SINGAPORE - Singapore on Thursday stuck to its I8-year ban on the import and sale of chewing gum (口香糖), which has become an international symbol of the city-state's image as a strict society.
"The government stands by its decision to ban chewing gum. Chewing gum has not been a significant problem since that ban took effect, there have been concerns that lifting the ban on chewing gum could result in chewing gum litter and weaken ongoing efforts to control littering." Maliki Osman, parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of National Development, told parliament.
Osman said as the reason for the imposition (强迫接受) of the ban is still suitable, "the government's position is that the ban shall remain." He was responding to a question in parliament from Denise Phua, a fellow member of the ruling People's Action Party who argued that the ban had been used to criticize its tough governance laws.
"I think this ban ... now needs a re-thinking. Surely Singapore will not consider banning sweets because of sweet wrapper litter or ice-cream stick litter," she said.
Singapore, known worldwide for its high-quality clean image, banned the import and sale of chewing gum in 1992 in a bid to cope with the problem of people sticking the gum on chairs, tables, lifts and other public areas.
One of the key reasons for the ban had been the disturbance of services on Singapore's subway train system because of chewing gum being stuck on the doors and causing delays. Singapore partially lifted the ban in 2004 by allowing the sale of chewing gum used for health reasons, such as dental health gum, after the conclusion of a US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
Australian tourist Hazel Lane, 48, said keeping the ban on chewing gum was sure Singaporeans wouldn't want to spoil their "ridiculous" and she told AFP that she's own environment and their own image. Angel Wong, 34, a tourist from Hong Kong, however, welcomed the news. She said, "I come from a country that doesn't have the ban and there's always chewing gum all over the floor, To me the ban doesn't change my image of Singapore so it’s a good thing because it keeps the environment clean."
1. The ban on the import and sale of chewing gum was started in 1992 ______.
A. when people began to buy the gum everywhere
B. to bid to stop people sticking the gum in the public
C. because the gum delayed the subway
D. when the country was in a bid to show its city-state's clean image
2. What can we learn about the ban according to Maliki Osman?
A. The government will keep it ongoing forever.
B. It will lead to littering the chewing gum everywhere.
C. More and more concerns about the ban will make chewing gum out of control
D. Banning chewing gum is still one of the important jobs of the government now.
3. According to what Denise Phua said in paragraph 4, we can know that she ______.
A. would say yes to the ban
B. would think more about the ban again
C. would like the government to take the ban on second thought
D. argued that the ban should be cancelled
4. It can be inferred from the passage that ______.
A. whether the ban needs changing or not has become a problem to be discussed
B. Singapore's subway train system was delayed by chewing gum
C. chewing gum will soon be banned in many countries
D. only the ban has led to the friendly environment in Singapore
5. What's the main idea of the last paragraph?
A. There is such a ban in China and Australia.
B. Different people have their own ideas about the ban.
C. The ban is either welcomed by China or by Australia.
D. The ban does good to keep the environment clean.
Child models are very much in demand all across the world. Many magazines and online stores that sell products for children like their models young. For this reason, they seek out children who can model clothing and have no problem posing （摆姿势）and smiling for the camera. Those who are seeking out child models for thelr advertising can go to online modeling sites and view pictures of children who are web models. They can take a look at their portfolio（整套照片）and decide whether they will accept them.
Parents who are seeking to get their children into the modeling business can also create a portfolio for their children and put them online. They can look for jobs for their chldren through an online modeling site, or they can wait for job offers for their children. These online sites act as web modeling agency for models young and old alike. Anyone who has the desire to be a model can get a portfoilo together and join the site.
If you have a child who you want to be a model, you should first start a portfolio for him or her and then join an online modeling agency. Once you join the agency, you can then start to look for jobs, clients（客户）will post jobs that can be found in the search. You can look for jobs for young models and see if your child will fit what the client is looking for. In many cases, the client will send clothing for the child to wear and a descriptlon of poses and the job can be done close to home.
Online modeling agencies are not only for child models. Older models, teen models, men and women can model for these sites. A great deal of the modeling is for online websites. This is an entirely new field in the world of modeling and much easier to get into than the older modeling agencies. There is no traveling or expensive photo shoots needed. All that is needed to make children into models is a nice portfolio and a photogenic（上相的）child.
1. Child models are needed to____________.
A. create more job offers
B. set the fashion for children
C. increase the sales of child products
D. manage online stores that sell teen magazines
2．The underlined Word "they" in Paragraph 1 refers to_______.
A. parents B. chld models
C. online modeling sites D. people looking for child models for advertising
3. What should parents do if they’d like their children to become models?
A. Train them to hold special poses. B. Choose them beautiful clothes.
C. Take expensive photos of them. D. Put their portfolio on online modeling sites.
4. Why are online modeling agencise popular?
A. Because they are easily accessible to most people.
B. Because they charge no fees for their service.
C. Because this is an entirely new field.
D. Because this can make a child more photogenic.
5．This passage is mainly about______.
A. a growing need for child models B. an increase in modeling agencies
C. the change in the world of modeling D. the attraction of the world of modeling
PART THREE READING COMPREHENSION
Directions： Read the following three passages. Each'passage1 is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices' marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage.
