In Canada and the United States, there is a new group of children called “satellite kids”, who live in one place but whose parents live in another place.
Asians are immigrating (移民) to Canada and the United States in larger numbers than ever before. Most Asians immigrate because they believe that they can give their children a better education in the West. In Asia, especially in China, Japan, and Korea, it is difficult to go to university. Students must first pass the strict national examination. However, in Canada and the United States, it is easy to go to university, and anyone who wants to go can go. As a result, Asian parents decide to leave their countries so that their children can go to university.
The problem is that when Asians arrive, they discover that finding a job and making money are more difficult in the West than in the East. Also, they find that they are very lonely, and that they miss their homes. For these two reasons, most Asian parents decide to go back to work while their children study in the West. Therefore, these children become “satellite kids”, and most of their parents do not know how sad it is to be a “satellite kid”.
Only until now are Canadians and Americans discovering the “satellite kid” problem. Because these children do not speak English and because their parents are not there to take care of them, they are often absent from school. To be a “satellite kid” means to grow up in a country where you know you are different and where you cannot make friends because you do not speak English well. Also, it means to grow up lonely, because your parents are elsewhere. What these “satellite kids” will probably say to their parents is that it’s better to have parents around than to have a university education.Some Asian parents send their kids abroad because ________.
| A.they hope their children may easily find a job there |
| B.all foreign universities are better than the ones in their own countries |
| C.the kids may not be accepted by universities in their own countries |
| D.the kids want to improve their English and make foreign friends |
“Satellite kids” refer to Asian kids ________.
| A.without parents | B.speaking no English |
| C.with university education | D.living abroad alone |
Some Asian immigrant children become “satellite kids” because their parents ________.
| A.want to leave their own country | B.want them to go to university |
| C.return to their countries to work | D.want them to be independent |
What is the main idea of the passage?
| A.Parents want better education for their kids. |
| B.Parents feel lonely and miss their families. |
| C.Kids in foreign countries alone are badly in need of care from family. |
| D.Canadians and Americans begin to notice the “satellite kids” problem. |
I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car.I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.
Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum.From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered.This was one of those “don't want to be bothered times”.
“ I hope he doesn't ask me for any money,” I thought.
He didn't.He came and sat on the edge of the pavement in front of the bus stop but he didn't
look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.After a few minutes he spoke.
“That's a very pretty car,” he said.
He was in rags but he had an air of dignity around him.His badly-grown blond beard kept more than his face warm.
I said, “thanks,” and continued wiping off my car.He sat there quietly as I worked.The expected plea(乞求) for money never came.As the silence between us widened, something inside said, “ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that he would say “yes” but I held true to the inner voice.
“Do you need any help?” I asked.
He answered in three simple words that I shall never forget.We often look for wisdom in great men and women.We expect it from those of higher learning and achievements.I expected nothing but an outstretched dirty hand.He spoke the three words that shook me.
“Don't we all?” he said.Why did the writer parked his car before the mall?
| A.Because he wanted to pick up his wife. |
| B.Because he wanted to show off his car. |
| C.Because he wanted to wipe off his car. |
| D.Because he wanted to do some shopping. |
Which has the closest meaning to the underlined word "bum" in Paragraph 2?
| A.dustman | B.driver | C.beggar | D.robber |
Which is the best title for this text?
| A.A good husband | B.Didn't he need help? |
| C.Don't we all? | D.One should be generous |
American Watersports Tuesday-Saturday
Located on the beach of the Sea Gardens Beach Resort, there are fun things to rent for the whole family. They offer rentals for kayaks, jet skis, and even parasail! Enjoy the water up-close or from a bird’s eye view! No matter what activity you’re enjoying, be sure to protect yourself and your family from the sun’s powerful rays and apply plenty of sun block!
15th Street Boat CompanyMonday-Saturday
15th Street Boat Company offers rental boats of all kinds. They’re sure to have what you are looking for, whether it’s a small boat for a quick and simple outing or an extravagant boat with comfortable seats with a stereo and high tech navigation. You can rent a boat for half a day or a couple of days, or even weeks at a time. If you want it, they’ve got it. It’s fun for everyone!
