Question

       Ask most people how they define the American Dream and chances are they’ll say, “Success.” The dream of individual opportunity has been present in America since Europeans discovered “The New World” in the Western Hemisphere. Early immigrants like Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur highly praised the freedom and opportunity to be found in this new land. His enthusiastic descriptions of a classless society where anyone could attain success through honesty and hard work fired the imaginations of many European readers. In Letters from an American Farmer (1782) he wrote, “We are all excited at the spirit of an industry which is unfettered （無拘無束的） and unrestrained, because each person works for himself … We have no princes, for whom we toil （干苦力活）, starve, and bleed. We are the most perfect society now existing in the world.” The promise of a land where “the rewards of a man’s industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labor” drew poor immigrants from Europe and fueled national expansion into the western lands.

      Our national historical story is full of illustration of the American success story. For instance, Benjamin Franklin was the very model of the self-educated, self-made man, who rose from modest origins to become a well-known scientist, philosopher, and statesman. In the nineteenth century, Horatio Alger, a writer of fiction for young boys, became American’s best-selling author with his rags-to-riches tales. The idea of success impressed us: we spend millions every year reading about the rich and famous, learning how to “make a fortune in real estate（房地產） with no money down,” and “dressing for success.” The story of success has even affected our personal relationships: today it’s as important to be “successful” in marriage or parenthoods as it is to come out on top in business.

      But dreams easily turn into nightmares. Every American who hopes to “make it” also knows the fear of failure, because the story of success implies comparison between the haves and the have-nots, the stars and the unknown crowd. Under pressure of the story, we become lost in status symbols: we try to live in the “right” neighborhoods, wear the “right” clothes, and eat the “right” foods. These symbols of distinction assure us and others that we believe strongly in the fundamental equality of all, yet try as hard as we can to separate ourselves from our fellow citizens.

1. What is the nature of the American Dream according to Crevecoeur?

   A. People are free to develop their power of imagination.

   B. People who are honest and work hard can succeed.

   C. People are free from being used and treated badly.

   D. People can fully enjoy individual freedom.

2. By saying “the rewards of a man’s industry follow with equal steps the progress of his   

   labor”, the author means __________ .

   A. the more hard-working one is, the bigger his returns are

   B. hard work ensures the growth of an industry

   C. a man’s business should be developed step by step

   D. a company’s success depends on its employees’ hard work

3. It can be inferred from the last sentence of Paragraph 2 that _________.

   A. business success often contributes to a successful marriage

   B. Americans wish to succeed in every aspect of life

   C. good personal relationships lead to business success

   D. successful business people provide good care for their children

4. What is the paradox（矛盾）of American culture according to the author of the passage?

   A. The American road to success is full of nightmares.

   B. Status symbols are not a real symbol of a person’s wealth.

   C. The American Dream is nothing but an empty dream.

   D. What Americans fight for often disagrees with their beliefs.

Answer 1

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