More than three dozen billionaires, including well-known philanthropist (慈善家) David Rockefeller, have promised at least half of their fortunes to charity, joining a programme that Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett started in June to encourage other wealthy people to give.

The pledge is currently worth about $ 150 billion, but the programme predicts it will eventually be worth $ 600 billion.

“During even the Depression’s worst years, my parents gave money - about 8% of their annual income of $ 2200,”said Lorry Lokey, one of the donors, on the website of the programme, the Giving Pledge, “I remember saying to my mother that we can’t afford that. But she said we have to share with others.”

The pledge has been a matter of some debate in philanthropic and non-profit circles, with some experts dismissing it as mere publicity and others predicting that it would produce a flood of new money to support non-profit groups.

Buffett said the real value of the pledge was found in the example it set and in the sentiments (情感) expressed in the letters posted on the website.

Buffett and Gates will hold several dinners later this year to recruit more billionaires, and members of the Giving Pledge will meet annually to discuss their philanthropy.

The pair are due to meet some wealthiest people in China next month and India in March.

“We hope this catches fire in some other countries,”Buffett said, “If they want to take what we think is a good idea and run with it, we will be cheering.”

Buffett said the number of people who had agreed to sign on was at the high end of his expectations. He said some people who declined to sign the pledge were planning to give away most of their wealth but did not want to draw attention to those plans.

Energy tycoon (大亨) Pickens, who is worth about $ 1 billion, said in his Giving Pledge letter: “I’ve long stated that I enjoy making money, and I enjoy giving it away. I’m not a big fan of inherited wealth. It generally does more harm than good.”

61. What’s the purpose of the programme started by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett?

A) To spread the idea of charity around the world.

B) To involve more wealthy people in philanthropy.

C) To publicise the pains and gains of charity work.

D) To narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.

62. What message does Lorry Lokey intend to convey through his website posting?

A) The spirit of giving runs in his family.

B) His family’s income is far from large.

C) His family suffered during the Great Depression.

D) The wealth of his family has come the hard way.

63. Why are Buffett and Gates going to meet some wealthiest people in China and India?

A) To share their experience with the newly rich there.

B) To publicise their generosity in helping the needy.

C) To help the billionaires there see the true value of money.

D) To persuade the wealthy people there to join their ranks.

64. What reason do some people give for declining to sign the pledge?

A) They are unsure if they can meet the public’s expectations.

B) They are still undecided whether to give or not.

C) They have made plans for disposing of their wealth.

D) They are reluctant to be the focus of attention.

65. What does energy tycoon Pickens try to say in his Giving Pledge letter?

A) Leaving a fortune to one’s children is unwise.

B) The more you give, the happier you will be.

C) Blessed are those who inherit large fortunes.