From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At

From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town’s officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square.
In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities.
In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.
【小题1】At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT . A．express their opinions about the governmentB．elect officials of the townsC．make a decision about whom they should marryD．discuss some community matters【小题2】In the 18th century, who had the right to vote? A．All the citizens.B．All the men except those who were church members.C．The rich.D．The rich men and the church members.【小题3】Why has the town meeting been widely imitated? A．Because many people are interested in it.B．Because it is very democratic.C．Because many people enjoy themselves at town meetings.D．Because sometimes government agencies call them.【小题4】According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? A．Citizens can elect the officials in the town meeting.B．In recent years, town meetings are often called by a government agency.C．People can say what they want to say at the town meeting.D．Nowadays this kind of meeting is also held on radio and television.【小题5】This passage mainly talks about . A．the New England town meetingB．modern town meetingsC．a democratic meetingD．New England townsC

(答案→)C 解析：文章开头就点明了主题，主要介绍了英格兰的新市政会议，以及市政会议的主要讨论内容。【小题1】C。文中提到是付税费，而不是生活方面的费用。【小题2】D。依据为第二段中的“In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, …”。【小题3】B。从文章的第一句和最后一段可看出市政会议之所以受欢迎是因为其民主性。【小题4】B。从文章的最后一段中的“Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency…”可知这种会议是偶尔召开，而不是经常开。【小题5】A。文章开头就点明了主题，主要介绍了英格兰的新市政会议。

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