Question

“Opinion” is a word that is used carelessly today．It is used to refer to matters of taste, belief, and judgment．This casual use would probably cause little confusion if people didn’t attach too much importance to opinion．Unfortunately, most attach great importance to it．“I have as much right to my opinion as you to yours,” and “everyone’s entitled to his opinion,” are common expressions．In fact, anyone who would challenge another’s opinion is likely to be branded intolerant．

Is that label accurate?Is it intolerant to challenge another’s opinion?It depends on what definition of opinion you have in mind, For example, you may ask a friend “ what do you think of the new Ford cars?” And he may reply, “In my opinion, they’re ugly．” In this case, it would not only be intolerant to challenge his statement, but foolish, for it’s obvious that by opinion he means his personal preference, a matter of taste．And as the old saying goes, “It’s pointless to argue about matters of taste．”

But consider this very different use of the term．A newspaper reports that the Supreme Court has delivered its opinion in a controversial(有争议的)case．Obviously the justices did not share their personal preferences, their mere likes and dislikes．They stated their considered judgment, painstakingly arrived at after thorough inquiry and deliberation(审议)．

Most of what is referred to as opinion falls somewhere between these two extremes．It is not an expression of taste．Nor is it careful judgment．Yet it may contain elements of both．It is a view or belief more or less casually arrived at, with or without examining the evidence．

Is everyone entitled to his opinion?Of course, this is not only permitted, but guaranteed．We are free to act on our opinions only so long as, in doing so, we do not harm others．

1. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the author?

A. Everyone has a right to hold his own opinion．

B. Free expression of opinions always leads to confusion.

C. Most people tend to be careless in forming their opinions.

D. Casual use of the word “opinion” often brings about quarrels.

2. According to the author, who of the following would be labeled as intolerant?

A. Someone who turns a deaf ear to others’ opinions．

B. Someone who can’t put up with others’ tastes．

C. Someone who values only their own opinions.

D. Someone whose opinion harms other people.

3. The new Ford cars are cited as an example to show that ________.

A. it is foolish to criticize a famous brand

B. one should not always agree to others’ opinions

C. personal tastes are not something to be challenged

D. it is unwise to express one’s likes and dislikes in public

4. Considered judgment is different from personal preference in that ________.

A. it is stated by judges in the court

B. it reflects public likes and dislikes

C. it is a result of a lot of controversy

D. it is based on careful thought

5. As indicated in the passage, being free to act on one’s opinion ________.

A. means that one can ignore other people’s criticism

B. means that one can make others accept the same opinion as one’s own

C. doesn’t mean that one has the right to do things at will

D. doesn’t mean that one has the right to charge others without evidence

Answer 1

答案：1．A;2．B;3．C;4．D;5．C;
解析：

(1)	文章的最后一段表明了作者的观点。人人有权拥有自己的观点。
(2)	根据第二段的描述可知那些不能容忍他人的爱好口味的人被成为“不宽容的人”
(3)	根据第二段结尾And as the old saying goes, “It’s pointless to argue about matters of taste．”表明没有必要去挑战个人的口味和爱好。
(4)	根据第三段法庭的判决是建立在谨慎考虑的基础上的。
(5)	最后一段We are free to act on our opinions only so long as, in doing so, we do not harm others．说明自由表达“意见”是有前提的。