America
n cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture. American cities are changig, just as American society is changing.
After World War Ⅱ, the population of most large American cities decreased; however, the population in many Sun Belt cities increased. Los Angles and Houston are cities where population shifts (转移) to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, city residents became wealthier. They had more children so they needed more space. They moved out of their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the suburbs.
Now things are changing. The children of the peop
le who left the cities in the 1950s are now adults. Many, unlike their parents, want to live in the cities. They continue to move to Sun Belt cities and older ones of the Northeast and Midwest. Many young professionals are moving back into the city. They prefer the city to the suburbs because their jobs are there; or they just enjoy the excitement and possibilities that the city offers.
This population shift is bringing problems as well as benefits. Countless poor people must leave their apartments in the city because the owners want to sell the buildings or make apartments for sale instead of for rent. In the 1950s, many poor people did not have enough money to move to the suburbs; now many of these same people do not have enough money to stay in the cities.
Only a few years ago, people thought that the older American cities were dying. Some city residents now see a bright, new future. Others see only problems and conflicts. One thing is sure: many dying cities are alive again..
What does the author think of cities all over the world?
| A．They are similar. | B．They are hopeless. |
| C．They are alive. | D．They are different. |
.
Why did American city residents want to live in the suburbs after World War Ⅱ?
| A．Because older American cities were dying. |
| B．Because they were richer and needed more space. |
| C．Because they could hardly afford to live in the city. |
| D．Because cities contained the worst parts of society. |
.
According to the 4th paragraph, a great many poor people in American cities __________
.
| A．are forced to move to the suburbs | B．are faced with housing problems |
| C．want to sell their buildings | D．need more money for daily expenses |
.
We can conclude from the text that __________.
| A．American cities are changing for the worse | |
| B．the population is decreasing in older American cities | C．many people are now moving from American cities |
| D．people have different views on American cities |
Money Matters
Parents should help their children understand money. So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example.
1.The basic function of money
Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have. If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收银员). When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more complex ways of using money.
2. Money lessons
Approach money lessons with openness and honesty. If you must say no to a child’s request to spend money, explain, “You have enough toy trucks for now.” Or, if the request is for many different things, say, “You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy.”
3.
Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands of a product—a name-brand butter and a generic(无商标产品),for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money. If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase with the money saved. Later, you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.
| A. Wise decisions. B. The value of money. C. Permit the child to choose between them. D. Tell your child why he can—or cannot—have certain things. E. Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you. F. Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store. G. The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest. |
We know that many animals do not stay in one place. Bird, fish and other animals move from one place to another at a certain time. They move for different reasons: most of them move to find food more easily, but others move to get away from places that are too crowded.
When cold weather comes, many birds move to warmer places to find food. Some fishes give birth in warm water and move to cold water to feed. The most famous migration （迁移） is probably the migration of the fish, which is called “salmon”. This fish is born in fresh water but it travels many miles to salt water. There it spends its life. When it is old, it returns to its birthplace in fresh water. Then it gives birth and dies there. In northern Europe, there is a kind of mouse. They leave their mountain homes when they become too crowded. They move down to the low land. Sometimes they move all the way to the seaside, and many of them are killed when they fall into the sea.
Recently, scientists have studied the migration of a kind of lobster（龙虾）. Every year, when the season of bad weather arrives, the lobsters get into a long line and start to walk across the floor of the ocean. Nobody knows why they do this, and nobody knows where they go.
So, sometimes we know why humans and animals move from one place to another, but at other times we don’t. Maybe living things just like to travel.Most animals move from one place to another at a certain time to _________.
| A．give birth | B．enjoy warmer weather |
| C．find food more easily | D．find beautiful places |
The fish called “salmon” spends a long life in _________.
| A．salt water | B．rivers | C．fresh water | D．its birthplace |
What is the main idea of the passage?
| A．Animals move in order to find food more easily. |
| B．The migration of the fish called “salmon” is the most famous migration. |
| C．Living things move from one place to another because they like to travel. |
| D．sometimes we know why and how living things move from one place to another, but sometimes we don’t. |
Minh Pham was born in Vietnam. He left there when he was 21 years old. Minh has been in America for almost two years. There is still much he does not understand about America.
