An increase in students applying to study economics (经济学) at university is being attributed to （归因于）the global economic crisis (危机) awakening a public thirst for knowledge about how the financial system works.
Applications for degree courses beginning this autumn were up by 15% this January, according to UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. A spokesman for the Royal Economic Society said applications to do economics at A-level were also up.
Professor John Beath, the president of the society and a leading lecture at St Andrews University, said his first-year lectures which are open to students from all departments—were drawing crowds of 400, rather than the usual 250.
“There are a large number of students who are not economics majors, who would like to learn something about it. One of the things I have done this year is to relate my teaching to contemporary events in a way that one hasn’t traditionally done. ” He added.
University applications rose 70% last year. But there were rises above average in several subjects. Nursing saw a 15% jump, with people’s renewed interest in careers in the pubic sector（部门）, which are seen as more secure in economic crisis.
A recent study showed almost two thirds of parents believed schools should do more to teach pupils about financial matters, and almost half said their children had asked them what was going on, although a minority of parents felt they did not understand it themselves well enough to explain.
Zack Hocking, the head of Child Trust Funds, said: “It’s possible that one good thing to arise from the downturn will be a generation that’s financially wiser and better equipped (使…有能力) to manage their money through times of economic uncertainty.”
1.Professor John Beath’s lectures are .
|
A．given in a traditional way |
|
B．connected with the present situation |
|
C．open to both students and their parents |
|
D．warmly received by economics |
2. Careers in the public sector are more attractive because of their .
|
A．greater stability |
B．higher pay |
|
C．fewer applications |
D．better reputation |
3.In the opinion of most parents , .
|
A．economics should be the focus of school teaching |
|
B．more students should be admitted to universities |
|
C．the teaching of financial matters should be strengthened. |
|
D．children should solve financial problems themselves |
4.According to Hocking , the global economic crisis might make the youngsters_____.
|
A．wiser in money management |
|
B．have access to better equipment |
|
C．confident about their future careers |
|
D．get jobs in Child Trust Funds |
5.What’s the main idea of the text?
|
A．Universities have received more applications. |
|
B．Economics is attracting an increasing number of students |
|
C．college students benefit a lot from economic uncertainty |
|
D．parents are concerned with children’s subject selection. |
“In only six days I lost seven pounds of weight.”
“Two full inches in the first three days!”
These are the kinds of statements used in magazine, newspaper, radio and television ads, promising new shapes and new looks to those who buy the medicine or the device (设备；装置). The promoters (推销员；促销员) of products say they can shape the legs, slim the face, smooth wrinkles, or in some other way to beauty or desirability.
Often such products are nothing more than money--making things for their promoter. The results they produce are questionable, and some are dangerous to health.
To understand how these products can be legally promoted to the public, it is necessary to understand something of the laws covering their regulation (条例). If the product is a drug, FDA（Food Drug Administration） can require proof （证明）under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that is safe and effective before it is put on the market . But if the product is a device, FDA. has no author to require premarketing proof of safety or effectiveness. If a product already on the marker is a danger to health, FDA can request the producer or distributor to remove it from the market voluntarily, or it can take legal action , including seizure （查封） of the product.
One notable case a few years ago involved an electrical device called the Relaxacisor, which had been sold for reducing the waistline. The Relaxacisor produced electrical shocks to the body through contact pads. FDA took legal action against the distributor to stop the sale of the device on the grounds that it was dangerous to health and life.
Obviously, most of the devices on the market have never been the subject of court proceedings（法律诉讼）,and new devices appear continually. Before buying, it is up to the consumer to judge the safety or effectiveness of such items.
1.It can be inferred that ads mentioned in the text are ______.
|
A．objective |
B．costly |
|
C．unreliable (不可靠的 ) |
D．illegal |
2.Which of the following is true according to the text?
A. The court is in charge of removing dangerous product.
B. New products are more likely to be questionable.
C. The production of a device must be approved by FDA.
D. The promoters usually just care about profits.
3. FDA can ask for the proof of safety and effectiveness of a product ________.
|
A．if it is a drug |
|
B．if it is a device |
|
C．if its consumers make complaints |
|
D．if its distributors challenge FDA’s authority |
4.The Relaxacisor is mentioned as_______.
|
A．a product which was designed to produce electricity |
|
B．a product whose distributor (批发商；批发公司) was involved in a legal case |
|
C．a successful advertisement of a beauty product |
|
D．an example of a quality beauty product |
5.The author intends to __________
A. make consumers aware of the promoters’ false promises
B. show the weakness of the law on product safety
C. give advice on how to keep young and beautiful
D. introduce the organization of FDA.
A year ago August, Dave Fuss lost his job driving a truck for a small company in west Michigan. His wife, Gerrie, was still working in the local school cafeteria (自助食堂), but work for Dave was scarce (不足的，缺乏的), and the price of everything was rising. The Fusses were at risk of joining the millions of Americans who have lost their homes in recent years. Then Dave and Gerrie received a timely gift—＄7,000，a legacy （遗产） from their neighbors Ish and Arlene Hatch, who died in an accident . “ It really made a difference when we were going under financially, ” says Dave.
