A serious problem for today's society is who should be responsible for our elderly and how to improve their lives. It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society. I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem.
First, employers should take the responsibility for their retired employees. To make this possible, a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose. But when a company must take life-long responsibility for its employees, it may suffer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs.
Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility, to the individual. This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement. This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years. This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor.
In addition, the government could take responsibility for the care of the elderly. This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions. Furthermore, some institution should be created for senior citizens, which can help provide a comfortable life for them. Unfortunately, as the present situation in our country shows, this is not a truly viable answer. The government can seldom afford to care for the elderly, particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young.
One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some working places especially for the elderly where they are independent.
To sum up, all these options have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to our elderly generations.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A. The problems faced by the old in society.
B. Why we should take responsibility for the old.
C. How we can improve the lives of the old.
Where the old can go to get their pensions.
2.According to the passage, how can the government help to improve the lives of retired people?
A. Set aside some profits to help people with problems after they retire.
B. Increase savings levels of people during their working years.
C. Increase the discounts for food and transport for the old.
Make available pensions for those who have retired.
3.The underlined word "viable" most probably means" ".
A.
impossible B. practical C.
useful successful
4.What is the writer's main purpose in writing this article?
A. To point out the need for government support for old people.
B. To make general readers aware of the problems of retired people.
C. To discuss some possible solutions to an important social problem.
To instruct retired people on how they can have a happier
life.
Stop thinking that you are too old to learn how to play the piano! You are able to learn the piano or any other instrument at any age. As long as you want to learn the piano, you can. When you decide to learn the piano, think about what you want out of it. Do you want to learn a specific piece of music, or are you more interested in learning techniques and the chord structures behind it? There are no limits, and you will get as much out of it as what you are willing to put into it.
Adults have the ability to learn a musical instrument, although they usually have less time. So no matter what your age, whether you are ten or one hundred and ten, you can learn the piano well. So what are you waiting for? Start learning today! Here are some ways to learn the piano, each with its own advantages.
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This allows you personal, face-to-face lessons — usually on a weekly basis where they are able to teach you and correct you. This is a great way to learn the piano, but you are limited in the contact hours you have with your teacher which may slow your learning.
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This would have to be the hardest way because you are just working by yourself and you can never be sure if you have understood the books correctly.
.３． ．．．
These are quite new to the market. They are video or DVD lessons that you can work through at your own pace. The advantage here is that you have the teacher so you know if you are doing it right, and you can work at your own pace — as quickly or as slowly as you like.
1.What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To tell us why we need to learn to play the piano.
B. To tell us never to lose hope at any age.
C. To encourage us to learn the piano and to give some suggestions.
To tell us that nothing is difficult if you put your heart
into it.
2.Match each of the following titles with each point.
a. Internet and Video Courses.
b. Hire a Piano Teacher.
c. Teach Yourself with Books.
A. 1-a 2-c 3-b B. 1-b 2-c 3-a
C. 1-b 2-a 3-c
1-c 2-b 3-a
3.According to the author, we know that ______.
A. people who are too old can’t learn the piano
B. kids learn much faster than adults
C. learning by oneself, one may misunderstand the books
learning with a teacher is the best way
4.Which of the following old sayings sums up the main idea of the first two paragraphs?
A. Every coin has two sides.
B. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
C. Let’s cross the bridge when we come to it.
You are never too old to learn.
Many Western people are not used to sitting on the floor any more. In Japan, however, sitting upright on the floor is common in different situations. For example, meals are traditionally had when people sit on the tatami (榻榻米) loor around a low table. Also during the tea ceremony and other traditional events, one sits on the floor.
The formal way of sitting for both men and women is kneeling upright. People who are not used to sitting in this style may feel uncomfortable after a few minutes, and their legs may go numb. However, foreigners are not usually expected to be able to sit in this style for a long time, and an increasing number of Japanese people themselves aren’t able to do so, owing to a more westernized lifestyle.
