For better or worse, multiple marriages aren't just for actress Elizabeth Taylor (famous for her eight marriages) anymore.
More Americans than ever are tying the knot for the third time or more.
Lynn Y. Naugle, a 53-yeap-old family therapist in New Orleans, says that people's personal needs and desires simply change as their life evolves.
"What functions well in the first part of our lives may not function well in the second or third part of our lives," she explains.The first marriage lasted 21 years, her second marriage five years.Two years ago, she wed for a third time, and she describes this union as an "extremely easy marriage".
Today, at an estimated one of seven weddings, the bride, the groom or both are making that trip down the aisle for at least the third time.That's twice as many as a generation ago, according to the US National Centre for Health Statistics.
In part, the sudden change in multiple marriages is a side effect of the 1970s divorce increase that has supplied an ever expanding pool of divorced singles.Even the simple fact that people are living longer has opened the door to marrying more often.No fault divorce laws (meaning no one is blamed for the failure of the marriage), and cultural changes have also meant there's less pressure than in past generations to stay in a joyless or abusive marriage.
While a single divorce didn't block either Ronald Reagan or Bob Dole from seeking the most highly demanding job in America—the US presidency—modern society still raises an; eyebrow at more than one
marriage mistake.
Indeed, there are signs that attitudes are changing."It's coming out of the closet or becoming more accepted," says Glenda Riley, who wrote a book on the history of divorce in the US."There's still embarrassment on the personal level, while there is growing acceptance on the public level for three or more marriages in a lifetime."
There is no guarantee, of course, that the third time is the best.To the contrary, second and third marriages run an equal or greater risk of divorce than first marriages, which today are given 4 out of 10 odds of failing, and they tend to end more quickly.Divorce statistics show that failed second marriages typically end two years sooner than first marriages, lasting six years on average rather than eight.That leaves some doubly divorced people open for a third try at a relatively young age.What does the underlined phrase "tying the knot" (Para.2) mean?
A.Getting married. | B.Getting engaged. |
C.Having babies. | D.Attending funerals, |
What is NOT the reason for the increase in multiple marriages according to the passage?
A.People are healthier and enjoy a longer life than ever before. |
B.Many people have become single after a divorce boom in the past years. |
C.There is no divorce law restricting people to getting divorced. |
D.People have less pressure to leave a joyless marriage. |
What can we learn from the seventh paragraph?
A.Ronald Reagan and Bob Dole failed in seeking the job (the US presidency) because they were divorced. |
B.Ronald Reagan and Bob Dole succeeded in seeking the job (the US presidency) because they were not divorced. |
C.Modern society accepts multiple marriages completely. |
D.There is still prejudice against multiple marriages in modern society. |
Which of the statement is WRONG?
A.Acceptance to multiple marriages is different on personal level and public level. |
B.Because second marriages end sooner than first ones, people get married for the third time at a relatively young age. |
C.People learn from experience so that a second or third marriage is more stable |
D.The first marriage lasts eight year on average. |
Do you know why different animals or pests have their special colours? Colours in them seem to be used mainly to protect themselves.
Some birds like eating locusts. but birds cannot easily catch them. Why? It is because locusts change their colours together with the change of the colours of crops. When crops are green, locusts look green. But as the harvest time comes, locusts change to the same brown colour as crops have. Some other pests with different colours from plants are easily found and eaten by others. So they have to hide themselves for lives and appear only at night.
If you study the animal life, you'll find the main use of colouring is protecting themselves. Bears, lions and other animals move quietly through forests. They cannot be seen by hunters. This is because they have the colours much like the tree.
Have you ever noticed an even more strange act? A kind of fish in the sea can send out a kind of very black liquid when it faces danger. While the liquid spread over, the enemies cannot find it. And it immediately swims away. So it has lived up to now though it isn't strong at all.From the passage we learn that locusts ___ .
A.are small animals |
B.are easily found by birds |
C.are dangerous to their enemies |
D.change their colours to protect themselves |
How can pests with different colours from plants keep out of danger?
A.They run away quickly. |
B.They colours much like their enemies. |
C.They hide themselves in the day and appear at night. |
D.They have to move quietly. |
Bears and lions can keep safe because they ___ .
A.have the colours much like the trees | B.move quickly |
C.like brown and grey colours | D.live in forests |
Which is the best title for this passage?
