[听力文本资源] Is there a state religion in the United States? The answer is no and the reason goes back to the early days of America's history. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many Europeans moved to colonial America in part to escape religious pressure. Thomas Jefferson and other early American leaders purposely designed a national government that had no established religion. They wanted to build a country that included many religions, where citizens were free to follow their own beliefs. The First Amendment to the Constitution supports "the separation of church and state." President Jefferson himself used this expression. In 1802, he sent a letter to a religious group in the state of Connecticut, saying that the First Amendment works by "building a wall of separation between church and state." For example, the Supreme Court ruled in 1948 that religious classes could not be taught in public schools. In 1962, the Court decided that public schools could not require students to say prayers. Even though there is no state religion, there is a large, beautiful religious center in the nation's capital called the Washington National Cathedral. Many services of national interest have been held there. These include the funerals of three American presidents and national prayer services. This church receives no federal money and operates entirely on private donations.[听力文本资源]1. [听力文本资源] What kind of country did the early American leaders intend to establish? [听力文本资源]A) A country without poverty.B) A country without any religion.C) A country with religious freedom. D) A country with a national belief.2. [听力文本资源] What is the purpose of the First Amendment to the Constitution? [听力文本资源]A) To make rules for religious classes.B) To make clear church regulations.C) To separate religion and education.D) To separate religion and state. 3. [听力文本资源] What is the significance of the Washington National Cathedral? [听力文本资源]A) It is considered as the religious center of America. B) It is the symbol of true freedom in American style.C) It is a place where many presidents are buried.D) It is a place that operates on federal money.