C
High school dropouts earn an average of $9,000 less per year than graduates. Now a new study denies a common belief why they quit. It’s much more basic than flunking out(不及格).
Society tends to think of high school dropouts as kids who just can’t make it. They are lazy, and perhaps not too bright. So researchers were surprised when they asked more than 450 kids who quit school about why they left.
“The vast majority actually had passing grades and they were confident that they could have graduated from high school.”John Bridgeland, the executive researcher said. About 1 million teens leave school each year. Only about half of African-American and Hispanic(美籍西班牙的)students will receive a diploma, and actually all dropouts come to regret their decision. So, if failing grades don’t explain why these kids quit, what does? Again, John Bridgeland:“The most dependable finding was that they were bored.”“They found classes uninteresting；they weren’t inspired or motivated. They didn’t see any direct connection between what they were learning in the classroom to their own lives, or to their career aspirations.”
The study found that most teens who do drop out wait until they turn sixteen, which happens to be the age at which most states allow students to quit. In the US, only one state, New Mexico, has a law requiring teenagers to stay in high school until they graduate. Only four states: California, Tennessee, Texas and Utah, plus the District of Columbia, require school attendance until age 18, no exceptions. Jeffrey Garin, another researcher, says raising the compulsory attendance age may be one way to keep more kids in school.
“As these dropouts look back, they realize they’ve made a mistake. And anything that sort of gives these people an extra push to stick it out and see it through to the end, is probably helpful measure.”
New Hampshire may be the next state to raise its school attendance age to 18.But critics say that forcing the students unwilling to continue their studies to stay in school misses the point—the need for reform. It’s been called for to reinvent high school education to make it more challenging and relevant, and to ensure that kids who do stick it out receive a diploma that actually means something.Most high school students drop out of school because_______.
| A．they have failing grades |
| B．they take no interest in classes |
| C．they are mistreated |
| D．they are lazy and not intelligent |
According to the passage, which state has a law requiring school attendance until they graduate?
| A．New Hampshire |
| B．Utah |
| C．New Mexico |
| D．The District of Columbia |
The underlined words“stick it out”probably means“________”.
| A．complete schooling |
| B．solve the problem |
| C．love having classes |
| D．believe in themselves |
In the last paragraph, the writer is trying to________.
| A．analyze the reason why students quit school |
| B．suggest raising the compulsory attendance age |
| C．raise awareness of reforming high school education |
| D．wish to make laws to guarantee no dropout |
One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walks into a lawyer's office. Apparently, they are there to file a divorce. Lawyer was very puzzled, after having a chat with them, he got their story.
This couple had been quarreling all their 40 years of marriage nothing ever seems to go right.
They hang on because of their children, afraid t
hat it might affect their up-bringing. Now, all their children have already grown up, have their own family, there's nothing else the old couple have to worry about, all they wanted is to lead their own life free from all these years of unhappiness from their marriage, so both agree on a divorce.
While they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband. “I really love you, but I really can't carry on anymore, I'm sorry.”
"It's OK, I understand." said the husband.
Little did she know that, over the years, the husband has been trying all ways to please her, little did she know that drumsticks were the husband's favorite.
Little did he know that she never thought he understands her at all, little did he know that she hates drumsticks even though all he wants is the best for her.
That night, both of them couldn't sleep, toss and turn, toss and turn. After hours, the old man couldn't take it anymore, he knows that he still loves her, and he can't carry on life without her, he wants her back, he wants to tell her, he is sorry, he wants to tell her, "I love you."
He picked up the phone, started dialing her number. Ringing never stops. He never stops dialing.
On the other side, she was sad, she couldn't understand how come after all these years, he still doesn't understand her at all, she loves him a lot, but she just can't take it any more. Phone's ringing, she refuses to ans
wer knowing that it's him. "I want to keep it this way, if not I will lose face. "She thought. Phone is still ringing. She has decided to pull out the cord.
Little did she remember, he had heart problems.
The next day, she received news that he had passed away. She rushed down to his apartment, saw his body, lying on the couch still holding on to the phone. He had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through (接通) her phone line.The old couple wanted to file a divorce because __________.
| A．they had no child. | B．their children didn’t like them. |
| C．they didn’t understand each other actually. | D．the old man didn’t love the old woman. |
Why didn’t they file a divorce before they were at the age of 70?
| A．Because they were loving each other then. |
| B．Because they had no time to lawyer’s office. |
| C．Because they wanted to make their divorce open. |
| D．Because they didn’t wish to affect their children’s up-bringing. |
According to the passag
e we can know that ______.
| A．the old man still loved his wife really. | B．the wife didn’t love her husband at all. |
| C．their children still lived with old couple. | D．they were in harmony over 40 years. |
After the last paragraph the old woman would be _______.
| A．wild with joy | B．wild with grief(悲伤) | C．unconcern about it | D．angry at that |
Located in Florence, Oregon is “Sea Lion Caves”, the only known western, coastal, mainland habitat of Stellar Sea Lions. It is also the world’s largest sea cave in existence today and a perfect place to get up close and personal with nature. The sea caves are said to be the home of an estimated 200 sea lions and that at any given time visitors can expect to see at least 150 sea lions going about their daily business.
