Some of the United States’ biggest banks have closed their doors to students at community colleges, for-profit universities and other less competitive schools, even as they continue to extend government-backed loans to students at eh nation’s top universities.
Citibank has been among the most active in rebuilding the list of colleges it serves. JPMorgan Chase, PNC and SunTrust say have not dropped whole loan plans, but are cutting colleges. Some less-selective four-year colleges, like Eastern Oregon University and William Jessup University, say they have been dropped by some lenders.
The practice suggests that if the credit crisis and poor conditions in the student loan business continue, some of the nation’s neediest students will be hurt most. The difficulty of borrowing money may keep them from attending school or force them to take a semester(学期) off. For those who have got student loans, they will end up with less attractive terms and may run a greater risk of dropping out if they have to change lenders in the middle of their college year.
Tuition and loan amounts can be quite small at community colleges. But these institutions, which are a stepping stone to other educational programs or to better jobs, often draw students from the lower ranks of the economic classes. According to the most recent data, about a third of US graduates took out loans, a majority of them guaranteed by the government.
“If put too many obstacles in their way to get a loan, they ’ll take a third job or use a credit card,” said Jacqueline K. Bradley, assistant director for financial aid at Mendocino College. “That almost guarantees that they won’t be as successful in their college career.”
Some loan companies have stopped the students loan business entirely, viewing it as unprofitable in the current environment. Students attending first-class, expensive, public and private four-year universities can expect to remain plentiful. The banks generally say these loans are bigger, more profitable, and less risky, perhaps in part because the banks expect graduates from these universities to earn more.
So far, financial aid administrators say they have been able to find some lenders that students can switch to, but this is costly to students--- in money and time.
59. Who will be the most upset at the news?
A. A poor students at a top university. B. A poor students at a community university.
C. A bank clerk dealing with student loan business.
D. A teacher from a for-profitable university.
60. With too many obstacles in their way to get a loan, students will probably __________.
A. switch to top universities B. cancel their credit cards
C. fail in their exams D. win a scholarship
61. When they say something is “government-backed”, you mean it is ___________.
A. guaranteed by the government B. dropped by the government
C. against government D. for government
62. What is the best title for the passage?
A. The students loan business in America. B. Banks and universities in America.
C. Student loans start to drop colleges. D. Credit crisis starts to affect loans.
Ellis Island is located in New York Harbor. Ellis Island is open daily year round from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours during summer. It is closed on December 25. There is no admission charge to Ellis Island; but donations are gratefully accepted.
At Your Fingertips
Park information (212) 363-7620
Emergencies (212) 363-3260
Ferryboat information (212) 269-5755
Lost and found (212)363-7620
Dining, gifts & audio tour 344-0996
Transportation
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry; boats leave from Battery Park, Manhattan, and from Liberty State Park, New Jersey. They run about every 30 to 45 minutes beginning at 9:15 a.m.(The time for ferry is changeable)
Hours: May vary; call the number above
Closed: December 25
Ferry fees (includes Liberty and Islands) adults, $7; senior citizens, $6; children (age 3~17), $5. (Group rates are available for 25 or more adults.)In summer, visitors will have ______ to visit Ellis Island.
A.a limited time | B.a longer time |
C.a shorter time | D.a wonderful time |
Which number would you call if our friend were suddenly ill? _______
A.(212)344-0996 | B.(212)363-7620 |
C.(212) 363-3260 | D.(212) 269-5755 |
Which of the following is NOT true?________
A.People can visit Ellis Island free of charge. |
B.The boats departure time from Battery Park is at 9:15 all the year round. |
C.Ferry fees for children are cheaper than for adults. |
D.Ferry fees for group visitors can be reduced. |
The size and location of the world’s deserts are always changing. Over millions of years, as climates change and mountains rise, new dry and wet areas appear. But within the last hundred years deserts have been increasing after frightful speed. This is partly because of natural changes, but most responsible for creating deserts are men.
Man can make deserts, but they can also prevent them from getting bigger. Algeria is planning a green belt of trees along the edge of the Sahara Desert to stop the sand. In China, too, windbreaks are being built in the northwest to keep the desert from growing.
But desert still threaten the world. Experts believe that land that is on the way to becoming deserts equals the size of Australia, Russia and US put together. Can we stop the spread of the world’s deserts and save the land that is so essential to mankind? Yes, we can, And we must.The reason for the land that turns into deserts is mostly because of _______
A.the changing of the climates | B.man |
C.the natural changes | D.the wind |
The word “windbreak” means _______
A.trees planted as a belt to stop the wind |
B.high walls as a belt to stop the wind |
C.long and deep ditch as a belt to stop the wind |
D.men stood side by side as a belt to stop the wind |
The deserts still threaten the world in the way ______
A.of increasing at an unbelievable speed |
B.of spreading in Australia , Russia, and the US |
C.of appearing new dry and wet areas in every part of the world |
D.that they cause the changes of the climates |
Which of the following do you think is the best method?____
A.People move away from the land that is on the way to become deserts |
B.To build great walls to stop the wind and sand |
C.To plant trees and grass on the surface of the land |
D.To irrigate the desert |
There are many kinds of sales. For example, a “back-to-school sale” is held near the beginning of the school year. Parents like the lower prices of the clothes and school supplies for their children.
A “midnight madness” event starts very late at night. An “early bird special” sale starts very early in the morning. This kind of sale is popular the day after Thanksgiving in November.
A favorite sale among many people is the “buy one, get one free” sale. You buy one thing and get a second one without cost. When people see the word “free” in an advertisement they know they are getting a good deal. As a matter of fact, it is not the case.
