America has been experiencing the longest economic increase in its history. Incomes have risen, unemployment has fallen, and cities such as New York are bursting with new office buildings.
But just a short walk from Manhattan’s skyscrapers, George Brown sits on the side-walk, cooking a lunch of rice and bits of fish over a can of cooking fuel.
Brown is homeless——one of the 2.3 million people in the US who end up on the street.
During the day, Brown collects aluminum cans and sells them for five cents a piece. At night, he sleeps on the street.
“I have been on the street about eight or nine years, something like that,” said the 62-year-old former construction worker.
Brown admits he had problems with alcohol and has smoked cocaine. But he said he still wants a more stable housing arrangement. He could afford it just with the money he earns by collecting cans and small pieces of metal, if only truly low-income housing were available.
However, he sees no hope of finding affordable housing in New York.
With the strong economy and unemployment down, beautiful housing is being built to meet demand.
A US report shows rents in New York City rose more than 27 per cent, from $549 to $700 a month.
One of the side effects of the strong economy is that rents have been going up.
The majority of people who experience homelessness really just need some affordable housing help.
But few housing companies are building for the poor. Many small apartments in the city now rent for $1,500 a month or more.
Brown, the homeless New Yorker, said he has a daughter who lives in the city but he rarely sees her. She is angry about his drinking and won’t allow it in her house.
Smiling, he said he also has seven grandchildren whom he’d like to see more often. “All I’ve got to do is clean up my act,” he said.
小題1:What kind of life does George Brown lead?
A.Stable.B.Dangerous.C.Hard.D.Comfortable.
小題2: It can be inferred from this passage that     .
A.America is short of housing companies
B.the poor can’t benefit from the increasing economy
C.poor people in America will become rich
D.housing companies will build more houses for the poor
小題3:The underlined part “clean up my act” in the last paragraph means “   ”.
A. remove my cans                B kick my bad habits   
C. make a lot of money             D. see my grandchildren
小題4:Which part of a newspaper is the passage possibly taken from?
A.Society.B.Science.C.Arts.D.Business.

小題1:C
小題2:B
小題3:B
小題4:A
練習(xí)冊系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


第二節(jié):語言結(jié)構(gòu)(共10小題,每小題1.5分,滿分15分)    閱讀下面短文,
根據(jù)上下文在空白處填上適當(dāng)?shù)脑~,或使用括號中的詞語的正確形式填空。
When I was a ten-year-old girl, I was once asked to deliver a speech titled “A Real Test in My Life”. To talk before the whole class! Just imagine how   31   (terrible) shy I was the moment I thought of that   32     so many eyes fixed upon me. I had no other choice, though. First I was to draft the speech and that was just a piece of cake for me, because I was a good writer-something to pride myself in. But the hard part   33   (lie) in my oral presentation; to read from   34   paper was not allowed; I had to give the speech   35   my memory and in front of such a big audience! A real trial began when I stood on the platform with my legs   trembling and my mind blank. How much time had passed by, I didn’t know. My listeners were still waiting, patiently and without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found   36   back, giving out my speech with difficulty. Finally I finished. After   37   seemed to be a hundred years, I found my audience applauding. I made it! From then on, my fear of talking before an audience   38   (appear). Actually with my confidence building   39   , I now turn out to be a great speaker. Looking back, I know the greatest difficulty on our way to success is our fear. Overcome it,   40   we will be able to achieve our goals.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


There seems never to have been a civilization without toys, but when and how they developed is unknown.They probably came about just to give children something to do.
In the ancient world, as is today, most boys played with some kinds of toys and most girls with another.In societies where social roles are rigidly determined, boys pattern their play after the activities of their fathers and girls are being prepared, even in play, to step into the roles and responsibilities of the adult world.
What is remarkable about the history of toys is not so much how they changed over the centuries but how much they have remained the same.The changes have been mostly in terms of craftsmanship, mechanics, and technology.It is the universality of toys with regard to their development in all parts of the word and their persistence to the present that is amazing.In Egypt, America, China, Japan and among the Arctic(北極的) people, generally the same kinds of toys appeared.Variations depended on local customs and way of life because toys imitate their surrounding.Nearly every civilization had dolls, little weapons, toy soldiers, tiny animals and vehicles.
Because toys can be generally regarded as a kind of art form, they have not been subject to technological leaps that characterize inventions for adult use.The progress from the wheel to the cart to the automobile is a direct line of ways up.The progress from a rattle (撥浪鼓) used by a baby in 3,000 BC to one used by an infant today, however, is not characterized by inventiveness.Each rattle is the product of the artistic tastes of the times and subject to the limitations of available materials.
71.The reason why the toys moat boys play with are different from those that gills play with is that _____.
A.their social roles are rigidly determined
B.they like challenging activities
C.most boys would like to follow their fathers' professions
D.boys like to play with their fathers while girl with their mothers
72.One aspect of "the universality of toys" lies in the fact that _____.
A.the basic characteristics of toys are the same all over the world
B.technological advances have greatly improved the durability of toys
C.the exploration of the universe has led to the creation of new kinds of toys
D.the improvement of craftsmanship in making toys depends on the efforts of universities
73.Which of the following is the author's view on the historical development of toys?
A.Toys are playing an increasingly important role in shaping a child's character.
B.The toy industry has witnessed great leaps in technology in recent years.
C.The craftsmanship in toy - making has remained essentially unchanged.
D.Toys have remained basically the same all through the centuries.
74.Regarded as a kind of art form, toys _____.
A.reflect the pace of social progress
B.a(chǎn)re not characterized by technological progress
C.follow a direct line of ascent
D.a(chǎn)lso appeal greatly to adults
75.The author uses the example of a rattle to show that _____.
A.it often takes a long time to introduce new technology into toy - making
B.even the simplest toys can reflect the progress of technology
C.even a simple toy can mirror the artistic tastes of the time
D.in toy - making there is a continuity in the use of materials