In other situations, men usually sit cross-legged, while women sit on their knees laying both legs to one side. The former sitting style is considered wholly male, while the latter is considered completely female.
The most important guest sits on the honored seat which is set farthest from the entrance. If there is a tokonoma (壁龛) in the room, the guest should be seated in front of it. The host or the least important person is supposed to sit next to the entrance. Of course, there are other things to be considered in each particular case.
1.Which of the following situations is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. When men and women meet.
B. When a tea ceremony is held.
C. When traditional events are held.
When meals are traditionally had.
2.According to the passage we can learn that ______.
A. more and more Japanese sit in the formal way
B. foreigners should always sit in the formal style in a Japanese home
C. men shouldn’t sit on their knees laying both legs to one side
men and women in Japan sit in the same informal way
3.When some guests are in a Japanese home, _______ should sit nearest to the entrance.
A. the host himself
B. both the host and the hostess
C. the host or the least important person
the most important guest
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. How foreigners should sit in Japanese homes.
B. How foreigners should behave in Japanese homes.
C. Where to sit in Japanese homes.
How and where to sit in Japanese homes.
I stopped to watch my little girl busy playing in her room. In one hand was a plastic phone; in the other a toy broom. I listened as she was speaking to her doll. And I will never forget the words she said, ever though it was pretended.
She said, “Suzie’s in the corner because she’s not been very good. She didn’t listen to a word I said or do the things she should.” In the corner I saw her baby doll all dressed in lace and pink. It was obvious that she’d been put there to sit alone and think.
My daughter continued her “conversation”, as I sat down on the floor. She said, “I’m all fed up, I just don’t know what to do with her anymore. She cries whenever I have to work and wants to play games, too. She tries to help me with the dishes, but her arms just cannot reach…And she doesn’t know how to fold towels. I don’t have the time to teach. I have a lot of work to do and a big house to keep clean. I don’t have the time to sit and play —don’t you know what I mean?”
And that day I thought a lot about making some changes in my life, as I listened to her words that cut me like a knife. I hadn’t been paying enough attention to what I hold most dear.
But now my attitude has changed, because, in my heart, I realize…I’ve seen the world in a different light through my little darling’s eyes. So, let the cobwebs have the corners and the dustbunnies rule the floor, I’m not going to worry about keeping up with them anymore.
I’m going to fill the house with memories of a child and her mother…For we are granted only one childhood, and we will never get another.
1.What was the little girl doing with her doll?
A. She was dressing up her doll.
B. She was playing the doll with her friend Suzie.
C. She was talking to her mother.
She was punishing her doll.
2.Which statement is TRUE about the mother’s behaviors before that day?
A. She spent a lot of time with her daughter talking to her.
B. She was busy cleaning the house with little time spared for her daughter.
C. She didn’t show her love to her child.
She always dressed up baby dolls with her daughter.
3.What do the underlined words “cobwebs” and “dustbunnies” probably refer to?
A. A happy atmosphere inside the home.
B. All her d aughter’s toys
C. Happy memories of a child
Things that kept the mother busy
4.Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
A. Daughter and Her Doll B. Daughter’s Words
C. Only One
Childhood A Busy Mother’s Change
William Shakespeare is the most famous playwright (剧作家). Although he died in 1616, people still go to see his plays. Among the most popular are Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet—the story of a prince who struggles to respond to the crimes around him.
Shakespeare, who was born in 1564, was an actor as well as a writer. Most of his ideas for plays were taken from history, people’s conversation, ancient stories, and also from other writers. He wrote not only about kings and queens and princes, but also about friends and ordinary people. He wrote about the cruelty of war and the bravery of heroes, as well as about jealousy, joy, hate, ambition and love. His stories live on. The tragedy Romeo and Juliet was reborn as the musical West Side Side Story and more recently as the movie Romeo and Julie with the wonderful performance of Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
He invented a number of great characters: powerful magicians, thrilling witches, smart women and both wise and wicked men. He also invented some great phrases. If you’ve ever said, “Oh, for goodness sake!” you can thank Shakespeare for that. Other examples of common phrases adapted from Shakespeare: “as luck would have it”, “your own flesh and blood”, “too much of a good thing”, “good riddance”, “in one fell swoop”, and “in the twinkling of an eye”. “To be, or not to be: that is the question,” Hamlet says. “Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it is morrow,” says Juliet to her Romeo.
