Few laws are so effective that you can see results just days after they take effect. But in the nine days since the federal cigarette tax more than doubled----to $1.01 per pack---smokers have jammed telephone ‘quit lines’ across the country seeking to kick the habit.
This is not a surprise to public health advocates. They’ve studied the effect of state tax increases for years, finding that smokers, especially teens, are price sensitive. Nor is it a shock to the industry, which fiercely fights every tax increase.
The only wonder is that so many states insist on closing their ears to the message. Tobacco taxes improve public health, they raise money and most particularly, they deter people from taking up the habit as teens, which is when nearly all smokers are addicted. Yet the rate of taxation varies widely.
In Manhattan, for instance, which has the highest tax in the nation, a pack of Marlboro Light Kings cost $10.06 at one drugstore Wednesday. In Charleston, S.C., where the 7-cent-a-pack tax is the lowest in the nation, the price was $4.78.
The influence is obvious.
In New York, high school smoking hit a new low in the latest surveys----13.8%, far below the national average. By comparison, 26 % of high school students smoke in Kentucky, Other low-tax states have similarly depressing teen-smoking records.
Hal Rogers, Representative from Kentucky, like those who are against high tobacco taxes, argues that the burden of the tax falls on low-income Americans “who choose to smoke.”
That’s true. But there is more reason in keeping future generations of low-income workers from getting hooked in the first place. As for today’s adults, if the new tax drives them to quit, they will have more to spend on their families, cut their risk of cancer and heart disease and feel better.
31. The text is mainly about___________.
A the price of cigarettes
B the rate of teen smoking
C the effect of tobacco tax increase
D the differences in tobacco tax rate
32. What does the author think is a surprise?
A Teen smokers are price sensitive.
B Some states still keep the tobacco tax low.
C Tobacco taxes improve public health.
D Tobacco industry fiercely fights the tax rise.
33. The underlined word "deter" in Paragraph 3 most probably means .
A. discourage B. remove C. benefit D. free
34. Rogers’ attitude towards the low-income smokers might be that of .
A. tolerance B. unconcern C. doubt D. sympathy
35. What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. The new tax will be beneficial in the long run.
B. Low-income Americans are more likely to fall ill.
C. Future generations will be hooked on smoking.
D. Adults will depend more on their families.
完形填空（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从16—30各题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
When I moved into an empty dormitory for the first time two years ago, I was certain of a few things. Firstly, I realized that I didn’t 16 anybody at the school. Secondly, I knew that I wanted to work hard at my lessons and learn something useful. And thirdly, I wanted to have a good time with new classmates, without my parents around.
The first 17 frightened me in the beginning. But that 18 quickly disappeared. It was the other two goals 19 ended up being my difficulties. I knew that it was hard to devote enough time to class and to social efforts. But I wanted to 20 in both. I knew this would be a 21 , but I didn’t realize how much until classes began.
I got on well with the other girls who lived in my dorm. 22 , instead of finishing my homework 23 it was due, I went upstairs and had ice cream with my neighbor. I always finished it the next day between classes. I knew it wasn’t very good and the grade I 24 showed my lack of effort.
I was 25 that I needed to find some sort of balance. So I created a schedule that would 26 my time up between going to class, doing homework, and relaxing. It seemed like a good idea, but I was only able to 27 it for a few days. A schedule like that was too much pressure.
So I tried another 28 . Each week I made a list of everything I had to get done during that week. Then, under the list of things I had to get done, I made a list of things I could do if I had time.
This is the method I have used since then. I’m glad that I’ve learned to 29 things and it has 30 prepare me for what is to come after graduation.
16. A. know B. recognize C. realize D. like
17. A. teacher B. day C. class D. realization
18. A. happiness B. excitement C. fear D. desire
19. A. which B. what C. that D. who
20. A. win B. succeed C. get D. wish
21. A. chance B. job C. challenge D. time
22. A. Often B. Seldom C. Unluckily D. Fortunately
23. A. because B. when C. after D. before
24. A. demanded B. took C. accepted D. received
25. A. asleep B. awake C. ashamed D. aware
26. A. fix B. divide C. put D. build
27. A. use B. keep C. follow D. make
28. A. plan B. energy C. pressure D. effort
29. A. do B. control C. balance D. hold
30. A. had B. helped C. let D. forced
A number of books ______ been stolen from the library since the beginning of this term and the number _____ as large as 500.
A. have; are B. has; is C. has; are D. have; is
He is famous both ______ a novelist and a poet but he is more famous ______ his novels.
A. for; as B. with; for C. as; for D. like; as
He is not ______ to be the kind of man who could have done such a rude thing to a lady. You must have been mistaken.
A. likely B. possible C. probable D. maybe
Property insurance helps you to ______ against natural disasters, in front of which humans appear too small.
A. prevent B. defend C. protect D. shelter