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空


第二節(jié):完形填空(共20小題;每小題1.5分,滿分30分) 
閱讀下面短文,從短文后所給各題的四個選項(xiàng)(A、B、C和D)中,選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng),并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。
I was shopping in the supermarket when I heard the young voice. 
"Mom, come here! There's this lady here my ___31___!" 
The mother rushed to her son; then she turned to me to ___32___.
I smiled and told her: "It's okay." Then I talked to the boy, "Hi, I'm Darryl Kramer. How are you?"
He ___33___ me from head to toe, and asked: "Are you a little ___34___? 
"Yes, I have a son," I answered. 
"Why are you so little?" he asked. 
"It's the way I was ___35___," I said. "Some people are little. Some are tall. I'm just not going to grow any bigger." After I answered his other questions, I shook the boy's hand, and left. 
My life as a little person is filled with ___36___ like that. I enjoy talking to children and explaining why I look different from their parents. 
It takes only one glance to see my ___37___. I stand 114 cm tall. I was born a dwarf(侏儒). ___38___ this, I did all the things other kids did when I was growing up.
I didn't ___39___ how short I was until I started school. Some kids picked on me, calling me names(辱罵我). Then I knew. I began to ___40___ the first day of school each year. New students would always stare at me as I ___41___ to climb the school bus stairs.  
But I learned to smile and ___42___ the fact that I was going to be ___43___ my whole life. I decided to make my uniqueness an advantage rather than a disadvantage. What I lacked in height, I ___44___ in personality. 
I'm 47 now, and the stares have not ___45___ as I've grown older. People are ___46___ when they see me driving. I try to keep a good attitude. When people are ___47___, I remind myself: "Look what else I have -a great family, nice friends." 
It's the children's questions that make my life ___48___. I enjoy answering their questions. My ___49___ is that, I will encourage them to accept their peers(同齡人), whatever size and shape they come in, and treat them with ___50___.  
31. A. weight                       B. size                   C. shape                       D. personality 
32. A. scold                         B. explain              C. apologize                 D. Respond
33. A. studied                      B. identified          C. inspected                  D. Checked
34. A. lady                          B. mommy            C. person                      D. kid 
35. A. raised                        B. viewed              C. treated                            D. born 
36. A. stories                       B. pains                 C. stares                       D. Excuses
37. A. shortcomings                 B. strangeness        C. uniqueness                D. Shyness
38. A. Besides                      B. Despite             C. Except                            D. Beyond 
39. A. admit                        B. care                  C. realize                      D. fear 
40. A. hate                           B. tolerate             C. forget                      D. ignore 
41. A. determined                 B. struggled           C. managed                  D. learned 
42. A. refuse                        B. enjoy                C. accept                      D. consider 
43. A. exposed                            B. pitied                C. noticed                     D. Avoided
44. A. made up for               B. ended up with    C. kept track of             D. made use of 
45. A. increased                   B. decreased          C. accumulated             D. changed 
46. A. scared                        B. satisfied            C. amazed                    D. puzzled 
47. A. rude                          B. curious              C. regretful                   D. cruel 
48. A. fantastic                        B. meaningful        C. embarrassing            D. special 
49. A. promise                            B. intention           C. hope                        D. advantage 
50. A. respect                       B. frankness           C. sympathy                 D. emotion 