Don’t be surprised if you don’t understand everything when reading Shakespeare or watching one of his plays because the meanings of many words have changed over the years. And Shakespeare’s characters speak in poetry, so their speeches can be complicated.
It does help to find out a little bit about the story before reading a Shakespeare play. It’s worth the effort. As Shakespeare wrote, “All the world is a stage.” And in his plays you’ll find that an entire world is waiting for you.
1.Shakespeare created the following characters EXCEPT ________.
A. Juliet B.
Hamlet C. Claire Danes 
Romeo
2.From Paragraph 3 we can learn that ________.
A. most of the characters created by Shakespeare were negative ones
B. most of the phrases used today were invented by Shakespeare
C. “Oh, for goodness sake!” is what Juliet says to Romeo
Shakespeare contributed greatly to the development of
English
3.Which of the following is a reason why it’s difficult to understand some of Shakespeare’s plays?
A. There are many new words in his plays.
B. He wrote his plays using uncommon words.
C. The characters in his plays speak in poetry.
Most of the words in his plays are outdated.
4.We can infer from the passage that ______.
A. most of Shakespeare’s plays have been made into films
B. language changes with the development of society
C. Shakespeare made lots of money from his works
it is more useful to read Shakespeare’s works than to
watch them
Sometimes a small thing during your childhood can leave a lasting impression. The event happened one day when we were having 1after shopping. I was glad to see there were so many 2dishes on the table except for a plate of peas.
I can’t 3why so many people like to eat peas. But I do not like peas at all.
“Eat your peas,” my grandmother said. “Mother,” said my mother in her 4voice, “he doesn’t like peas.” My grandmother did not 5, but there was something in her eyes that 6she was not going to 7. She said slowly but firmly, “I’ll pay you five dollars if you eat those peas.” I didn’t know what to do then. I only knew that five dollars was a good amount of money. I began to 8the awful things down my throat.
With a 9smile on her face, Grandmother said, “I can do what I want to, Ellen, and you can’t 10me.” My mother glared at me. No one can glare like my mother. The glares made me nervous, and every single pea made me want to 11. Finally I swallowed the last pea. My grandmother 12me the five dollars with a smile. 13, my mother continued to glare 14.
That night, at dinner, my mother 15two of my all-time favorite dishes, beef and potatoes. Along with them 16a big, steaming bowl of peas. She offered me some peas, and I 17， “Mum, I don’t like peas,” I said.
“You ate them for 18,” she said. “You can also eat them for love.” “But, I ...” What could I say to refuse my mother? There was 19. I had no choice but to eat the peas. The five dollars were quickly 20. But the story of the peas lives on to this day.
1.A. tea
B. lunch C.
coffee 
supper
2.A. delicious
B. perfect C. expensive colorful
3.A. believe
B. agree C. understand forgive
4.A. violent
B. angry C. unattractive
warning
5.A. analyze
B. reply C. insist
resist
6.A. proved
B. suggested C. wondered advised
7.A. give up
B. give in C. allow for
leave alone
8.A. conduct
B. digest C. absorb
force
9.A. greedy
B. disappointed C. satisfied sensitive
10.A. prevent
B. master C. scare
arrange
11.A. put forward B. set out C. throw up D.break through
12.A. spared
B. borrowed C. showed handed
13.A. But
B. However C. So Though
14.A. in silence B. with excitement
C. in surprise D.with doubt
15.A. chose
B. gathered C.
served ordered
16.A. arrived
B. appeared C. came went
17.A. smiled
B. refused C. accepted 
admitted
18.A.
Grandmother B. lunch C. Mother
money
19.A. no one
B. nothing C. anything everything
20.A. saved
B. used
C. spent lost