The most immense(巨大的) of all sea lions, the Stellar males are known to grow up to 12 feet in length and weight an incredulous 1,500 pounds. The females, on the other hand, tend to be a bit smaller and average 9 feet in length with an average weight of 700 pounds.
They tend to breed and give birth during the spring and summer months. The breeding and birthing process takes place on the steep cliff ledges that surround the sea cave. Therefore the best time to view this ritual is during those select months from the outside viewing platform.
In addition to the sea lions, visitors can expect to catch a glimpse of the rare Pigeon Guillemont. These unusual sea birds tend to nest in seaweed along the cliff ledges in early April. And ever the graceful Gray Whales are expected to be seen. Each year, travelling in pods, these sea creatures migrate around “ Cape Blance” on their way to and from their native Alaska waters.
As of 2010 “ Sea Lion Caves” is open daily year round except for both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The ticket box office is open from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm. Visitor have a choice of two different ticket options; platform view or cave view. And admission into the cave itself is $13.00 for adults and $ 8.00 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under the age of 2 are admitted for free and there is a discount ticket price available for senior citizens . It currently costs $3.50 per person to access the topside wildlife viewing platform. While on the platform visitor can pay an additional fee to use the on-site telescope or opt (选择) to bring their own such equipment.The last paragraph is mainly talking about the ______ of the 2010 “Sea Lion Caves”.
| A．admission and hours of operation | B．wildlife and best viewing times |
| C．summer hot spots and activities | D．additional information and fees |
Which of the following statement about the “Sea Lion Caves” is true?
| A．It is located in the center of Florence. | B．It’s a good place for visitors to approach the nature. |
| C．Visitors may see 150 sea lions there at any time. | D．It’s the world’ only habitat of Stellar Sea Lions |
The passage suggests that Stellar Sea Lions usually breed and give birth________.
| A．in the entrance to the sea cave | B．on the smooth cliff cave walls |
| C．in the warmer season months | D．out of the vision of the tourists |
What does the underlined word “ migrate” in the fourth paragraph mean?
| A．Chase one after another | B．Flash from time to time |
| C．Grow little by little | D．Move from place to place |
When you visit the Sea Lion Caves of Forence, Oregon, you are likely to see ________.
a. the Stellar males b. the Stellar females c. a rare sea bird d. a Great Sharks
e. beautiful Gray Whales
| A．a, b, c, d | B．a, b, c, e | C．a, b, d, e | D．a, c ,d, |
Nick Santonastasso has one arm equipped with one finger. He has no legs. He also has no limitations(局限).
“ I know anything’s possible ,” the 12-year-old told TODAY ’s Ann Curry.
He can play baseball and football, play the keyboard and drums, and play video games with his brothers.
When Nick was born, he suffered a disease only found in 11 other people. The Santonastassos had three other children, and they decided to treat Nick the same as others, with love but without excuse
“ We’re supposed to be heroes to our children, but Nick is a hero to us,” his father Michael said. But heroes have heroes, too, and Nick’s is Tiki Barber, the former football superstar who retired last year and became a reporter for TODAY. Curry told Nick that for his birthday, the show wanted to give him a new skateboard. The person who presented it to him was Barber.
“ You’re an inspiration,” Barber said. “ There are a lot of kids who might be at a disadvantage.
You give them strength.”
Curry observed that most parents try to protect their kids from failure, but the Santonastassos didn’t do that with Nick.
“Absolutely not, “Nick’s mother Stacey said. “ If you do have a small failure, it just makes you stronger to succeed at the next stop.”
“ It builds self-confidence in yourself to try it again,” Nick added.
Recently, Nick entered a drawing in a statewide contest in New Jersey. His drawing was a tree with a spreading canopy (树冠) and deep toots. Above the tree were the words, “The roots of a family are…” Below the ground, the roots spelled out the final word for the message: “ Love.”
It won the contest. The judges didn’t know Nick’ physical condition. He won on merit (成绩), the same way he does everything else in life.How did the Santonastassos treat Nick?
| A．They gave him much more care | B．They treated him as a normal boy |
| C．They made excuse for his failure | D．They protected him from failure. |
In the opinion of Barber, Nick__________.
| A．would learn a lot from his failure. | B．would become a star in playing skateboard. |
| C．set a good example to other disabled kids | D．proved a real hero to other heroes |
What message did Nick’s drawing express?
| A．Love is the “root” of a family. | B．Each family has its own value among its members. |
| C．Trees without deep roots can’t grow tall and strong | D．Roots are the most important of a tree. |
According to the passage, ______ other people have the same disease as Nick’s.
| A．two | B．three | C．eleven | D．twelve |
What might be the most suitable title for the passage?
| A．Nothing Is Impossible | B．Keep Trying Forever | C．The roots | D．Nick and his Skateboard |
Scientists have created a “ human-like robot” that can dance and do the housework.
