In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord (房东) can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartment. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent-controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.
Some experts argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low-paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics hold the opinion that an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.
Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages.
Economic theory predicts the results of economic decision, such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be corrected only if “other things are equal”. Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.
1.There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may________.
A. cause a shortage of apartments
B. worry those who rent apartments as homes.
C. Increase the profits of landlords.
D. Encourage landlords to invest in building apartments.
2.We can safely say that rent control .
A.will always benefit those who rent apartments.
B.is unnecessary.
C.will probably bring inactive effects in the long run.
D.is necessary under all conditions
3.There will be the problem of unemployment if .
A.the minimum wage is set too high..
B.the minimum wage is set too early.
C.the workers are unskilled.
D.the maximum wage is set for poor workers.
4.The passage tells us about .
A.the relationship between supply and demand.
B.the possible results of government controls.
C.the necessity of government control.
D.the urgency of getting rid of government control.
5.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. The results of economic decisions cannot always be predicted.
B. Minimum wage cannot always protect employees.
C. Economic theory can help predict the results of economic decision if other factors are not changing.
D. Economists usually have the same prediction about an economic decision.
In tough economic times, school counselors (顾问) don’t just wait for students to come to their offices in search of college brochures, health pamphlets or other help. These days, they are looking for at-risk kids to prevent personal or academic troubles before they arise. Nowadays, students and families need the guidance more than ever.
Counselors play a steadying role in schools as the economy weighs on families, college admission becomes even more competitive, immigration continues to reshape the population and state-testing pressures many students. They use computers to search through attendance data, grades and standardized test scores for kids who might need extra help.
Schlatter, director of guidance and counseling at Prince William County’s Woodbridge Senior High School, has checked attendance records against grades and test results to start peer groups (同年龄群体) for students who are failing classes but not skipping them. She said group counseling is another way to reach more students though it can be difficult. “Kids really do start helping and sharing with each other.”
At Fairfax High School, counselors found through surveys that students who transferred (转学) to the school after ninth grade enjoyed school significantly less than those who had been there all four years. The counseling staff set up a special program and group for new arrivals in response, said Marcy Miller, the school’s director of student services. Counseling staff members also have started small study groups for students to prepare for state Standards of Learning exams, which Miller said have helped raise test scores. She said that some of the newest counselors have had some of the freshest ideas.
1.We can learn from the passage that __________.
A. counselors wait for kids to come to ask for help now
B. counselors are trying to help people with economic problems
C. counselors have made college admission less competitive
D. counselors are trying to reach more kids in need of help
2.The author uses the example of Fairfax High School to show that .
A. counseling work is obviously effective
B. many students transfer there for help
C. new arrivals will no longer skip classes
D. counseling means little to new arrivals
3.What would the author most probably discuss in the following part?
A. What assistance they can offer.
B. The significance of their counseling job.
C. Other approaches to counseling at-risk kids.
D. The barriers of counseling the students with troubles.
4.Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
A.Counselors Find New Ways
B.Small Study Groups Raise Test Scores
C.Transferred Students Need More Help
D.Tough Times See More At-risk Kids
This booklet is designed to help you and your family plan for and survive a major earthquake. By taking action to be prepared, you can lessen the impact of an earthquake on your family. Set aside some emergency supplies, and teach your family what to do at home during and after a disaster. You could be without help for up to 72 hours, so learn to cope for at least that long.
Movement of the ground is seldom the actual cause of death or injury. Most casualties（意外） result from partial building collapse and falling objects and debris, like toppling chimneys, falling bricks, ceiling plaster, and light fixtures. Many of these conditions are easily preventable.
Because earthquakes occur without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare, so that you know what you can do and how to respond — constructive, protective action is possible.
Have on hand for Any Emergency – Ideas for Home, Workplace, and Car.
Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake occurs, prepare a disaster supplies.
1.Who is the passage mainly written for ?
A．scientists B．parents C．the public D．teachers
2.How can we lessen the impact of an earthquake on our family?
A．Stay at home
B．Keep away from high buildings
C．learn some knowledge about the cause of earthquakes
D．know what to do in a disaster
3.What will the writer talk about next?
A．emergency supplies B．first aid
C．toppling chimneys D．ceiling plaster
4.which can be the best title of this passage?