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


Family members become closer during such a trip, therefore make sure to bring every family member with you — needless to say, your pet dog as well. Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful sunshine with your pet and you will feel much closer to it.
If you have decided to take your dog on a self-driving holiday, a full and detailed preparation is needed.
When reaching the destination, dogs need comfortable and cozy places to rest, but they are sometimes banned from some hotels and restaurants. Therefore it is of great importance to make sure the place you are going is dog-friendly.
Dogs like Golden Retrievers, Schnauzers, Labradors and Cocker Spaniels are quite lively and outgoing in nature so are suitable for a trip. But some canines are not, such as those which are too young or too old.The old dog lets you know quickly about being uncomfortable with unfamiliar circumstances, while the young ones are easy to get hurt.
Many people wrongly believe that holiday trips are beneficial to animals, strengthening their ability to deal with strange environments. But experts say that it’s not as effective as they think and the ability to adapt to different environments needs to be trained into the dogs before they come across such challenges. A sudden trip can be too much of a burden for many dogs which will feel stressed and scared.Only those more naturally friendly dogs will feel happy on a trip with owners by their side.
Special attention should be paid to animal insurance because in a strange environment dogs can be easily frightened by other animals and run away. Keeping them well tied up is advisable.
Another important point that requires your attention is the possibility of attacks by other dogs in rural areas where immunity(免疫力) from disease cannot be guaranteed.
64.The underlined word “canines ” in Para.4 refers to ________.
A.destinations             B.dogs         C.  hotels and restaurants            D.people
65.People should pay special attention to animal insurance because ________.
A.there are too many young dogs
B.dogs have the ability to adapt to new environments
C.  dogs are easily attacked by other dogs in rural areas
D.dogs are easily afraid of other animals and run away in a strange place
66.The main reason why people bring their dogs on holiday is that ________.
A.they are not safe at home    
B.they are members of the family
C.  their dogs can learn a lot outside
D.people can build a better relationship with them
67.What’s the best title of the passage?
A.Bring Your Pet on Holiday            B.Take Care of Your Pet
C.  A Special Member of the Family   D.Animal Insurance

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


E
A United Nations report says the number of people in the world is expected to reach 6500 million this July. By the middle of the century, the population could reach more than 9000 million. That would be an increase of 40﹪.
These numbers are fresh estimates for a report on world population change from 1950 to 2050. Hania Zlotnik is director of the U.N. Population Division. She says the world has added nearly 500 million people in the last six years.
But, in her words, "the good news is that new estimates show that it will take a little longer" to add the next 500 million. Mizz Zlotnik says this will probably happen by 2013.
The U.N. report says most population growth by 2050 will take place in less developed countries. Their population is expected to increase from 5000 million today to almost 8000 million. The population of more developed nations is expected to stay about the same, at just over 1000 million.
The report says nine countries will be responsible for about half the world population increase by 2050. These include Bangladesh, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and India. The others are Nigeria, Pakistan, Uganda and the United States.
Twelve countries are expected to have populations at least three times the size now. These include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and East Timor. The others are Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger and Uganda.
The report says birth rates remain low in forty-four developed countries.
Today, worldwide, there is an average of two-point-six children per woman. This number is expected to fall to just over two children per woman in  2050. But U.N. population experts note that they cannot be sure which way birth rates will go in the future.
The U.N. report also notes that AIDS has increased death rates and slowed population growth in sixty countries. The area most affected by the disease is Southern Africa.
There, how long people live has fallen from an average of sixty-two years in 1995 to forty-eight now. Researchers believe life expectancy will fall to forty-three years by 2015, then begin a slow recovery.
67. Which of the following statements is true?
A. The population growth will slow down in the next few years.
B. Most population growth will take place in developed countries.
C. There is an average of 2.6 children per woman in developed countries.
D. The area most affected by AIDS is Uganda.
68. Which one is the best title of this passage?
A. AIDS slowed population growth.
B. Most population growth will take place in less developed countries.
C. Population growth and death rate.
D. UN world population report.
69.The author believes that the population growth results from_______
A. The birth rate in developed countries is too high.
B. The birth rate in developing countries is too high.
C. AIDS hit only a few countries.
D. A decrease in death rate.
70. Which of the following best describe the author’s attitude towards the rapid population growth?
A. sympathetic     B. happy       C. optimistic     D. critical