Once, Minh was in a supermarket. He saw an old man and an old woman. They wanted a box of cereal（麦片）.The box was on a high shelf. The man and the woman couldn’t reach it. Minh saw a stepladder. He got on the ladder and got the box. He handed it to the elderly couple. They thanked him.
“Where are your children?” asked Minh. “Why don’t they help you buy food?” “Our children have their own lives,” said the man and the woman. “We like to be independent.” Minh doesn’t think this is right. In his country, children help their parents. Minh gave the elderly couple his phone number. He told them to call him if they needed help. One night they asked Minh to dinner, but they never asked him for help.
One day, Minh was walking with a Vietnamese friend. The two men were going to a movie. Minh wanted to go to a restaurant first. Minh took his friend’s hand. He pulled him towards the restaurant. People on the street stared at Minh. In Vietnam, friends often hold hands. Minh found that the people in America are not used to men holding hands.
Minh Pham is going through a process（过程） known as resocialization. Socialization（社会化） is the process in which a person learns to live in a society. Everyone goes through this process. Minh went through it when he lived in Vietnam. But the Vietnamese way of life is rather different from the American way of life. When Minh came to America, he had to learn a new way of life. He had to learn how to live in a new society. Minh has learned a lot about American life in two years. He still has a lot to learn. The process of resocialization can take many years.The main idea of the passage is that socialization is the way in which a person ______.
| A．learns to live in a society |
| B．travels from one country to another |
| C．learns to act independently |
| D．learns about their country |
The passage states that Minh didn’t understand why the elderly man and woman were not ______.
| A．helped by their children | B．shopping for their children |
| C．holding hands | D．using a stepladder |
According to the passage, socialization happens to ______.
| A．only the Vietnamese in America | B．only Americans |
| C．only older people | D．everyone |
The underlined word “resocialization” means ______.
| A．keeping one’s own way of life |
| B．keeping up with others |
| C．a process of learning how to live in a new society |
| D．understanding a new culture |
One Canada, Two Languages
Canada is one of the few nations in the world to have two official languages: English and French. There are 10 provinces in the country but only one of these—Quebec is known as “French Canada”. This is because it was founded by French explorers while British adventurers discovered the rest.
Canada left the British empire（帝国） in 1867 to become an independent country, and English and French have been recognized as the official languages ever since.
Most people speak English as their first language and the two national television networks broadcast in English throughout the country. Apart from in Quebec and a few places on the east coast, French television is very rare.
The same goes for traffic signs and menus. For example, outside of Quebec, there are only a few places where you’ll see traffic signs in French. In restaurants, it’s almost impossible to find French on the menu unless you are in the heartland（中心地带）of French Canada. However, all products sold in Canada must, by law, have labels（标签）and instructions in both languages.
In Canada’s English speaking provinces, official bilingualism（双语） means that students can choose to complete a special French language course. Under this programme, they are taught most of their subjects in French.
If a student begins the course in kindergarten（幼儿园） or Grade One, it is likely that all their lessons will be in French. However, if they start at junior high school,25 per cent of the teaching will continue to be in English.How many provinces are there in Canada?
| A．Ten. | B．Nine. | C．Eleven. | D． Two. |
Which country controlled Canada before its independence?
| A．France. | B．Britain. | C．America. | D．Germany. |
Which of the following sentences is right?
| A．English is the only official language, though French is also spoken there. |
| B．The two national television networks broadcast both in English and French. |
| C．All products sold in Canada must, by law, have labels and instructions in both English and French. |
| D．The lessons in kindergarten or Grade One are likely to be only in English. |
Today there are policemen everywhere, but in 1700, London had no policemen at all. A few old
men used to protect the city streets at night and they were not paid.
In 1750, Henry Fielding started to pay a group of people to stop thieves. They were like
policemen and were called "Bow Street Runners" because they worked near Bow Street.
Fifty years later, there were 120 "Bow Street Runners", but London had become very big and
needed more policemen. So in 1829, London Police Force was started with 3,000 officers. Until
1920 all the police in London were men.Who protected London in 1700? (回答词数不超过4个)
When was London Police Force started? ( 回答词数不超过2个)
Are all the London police men now? (回答词数不超过1个)