The reason was obvious.
As Grass put it in a recent interview with the weekly Die Woche: \the crimes we Germans are responsible for were and are so dominant, we didn’t have the energy left to tell of our own sufferings.\
The long silence about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff was probably unavoidable — and necessary. By unreservedly owning up to their country’s monstrous crimes in the Second World War, Germans have managed to win acceptance abroad, marginalize (使……不得势) the neo-Nazis at home and make peace with their neighbors. Today’s unified Germany is more prosperous and stable than at any time in its long, troubled history. For that, a half century of willful forgetting about painful memories like the German Titanic was perhaps a reasonable price to pay. But even the most politically correct Germans believe that they’ve now earned the right to discuss the full historical record. Not to equate German suffering with that of its victims, but simply to acknowledge a terrible tragedy.
36.
Why does the author say the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff was the worst tragedy in maritime history?
A) It happened in the final winter of World War II. B) It caused the largest number of casualties. C) Most of its passengers were frozen to death.
D) Its victims were mostly women, children and old people.
正确答案： B 37.
Hundreds of families dropped into the sea when ________. A) the badly damaged ship leaned toward one side B) the deck was frozen by an ice storm
C) the cruise ship was attacked by Russian torpedoes D) the frightened passengers fought desperately for lifeboats
正确答案： A 38.
The Wilhelm Gustloff tragedy was little talked about for more than half a century because Germans ________.
A) were eager to win international acceptance B) had been forced to keep silent about it C) were afraid of facing the terrible past D) felt guilty for their crimes in World War II
正确答案： D 39.
How does Gunter Grass revive the memory of the Wilhelm Gustloff tragedy? A) By describing the ship’s sinking in great detail. B) By giving an interview to the weekly Die Woche. C) By presenting the horrible scene of the torpedo attack.
D) By depicting the survival of a young pregnant woman.
正确答案： D 40.
Germans discuss the historical tragedy now after a long silence because ________. A) They had paid for the nation’s past misdeeds B) they hope to be accepted by other countries C) they only want to make the tragedy clear D) they just show sympathy to the dead
正确答案： C
Part III Vocabulary and Structure ( 11 minutes )
Directions: There are a number of incomplete sentences in this part. For each sentence there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Choose the ONE that best completes the sentence.
41.
Troy was very clever for his age and had already figured out ways to ______ her. A) outsmart B) outgrow C) beguile D) betray
正确答案： A 42.
Tom, did it ever ______ to you that you would be punished for cheating in exams? A) happen B) occur C) reflect D) strike
正确答案： B
43.
Modern forms of transportation and communication have done much to ________ the isolation of life in Alaska. A) break through B) break down C) break into D) break out
正确答案： A 44.
It’s outrageous, and we won’t ________ any more. A) stand for B) stand out C) stand by D) stand over
正确答案： C
45.
In India more than one hundred languages are spoken, ______ which only fourteen are recognized as official. A) of B) by C) with D) within
正确答案： A 46.
If I criticize him, he gets ______ and starts shouting. A) defensive B) impressive C) aggressive D) decisive
正确答案： C 47.
Many businesses have ______ because of the recession. A) closed up
B) closed in C) closed down D) closed around
正确答案： C 48.
It’s so ________ of you to complain in the presence of the director. A) senseless B) sensible C) sensitive D) sensual
正确答案： A 49.
The plane ________ so smoothly that the passengers could hardly feel it. A) took off B) took up C) took over D) took on
正确答案： A 50.
The manager’s arguments are rather _________ to criticism. A) sensitive B) vulnerable C) opposed D) exposed
正确答案： B 51.
In case of damage, our manager had all the possessions _________. A) insured B) ensured C) assured D) guaranteed
正确答案： A
52.
The local government has ________ several highways in this district.