成人本科学位英语模拟试卷137
阅读理解
Jarden Zinc Products, a large zinc plant a few miles outside Greeneville, Tennessee, has a special claim. Since 1982, it has been the only supplier of penny blanks for the U. S. Mint (铸币厂). It\’s a good business for Jarden—since 2000, the company has earned more than $800 million. But it may not be a good deal for the U. S.
The value of the penny has been dropping for years. In 2006, it began to cost more than a penny to make a penny. It now costs 2 0 to produce a 1 0 coin. Many countries have stopped using pennies. Is it time for the U. S. to do the same?
Jarden and the zinc industry are fighting to keep the penny. Since 2006, Jarden has given $1.2 million to Americans for Common Cents (ACC). The group\’s mission is to keep the penny in use. Mark Weller is ACC\’s executive director. He argues that there are three main reasons for keeping the penny: Without it, we would become more reliant on the five-cent coin, which also has problems; charities that depend on penny drives would not be able to raise as much money; and a 2012 survey shows that 67% of Americans want to keep the penny. Many people surveyed said they feared they would end up paying more for products.
Many experts disagree with ACC. They point to the dozens of countries that have gotten rid of their lowest-value coins without raising prices for consumers. And charities don\’t seem too concerned either.
President Barack Obama says the mint could explore using cheaper metals to make pennies. Steel is less expensive than zinc. Pennies are 97. 5% zinc and 2. 5% copper. But no matter what it is made of, the penny\’s days may be numbered. Most in-store purchases are now made with credit cards, not cash. Is it time for a change?
1.What is the main idea of the passage?(C)
A. Many countries are trying to reduce the cost of making coins.
B. These days a penny made is a penny wasted.
C. There is disagreement over whether the U. S. should stop using pennies.
D. Many countries have stopped using pennies.
解析：文中先提出铸造1分硬币的成本提高，然后提到许多国家开始停用1分硬币，最后讲到有一些机构或组织反对这项举措，美国正在考虑别的方案，故选C。
2.The mission of ACC is to________.(D)
A. conduct online surveys
B. lower the production costs of the penny
C. raise money for charities
D. keep the penny in use
解析：定位到文章第三段第三句“The group’s mission is to keep the penny in use．”可知，该组织的任务就是保持1分硬币的流通，故选D。
3.The penny coin is mainly made of________.(D)
A. copper
B. steel
C. iron
D. zinc
解析：根据最后一段第三句“Pennies are 97. 5% zinc and 2. 5% copper．”可知，1分硬币是由97．5％的锌和2．5％的铜制造而成，故选D。
4.What does the sentence \\(A)
A. The penny may be out of use very soon.
B. The value of the penny may rise.
C. The penny has a special place in American history.
D. The penny is part of American culture.
解析：最后一段第四句提到“But no matter what it is made of, the penny’s days may be numbered．”，number作为动词，意为“给……编号”，此处为被动语态，意思是使用1分硬币的日子是可以数得过来的，即停用1分硬币的日子快要到来，故选A。
5.According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?(D)
A. Jarden is the sole supplier of the zinc the U. S. Mint uses to make the penny.
B. The majority of American people are in favor of keeping the penny.
C. Many Americans fear that getting rid of the penny would cause p
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