Coconut’s Watersports 9am-5pm Monday through Sunday
Coconut’s Watersports is open 7 days a week for your convenience and offers tons of water fun for the whole family. Jet Ski activities last 30 minutes or 1 hour and can make stops along the way. You must be at least 14 years of age to ride alone and can be as young as 3 to ride along with an adult. Everybody is required to wear a life jacket and a license is required to operate the Jet Ski. Bathing suits and shorts are recommended.
Jet Ski Tours of Miami Thursday-Sunday 10am-7pm
Jet Ski Tours of Miami includes onsite parking, indoor restrooms, lockers, and life jackets for participants. You may choose a one or two tour and each Jet Ski can hold up to 3 people. You must be at least 18 years old in order to ride. As long as you are accompanied by an adult, there is no age limitation for any passenger. There is a restaurant nearby to eat at. The tour visits 6 different islands and passes by Bayside and Hard Rock. You may even catch a glimpse of dolphins or a manatee resting in these fabulous Florida waters.You should especially protect yourself from sun burnt while visiting______.
| A.Jet Ski Tours of Miami | B.Coconut’s Watersports |
| C.15th Street Boat Company | D.American Watersports |
Which of the following can help you enjoy sailing a boat?
| A.Go to the Sea Gardens Beach Resort. |
| B.Visit 15th Street Boat Company. |
| C.Choose Jet Ski Tours of Miami. |
| D.Visit Coconut’s Watersports. |
What’s a necessary requirement to ride alone in the Jet Ski activities?
| A.One must be at least 14 years old. |
| B.One must wear bathing suits and shorts. |
| C.One apply plenty of sun block. |
| D.One must stay with parents. |
What will you do to satisfy your son’s curiously about marine animals?
| A.You would like to rent a boat to ride with him. |
| B.You prefer a luxury boat with comfortable seats with a stereo. |
| C.You’d like to choose American Watersports. |
| D.You prefer the tour to Bayside and Hard Rock. |
Mo Yan, a Chinese writer has won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, announced the Swedish Academy in Stockholm on Thursday. The win makes Mo Yan the first Chinese citizen to win the Nobel in its history. Informed of his win today, the author, who was having dinner at home, was “overjoyed and scared”.
Born in 1955 to parents who were farmers, Mo Yan--a pen name for Guan Moye, grew up in Gaomi in shandong province in eastern China. At the age of 12, he left school to work, first in agriculture, later in a factory, In 1976 he joined the army and during this time began to study literature and writing.
He published his first book in 1981, but found literary success in 1987 with Hong Gaoliang Jiazu, which was successfully filmed in the stone year, directed by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou. In his writing, Mo Yan draws on his youthful experiences and on settings in the province of his birth and his works show the life of Chinese people as well as the country’s unique culture and folk customs. Mo Yan is known as a prolific (多产的)writer. In addition to his novels, he has published many short stories and essays on various topics. Despite his social criticism, be is seen in his homeland as one of the most famous contemporary authors. Dozens of his works have been translated into English, French, Japanese and many other languages.
The awarding ceremony was held on December 10. Mo Yan won a medal, a personal diploma and a cash award of about $1 million.How did Mo Yan feel when he was told about the news?
| A.Excited and proud. | B.Worried and cautious. |
| C.Uncertain and shocked | D.Happy and surprised.. |
Mo Yan developed his ability for writing when he was ________.
| A.on a farm | B.in a factory |
| C.in the army | D.in a school |
One of Mo Yan’s characteristics of writing is that he _________.
| A.explains difficult matters in simple words |
| B.focuses on social problems in the country |
| C.writes about topics he is familiar with |
| D.describes his characters in a unique way |
What’s the best title for this passage?
| A.Mo Yan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature |
| B.An Introduction to Nobel Prize |
| C.How Mo Yan Gets Nobel Prize |
| D.A World Famous Writer, Mo Yan |
After successfully serving their terms for 4 years, military service men and women are given the choice to stay in the military or return to civilian life.
