13.While some dictionaries define the word"right"as"a privilege"when used in the context of"human rights",we are talking about something more basic.Originally,people had rights only because of their membership in a group,such as a family.Then,in 539 BC,Cyrus the Great,after conquering the city of Babylon,did something totally unexpected-he set all slaves free and let them return home.Moreover,he declared people should choose their own religion.Cyrus'statements are about the first"human rights"declaration in history.
Every person has certain basic rights,simply by the fact of being human.These are called"human rights"rather than a privilege,which can be taken away at someone's sudden desire.They are"rights"because they are things you are allowed to be,to do or to have.These rights are there for your protection against people who might want to harm or hurt you.They are also there to help us get along with each other and live in peace.
Yet many people,when asked to name their rights,will list only freedom of speech and belief and perhaps one or two others.There is no question that these are important rights,but the full scope of human rights is very broad.They mean choice and opportunity.They mean the freedom to get a job,adopt a career,select a partner of one's choice and raise children.They include the right to travel widely and the right to work without trouble,abuse and threat of arbitrary (霸道) dismissal.They even embrace the right to leisure.
In ages past,there were no human rights.Then the idea turned up that people should have certain freedoms.And that idea,following World War II,resulted finally in the document called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the thirty rights to which all people are entitled.
(Note:Answer the questions or complete the statements in No more than 10 words)
78.In 539 BC,people were greatly surprised by Cyrus'ssetting slaves free and allowing people to choose their religion.
79.A privilege is different from Human rights in that itcan be taken away at someone's sudden desire.
80.How long have human rights officially existed?(For) 70 years
81.What's the main idea of the passage?The development/evolution/history of human rights.
分析 本文主要讲了人权的发展史.每个人都有一定的基本权利.然而人权从最初的提出,和最终被人们接受实行,也经历了很漫长的过程.
解答 78.答案:setting slaves free and allowing people to choose their religion.根据文章"Then,in 539 BC,Cyrus the Great,after conquering the city of Babylon,did something totally unexpected-he set all slaves free and let them return home.Moreover,he declared people should choose their own religion."可知,在公元前539年,Cyrus允许奴隶自由,允许人们选择他们的宗教信仰让人们非常惊讶.故答案为:"setting slaves free and allowing people to choose their religion".
79.答案:can be taken away at someone's sudden desire.根据文章"These are called"human rights"rather than a privilege,which can be taken away at someone's sudden desire"可知,特权不同于人权,可以带走别人的突然间的愿望.故此题答案为"can be taken away at someone's sudden desire".
80.答案:(For) 70 years.根据文章"And that idea,following World War II,resulted finally in the document called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the thirty rights to which all people are entitled."可知,第二次世界大战后,开始实施人权.第二次世界大战在1945年结束,到至今大约有70年.故答案为"70 years".
81.答案:The development/evolution/history of human rights.本文主要讲了人权的发展史.从最初的提出,和最终被人们接受实行.经历了很漫长的过程.故答案可写成"The development/evolution/history of human rights".
点评 本文是考察学生历史文化类阅读理解文章.这类文章常涉及历史、文化、法制、宗教等方面的文学艺术、发明创造、文化遗产保护、宗教与文化、风俗与习惯、道德与法制、中外文学名著节选、等等.这类材料的命题点往往落在主旨大意题、事实细节题.