Is it possible to persuade mankind to live without war? War is an ancient custom which has existed for at least six thousand years. It was always evil and usually foolish, but in the past the human race managed to live with it. Modern skill has changed this. Either man will stop war, or war will stop man. For the present, it is nuclear weapons that cause the greatest danger, but bacteriological( 细菌的 ) or chemical weapons may, before long, offer an even greater threat. If we succeeded in stopping war, there would be no danger for us. To do this, we need to persuade mankind to look upon international questions in a new way, not by contests of force, in which the victory goes to the side which is most skillful in massacre (大屠杀 ),but by arbitration (仲裁）in accordance with agreed principles of law. It is not easy to change old mental habits, but this is what must be attempted.
There are those who say that the adoption of this or that ideology (意识形态)would prevent war. I believe this to be a complete error. All ideologies are based upon beliefs without proof which are, at best, doubtful, and at worst, totally false. Those people who believe them are willing to go to war in support of them.
The movement of world opinion during the past two years has changed very largely such as we can welcome. It has become a common belief that nuclear war must be avoided. Of course, very difficult problems remain in the international world, but the spirit in which they are being approached is a better one than it was some years ago. It has begun to be thought, even by the powerful men who decide whether we shall live or die, that agreements should be reached even if both sides do not find these agreements wholly satisfactory. It has begun to be understood that the important conflict (冲突) nowadays is not between East and West, but between Man and the Hbomb.
小题1:From the first paragraph we can know that ____.
A．we may face greater threat from weapons
B．bacteriological or chemical weapons are less dangerous than nuclear weapons
C．man’s idea of victory has changed
D．dangerous weapons are forbidden in modern society小题2:According to the author,______.
A．it is impossible to live without war
B．the difference between East and West will lead to war
C．war must be stopped if man wants to survive
D．war will be stopped by modern skill小题3:The author believes that the only way to stop war is to____.
A．stop nuclear weapons
B．settle international issues through agreements
C．destroy bacteriological and chemical weapons
D．let the stronger side take over the world小题4:The last paragraph suggests that______.
A．nuclear war will definitely not take place
B．real agreements have been now reached
C．world opinion is still divided on nuclear war
D．man is beginning to realize that nuclear war is his greatest enemy小题5: Which of the following words can best describe the author’s feeling in writing this passage?
A．Disappointed.
B．Doubtful.
C．Worried.
D．Hopeful.