A．Are You Prepared for the Next Earthquake
B．Earthquakes Occur without Warning
C．How to prevent earthquakes
D．Cause of Earthquakes
One of the most important aspects of an image is color. People are very sensitive to color, and different colors have different effects on people .
In general , red is an exciting color , which creates an image of action, energy and danger. Red is also the most frequently used color in flags .Eighty percent of the world’s flags contain red. A study in “Germany showed that football teams wearing red are more successful .Blue is a very calm color .Business executives usually wear dark blue suits .Blue is also a peaceful color. The flag of the United Nations is light blue .Yellow is associated with openness and freedom. Green is a very relaxing color .Surgeons nowadays wear green ,because it’s less tiring than white .Black creates an image of power and authority .It can also be a very threatening color .Gangsters and vampires often wear black .white is a pure and strong color .This is one reason why doctors wear white coats .We trust them more .Grey is a very anonymous color .People wearing grey don’t want other people to notice them .Brown is the opposite of black .It’s warm and friendly ,while black is threatening .
1.What does the author mainly talk about in the passage?
A．Color and Character B．Color and Image
C．Color and Occupation D．People are sensitive to color
2.Which of the following is true about color according to the passage?
A．Eighty per cent of the world’s flags contain green.
B．Brown is the opposite of pink, presenting warmth.
C．Red creates an image of energy , danger and freedom.
D．Blue is a peaceful and calm color.
3.The underlined word “anonymous” roughly means ______
A．outstanding B．beautiful C．exciting D．unknown
阅读下面短文,掌握其大意,然后从各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Loving Kindness Is Twice Blessed
I felt gloomy (沮丧的) the other day. The weather had been dark and rainy, and I just didn’t feel so 1.
As I was sitting at my desk, I 2it was the birthday of a dear long-time friend — a single, middle-aged woman who has devoted the past 30 years to nursing and loves her 3.
Knowing that she doesn’t have family in town, I 4to give her a call. Sure enough, she was on B-shift, 5to work late into the evening, and wouldn’t have 6of a birthday this year. As always, 7, she sounded cheerful and was happy that I 8.
After I hung up, I couldn’t 9the feeling that she would really appreciate a little attention on her special day. 10feeling a little gloomy myself, I tried to put it out of my mind, but as the day passed I couldn’t shake the thought. I 11gave in, and that evening set off to the hospital with a card, a cheese cake, and some balloons. My friend’s grateful smile and joyful surprise 12me I’d done the right thing and were a generous 13for the little effort it had taken.
When I got home, I realized that not only had I cheered up a 14friend on her birthday, but my own gloomy feelings had also disappeared. Making her day had 15my own!
Isn’t that the way it is 16we take the time and make the 17to do something for someone else? It’s like the little saying, “Loving kindness is twice blessed; it blesses him who gives, and him who 18.”
Cheering up people on their birthdays isn’t the only thing we can do to make their day. Life constantly presents us with 19to take an extra step or do a kind deed that will make a difference to 20. And the wonderful thing is that as we do, it changes things for the better for us too.
1.A. positive B. special C. nervous D. proud
2.A. explained B. remembered C. complained D. informed
3.A. family B. training C. school D. work
4.A. continued B. decided C. agreed D. refused
5.A. prepared B.surprised C. disappointed D. bored
6.A. little B. many C. much D. few
7.A. therefore B. besides C. though D. otherwise
8.A. admitted B. apologized C. succeeded D. called
9.A. experience B. shake C. imagine D. understand
10.A. Almost B. Even C. Never D. Still
11.A. finally B. luckily C. unhappily D. hardly
12.A. promised B. advised C. convinced D. reminded
13.A. response B. contribution C. reward D. share
14.A. careless B. curious C. weak D. lonely
15.A. troubled B. made C. wasted D. taken
16.A. why B. where C. when D. how
17.A. suggestion B. friend C. call D. effort
18.A. tries B. receives C. expects D. cares
19.A. opportunities B. dreams C. choices D. regrets
20.A. everyone B. something C. someone D. everything
----- Can you use chopsticks, John?
----- ________ . I once stayed in China for two years.
A．No problem B．It all depends
C．I’m sorry, but yes D．You can forget it