A
Short reader – submitted stories – for the woman you should think of today!
——Compiled by Amy Zerello
Great Minds Reminded of Mom
After a long, exhausting day, a friend of mine, Allen, headed home. On the road, he passed an elderly woman who was standing by a car with a flat tire. If that were his mother, he thought, he would want someone to help her. With a tired sigh, he turned around and drove back.
Just as he reached the stranded woman, a truck pulled up and a burly farmer got out. "Kindof reminds you of your mom, too?" the man asked as the two of them pitched in together to change the tire for the woman.
-- Contributed by Katherine L. Houge
Your Biggest Fan
While waiting in a bookstore for a guest author to sign her latest book, I leafed through some of the Civil War novels she had written. The woman in line behind me commented, "Those are the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put them down." Before I could reply, the author frowning, looked over and said, "Oh, come on, Mom!"
-- Contributed by Marilyn Kopp
Head of the Household
My husband, Jeff, and I came across several problems while assembling our new computer system, so we called the help desk. The man on the phone started to talk to Jeff in computer jargon(行业术语), which confused us even more.
"Sir," my husband politely said, "please explain what I should do as if I were a four-year-old."
"Okay," the computer technician replied. "Sweetie, could you please put your mommy on the phone?"
-- Contributed by Lena Worth
How does it feel to tickle your mom’s funny bone?
Now send your own funny story to us! You could earn up to $ 300!
1．Who would the burly man be in the first joke?
A．Another kind helper. B．The old lady’s son.
C．Allen’s friend. D．A policeman.
2．What was the guest author’s mom trying to do in the second story?
A．Push hard to get her daughter’s signature.
B．Promote her daughter’s books by pretending to be a fan.
C．Show her pride in her daughter’s achievement.
D．Persuade Marilyn Kopp to buy her daughter’s book.
3．The computer technician on the phone in the third story .
A．actually could find no way to solve Jeff’s problems
B．teased Jeff about his poor knowledge of computer jargon
C．wanted to talk to Lena instead
D．believed that Jeff’s mom would know more computer jargon
4．What is the main purpose of the jokes?
A．To make fun of moms. B．To honor moms.
C．To educate moms. D．To amuse moms.
5．The passage is most possibly found .
A．in a storybook B．in a commercial ad
C．in a magazine D．in a student’s textbook
Section C
Directions: Complete the following passage by filling in each blank with one word that best fits the context.
Sea turtles have been on Earth for millions of years, but they may soon die out. The main danger to them is people who kill them 48. ______ food, according to Dr. Wallace J. Nichols.
49. _____ the latest news may slow turtle hunting: Dr. Nichols has found that sea turtles absorb a lot of pollution from the ocean. This pollution is unhealthy for 50. _____ turtles and humans. It can cause 51. ______ damage to their bodies and lead to death. Research shows that many people get sick 52. _____ even die from eating sea turtle meat.
In the US, most people have never eaten turtle. “But many people in other countries still eat them,” explains Nichols. “Our first goal was to save turtles; now 53 ____ must save people too.”
Davis said he also wants to send out 54. ______ bigger message that we should protect the oceans. “The health of the ocean, animals in the ocean, and our own health are all connected. A clean ocean is really good for us too 55. ______ of the food we eat from there.”
SECTION B
Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C, and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
Though the bus stopped about two miles from home, Dad never met me, even in bad weather. So when I went away to college, I knew I was in for a long 36 whenever I came home. The walk didn't bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I felt less than valued that my father didn't seem concerned about my 37 . That feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college. Tests and long hours in labs had left me 38 . I longed for home and a soft bed. Finally, the bus stopped at my destination point, and I 39 , beginning the long journey home.
A row of privet hedge (女贞树篱）edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my 40 , I was always relieved (轻松) to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view 41 a gentle rain began to fall. Suddenly I saw something 42 moving fast along the top of the hedge, moving toward the house. Upon closer observation, I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew 一 each time I came home, he had stood 43 the hedge, watching, until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care, after all.
On following visits, that spot of gray became my beacon (指路标）. I could hardly 44 until I was close enough to watch for its covert (掩蔽的) 45 above the greenery. Upon reaching home, I would find my father sitting in his chair. "So! It's you!" he 46 say, pretending to be surprised.
I replied, "Yes, Dad, it's me. I'm home."
The greatest happiness of life is the fact that we are 47 .
36. A. walk B. time C. patience D. anxiety
37. A. study B. safety C. suitcase D. growth
38. A. figured out B. given out C. made out D. worn out
39. A. stepped off B. drove off C. took off D. came off
40. A. journey B. trouble C. adventure D. arrangement
41. A. when B. after C. that D. because
42. A. bright B. gray C. funny D. strange
43. A. beyond B. over C. behind D. through
44. A. wait B. promise C. approach D. follow
45. A. performance B. action C. feeling D. movement
46. A. did B. could C. should D. would
47. A. trusted B. saved C. loved D. encouraged
. I want to be very careful to talk only about ____ we've formally tested.
A. which B. that C. what D. whether