“ Mahru” has been developed to imitate humans and can move its lips, eyebrows and pupils(瞳孔). The machine can also move its upper and lower body freely and automatically stop itself when walking.
In addition, it has been programmed to give out two kinds of pleasant smells to match its emotions.
The 1.5 tall robot was produced by researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and is the first South Korean- developed machine of its kind.
“‘Mahru’ will open the way for the commercial use of humanoid robots doing housework,” You Bum-Jae, leader of the development research team ,said. “‘Mahru’ can dance while walking on its legs and is able to work in place of a human.”
Through an advanced motion capture (捕获) system, “Mahru” can follow a variety of human movements and move its hands freely enough to deal with any obstacles that may get in its way when walking.
State-funded KIST showed the robot during a presentation at its head office in Seoul.
People here were treated to an entertaining demonstration which saw the robot show off the full range of its skills, most notably s series of dance moves.
The research team added that they had designed another “ Mahru”, this time with sensors(传感器) allowing it to distinguish(分辨) between faces and objects.
The showing of “ Mahru” came a week after researcher in Japan said they had created the “most human-like” robot in the world. A team at robotics department of Osaka University in Japan claimed that “ robogirl”, Repliee R-1, “ looks, moves and interacts (相互作用) like a human, and has silicone(硅胶) skin that feels almost human to the touch.” “Mahru” made by KIST can do the following things EXCEPT____________
| A．dance with other human –like robots | B．move its body freely |
| C．stop automatically when walking | D．express certain feelings through smells |
According to what You Bum- Jae said in Paragraph 5, his research team wants to ________.
| A．help robots with doing housework | B．show its scientific power |
| C．make Mahru offer more fun | D．explore Mahru’s commercial use |
When Mahru” meets something in its way, it will be likely to________.
| A．go around it | B．turn back quickly |
| C．deal with it using its hands | D．ask humans for help |
According to the last paragraph, Repliee R-1 __________.
| A．is another Mahru | B．was made by KIST |
| C．has skin feeling similar to humans’ | D．looks like a boy |
The passage is probably a __________.
| A．news report | B．research report | C．healthy report | D．entertainment report |
"S. H.E. is going to sing at the CCTV annual Spring Festival Evening Party, is that true?" cried out Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl in Shanghai and die-hard S. H.E. fan.
After checking it on the Internet, Peng quickly phoned friends to spread the news. For fans like her, S. H. E. ’s performance is perhaps the only part of the old fashioned evening to get excited about.
The Taiwanese band is made up of Selina, Hebe and Ella. Their name comes from the first letter of each of the singers' English names.
Last week S. H. E. announced they would perform in Las Vegas, US, over Christmas and then in Guangzhou on January 15.
At their Shanghai show on October 30, hundreds of parents waited outside the Hongkou Stadium. Inside, thousands of teenagers sang, cried and shouted as the band performed.
"I love their music, healthy image and everything related to them. Thank God that, although my parents don't understand why I love them so much, they still bought me a ticket for that show," said Peng about the Shanghai performance.
It is not just on the mainland that the three girls have made audiences much excited. In the past year the band has passed through Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Singapore and Malaysia.
When the three high school girls entered a singing contest in Taiwan in 2000, none of them ever dreamed of being a superstar. "We had never met before, and we didn't talk at all at the beginning," recalled Ella.
When asked about the secret of their success, she said, "Our average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep us close to our fans. We are happy to be the girls next door, your singing sisters."
"It's really a magical journey, from day-dreaming high school girls to singers performing on the same stage as our idols(偶像). Nothing but magical," she said. Why was Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl, so excited?
| A．S.H.E. band will get the old fashioned evening exciting. |
| B．S. H.E. will perform in Las Vegas over Christmas. |
| C．Her parents bought her a ticket for S. H. E. Is Shanghai show. |
| D．S. H.E. will perform on the CCTV Spring Festival Evening Party. |
How did the Taiwanese band get the name?
| A．Their fans gave the name to them. | B．Their idols had a deep influence on them. |
| C．A singing contest gave their idea of the band name. | |
| D．The first letters of Selina, Hebe and Ella form the band name. |
What do you know about Peng Weiye?
| A．She stayed outside the Hongkou Stadium to listen to S. H. E. 's performance. |
| B．She will watch the performance in Guangzhou on January 15. |
| C．She pays close attention to everything about S. H. E. |
| D．She was grateful that her parents understood and supported her. |
Which is true about S. H. E. ?
| A．The secret to their success is their pretty faces and lovely clothes. |
| B．They were close friends when they entered a singing contest. |
| C．They caused a storm of excitement in Southeast Asia. |
| D．They have well prepared to perform with their idols. |
Which do you think is NOT the reason for S. H. E’s popularity among their fans?
| A．Their music and their healthy image. |
| B．Their success meets their fans’ day dream of becoming others’ idols. |
| C．They can make audience much excited |
| D．Their average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep them close to their fans. |