Most, if not all, Chinese have become richer thanks to 28 years of reform and opening up. But are we any happier?
Various surveys attempt to answer this question. Though experts have presented varying percentages based on different standards, their answers tend to find we are generally happier, and the number of optimists rises each year. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ 2006 Blue Book on social progress says 70 per cent of rural and urban citizens surveyed in 2005 reported a feeling of happiness and were optimistic about their futures.
But each survey shows a worrisome fact that 10 per cent, at the lowest, of citizens were not content with their lives or not hopeful about the future. We cannot be content with the fact that at least 130 million of our countrymen are not happy.
Although a sense of happiness remains a luxury（奢望）for many of our countrymen because of poverty, we agree wealth is not the only factor of happiness. For most of us, except the extremely rich and naturally born optimists, there simply are too many variables (可变物) that may kill the feeling of happiness. These include, but are not limited to, rising housing prices, tight and instable job market, back-breaking schooling expenses and medical bills.
The most common one, however, is a low sense of security (安全). Some experts pointed that in the low-and-middle income group there was too much uncertainty regarding employment, income, housing, medical situations, and education. How can you feel happy when you always have to prepare yourself for the unexpected?
It may be beyond the government’s reach, not to mention duty, to guarantee (保证) higher income for every citizen. But it does have a burden to create an environment where all citizens can feel a reasonable level of security.
1.From the second paragraph we learn _____________________.
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A．70 % of Chinese people feel happy and optimistic about their future |
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B．the data and the conclusions of the surveys are the same |
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C．the surveys about the sense of happiness were carried out in 2006 |
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D．the purpose of the surveys is to find out the percentage of rich people |
2.The following factors of happiness are mentioned in the passage EXCEPT _________.
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A．security |
B．environment |
C．wealth |
D．employment |
3.The underlined word “countrymen” in Paragraph 3 refers to ___________.
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A．people from the countryside |
B．people from cities |
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C．people from all countries |
D．Chinese citizens |
4. According to the passage, the author tends to hold the view that _________.
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A．the wealthier we get, the happier we become |
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B．though we get wealthier, we do not feel happier |
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C．it is the government’s duty to raise every citizen’s income |
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D．the government should make sure all citizens feel a good level of security |
“Mom, can I bake some bread?” We were 15, my best friend, Hanna, and I, determined to try our hands at creating some beautiful bread.
“It’s not worth the trouble,” my mother said. “It takes lots of time and makes a big mess. Our bakery bread is delicious without all that effort.”
Begging was useless. Mom’s “no” meant “No!”
But several weeks later, opportunity knocked: My parents were going out for the evening. I immediately invited Hanna to be my partner in bread-baking crime.
We studied the recipe. That was easy. “Mix oil into flour then beat in four of the eggs, one at a time, with remaining sugar and salt.”
We were not good at breaking eggs. I tried to learn from my mother.
“Gradually add eight cups of flour. When dough (面团) holds together, squeeze it.”
We took turns working like that. “Is the dough ‘holding together’?” we asked each other.
I remembered my neighbor’s instructions: “If it’s too sticky, add some flour; if too dry, add water.”
We added water. Then more flour. Then more water. By then, the mass of our dough had grown very much.
“Place dough on floured surface and squeeze till smooth,” the recipe instructed.
We took turns burying our hands in the damp dough, pinching, squeezing, and feeling it leak between fingers.
“Clean and oil bowl, then return dough to bowl. Cover and let dough rise in warm place for 1 hour.”
This was good news --- we’d have a break. On dirtied kitchen chairs, we dreamed about our beautiful bread. “See?” we would tell my mom. “Isn’t it worth the work?”
Hanna and I couldn’t help glancing at the rising process every few minutes. But nothing was happening.
“Maybe something will happen in the hot oven,” I said.
Unfortunately, when we removed the loaves from the oven, they were like hard stones.
Mom was right; it takes time and effort. It sometimes makes a mess. But still it feels good, somehow, to be part of that long, ongoing chain of bread bakers. Since that night, both Hanna and I have learned to do it right.
1.To the writer, what her mother said was __________.
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A．law |
B．rubbish |
C．advice |
D．warning |
2.Which of the following can best describe the children’s feelings while making their first bread?
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A．Confident; hopeful; disappointed. |
B．Curious; hopeful; disappointed. |
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C．Interested; excited; satisfied. |
D．Worried; satisfied; proud. |
3.Which of the following did the writer do without instructions?
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A．Placed dough on floured surface. |
B．Added eight cups of flour to eggs. |
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C．Returned dough to a cleaned bowl. |
D．Placed the dough into the hot oven. |
4.The passage mainly tells us ______________.
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A．the process of making bread |
B．the conflict between mother and daughter |
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C．the first experience of making bread |
D．the way of doing housework |
Mike had been delivering (送) newspaper for a week, but he was still not quite sure 36 he was going to like his first job. Today he was to 37 the month's money from his customers (顾客). At the first house, Mike walked past the Pierces' barking dog, 38 was tied up in the front yard. When he 39 the door he got up enough 40 to ring the bell. He told the man what he 41 . Mr Pierce didn't smile or say anything , but he handed Mike a bill. Mike 42 counted out the man's change.
43 the time he got to the 44 house, Mike felt a little more at ease. Mr Simon was repairing his 45 . He, too, gave Mike a 46 . but he smiled and talked 47 Mike gave him his 48 .
As Mike walked to the third house, he 49 a bit uneasy, Mr Swenson was just 50 home from the store, and he stopped 51 he saw Mike. Mr Swenson paid Mike the exact amount in change. They stood 52 in front of the house 53 . This wasn't 54 to be such a difficult job 55 , thought Mike as he continued on his way.
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He always works hard, but__________, he didn't pass the exam.
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A．much to our surprise |
B．to our great surprising |
C．to our surprise much |
D．to surprise |
The book_______well.
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A．is sold |
B．has been sold |
C．selled |
D．sells |
On _______ side of the river there are a lot of trees.
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A．both |
B．any |
C．either |
D．neither |
