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(养老金). Furthermore, some in-situations 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(选择) 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.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.
D. Increase the level of pensions.
2.The underlined word “viable” in the fourth paragraph most probably means “______”.
A. impossible B. practical C. perfect D. obvious
3.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.
D. To instruct retired people on how they can have a happier life.
Book 1 Elixir written by Eric Walters
Twelve-year-old Roth becomes a friend of Dr. Banting and his assistant, Mr. Best, who are doing research on a cure for diabetes (糖尿病). She finds herself torn between her sympathy for the animals being experimented on and her friendship with Banting and Best.
Book 2 George Washington Carver written by Elizabeth Macleod
Meet the “Peanut（花生）Specialist”, George Washington Carver, the inventor and professor who made over 325 products out of peanuts. Through his agricultural research, he also greatly improved the lives of countless black farmers in the southern United States. See also Macleod's Albert Einstein: A Life of Genius.
Book 3 The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations
written by Alootook Ipellie & David MacDonald
Explore more than 40 ideas necessary to Inuit survival. From ideas familiar to us today to inventive concepts that shaped their lives, celebrate the creativity of a remarkably intelligent people. Also see other books: The Chinese Thought of It by Tingxing Ye and A Native American Thought of It by Rocky Landon and David MacDonald.
Book 4 Made in Canada: 101 Amazing Achievements written by Bev Spencer
What things do we use daily that have a Canadian connection? Here are 101 common things that were invented in Canada or by a Canadian, including the Blackberry, alkaline(碱性) batteries and the Blue Box recycling program.
Book 5 Newton and the Time Machine written by Michael McGowan
Ten-year-old boy Newton has invented a time machine to see dinosaurs up close. But it disappears on a test run with his two huge friends, King Herbert and Queen Certrude, can he save them before time runs out?
1.Which of the following best describes Roth's feeling in Book 1?
A. Painful. B. Curious. C. Frightened. D. Disappointed.
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Animals are mentioned in Book 1 and Book 5.
B. Book 3 introduces 40 inventive concepts.
C. Alkaline batteries were invented by Dr. Banting.
D. George Washington Carver was a black farmer in the US.
3. In Book 5, King Herbert and Queen Gertrude are________.
A. Newton's human friends
B. the names of the time machine
C. two dinosaurs
D. the inventions of the time machine
4.If you are interested in native Americans, you may read the book by ________.
A. Elizabeth Macleod B. Eric Walters
C. Rocky London & David MacDonald D. Bev Spencer
Have you ever been to the beautiful country of Holland and its capital Amsterdam? Anyone who has traveled to Amsterdam would probably agree on one thing: Amsterdam’s story is a tale of two cities — one during the day and a completely different one at night.
When the sun is up, this largest city in the Netherlands sits quietly on the Amstel River. You can rent a bicycle, visit the Van Gogh or Anne Frank museum, or take a water taxi. But when the sun goes down, the partying begins. In the big clubs and in the coffee shops, tourists gather to talk politics and smoke.
Several areas of the city clearly show the two worlds that rule Amsterdam. And they’re all within a short cab ride of each other. For example, Dam Square attracts daytime sightseers to its festivals, open markets, concerts and other events. Several beautiful and very popular hotels can be found there. And there’s the Royal Palace and the Magna Plaza shopping mall. But at night party-seekers come to the square. Hip hop or funk music (疯狂音乐) is heard there. So if you come, be ready to dance. The clubs don’t shut down until 4 am.
And while you’re there, check out the various inexpensive ways to tour the city. Don’t worry about getting lost. Although Dutch is the official language, most people in Amsterdam speak English and are happy to help you with directions. And you’ll notice that half the people walking around in the streets are on bicycles they rent. Amsterdam also has a well-planned canal system. For about 10 dollars, you can use the canal bus or a water taxi to cruise (巡游) the “Venice of the North”.
The city has a historic past. One impressive (印象深刻的) place to visit is the Anne Frank House on Nine Street. It was there that the young Jewish girl wrote her famous diary during World War II. Visitors can view Anne’s original diary and climb behind the bookcase to the room where she and her family hid from the Nazis for two years.
1. What means of transport is not available to visitors in Amsterdam?
A. A carriage. B. A bicycle.
C. A canal bus. D. A water taxi.
2.What can you learn about by visiting the Anne Frank House?
A. The wonderful past of Amsterdam.
B. The experience of a beautiful girl survivor.
C. The life of Jewish during World WarⅡ.
D. The suffering of the Dutch in wars.
3.The passage is intended to _______.