A.The Change of Colours for Animals and Pests |
B.Colours of Different Animals and Pests |
C.The Main Use of Colours for Animals and Pests |
D.Some Animals and Pests |
I was born in New York, but I grew up in San Francisco. I began to live in London 25 years ago. If I am asked now where I want to live forever, I would say London. But I will always be American.
San Francisco, like London, has many parks. Every day my sisters and I were taken to play in the parks as children. I didn't go to school. I only had three hours of formal education when I was five. I was sent to school in the morning but came home at noon on the first day. I said I didn't enjoy it and hadn't learned anything. My parents thought that school was unsuitable for me. They agreed with me, so I never went back to school.
Then my mother taught me and my two sisters at home, in the way of an English lady who had good education. We learned languages and reading more than sciences and maths. Sometimes she taught us herself, but we also had other teachers. They asked us to take lessons every day. About once a week we walked to Golden Gate Park. While we were walking, my mother taught me to read music. One day I noticed a little toy train in the window of a shop and I remember now how I'd like to have it. I couldn't say "r" when I was small. My mother said if I could say an "r" well, I would have the toy train. I practiced and practiced. Then one morning I woke everybody up with my "r"s. I got the toy train. I usually get the things I want in life — but I work hard for them.The writer ___ .
A.was born in San Francisco | B.likes living in London |
C.is living in New York now | D.doesn't like America |
The writer didn't go to school in America because ___ .
A.his mother wanted him to go to school in English |
B.his parents didn't think formal education was right for him |
C.his mother wanted him to play outdoors in the parks |
D.he couldn't get on well with the other children |
Which of the following is TRUE?
A.The writer was taught by his mother and other teachers. |
B.The writer had no education at all. |
C.The writer didn't have lessons every day. |
D.The writer walked to the park to learn languages once a week. |
The writer got the little toy train at last because ___ .
A.his mother gave him the money |
B.he tried his best to read music |
C.he wanted it very much |
D.his mother was pleased with his progress |
2010 Spring Vacation Program
Lexington Prep School’s (LPS)Spring Vacation Program offers students an opportunity to use their break time productively.
Students who plan ahead can take advantage of reduced rates:
*Spring Vacation:Friday 3/5/2010-Monday 3/29/2010
*Registration(报名)Deadline:2/15/2010
*Our Special Pricing offer ends after 2/1/2010
*If registered after 2/1/2010,$200/day for Basic Program
*ONLINE REGISTRATION (Click Here) *
Students will stay in our picturesque facility and choose from one of three following programs:
A.Basic Program: $120/day if registered before Feb.1,2010
Students in our Basic Program are provided with room,board and classroom space for
independent work.We also provide shuttle service to local sites including the local subway station.malls,and nearby movie theaters.Students may also choose to participate in outings to attractions such as the Boston Museum of Science,Salem Witch Museum,and Faneuil Hall Marketplace for all additional charge.
B.Balanced Program,$220 per day
students in our limited program participate in SSAT or SAT/English preparation classes during the morning session focusing on vocabulary and grammar, critical reading,and essay writing.
After lunch.students are free to work independently or to relax.
C.Intensive Program,$260 per day
Students in our intensive program are given a full day of SSAT or SAT/English preparation including grammar, vocabulary, critical reading, writing and mathematics. The intensive program is designed to achieve the greatest score increase in the shortest period of time.
For participants in all programs:
*Each student will have one roommate in a room equipped with a bathroom.
*Private classes are also available in:All AP Subjects,all SAT Ⅱ Subjects,school project work, school research paper assistance,art,music.
*Facilities include(a gym,art room,library,TOEFL certified computer lab,concert hall with
grand piano, movie room,and recreation room with karaoke and ping-pong table.If students register for Basic Program before 2010,they Can saveper day.
A.$80 8.$120 C.$220 D.$260If choosing Balanced Program,students can do the following EXCEPT.
A.share a double room(with a bathroom)with another student |
B.take a full day of SSAT or SAT/English preparation classes |
C.attend private classes such as school project work,art and music |
D.have fun seeing a movie,singing![]() |
The purpose of Intensive Program is to help students
A.gain the highest score in the shortest time |
B.1earn to get along wi![]() |
C.enjoy reduced price for the Spring Vacation Program |
D.work independently on a school research paper |
This passage may probably appear
A.in research report | B.in a textbook |
C.at a website | D.in a guidebook |
President Obama,s plan last week to overhaul(改善)former president George W.Bush’s No Child left Behind program is an improvement on a good thin9.But it doesn’t go far enough.
