The UN Security Council was created in 1945. It is made up of 10 rotating (轮值的) members and five permanent members, which have a veto, the power to stop a resolution (决议). Most UN members now consider the organization's structure outdated． But any changes need the agreement of two-thirds of the 191 members, and no veto from any of the five permanent council members.
Last year, Japan, Germany, Brazil and India formed a lobbying (游说) group to get permanent council seats. But North and South Korea have doubts about Japan, Italy opposes Germany for a seat, Pakistan is against India's candidacy (候选资格) and Mexico and Argentina frown on Brazil.
A wave of emotion swept through China last week as millions voiced their opposition to Japan's permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. By last Friday over 22 million Chinese had signed an online petition (请愿) against Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the council.
According to major Chinese websites, such as sina.com, more than 170,000 overseas Chinese also signed． This is the first online activity of its kind．
The petition was started by US-based Alliance for Preserving the Truth of the Sino-Japanese War (抗日战争史实维护会). They want Japan to apologize for crimes during World War II. The group also plans to present the petition to the UN this autumn.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said he didn't think the petition shows anti-Japanese feeling. He believed instead it is a request for Japan to take a responsible attitude towards history.
小题1:What’s the main idea of the first paragraph?
A．Function of the UN in world affairs.
B．Members of the UN.
C．Facts about the UN Security Council.
D．Reform of the UN Security Council.小题2: Which statement is true according to the text?
A．Four countries, such as Japan, Germany, Brazil and India are applying for joining the UN.
B．Some countries, such as North and South Korea, Italy, Pakistan, Mexico and Argentina
propose ticking the four countries out of the UN.
C．If the countries’ bids for permanent membership of the Council are turned down, the
opponent countries will take the place.
D．The UN Security Council is going to take in new members.小题3:The underlined phrase “frown on” in the third paragraph can be replaced by _____.
A．agree on
B．disapprove of
C．give a firm support to
D．say yes to小题4:What’s the main reason for China’s opposition to Japan’s permanent membership of the
Council?
A．Japan is unwilling to admit to its crimes against the Chinese in the World War II.
B．Millions of people in Asia signed a petition against it.
C．The Chinese people have strong anti-Japanese feeling.
D．Japan is an irresponsible country that once had a history of invasion.