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


III. 閱讀理解(共15小題,每小題1分,滿分15分)
A
"As sure as you're alive now, Peter Rabbit, some day I will catch you," shouted Reddy Fox, as he put his black nose in the hole between the roots of the Big Hickory-tree which grows close to the Smiling Pool. "It is lucky for you that you were not one jump farther away from this hole."
Peter, safe inside that hole, didn't have a word to say, or, if he did, he didn't have breath enough to say it. It was quite true that if he had been one jump farther from that hole, Reddy Fox would have caught him. As it was, the hairs on Peter's funny white tail actually had tickled Reddy's back as Peter ran wildly through the root-bound entrance to that hole. It had been the narrowest escape Peter had had for a long, long time. You see, Reddy Fox had surprised Peter eating sweet clover (苜蓿) on the bank of the Smiling Pond, and it had been a lucky thing for Peter that that hole, dug long ago by Johnny Chuck's grandfather, had been right where it was. Also, it was a lucky thing that old Mr. Chuck had been wise enough to make the entrance between the roots of that tree in such a way that it could not be dug any larger.
Reddy Fox was too shrewd (機(jī)靈的) to waste any time trying to dig it larger. He knew there wasn't room enough for him to get between those roots. So, after trying to make Peter as uncomfortable as possible by telling him what he, Reddy, would do to him when he did catch him, Reddy walked across the Green Meadows. Peter remained where he was for a long time. When he was quite sure that it was safe to do so, he crawled out and hurried to the Old Orchard. He felt that that would be the safest place for him, because there were ever so many hiding places in the old stone wall along the edge of it.
56. Where is Peter Rabbit hiding?
A. On the bank of a pond                       B. In a hole      
C. In a tall tree                                             D. Behind a room
57. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE according to the story?
A. Reddy Fox might find rabbit hairs on him.
B. Old Mr. Chuck took advantage of the roots to dig the hole.
C. The hole could be made larger.
D. Reddy almost caught Peter this time.
58. Why did Peter Rabbit wait so long before leaving?
A. Because Reddy was trying to get him.   
B. Because it was cold outside.
C. Because his grandfather would help him dig a large hole.
D. Because the Old Orchard was not so safe as this hole.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Of all the things that have effects on your future, I believe that personal growth is the greatest. Many people talk about sales growth, profit growth, and possession growth, but none of these will happen without personal growth. In fact I’d like to have you memorize a most important sentence. It is “The key to your future is you yourself.”
There are many things that will help you better your future. If you belong to a strong, dynamic(充滿活力的)and progressive company, that will help. Good training will help. Strong leadership will help. If the neighbors stay civil(文明的), that will help. If your relatives don’t trouble you, that will help…All these things will help. We can go on and on with the list; but remember, the things that I’ve covered above just play minor(次要的)roles in helping you reach a good future. The major cause doesn’t lie outside. It lies inside.
Strangely enough, when two different men work in the same company, the first person may earn $1,000 a month, while the second may earn $10,000 a month. What causes the difference when they have the same job, use the same tools, and get the same training?
The cause of the difference lies in believing, in trying, in accepting failures, in thinking, in a smile at people around, and in the ways of dealing with problems. All of these can be major causes of your good future. You can see all these come from inside. In fact, the real difference is you yourself. You are the key to your future. Teens are the most wonderful and important period in life. If you want a great future, begin to improve yourself from now on!
72. Among all the things mentioned, which one is the most important in the author’s opinion?
A. Sales growth.           B. Profit growth.               C. Possession growth.     D. Personal growth
73. Which of the following may play a main role in influencing you future?
A. Being determined.                     B. Working in good companies.
C. Having rich relatives.           D. Getting leaders’ help.
74. All may cause the two men’s different earnings EXCEPT that_______.
A. the second person buys expensive houses or cars.
B. the first person treats others badly.
C. the second man has a positive attitude to problems.
D. the first man gives up after failures.
75. The passage is mainly written for_____.
A. old people                  B. adults                     C. teenagers             D. babies

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


第三部分閱讀理解(共20小題;每小題2分,滿分40分)
閱讀下列短文,從每題所給的四個選項(xiàng)(A、B、C和D)中,選出最佳選項(xiàng),并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。
In the days when an ice cream sundae(圣代冰淇淋)cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress came to his table and put a glass of water in front of him. “Miss, how much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and counted(數(shù)) the coins in it.
“Okay then, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he asked. By now, more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she replied rudely. The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream sundae, put the bill on the table, and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier, and left.
When the waitress came back to that table, she began to cry as she wiped(擦) it with the wash cloth. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish were fifteen cents.
You see, the little boy couldn’t have the sundae because he wanted to have enough coins to leave her a tip. The waitress regretted having treated the little boy like that. And from that, she learned that she should treat all her customers well.
1. Why didn’t the little boy have an ice cream sundae?
A. Because he didn’t have enough money for one.
B. Because he liked a plain dish of ice cream better.
C. Because he wanted to have enough coins to leave a tip.
D. Because he was told not to have such an expensive ice cream.
2. When the little boy ordered a plain dish of ice cream, the waitress looked ______.
A. happy    B. surprised    C. impatient     D. ashamed
3. We infer that the waitress cried most probably because_____.
A. she had never received a tip before
B. she was touched by the little boy’s deed
C. she knew the little boy wouldn’t come back again
D. the boy was too generous
4. According to the last paragraph, what did the waitress regret?
A. Not having offered the little boy an ice cream sundae.
B. Not having asked the little boy for more money.
C. Not having treated everybody the same.
D. Not having treated the little boy well.

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊答案