六级真题2021年6月第一套 Passage Two
六级真题2021年6月第一套 Passage Two


①　Nicola Sturgeon’s speech last Tuesday setting out the Scottish government’s legislative programme for the year ahead confirmed what was already pretty clear. Scottish councils are set to be the first in the UK with the power to levy charges on visitors, with Edinburgh likely to lead the way.

②　Tourist taxes are not new. The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has a longstanding policy of charging visitors a daily fee. France’s tax on overnight stays was introduced to assist thermal spa (温泉) towns to develop, and around half of French local authorities use it today.
③　But such levies are on the rise. Moves by Barcelona and Venice to deal with the phenomenon of “over-tourism” through the use of charges have recently gained prominence. Japan and Greece are among the countries to have recently introduced tourist taxes.
④　That the UK lags behind is due to our weak, by international standards, local government, as well as the opposition to taxes and regulation of our aggressively pro-market ruling party. Some UK cities have lobbied without success for the power to levy a charge on visitors. Such levies are no universal remedy as the amounts raised would be tiny compared with what has been taken away by central government since 2010. Still, it is to be hoped that the Scottish government’s bold move will prompt others to act. There is no reason why visitors to the UK, or domestic tourists on holiday in hotspots such as Cornwall, should be exempt from taxation—particularly when vital local services including waste collection, park maintenance and arts and culture spending are under unprecedented strain.
⑤　On the contrary, compelling tourists to make a financial contribution to the places they visit beyond their personal consumption should be part of a wider cultural shift. Westerners with disposable incomes have often behaved as if they have a right to go wherever they choose with little regard for the consequences.Just as the environmental harm caused by aviation and other transport must come under far greater scrutiny, the social cost of tourism must also be confronted. This includes the impact of short-term lets on housing costs and quality of life for residents. Several European capitals, including Paris and Berlin, are leading a campaign for tougher regulation by the European Union. It also includes the impact of overcrowding, litter and the kinds of behaviour associated with noisy parties.
⑥　There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to this problem.The existence of new revenue streams for some but not all councils is complicated, and businesses are often opposed, fearing higher costs will make them uncompetitive. But those places that want them must be given the chance to make tourist taxes work.

1.1. What do we learn from Nicola Sturgeon’s speech?

A The UK is set to adjust its policy on taxation.

B Tourists will have to pay a tax to visit Scotland.

C The UK will take new measures to boost tourism.

D Edinburgh contributes most to Scotland’s tourism.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据题干关键词 Nicola Sturgeon's speech 定位至首段。首段①句首先指出妮古拉·斯特金的讲话关乎苏格兰政府未来一年的立法计划,②句随即指出苏格兰政府将对游客征收税费,爱丁堡可能走在最前面。可见,到苏格兰旅游的游客将需要交税。B项同义改写Scottish councils are set to... to levy charges on visitors.

2.2. How come the UK has been slow in imposing the tourist tax?

A Its government wants to attract more tourists.

B The tax is unlikely to add much to its revenue.

C Its ruling party is opposed to taxes and regulation.

D It takes time for local governments to reach consensus.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。由题干关键词 the UK、slow in imposing the tourist tax 可定位到第四段(the UK lags behind is due to...as well as...)。第四段①句指出,英国之所以在征收旅游税上落后于他国,一是因为其执政党反对征税与政府管控,二是因为地方政府相较软弱无力。C项同义替换文中 the opposition to taxes and regulation ofour aggressively pro-market ruling party。

3.3. Both international and domestic visitors in the UK should pay tourist tax so as to .

A elevate its tourism to international standards

B improve the welfare of its maintenance workers

C promote its cultural exchange with other nations

D ease its financial burden of providing local services

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。由题干关键信息定位至第四段末句(There is no reason why visitors to the UK, or domestic tourists... should be exempt from taxation).第四段末句指出,英国的国内外游客均没有理由免税,尤其是在至关重要的当地服务(包含垃圾收集、公园维护以及艺术与文化支出)面临前所未有的压力的情况下。换言之,如果对国内外游客征收旅游税,就可以减轻因提供当地服务而带来的财政负担,故D项正确。

4.4. What does the author say about Western tourists?

A They don’t seem to care about the social cost of tourism.

B They don’t seem to mind paying for additional services.

C They deem travel an important part of their life.

D They subject the effects of tourism to scrutiny.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。由题干 Western tourists 定位至第五段②句(Westerners)。第五段②句指出西方游客的表现:有权去任何想去的地方,却很少考虑因此造成的后果。联系③句“正如航空等交通方式所造成的环境危害必须受到正视一样,旅游业的社会成本(即社会环境危害等)也必须得到正视”可知。西方游客往往很少考虑旅游的社会成本,故A项正确。

5.5. What are UK people’s opinions about the levy of tourist tax?

A Supportive.

B Skeptical.

C Divided.

D Unclear.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。本题考查人物态度“英国各界人士对征收旅游税的态度”。结合试题命制题文同序原则以及题干关键词 UK people's opinions 可定位至第六段(councils、businesses)。第六段首句指出,对上述问题(是否征收旅游税)没有一刀切的解决办法。②③句详细说明首句,部分地方议会(政界人士)态度复杂,商界人士反对,部分地区需要/支持。可知,英国各界人士对征收旅游税的意见并不统一，存在巨大分歧，B项正确。