Editor’snotes:AWLiswellknownfo-优题课

In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord (房东) can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartment. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent-controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.
Some experts argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low-paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics hold the opinion that an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.
Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages.
Economic theory predicts the results of economic decision, such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be corrected only if “other things are equal”. Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.
67. There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may________.
A.cause a shortage of apartments
B.worry those who rent apartments as homes.
C.Increase the profits of landlords.
D.Encourage landlords to invest in building apartments.
68.We can safely say that rent control__________.
A.will always benefit those who rent apartments.
B.is unnecessary.
C.will probably bring inactive effects in the long run.
D.is necessary under all conditions
69.There will be the problem of unemployment if___________.
A.the minimum wage is set too high..
B.the minimum wage is set too early.
C.the workers are unskilled.
D.the maximum wage is set for poor workers.
70.The passage tells us abou__________.
A.the relationship between supply and demand.
B.the possible results of government controls.
C.the necessity of government control.
D.the urgency of getting rid of government control.
71.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. The results of economic decisions cannot always be predicted.
B. Minimum wage cannot always protect employees.
C. Economic theory can help predict the results of economic decision if other factors are not changing.
D. Economists usually have the same prediction about an economic decision.

In tough economic times, school counselors (顾问) don’t just wait for students to come to their offices in search of college brochures, health pamphlets or other help. These days, they are looking for at-risk kids to prevent personal or academic troubles before they arise. Nowadays, students and families need the guidance more than ever.
Counselors play a steadying role in schools as the economy weighs on families, college admission becomes even more competitive, immigration continues to reshape the population and state-testing pressures many students. They use computers to search through attendance data, grades and standardized test scores for kids who might need extra help.
Schlatter, director of guidance and counseling at Prince William County’s Woodbridge Senior High School, has checked attendance records against grades and test results to start peer groups (同年龄群体) for students who are failing classes but not skipping them. She said group counseling is another way to reach more students though it can be difficult. “Kids really do start helping and sharing with each other.”
At Fairfax High School, counselors found through surveys that students who transferred (转学) to the school after ninth grade enjoyed school significantly less than those who had been there all four years. The counseling staff set up a special program and group for new arrivals in response, said Marcy Miller, the school’s director of student services. Counseling staff members also have started small study groups for students to prepare for state Standards of Learning exams, which Miller said have helped raise test scores. She said that some of the newest counselors have had some of the freshest ideas.
63. We can learn from the passage that __________.
A. counselors wait for kids to come to ask for help now
B. counselors are trying to help people with economic problems
C. counselors have made college admission less competitive
D. counselors are trying to reach more kids in need of help
64.The author uses the example of Fairfax High School to show that.
A. counseling work is obviously effective
B. many students transfer there for help
C. new arrivals will no longer skip classes
D. counseling means little to new arrivals
65. What would the author most probably discuss in the following part?
A. What assistance they can offer.
B. The significance of their counseling job.
C. Other approaches to counseling at-risk kids.
D. The barriers of counseling the students with troubles.
66. Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
A.Counselors Find New Ways
B.Small Study Groups Raise Test Scores
C.Transferred Students Need More Help
D.Tough Times See More At-risk Kids

This booklet is designed to help you and your family plan for and survive a major earthquake. By taking action to be prepared, you can lessen the impact of an earthquake on your family. Set aside some emergency supplies, and teach your family what to do at home during and after a disaster. You could be without help for up to 72 hours, so learn to cope for at least that long.
Movement of the ground is seldom the actual cause of death or injury. Most casualties（意外） result from partial building collapse and falling objects and debris, like toppling chimneys, falling bricks, ceiling plaster, and light fixtures. Many of these conditions are easily preventable.
Because earthquakes occur without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare, so that you know what you can do and how to respond — constructive, protective action is possible.
Have on hand for Any Emergency – Ideas for Home, Workplace, and Car.
Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake occurs, prepare a disaster supplies.
59．Who is the passage mainly written for ?
A．scientists B．parents C．the public D．teachers
60．How can we lessen the impact of an earthquake on our family?
A．Stay at home
B．Keep away from high buildings
C．learn some knowledge about the cause of earthquakes
D．know what to do in a disaster
61．What will the writer talk about next?
A．emergency supplies B．first aid
C．toppling chimneys D．ceiling plaster
62．which can be the best title of this passage?
A．Are You Prepared for the Next Earthquake
B．Earthquakes Occur without Warning
C．How to prevent earthquakes
D．Cause of Earthquakes

