考研英语-阅读unit-17.doc

Unit 17 All things are difficult before they are easy. 万事开头难。 学习内容 题 材 词 数 建议时间 得分统计 做题备忘 Part A Text 1 商业经济 425 /10 Text 2 科普知识 397 /10 Text 3 社会生活 413 /10 Text 4 文化教育 391 /10 Part B 社会生活 602 /10 Part C 科普知识 442 /10 Part A Directions：Read the following texts. Answer the questions blow each text by choosing [A],[B],[C] or [D]. Text 1 The United States Interstate Highway System is an infrastructure feat of unprecedented proportions. Not only does it join all fifty states in the union together allowing for rapid transport of goods and people, but it also has legitimate claim to the title of the largest public worker program in history. The project was motivated by both military and economic goals. Interest in the project existed since the early 1940s, but was delayed by the outbreak of World War II, followed by the postwar recovery. Although approved by Congress in 1944, the building did not actually begin until 1956. The postwar prosperity in America accentuated the need for such a massive infrastructure project. After America’s success in World War II and recovery of its economy from the Great Depression, the population’s disposable income soared, allowing most families to purchase automobiles, previously thought of as luxury items. With the sudden boom of cars, a more efficient road on which to travel was desperately needed, and the interstate highway system provided that, allowing travelers to safely and reliably visit other states or destinations closer to home. The same surge in car ownership that created the need for the interstate highway system also provided the means by which to pay for the project. A new tax on gasoline provided 90 percent of the funding for the project, and state taxes covered the remaining 10 percent. With the new highway system in place, not only could travelers visit previously unfeasible destinations on their holidays and vacations, but businesses could transport their products to markets in other states, increasing competition acro