精品学习网考试频道小编应广大考生的需要，特为参加考试的考生策划了“2012年英语专八改错模拟题：第九套”专题等有关资料，供考生参考!
One of the most important non-legislative functionsof the U.S Congress is the power to investigate.
The power is usually delegated to committees—eitherstanding committees, special
committees set for a specific purpose, or jointcommittees __1__
consisted of members of both houses. Investigations__2__
are held to gather information on the need for future
legislation,to test the effectiveness of laws already passed, to inquire into thequalifications and performance of
members and officials of the other branches, and in rare occasions, __3__
to lay the groundwork for impeachment proceedings. Frequently,
committees rely outside experts to assist in conducting __4__
investigative hearings and to make out detailed studies of issues. __5__
There are important corollaries to the investigative power.
One is the power to publicize investigations and its results. Most __6__
committee hearings are open to public and are reported widely __7__
in the mass media. Congressional investigations nevertheless __8__
represent one important tool available to lawmakers to inform
the citizenry and to arouse public interests in national issues, __9__
Congressional committees also have the power to compel
testimony from unwilling witnesses, and to cite for contempt
of Congress witnesses who refuse to testify and for perjury
these who give false testimony. __10__