第三部分: 阅读理解 (共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A,B,C,D)中选出最佳选项
One of the most important aspects of an image is color. People are very sensitive to color, and different colors have different effects on people .
In general , red is an exciting color , which creates an image of action, energy and danger. Red is also the most frequently used color in flags .Eighty percent of the world’s flags contain red. A study in “Germany showed that football teams wearing red are more successful .Blue is a very calm color .Business executives usually wear dark blue suits .Blue is also a peaceful color. The flag of the United Nations is light blue .Yellow is associated with openness and freedom. Green is a very relaxing color .Surgeons nowadays wear green ,because it’s less tiring than white .Black creates an image of power and authority .It can also be a very threatening color .Gangsters and vampires often wear black .white is a pure and strong color .This is one reason why doctors wear white coats .We trust them more .Grey is a very anonymous color .People wearing grey don’t want other people to notice them .Brown is the opposite of black .It’s warm and friendly ,while black is threatening .
56．What does the author mainly talk about in the passage?
A．Color and Character B．Color and Image
C．Color and Occupation D．People are sensitive to color
57．Which of the following is true about color according to the passage?
A．Eighty per cent of the world’s flags contain green.
B．Brown is the opposite of pink, presenting warmth.
C．Red creates an image of energy , danger and freedom.
D．Blue is a peaceful and calm color.
58．The underlined word “anonymous” roughly means ______
A．outstanding B．beautiful C．exciting D．unknown

China news, Beijing, Feb. 9 – Housing price in China has always aroused heated discussions among property developers and ordinary Chinese. To many property developers and local government officials, housing price in China is still low compared with many developed countries. However, the average housing price in the United States is only 8,000 yuan per square meter, while in China, it is even higher than in the United States. This shows that there are some bubbles(泡沫) in Chinese real estate market, the International Finance News reported.
Although the average price of residential houses in the United States, after converted to Renminbi, is about 8,000 yuan per square meter, the houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property developers do when they sell their houses. If US property developers sell their houses according to the building area, then the housing price will be even lower than 8,000 yuan per square meter. In most big Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, houses are sold at a price even higher than those in the US.
The high housing sales price in large cities in China proves that Chinese real estate market does have some bubbles. Moreover, Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality, environment and supporting facilities. Furthermore, it should be noted that American people’s average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people. How can the Chinese afford to buy a house which is even more expensive than that sold in US?
At the beginning of 2007, Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public. Now in order to reduce the high housing prices, the government can regulate the real estate market by raising tax on property industry and controlling the release of loans and lands to property developers. At the same time, the government should allow people to build more houses through various fund-raising channels, such as funds collected from buyers or raised by working units. By applying these multiple means, it is expected that the high housing prices can be lowered.
72．According to the passage, what is the average housing price per square meter in China?
A．8000 yuan B．10000 yuan C．7000 yuan D．It’s not mentioned here
73．We can’t learn from the passage that_________.
A．Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality, environment and supporting facilities.
B．American people’s average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people.
C．The houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property developers do when they sell their houses.
D．There are more people who need houses in China.
74．What is the main idea of this passage?
A．The housing price in China is so high that the government should do something useful to prevent it.
B．There are some bubbles in Chinese real estate market.
C．The average housing price in China is even higher than in the United States.
D．Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public.
75．How many measures are mentioned in the last paragraph in order to reduce the high housing prices?
A．Four B．Three C．Five D．Two

A．the English native speakers	B．the English learners
C．the readers of the two books	D．the readers of the newspaper

A．EDUCATION	B．NEWS
C．ENTERTAINMENT	D．BOOKSHELF