话可以帮助构建今天的民族共识，因此C正确。

38. ［答案］ A细节理解题。作者说明社会的共识来自共同的历史、语言、信仰、祖先等,而美国是一个移民国家,无此基础,因此美国人形成了反社会的个性。由此可判断A说法正确。B、C两项只是局部原因。D项说法笼统、模糊。

39. ［答案］ D推断题。作者在第二段里谈到narcissism 的起源，Lasch 对它的研究以及他对美国人目前的心态与过去的比较等，这些表明他是一位社会历史学家。故D正确。其余三项皆无依据。

40. ［答案］ C细节理解题。作者在第三段后半部分谈到神话即古代传下来的故事,尤指有关于一个民族早期历史的观念或信仰等。作者最后说，这些神话有助于驱除隔绝、内疚、焦虑和失落感。由此可知C为正确答案。

Section Ⅲ Writing

Dear Sir,

My name is Li Ming. We met last Tuesday afternoon. It is very kind of you to offer me a job interview this Thursday afternoon (December 20). But I am very sorry to write to you and tell you that I can't meet the appointment. My supervisor has rescheduled his lecture to Thursday afternoon, so I won't be able to excuse myself then.

I'll be very grateful if you could kindly schedule my job interview to anytime Friday afternoon. You see, I've been looking forward to the interview.

Please spare a little time of yours to send me a message or give me a call and inform me of your decision.

Sincerely yours,

Li Ming