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In 1960-1961, Chad (乍得) harvested 9800 tons of cotton seed for the first time in itshistory, and put out the flag a little too soon. The efforts of the authoritiesto get the peasants back to work, as they had slacked off (松懈) a greatdeal the previous year during independence celebrations, largely contributed toit. Also, rains were well spaced, and continued through the whole month ofOctober. If the 1961-1962 total is back to the region of 45000 tons, it ismostly because efforts slackened again and sowing was started too late.
The average date of sowing is about July 1st. If this date is simplymoved up fifteen or twenty days, 30000 to 60000 tons of cotton are gained,depending on the year. The peasant in Chad sows his millet (小米) first,and it is hard to criticize this instinctive priority given to his daily bread.An essential reason for his lateness with sowing cotton is that at the timewhen he should leave to prepare the fields he has just barely sold the cottonof the previous season. The work required to sow, in great heat, ispsychologically far more difficult if one's pockets are full of money. The dateof cotton sales should therefore be moved forward as much as possible, andpurchases of equipment and draught animals encouraged.
Peasants should also be encouraged to save money, to help themthrough the difficult period between harvests. If necessary they should beforced to do so, by having the payments for cotton given to them ininstallments (分期付款). The last payment would be made after proof that the peasant hasplanted before the deadline, the date being advanced to the end of June. Thosewho have done so would receive extra money whereas the last planters would notreceive their last payment until later.
Only the first steps are hard, because once work has started thepeasants continue willingly on their way. Educational campaigns among thepeasants will play an essential role in this basic advance, early sowing, onwhich all the others depend. It is not a matter of controlling the peasants.Each peasant will remain master of his fields. One could, however, suggest theneed for the time being of kind but firm rule, which, as long as it cannot berealized by the people, should at least be for the people.
21. In 1960-1961, Chad had a good harvest of cotton because.
A)the government greatly encouraged peasants
B)rains favored the growth of cotton
C)Chad gained independence in the previous year
D)Both A)and B)
22. We learn from the passage that the date of sowing cotton isusually.
A) on June 15thB) on July 15thC) on July 1st D) on July 20th
23. As used in the third sentence of the second paragraph,dailybreadrefers to.
A) breakfast B)bread and butter C)rice D)millet
24. In order to help them through the difficult time betweenharvests the peasants have to.
A)sell cotton in advance B)beencouraged to save money
C)sow cotton in time D)plant millet first
25. Which of the following is NOT true?
A)Educational campaigns are very important to early sowing.
B)Of all the advances that the writer hopes for, early sowing is themost important.
C)Peasants should remain the masters of their fields.
D)Government might as well make good and firm rule for peasants.
Passage 5
1.D2.C3.D4.B5.B