第三篇
Right and Wrong
Suppose you work in a library, checking people’s books as they leave, and a friend asks you to let him steel a hard-to-find reference book that he wants to own.
You might hesitate to agree for various reasons. You might be afraid that he’ll be caught, and that both you and he will then get into trouble. You might want the book to stay in the library so that you can read it yourself.
But you may also think that what he proposes is wrong—that he shouldn’t do it and you shouldn’t help him. If you think that, what does it mean and what, if anything, makes it true?
To say it’s wrong is not just to say it’s against the rules. There can be bad rules which stop what isn’t wrong—like a company rule against criticizing the boss. A rule can also be bad because it requires something that is wrong --- like a law that looks down upon black people in hotels and restaurants. The ideas of wrong and right are different from the ideas of what is and is not against the rules.
If you think it would be wrong to help your friend steal the book, then you will feel uncomfortable about doing it: in some way you won’t want to do it, even if you are also unwilling to refuse to help a friend. Where does the desire not to do it come from? What is its motive behind it?
There are various ways in which something can be wrong, but in this case, if you had to explain it, you’d probably say that it would be unfair to other users of the library. They may be just as interested in the book as your friend is, but read it in the reference room, where anyone who needs it can find it.
These thoughts have to deal with effects on others – not necessarily effects on their feelings, since they may never find out about it, but some kind of damage. In general, the thought that something is wrong depends on its impact not just on the person who does it but on other people.
41.The following may be the reasons why the librarian does not want to help his friend EXCEPT that
A.he is afraid that his friend might get into trouble.
B.he himself might get into trouble.
C.he believes it is wrong to help one’s poor friend.
D.he wants to read the book himself.
42.Which of the following statements does the author seem most likely to agree with?
A.To be or not to be against the rules has little to do with being wrong or right.
B.To say something is wrong almost suggests that it is against the rules.
C.A rule is always something that stops what is wrong.
D.A rule is always something that encourages what is right.
43.Why does the author give some examples of bad rules?
A.Because those rules are said to be strongly negative.
B.Because he wants to show that rules are not the criteria for judging right or wrong.
C.Because those rules are made in order to stop what is wrong.
D.Because he wants to support the argument that stealing a book is not a crime.
44.In the sentence “What is its motive behind it?” ( Paragraph 5), “it” refers to
A.the “it” in the phrase “the desire not to do it”.
B.“the desire” in the phrase “the desire not to do it”.
C.the idea of Paragraph 5.
D.the idea of helping the friend.
45.According to the passage, the author would judge what is wrong
A.by what is or is not against the rules.
B.by its impact on other people.
C.by one’s thoughts and feelings towards it.
D.by the kind of damage it does to others.
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