But the Fusses weren’t the only folks in Alto and the neighboring town of Lowell to receive unexpected legacy from the Hatches. Dozens of (许多) other families were touched by the Hatches’ generosity. In some cases, it was a few thousand dollars ; in others, it was more than ＄100,000.
It surprised nearly everyone that the Hatches had so much money, more than ＄3 million—they were an elderly couple who lived in an old house on what was left of the family farm .
Children of the Great Depression, Ish and Arlene were known for their habit of saving, They thrived on（喜欢）comparison shopping and would routinely go from store to store, checking prices before making a new purchase (购买) .
Through the years, the Hatches paid for local children to attend summer camp when their parents couldn’t afford it. “Ish and Arlene never asked if you needed anything,” says their friend Sand Van Weelden, “They could see things they could do to make you happier, and they would do them.
Even more extraordinary was that the Hatches had their farmland distributed (分发；分配). It was the Hatches’ wish that their legacy—a legacy of kindness as much as one of dollars and cents should enrich the whole community（社区）and last for generations to come.
Neighbors helping neighbors ——that was Ish and Arlene Hatch’s story.
1.According go the text, the Fusses ______.
|
A．were employed by a truck company |
|
B．worked in a school cafeteria |
|
C．were in financial difficulty |
|
D．lost their home |
2.Which of the following is true of the Hatches?
|
A．They had their children during the Great Depression |
|
B．They gave away their possessions ( 财产；所有物) to their neighbors |
|
C．They left the family farm to live in an old house |
|
D．They helped their neighbors to find jobs |
3.Why would the Hatches routinely go from store?
|
A．They decided to open a store |
|
B．They couldn’t afford expensive things |
|
C．They wanted to save money |
|
D．They wanted to buy gifts for local kids |
4. According to Sand Van Weelden, the Hatches were ______.
|
A．curious |
B．optimistic |
C．childlike |
D．understanding |
5.What can we learn from the text?
|
A．The Hatches would like the neighbors to follow their example |
|
B．The summer camp was attractive to the parents |
|
C．Sandy Van Weelden got a legacy form the Hatches |
|
D．The community of Alto was poor |
Even though it was only October, my students were already whispering about Christmas plans. With each passing day everyone became more 31 waiting for the final school bell. Upon its 32 everyone would run for their coats and go home, everyone except David
David was a small boy in ragged clothes. I had often 33 what kind of home life David had, and what kind of mother could send her son to school dressed so 34 for the cold winter months, without a coat, boots, or gloves. But something made David 35 . I can still remember he was always 36 a smile and willing to help. He always 37 after school to straighten chairs and mop the floor. We never talked much. He 38 just smile and ask what else he could do ,then thank me for letting him stay and slowly 39 home.
Weeks passed and the 40 over the coming Christmas grew into restlessness until the last day of 41 before the holiday break. I smiled in 42 as the last of them hurried out the door. Turning around I saw David 43 standing by my desk.
“I have something for you” he said and 44 from behind his back a small box. 45 it to me, he said anxiously, “Open it. ”I took the box from him, thanked him and slowly unwrapped it. I lifted the lid and to my 46 saw nothing. I looked at David’s smiling face and back into the box and said. “The box is nice, David, but it’ s 47 . ”
“ Oh no it isn’t ,” said David “ It’s full of love, my mum told me before she died that love was something you couldn’t see or touch unless you know it’s there .”
Tears filled my eyes 48 Ilooked at the proud dirty face that I had rarely given 49 to. After that Christmas, David and I became good friends and I never forgot the meaning 50 the little empty box set on my desk.
|
1. |
|
|
2. |
|
|
3. |
|
|
4. |
|
|
5. |
|
|
6. |
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
|
|
9. |
|
|
10. |
|
|
11. |
|
|
12. |
|
|
13. |
|
|
14. |
|
|
15. |
|
|
16. |
|
|
17. |
|
|
18. |
|
|
19. |
|
|
20. |
|
His sister left home in 1998, and_______ ever since.
|
A．had not been heard of |
B．has not been heard of |
|
C．had not heard of |
D．has not heard of |
Sam _____ some knowledge of the computer just by watching others working on it.
|
A．brought up |
B．looked up |
C．picked up |
D．set up |
