中国矿业大学考博英语真题2015年

中国矿业大学考博英语真题2015年

Part ⅠReading Comprehension

Directions: There are 5 passages in this part. Each passage is followed by four questions or statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on your Answer Sheet.

Passage One

The purpose of the American court system is to protect the rights of the people. According to American law, if someone is accused of a crime, he or she is considered innocent until the court proves that the person is guilty. In other words, it is the responsibility of the court to prove that a person is guilty. It is not the responsibility of the person to prove that he or she is innocent.

In order to arrest a person, the police have to be reasonably sure that a crime has been committed. The police must give the suspect the reasons why they are arresting him and tell him his rights under the law. Then the police take the suspect to the police station to "book" him. "Booking" means that the name of the person and the charges against him are formally listed at the police station.

The next step is for the suspect to go before a judge. The judge decides whether the suspect should be kept in jail or released. If the suspect has no previous criminal record and the judge feels that he will return to court rather than run away—for example, because he owns a house and has a family—he can go free. Otherwise, the suspect must put up bail. At this time, too, the judge will appoint a court layer to defend the suspect if he can't afford one.

The suspect returns to court a week or two later. A lawyer from the district attorney's office presents a case against the suspect. This is called a hearing. The attorney may present evidence as well as witnesses. The judge at the hearing then decides whether there is enough reason to hold a trial. If the judge decides that there is sufficient evidence to call for a trial, he or she sets a date for the suspect to appear in court to formally plead guilty or not guilty.

At the trial, a jury of 12 people listens to the evidence from both attorneys and hears the testimony of the witnesses. Then the jury goes into a private room to consider the evidence and decide whether the defendant is guilty of the crime. If the jury decides that the defendant is innocent, he goes free. However, if he is convicted, the judge sets a date for the defendant to appear in court again for sentencing. At this time, the judge tells the convicted person what his punishment will be. The judge

may sentence him to prison, order him to pay a fine, or place him on probation.

The American justice system is very complex and sometimes operates slowly. However, every step is designed to protect the rights of the people. These individual rights are the basis, or foundation, of the American government.1. What is the main idea of the passage? ______

A.The American court system requires that a suspect prove that he or she is innocent.

B.The US court system is designed to protect the rights of the people.

C.Under the American court system, judge decides if a suspect is innocent or guilty.

D.The US court system is designed to help the police present a case against the suspect.

答案：B

[解答] 本文的第一段第一句话“The purpose of the American court system is to protect the rights of the people.”就点明了文章的主旨，即美国法院系统的作用是保护人民的权利，因此选择B。

2. What follows "In other words" (Para. 1)? ______

A.An example of the previous sentence.

B.A new idea about the court system.

C.An item of evidence to call for a trial.

D.A restatement of the previous sentence.

答案：D

[解答] 第一段中“In other words”后面说证明一个人是否有罪是法院的责任。在接下来的几段中阐述了从警察逮捕嫌疑人，到法官决定是否让嫌疑人保释，再到陪审团判定是否有罪。据此可知，“In other words”后面应是对以前宣判过程的另一种表述。因此选择D。

3. According to the passage, "he can go free" (Para. 3) means ______.

A.the suspect is free to choose a lawyer to defend him

B.the suspect does not have to go to trial because the judge has decided he is innocent

C.the suspect will be informed by mail whether he is innocent or not

D.the suspect does not have to wait in jail or pay money until he goes to trial

答案：D

[解答] 本题细节定位于第三段第三、四句话“If the suspect has no previous criminal record and the judge feels that he will return to court rather than run away—for example, because he owns a house and has a family—he can go free. Otherwise, the suspect must put up bail.”。由此可知，如果嫌疑人没有前科，法官认为他不会逃跑——例如他有房产或家庭，嫌疑人就可以被释放。否则，嫌疑人必须支付保释金。据此可知，“he can go free”的意思是嫌疑人在接受审判前不必待在监狱里或支付保释金，