题目
The decline in moral standards—which has long concerned social analysts—has at last captured the attention of average Americans.And Jean Bethke Elshtain，for one，is glad. The fact the ordinary citizens are now starting to think seriously about the nation's moral climate，says this ethics （伦理学） professor at the University of Chicago，is reason to hope that new ideas will come forward to improve it. But the challenge is not to be underestimated.Materialism and individualism in American society are the biggest obstacles. "The thought that 'I'm in it for me' has become deeply rooted in the national consciousness，" Ms.Elshtain says. Some of this can be attributed to the disintegration of traditional communities，in which neighbors looked out for one another，she says.With today's greater mobility and with so many couples working，those bonds have been weakened，replaced by a greater emphasis on self. In a 1996 poll of Americans，loss of morality topped the list of the biggest problems facing the U.S.and Elshtain says the public is correct to sense that：Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s，such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers. The desire for a higher moral standard is not a lament （挽歌） for some nonexistent "golden age，" Elshtain says，nor is it a wishful longing for a time that denied opportunities to women and minorities.Most people，in fact，favor the lessening of prejudice. Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society，she says. "Slowly，you recognize that the things that matter are those that cant' be bought."（1）Professor Elshtain is pleased to see that Americans ____ .A.have adapted to a new set of moral standardsB.are longing for the return of the good old daysC.have realized the importance of material thingsD.are awakening to the lowering of their moral standards（2）The moral decline of American society is caused mainly by ____ .A.its growing wealthB.the self-centeredness of individualsC.underestimating the impact of social changesD.the prejudice against women and minorities（3）In the 1950s，classroom violence ____ .A.was something unheard ofB.was by no means a rare occurrenceC.attracted a lot of public attentionD.began to appear in analysts' data（4）According to Elshtain，the current moral decline may be reversed ____ .A.if people can return to the "golden age"B.when women and men enjoy equal rightsC.when people rid themselves of prejudiceD.if less emphasis is laid on material things
The decline in moral standards—which has long concerned social analysts—has at last captured the attention of average Americans.And Jean Bethke Elshtain，for one，is glad.
The fact the ordinary citizens are now starting to think seriously about the nation's moral climate，says this ethics （伦理学） professor at the University of Chicago，is reason to hope that new ideas will come forward to improve it.
But the challenge is not to be underestimated.Materialism and individualism in American society are the biggest obstacles. "The thought that 'I'm in it for me' has become deeply rooted in the national consciousness，" Ms.Elshtain says.
Some of this can be attributed to the disintegration of traditional communities，in which neighbors looked out for one another，she says.With today's greater mobility and with so many couples working，those bonds have been weakened，replaced by a greater emphasis on self.
In a 1996 poll of Americans，loss of morality topped the list of the biggest problems facing the U.S.and Elshtain says the public is correct to sense that：Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s，such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers.
The desire for a higher moral standard is not a lament （挽歌） for some nonexistent "golden age，" Elshtain says，nor is it a wishful longing for a time that denied opportunities to women and minorities.Most people，in fact，favor the lessening of prejudice.
Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society，she says. "Slowly，you recognize that the things that matter are those that cant' be bought."
（1）Professor Elshtain is pleased to see that Americans ____ .
A.have adapted to a new set of moral standards
B.are longing for the return of the good old days
C.have realized the importance of material things
D.are awakening to the lowering of their moral standards
（2）The moral decline of American society is caused mainly by ____ .
A.its growing wealth
B.the self-centeredness of individuals
C.underestimating the impact of social changes
D.the prejudice against women and minorities
（3）In the 1950s，classroom violence ____ .
A.was something unheard of
B.was by no means a rare occurrence
C.attracted a lot of public attention
D.began to appear in analysts' data
（4）According to Elshtain，the current moral decline may be reversed ____ .
A.if people can return to the "golden age"
B.when women and men enjoy equal rights
C.when people rid themselves of prejudice
D.if less emphasis is laid on material things
The fact the ordinary citizens are now starting to think seriously about the nation's moral climate，says this ethics （伦理学） professor at the University of Chicago，is reason to hope that new ideas will come forward to improve it.
But the challenge is not to be underestimated.Materialism and individualism in American society are the biggest obstacles. "The thought that 'I'm in it for me' has become deeply rooted in the national consciousness，" Ms.Elshtain says.
Some of this can be attributed to the disintegration of traditional communities，in which neighbors looked out for one another，she says.With today's greater mobility and with so many couples working，those bonds have been weakened，replaced by a greater emphasis on self.
In a 1996 poll of Americans，loss of morality topped the list of the biggest problems facing the U.S.and Elshtain says the public is correct to sense that：Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s，such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers.
The desire for a higher moral standard is not a lament （挽歌） for some nonexistent "golden age，" Elshtain says，nor is it a wishful longing for a time that denied opportunities to women and minorities.Most people，in fact，favor the lessening of prejudice.
Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society，she says. "Slowly，you recognize that the things that matter are those that cant' be bought."
（1）Professor Elshtain is pleased to see that Americans ____ .
A.have adapted to a new set of moral standards
B.are longing for the return of the good old days
C.have realized the importance of material things
D.are awakening to the lowering of their moral standards
（2）The moral decline of American society is caused mainly by ____ .
A.its growing wealth
B.the self-centeredness of individuals
C.underestimating the impact of social changes
D.the prejudice against women and minorities
（3）In the 1950s，classroom violence ____ .
A.was something unheard of
B.was by no means a rare occurrence
C.attracted a lot of public attention
D.began to appear in analysts' data
（4）According to Elshtain，the current moral decline may be reversed ____ .
A.if people can return to the "golden age"
B.when women and men enjoy equal rights
C.when people rid themselves of prejudice
D.if less emphasis is laid on material things
题目解答
答案
（1）细节理解题。根据文章第一段The decline in moral standards—which has long concerned social analysts—has at last captured the attention of average Americans（长期以来一直令社会分析家担忧的道德标准的下降终于引起了普通美国人的注意）说明Elshtain教授看到美国人开始意识到道德标准的下降而感到高兴。故选D。
（2）推理判断题。根据文章第四段With today's greater mobility and with so many couples working，those bonds have been weakened，replaced by a greater emphasis on self.（随着今天的流动性越来越大，越来越多的夫妇在工作，这些纽带已经被削弱，取而代之的是对自我的更加重视。）说明美国社会道德下降的原因是因为人们太以自我为中心了。故选B。
（3）细节理解题。根据倒数第三段Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s，such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers.（数据显示，美国人正在与20世纪50年代闻所未闻的问题作斗争，比如课堂暴力和未婚母亲的高出生率。）可知，在20世纪50年代，教室暴力是闻所未闻之事。故选A。
（4）推理判断题。根据最后一段Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society（只有人们找到方法来对抗社会上的物质主义，道德沦丧才会逆转）可知，如果想改变目前道德标准下降的状况就应该改变物欲太重的现象。故选D。
（2）推理判断题。根据文章第四段With today's greater mobility and with so many couples working，those bonds have been weakened，replaced by a greater emphasis on self.（随着今天的流动性越来越大，越来越多的夫妇在工作，这些纽带已经被削弱，取而代之的是对自我的更加重视。）说明美国社会道德下降的原因是因为人们太以自我为中心了。故选B。
（3）细节理解题。根据倒数第三段Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s，such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers.（数据显示，美国人正在与20世纪50年代闻所未闻的问题作斗争，比如课堂暴力和未婚母亲的高出生率。）可知，在20世纪50年代，教室暴力是闻所未闻之事。故选A。
（4）推理判断题。根据最后一段Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society（只有人们找到方法来对抗社会上的物质主义，道德沦丧才会逆转）可知，如果想改变目前道德标准下降的状况就应该改变物欲太重的现象。故选D。
解析
考查要点：本题主要考查学生对文章主旨、细节理解及推理判断的能力。需要结合上下文，准确提取关键信息，并理解作者观点。
解题核心思路：
- 定位关键句：通过问题中的关键词（如“pleased”“moral decline”“1950s”等）快速定位原文相关段落。
- 区分细节与推断：细节题需直接提取文中信息，推断题需结合上下文逻辑分析。
- 抓住作者态度：注意文中引号、数据（如“unheard of in the 1950s”）等表达，判断作者观点。
破题关键点：
- 第一题：抓住“captured the attention of average Americans”与“is reason to hope”的对应关系。
- 第二题：通过“self-centeredness”“materialism”等词锁定核心原因。
- 第三题：理解“unheard of”字面含义与语境义的关联。
- 第四题：通过“counter the materialism”推断解决方向。
第（1）题
关键句：第一段首句指出“道德标准下降已引起普通美国人关注”，末句“is reason to hope”表明教授对此感到高兴。
选项分析：
- D（意识到道德标准下降）直接对应“captured the attention”，其他选项与原文无关。
第（2）题
关键句：第四段“replaced by a greater emphasis on self”说明道德下降的核心原因是个人主义。
选项分析：
- B（自我中心）与“self-centeredness”一致，其他选项（如“wealth”“prejudice”）为次要因素。
第（3）题
关键句：倒数第三段“unheard of in the 1950s”说明课堂暴力在50年代不存在。
选项分析：
- A（闻所未闻）与“unheard of”直接对应，其他选项与时间逻辑矛盾。
第（4）题
关键句：最后一段“counter the materialism”强调需减少物质主义影响。
选项分析：
- D（减少物质主义）与“less emphasis on material things”一致，其他选项未被提及。