Question

Relation between the United States and Columbia suffered for many years because of an incident involving the Republic of Panama. By the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898, many Americans felt that an easier and faster way was needed to get ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Some people in the United States first believed that a canal across Nicaragua was the answer. However, President Theodore Roosevelt decided that a canal through Panama would be a better choice.

In order to build the canal , the United States had to negotiate （谈判） a treaty with Columbia , which at that time controlled Panama . Roosevelt offered Columbia $ 10 million plus $ 250,000 a year for 99 years for a six-mile-wide strip of land across Panama. Columbia rejected the United States’ offer. This ranged President Roosevelt, and negotiations with Columbia ended.

In 1903, a revolution broke out in Panama. The United States ships were sent by President Roosevelt to protect the Panamanian revolutionaries from Columbian forces. The revolution succeeded, and Panama declared its independence from Columbia. The United States then negotiated with the newly formed government. A treaty was signed, and the United States began building the canal.

As a result of the incident, Columbia and the United States remained on bad terms for many years. Not until 1921, when the United States agreed to pay Columbia some compensation (赔偿) for its territory, did relations between the two countries improve.

1.According to the passage, the United States and Columbia were on bad terms because the United States had ________.

A. at first wished to build a canal through Nicaragua

B. promised to pay Columbia $ 10 million for Panama

C. wished to build a canal through Panama

D. supported Panamanian revolutionaries in their fight for independence from Columbia.

2. From the information in the passage, it can be concluded that the United States ______.

A. wanted to build a canal because it was considered starting a war

B. felt that building a canal through Panama was worth the risk of ruining relations with Columbia

C. believed that a canal through Nicaragua would be profitable

D. had lost the Spanish-American War

3.It can be inferred from the passage that an important reason for the decision of the United States to build a canal was to _______.

A. develop trade relations with Europe

B. improve relations with South American countries

C. prevent European ships from reaching the Pacific Ocean

D. reduce travel time for its ships in case of war

4.The passage mainly gives us________.

A. advice B. information

C. humor D. News

Answer 1

1.D

2.B

3.D

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文主要讲述多年来美国和哥伦比亚的关系不好的具体原因。

1.题。文章开篇明义，指出多年来美国和哥伦比亚的关系不好是因为巴拿马共和国，接着介绍了具体详细的原因：美国想修一条经过哥伦比亚的巴拿马的从大西洋到太平洋的运河，于是和哥伦比亚谈判，哥伦比亚不同意，谈判结束。1903年，巴拿马革命爆发，美国支持巴拿马革命者取得独立，之后和巴拿马共和国达成协议，于是美国和哥伦比亚的关系不好。直到1921年，关系才缓和。 故选D

2. the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898”可知战争将结束，而不是战争的开始。C错，由第一段第二句“many Americans felt that an easier and faster way was needed to get ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.”可知是最简单最快的路，而不是“profitable”丰厚利润的。D错，文中未提及美国与西班牙战争的胜败。 故选B。

3. the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898，many Americans felt that an easier and faster way was needed to get ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.”最简单最快的路，分析可知为战争节省时间。 故选D。

4.多年来美国和哥伦比亚的关系不好的具体原因。故是给我们一些信息。故选B。

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