From their beginnings New England towns had a special
democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would
assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express
opinions freely. They also elected the town’s officials at these gatherings and
made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community
matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located
in the central square.
In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who
owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone
present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed
to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still
common in New England communities.
In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely
imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally
a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an
opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.
1.At a town meeting, people do the following things
EXCEPT __________.
A．express their
opinions about the government
B．elect
officials of the towns
C．make a
decision about whom they should marry
D．discuss some
community matters
2.In the 18th century, who had the right to
vote?
A．All the
citizens.
B．All the men
except those who were church members.
C．The rich.
D．The rich men
and the church members.
3.Why has the town meeting been widely imitated?
A．Because many
people are interested in it.
B．Because it is
very democratic.
C．Because many
people enjoy themselves at town meetings.
D．Because sometimes
government agencies call them.
4.According to the passage, which of the following
statements is NOT true?
A．Citizens can
elect the officials in the town meeting.
B．In recent
years, town meetings are often called by a government agency.
C．People can
say what they want to say at the town meeting.
D．Nowadays this
kind of meeting is also held on radio and television.
5.This passage mainly talks about _______.
A．the New
England town meeting B．modern town
meetings
C．a democratic
meeting D．New England
towns