For some, having to readjust to civilian life is one of the most challenging assignments our returning soldiers and marines(水兵)will ever to undertake. While people may think readjusting should be simple, they must take into consideration all physical and mental stress our servicemen went through.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder(创伤后应急障碍),or PTSD, is a mental disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat(打仗).
Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. In the military, the marines are given a two-week course on how to return to civilian life.
Unfortunately, some will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individual may develop PTSD.
People who suffer from PTSD have difficulty sleeping because they are often reliving the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, and feel deserted or often stand off, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly damage the person’s daily life.
Fullerton College, like most colleges, has its own Veteran’s Office. Ray Bustos has been running the office for 3 years. Bustos acts as a liaison(联络) for the school and the veteran students. He makes sure the veterans returning to school get the right benefits. There are various types of financial aid for soldiers and marines. He strongly encourages the use of the Veteran Affairs website.
The website is very informative and extremely helpful for veterans as well as for friends and relatives of veterans who want to learn more.One purpose of the writer in writing the passage is ________________.
| A.to introduce some methods to cure PTSD |
| B.to instruct PTSD patients to return to civilian life |
| C.to recommend a website to veterans and people concerned |
| D.to give military service men and women advice on civilian life |
What problems will some returning soldiers and marines meet with?
| A.How to readjust to civilian life. |
| B.how to get rid of mental diseases. |
| C.How to get along with PTSD patients. |
| D.How to return to school for benefits. |
Which of the following is true about Ray Bustos?
| A.He’s a veteran who has just come back from a military combat. |
| B.He runs Fullerton College with a veteran office. |
| C.He’s in charge of an office dealing with veteran affairs. |
| D.He provides a lot of financial aid for soldiers and marines. |
The best title for the passage is __________.
A. PTSD: Killer of A Civilian Life
B. The Last Assignment For All Military Persons
C. How to Overcome PTSD.
D. Ready for a Civilian Life?
A few days ago I got a call from my old college friend whom I haven’t seen for a very long time. The topic, which was about all the good old times that we had changed to a touching story when he started talking about his father.
His father’s declining health made him stay at the hospital. Because of his illness, his father suffered from insomnia(失眠) and often talked to himself. My friend, who had not been able to sleep for a few days as he had to keep watching his father’s condition, became irritated and told his father to keep silent and try to get some sleep. His father said that he really wanted to sleep well because he was very tired and told my friend to leave him alone in the hospital if he did not want to keep him company.
After his father finished talking, he fell unconscious. My friend was very sorry for speaking the ill words towards his father. My friend, whom I knew as a tough person, cried as a baby on the other end of the telephone. He said that from that moment on, he prayed every day, asking God to let his father wake up from his coma. He promised himself that whatever words came out from his father’s mouth after he regained his consciousness, he would gladly take them. His only hope for God was to give him a chance to rectify his past mistake.
Often, we complain when we have to accompany or watch over our parents for years, months, days, hours or even minutes. But do we realize that our parents keep us company and watch over us for as long as we (or they)live? From the day we were born to our adulthood, and even when deaths come to us, they are always at our side.
Imagine how sad our parents will be when they hear a seemingly innocent word of “no” come out from our mouths. We can make promises to ourselves that from now on there will be no more complaints that come out from our mouths when we have to watch over or accompany our parents. No more complaints come out from our mouths when we feel that our parents have treated us like little children. There are so many unlucky ones who have neither fathers nor mothers. They long to have the things that we most complain about, but never have them.
Actually, it takes only a second to think and light the lamp that will bring us to a place where peace is dwelling.Which of the following word can be used to describe the writer’s friend?
| A.Sad | B.Sorry | C.Regretful | D.Pitiful |
What does the underlined word “rectify” mean in Para. 3?
| A.put…right | B.recite…by heart | C.realize | D.recognize |
What does the writer want to tell us in the passage?
| A.Your parents will keep talking to themselves when they are old. |
| B.Be good to your parents when you still have the chance. |
| C.You will regret in your life if you don’t show your kindness to your parents. |
| D.It is not easy to take good care of sick old parents. |