markets

　　d. both a and b

　　2. The Soviet Union was not listed as a third-world nation just because of ________.

　　a. its powerful military forces

　　b. its vast land

　　c. its industrial competitiveness

　　d. its contributions to world peace

　　3. The author indicates that ________ is threatening American political power.

　　a. other countries

　　b. the declining U. S. industrial base

　　c. a new standard for measuring power

　　d. less advanced technology

　　4. America succeeded in shaping world events over past 40 years probably because of ________.

　　a. its ability to adapt technology

　　b. its ability to take advantage of the capabilities of its people

　　c. its ability to compete in the world markets

　　d. both a and b

　　5. The purpose of writing this article is ________.

　　a. to draw the readers' attention to a new standard for measuring power

　　b. to demonstrate American political influence in the world

　　c. to emphasize that efforts must be made to strengthen the declining U. S. industrial base

　　d. to show American industrial prowess

　　答案：dabdc