Obama outlined a goal that by 2020,all grade school and high school students ale on a path toward college and career readiness.
However, what we need is a practical plan that not only requires all high school graduates to take at least two years of college but also makes it financially possible for them to do so. We’ve provided a free public education through the l2th grade.If we’re going to keep up—or catch up—with some other countries(1ike China)in preparing young people for careers,a 12-year education program no longer is enough.
About 3 million students across the USA will graduate from high school this spring. But only 2 million will go on to college, according to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics(NCFES).For the more than l million who won’t go on,money is a major factor.If tuition(学费)were free,about half of them could make up other COSTS from family or part—time jobs.
Critics(批评家)of free college tuition will say we can’t afford it because of the federal deficit(联邦赤字)and other rising costs.Let’s see some government spending in detail:
In the last nearly 10 years.the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost us $1 trillion(that’s $1,000 billion,or an average of$100 billion a year).Federal money spent on public elementary and secondary education in
the last year for which figures are available was$47 billion.If we end costly and unnecessary wars and nation—building efforts abroad,the federal government could provide more money on public education,for which state and local governments now carry most of the burden(负担).
According to President Obama’s plan,in 10 years,.
A.there will be no expensive and unnecessary Wars |
B.all grade and high school students can go to college |
C.the U.S.will catch up with China in career preparation |
D.students Call enjoy a l2-year public free education |
If tuition were not charged.
A.about 2.5 million students could afford college education |
B.about 2 million students could be provided chances of college education |
C.over l million students still could not afford college education |
D.about 3 million students could graduate from high school |
The author may agree that President Obama’s plan
A.has little to do with Gorge W.Bush’s program |
B.does not agree with the survey by NCFES |
C.does not contain practical measures to achieve its goal |
D.will lighten the burden of state and local governments |
It can be inferred from the passage that
A.the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are expensive but necessary
B.the federal Can not provide more money on education
C,critics of free college tuition think little of the plan
D.President Obama’s plan might be hard to carry out
Things similar continuously happened in Haiti and Chile.Thousands of people were
buried in the earthquake and lost their fives.What if we could have warned them? People are always trying hard to find a way of preventing building collapsing(坍塌).Better materials and technology help,but are not a solution.Just like humans,a building has its own life circle from “birth” to “death”.If we know when a building is going to collapse,we can repair it in advance or get out before it falls.
Now, scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a material that turns red before it breaks.The invention could be used in things like climbing ropes,or bridge supports.The secret behind the color-changing material is a type of molecule(分子).A molecule is a group of atoms held together by chemical bonds(化学键).Imagine you and your friends standing in a circle,holding hands.Each person stands for one atom,your hands represent the bonds,and the entire circle represents a molecule.If one person lets go of his or her hands,the molecule changes color.The research team put the molecule into a soft material.When the researchers stretched(拉长) the material:it turned bright red a few seconds before it broke into two pieces.
When they repeatedly stretched and relaxed the material,without breaking it,it only turned a little red.
The major problem is,light can get rid of the red color.When the team shone a bright light on the molecule,the broken bond was fixed,and the color disappeared.If bright fight keeps the red color from appearing,the material’s warning system will be useless.Scientists still have a lot of work to do before the color-changing molecule can be used outside the lab. The passage mainly about
A.a way of preventing building from breaking down |
B.a series of earthquakes in Haiti and Chile |
C.a way of warning before buildings collapse |
D.a newly-discovered structure of a molecule |
According to the passage,we can conclude that
A.there are problems to solve before putting the new material to use |
B.scientists have found the life circle of buildings from “birth” to “death” |
C.bright fight makes the red color visible to human eyes |
D.the new material is unlikely to be used in building bridges |
The color-changing molecule can
A.make building materials much stronger |
B.help building materials get stretched if necessary |
C.prevent the earthquake from killing people |
D.remind people to leave buildings before they fall |
The warning system is based on the fact that
A.red color won’t show up when it meets bright fight |
B.a material with a certain type of molecule Can turn red when stretched etched |
C.a building has its own life circle of “birth” to “death” |
D.the broken bond will fix itself when a molecule meets bright fight |