第三部分  阅读理解（共20小题：每小题2.5分，满分50分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A
In 1978, Bill Clinton began serving his first of five years as Governor of Arkansas. In 1980, Hillary Clinton gave birth to their first daughter, Chelsea Clinton. As the First Lady of Arkansas, she pursued many causes working for children, education and families. She also wrote a weekly newspaper column where she discussed political and social issues. 
Bill Clinton ran for President in 1992. Hillary Clinton took an active part in her husband’s election with her sharp tongue. Her “no nonsense” manner made Hillary Clinton an easy target for controversy. It became quickly evident that she was not going to stand in the shadow of anyone. 
Immediately, Hillary Clinton devoted herself to healthcare reform. Her work drew intense criticism, and her first efforts were eventually given up. Hillary did, however, create the Children’s Health Insurance Program in 1997. 
The program was considered to be her most successful achievement as First Lady. Regardless of whether people agreed with her, Hillary was doing the work that she felt needed to be done. She kept an office in the White House and attended meetings when her husband was addressing issues that she was working on. She stayed in the spotlight while her husband served as President. 
Not everyone appreciated Hillary’s involvement. In 1993, it was rumored that she had illegally profited from a development in the Ozarks called “Whitewater”, for which she was charged in the court. In 1998, Bill Clinton admitted having an affair with a White House intern（实习生）named Monica Lewinsky. Hillary stood behind her husband and supported him. 
51. Before becoming American President, Bill Clinton __________.
 A. served as Governor of Arkansas  
 B. wrote articles for a newspaper column
 C. made his wife the First Lady of the states
 D. devoted himself to working for healthcare reform
52. About Hillary Clinton, it can be inferred that __________.
 A. she was strongly against political reform in her country
 B. she had little interest in political activities throughout her life
 C. her “no nonsense” manner aroused different views from people
 D. her being the First Lady of the states lasted for more than thirty years
53. Hillary Clinton made her most successful achievement as First Lady in __________.
 A. Bill Clinton’s presidential election
 B. the involvement in “whitewater”
 C. the Monica Lewinsky incident
 D. the Children’s Health Insurance Program
54. From the passage, Hillary Clinton is a woman of __________.
 A. importance in politics   B. profound knowledge
 C. great controversy     D. attractive appearance 
55. The best title of this passage should be __________.
 A. The First Lady      B. Hillary Clinton
 C. Political Stars      D. Secretary of State 
B
Libraries are my world. I've been a patron (老主顾) all my life, and for the past nine years I've worked at multiple libraries and archives in and around Detroit. The library as an institution has many roles, but as our country struggles through an economic crisis, I have watched the library where I work evolve into a career and business center, a community gathering place and a bastion (堡垒) of hope.
In the spring of 2007 I got a library internship at the Southfield Public Library (SPL), just north of Detroit. Summers at SPL were usually slow, but that year, we experienced a library that was as busy as science-fair project week, midterms or tax season. Yet patrons weren't looking for Mosby's Nursing Drug Reference or tax return forms. They were coming for information on growing their small business.
I interpreted people's interest in our business collection as the first step to pursuing their dreams, but these patrons were not motivated by dreams. They were responding to reality, and they were looking for Plan B.
Things worsened in 2008, and in 2009 the economic crisis continues to plague Michigan. Last year, we put up a display with a variety of job resources that we restocked every hour. Each night the library closed, the display was bare. While we normally keep displays up for a week, we kept the job resources display up for months.
Then there's the tightening credit market. People see the writing on the wall and they want to get educated. They can't afford a financial adviser, but checking books out is free. Some of the most popular titles now are Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Think and Grow Rich, and Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan.
The economic downturn affects us all. I have had to work long hours and don't get to see much of my boyfriend or experience any kind of social life lately, but I am thankful to be in a position where I can help people overcome this struggle. In Michigan, we haven't lost hope. As long as there are libraries here, there will always be hope.
56. What changes has the current economic crisis brought to the library?
A. It has opened its age-old archives to the general public.
B. It has become a job and business information center.
C. It has evolved into a place for business transactions.
D. It has had to cut its budget to get through the crisis.
57. What does the author say about the Southfield Public Library in the summer of 2007?
A. It was overflowing with visitors.
B. It launched a science project series.
C. It added many books on business to its collection.
D. It was full of people seeking information on drugs.
58. What can be inferred from people's strong interest in the library's business collection?
A. They think it is now time to realize their dreams.
B. They find economics helpful in tiding over the crisis.
C. They consider it a trend to start their own business.
D. They are concerned about the worsening economy.
59. Why were there no more job resources on display by the end of the day?
A) The library staff could not do the restocking quickly enough.
B) People competed with each other for the jobs listed in the ads.
C. People were much interested in the job resources on display.
D. All the materials on display were free of charge to the jobless.
60. How did the author feel about working in the library?
A. She felt contented to be in a position to provide help.
B. She felt pleased to be able to give hope to the jobless.
C. She felt rewarded to have gained a lot of experience.
D. She felt sorry to miss the social life.
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