Another kind of sale is a “going out of business” sale. This is when a storeowner tries to sell all the goods in the store before closing the business permanently(永久地).
Let us say the store sells floor coverings. The owner lowers the prices and puts up a sign that says: “Going out of business sale. All items MUST be sold by tomorrow.”
People who buy the floor coverings think they are getting a special deal because everything must be sold in a short period of time. Then, days later they see the store did not close permanently. And they see the same sign that claims the store is going out of business. Some business owners really do not end the business. They just want to earn more money.
People also hold their own sales. They hold garage sales and yard sales outside their home. They sell things they no longer want. Groups such as religious centers or schools hold bake sales. They sell cakes, cookies and other baked goods to raise money.
In America, you can always find a good sale, no matter the day or time of year. There is the Independence Day sale, Veteran’s Day sale, clearance sale, sidewalk sale, red tag sale, white sale, blue light special, liquidation sale, half-off sale, warehouse sale, tent sale ...What does the passage mainly deal with?
A.How to save money in shopping. |
B.Different kinds of sales. |
C.Shoppers’ ways to earn money. |
D.Reasons for the popularity of sales. |
What do we call the sale if it starts before the sun rises?
A.A “back-to-school sale”. |
B.A “midnight madness” event. |
C.An “early bird special” sale. |
D.A “buy one, get one free” sale. |
Why do parents like a “back-to-school sale”?
A.Because it has a variety of school supplies. |
B.Because it is held at the beginning of the school year. |
C.Because it provides plenty school uniforms. |
D.Because they can save money. |
What’s the purpose of some owners who do “going out of business” sale repeatedly?
A.They want to close the business permanently. |
B.They want to give special offers to customers. |
C.They want to sell all their goods in a short period of time. |
D.They want to cheat the customers into buying their goods. |
Teen Climbing Camp 2014
This 5-day climbing camp is suitable for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 who have an interest in rock climbing. The climbing days are designed for beginners and those who have some basic experience in a gym or outdoors. Participants will find themselves challenged physically and mentally.
Rock Dimensions camps are designed to be a positive and memorable experience by providing healthy communication between participants, individual goal setting, and challenges that lead to personal growth.
Dates
Monday, June 29-Friday, July 3
Monday, July 27-Friday, July 31
Locations
Climbing Tower at Footsloggers
Linville Gorge and Table Rock area
Local climbing areas near Boone
Responsibilities
Participants will meet Rock Dimensions guides at our location each morning and at the end of each day. Rock Dimensions will provide all climbing items, including a safety rope, a helmet and climbing shoes for each participant. Participants are responsible for bringing their own lunch, water, small backpack, appropriate clothing, and personal items like sun cream, etc.
Pre-camp planning
Participants will receive the following information in their registration(注册) packet Medical Form, Responsibility Agreement, Clothing/Equipment List, and Directions.
Cost
$575/person for the 5-day camp
$325/person for the first 3 days
Anyone interested in participating in just the last two days of the camp should call to discuss cing and necessary skills/experience.According to the text, Rock Dimensions camps will _______.
A.probably impress participants deeply |
B.provide a few competitions |
C.help the participants set their life goals |
D.check the records of personal growth |
What of the following do participants need to bring with them?
A.A safety rope. | B.A helmet. |
C.Climbing shoes. | D.Appropriate clothing. |
If Paul wants to participate in the climbing camp from July 27 to July 29 and his brother from July 27 to July 31, it will cost them _______.
A.575 dollars | B.650 dollars |
C.900 dollars | D.1,150 dollars |
What can we infer from the text?
A.Some experience is required of the participants. |
B.It’ll be hard for teens to experience the climbing. |
C.Parents are required to stay with their children. |
D.Guides will talk about the prices |
Every day we are adding more and more vacation ideas, destinations, tours, and articles. As you explore our website,you will find there is an ever-growing collection of things that will help make your vacation easier and more affordable.
We change our featured destinations very frequently so be sure to keep coming back to see what new ideas we have for your family vacation.We feature a different state,park, and city destination on the front page of the website.These change frequently, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you can be sure to keep up with all the new information.
Another great feature we are offering is Guest Articles.These may come from a travel professional,author, parent or child about their travel ideas or offers.These informative articles are great to read and are perfect for discovering valuable tips and tricks for the travel less stressful.Plus,in many articles you will discover some hidden gems(珍品)that you probably miss if you did not know about them.
One of the best things about our website is our ability to get you discounted Tours and Attraction Passes to the places you want to go most.This is a fantastic way to plan ahead and have your tours and passes paid for and pick them up before you leave your home.Now that is a helpful way to go.These programs can save you over 50%of what you could expect to pay when you arrive.And,we are adding new tours and programs every week.Be sure to check it out.
You can be sure we are working hard for you so that you can relax on your vacation. Let us do all the leg work for you so you can simply enjoy your family vacation!Which of the following shows the organization of the text?(P=Paragraph)
What does the writer want to do by writing this text?
A.To give people tips on family vacations. |
B.To offer travelers featured destinations. |
C.To attract readers to surf a tourist website. |
D.To introduce hidden gems for traveling. |
What can we learn from Guest Articles?
A.steps to sign up for the family vacation website. |
B.Tips on keeping up with new travel information. |
C.Tips and tricks for a comfortable trip. |
D.Tricks for enjoying a free family vacation |
Which isn’t the benefit that the website brings to us?
A.We can get discounted Tours and Attraction Passes |
B.We can get some information of new tours and programs |
C.We can have our Passes in hand when starting off. |
D.We can enjoy a family vacation with leg work. |