A. call up people’s memories of World WarⅡ
B. tell readers what A Tale of Two Cities is about
C. instruct visitors what to do and see in Holland
D. offer readers some information about Amsterdam
4.This passage is most likely taken from _______.
A. a private diary B. a test paper C. a travel journey D. a history book
My friend Robert started a new job this week and he’s been in the training class for two days. The employer has a very strict dress code—dark blue shirts and pants.
On the first day, an older gentleman in his class did not have the proper clothes and he was strictly told that he would be fired if he didn’t have the right clothes the next day. He explained, “Sir, I had been told about this, but because of my larger size, it’s sometimes difficult to find the right clothing for a price I can afford.”
Last night, Robert and I decided that this old man shouldn’t lose the chance of work simply because he couldn’t afford the clothes. I had some cash on hand and Robert took it with him this morning just in case it was needed.
When training started this morning, the trainer was ready to fire the older gentleman. “You have 10 minutes to be in proper clothes,” he was told. At this point, Robert spoke up and asked if he could have 10 minutes to get him the clothes. He then ran out to the store and bought the proper-sized pants and a shirt; he returned with both and gave them to the older man.
The older gentleman began to cry and told him that he couldn’t accept such a gift from a stranger. Robert told him he had to because he had lost the receipt(收据) and couldn’t return them—a little white lie. The pants were a perfect fit, the shirt was a bit tight but he was able to keep his job.
“My wife and I tried to gather together some money last night, but we didn’t have enough to buy the clothes,” he told Robert. “It’s unbelievable to me that a person would do such a thing for only knowing me a day!”
More unbelievable is how good it has made Robert and me feel to do this.
1.If the older man did not have the proper clothes, he would _____.
A. be punished B. be offered another job C. put off the training class D. lose his job
2.The money which was paid for the clothes was _____.
A. the trainer’s B. the older man’s C. the writer’s D. Robert’s
3. How did Robert persuade the older man to accept the clothes?
A. He told the older man that he would lose his job if he did not take them.
B. He told a lie that the clothes didn’t fit himself.
C. He told the older man that he could save money and return it later.
D. He told the older man that he had no way to send them back.
4.What might be the best title for the passage?
A. Proper clothes for a stranger B. Fight against strict rules
C. A strange employer D. An unbelievable thing
完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A large cat arrived at a farm where many mice lived. None of them dared go outside for fear of being 36 by the cat.
The mice decided to hold a 37 to find a way of stopping themselves from being in 38 . One day, when the cat was out, mice of all ages 39 into the meeting room.
“Let’s build a big trap,” one mouse 40 . When this idea was 41 , another said, “What about poisoning(毒死) her?” But 42 knew where to buy the poison. One young mouse, whose mother had become the cat’s food, 43 said, “Let’s cut her teeth, so she can do no more harm.” But the meeting did not accept his 44 .
At last, one mouse, 45 than the rest, jumped onto a table. Waving a bell, he called for 46 , “Be quiet! We’ll tie this bell to the cat’s tail, so we’ll always know 47 she is! We’ll have 48 to escape, and the slower and weaker mice will hear her coming and be able to 49 !” Hearing the words, everyone got 50 and they congratulated him on his good idea.
“We’ll tie it so tightly that it will never 51 !”
“She’ll never be able to walk 52 again! Why, the other day, she suddenly appeared right in front of me! Just imagine…”
However, the wise mouse said, “We must 53 who is going to tie it on her tail.” There was not a sound in the room. Nobody was 54 enough to put the plan into action. The meeting ended without any decision being made.
It’s often very 55 to have bright ideas, but putting them into practice is a more difficult matter.
1.A. trained B. taught C. caught D. invited
2.A. party B. test C. game D. meeting
3.A. return B. danger C. fact D. need
4.A. rushed B. swam C. flew D. stepped
5.A. questioned B. explained C. suggested D. answered
6.A. supported B. discussed C. accepted D. refused
7.A. everybody B. nobody C. somebody D. anybody
8.A. angrily B. happily C. carefully D. slowly
9.A. present B. reason C. idea D. excuse
10.A. younger B. longer C. stronger D. wiser
11.A. pleasure B. silence C. help D. information
12.A. where B. what C. how D. who
13.A. experience B. power C. time D. space
14.A. shout B. watch C. stay D. hide
15.A. worried B. excited C. surprised D. tired
16.A. drop off B. turn up C. get up D. put off
17.A. gladly B. quickly C. quietly D. directly
18.A. believe B. learn C. imagine D. decide
19.A. honest B. brave C. rich D. old
20.A. easy B. difficult C. strange D. important
The chair is _______; move it, please.
A. in a way B. in the way C. on a way D. on the way
