An Indian anthropologist, chandra Thapar, made a study of foreign cultures with customs similar to those of her native land. One culture in particular fascinated her because it revered one animal as sacred, much as the people of India revere the cow. The things she discovered might interest you as we begin our study of India.
The tribe studied by Dr. Thapar is called the Asu. The Asu culture is a highly developed society in some ways and yet does many things as primitive societies would. The Asu seem preoccupied with the care and feeding of the rac, an animal much like the bull in size, strength, and temperament. In the Asu tribe it is almost a social obligation to own at least one rac. Any member of the tribe not owning one is held in low esteem by the community and many times is held in a low social class. Some powerful and wealthy members of the tribe have their own herd of racs.
The problem that arises from this social valuing of the rac is that the breed is not a very healthy one. Individual animals have a life expectancy of less than seven years. Each family invests a large amount of their wealth into the rac to keep it healthy. Each community has rac specialists who have been trained in the care of treating the rac. These specialists demand costly offerings for the treatment of rac problems and this sometimes causes problems within the community.
Although the rac may be used as a beast of burden, it has many habits which other cultures would consider harmful to the society. The first problem is that of the increasing rac population. Tribes people have given little thought about what to do about this ever increasing problem. A second problem with the increasing size of rac herds is the need to acquire more land for fields and paths for the rac to travel on. The cost of smoothing the Earth to make sure that the rac are not injured is too expensive for each individual so, the community does it by collecting an annual tax to build and maintain these fields and paths. The third problem is that unlike the excrement of the cow which is very good as a fertilizer, rac excrement is extremely foul and useless. The final, and possibly the most serious problem with the increase in rac, is that the rac is prone (易于…) to rampages in which runs down anything in its path, much like stampeding cattle. Estimates put the number of injured Asu in the thousands each year because of the rac.
Despite the high cost of keeping a rac, the damage and cost it does to the land, and the fact that rac kill and injure thousands yearly, the Asu still regard the rac as essential to the survival of their culture. The Asu still initiate their young people into the culture by having them petition (请求) a high priest in a grand temple where they are tested on their knowledge of the care and handling of a rac. If they are successful they are given permission by the elders to work with rac.
65. What can we know about Chandra Thapar?
A. She is a philosopher. B. her native land has the same custom.
C. Things she discovered is not interesting. D. Indian people respect cows.
66. Which of the following is NOT true about rac?
A. Racs need tremendous care and feeding.
B. Racs is like bulls in many ways.
C. Owning racs is a symbol of a highly developed society.
D. Some people are willing to own more than one rac.
67. How many problems are listed above?
A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6
68. What is Asu’s response to the high cost and damage to the land?
A. Still revere Racs and encourage the young to follow suit.
B. Question the meaning of this custom and have a deep look into it.
C. Stop going after racs blindly and recover the land.
D. Notice the severity of this situation and decrease the number of racs.
69. which object is author’s target?
A. Asu B. primitive society C. beast D. car
70. What can you refer from this passage?
A. We have to give more thought to the increasing population of racs.
B. We need to collect more tax to maintain these fields and paths.
C. More hospitals should be built to treat people injured by racs.
D. Vehicles should be used in an appropriate way and environment should be paid attention to.
DCCADD
查看答案