Stay-at-home kids are named “generation nini” in Spain. They are those adults who still live at home and are neither working nor studying. But the problem is not limited to Spain. It is a worldwide problem.
In Italy, they are known as “bamboccioni” or big babies. There are nearly 60 percent of 18-34-year-old adults still living in their parents’ home, up from almost 50 percent since 1983. Once kept there by the love for their mama’s home-cooked food, the economic crisis(经济危机) has seen a rise in adults left unable to hold down a steady job or afford a home of their own. Last year, an Italian government minister admitted that his mother washed his clothes and made the bed for him until he was 30. He demanded a law forcing young Italians to leave their parents’ home at 18 to stop them becoming hopelessly dependent on their parents.
In the UK, the government has made the term NEETS—not in employment, education or training for these children. In England alone the percent of NEETS aged 19-24 surged to 18.8 percent of the age group-in the last quarter of 2010, up 1.4 percent on the same period a year before. The number of British men in their 20s living with their parents has risen from 59 percent to 80 percent in the past 15 years, while the number of women has risen from 41 percent to 50 percent. The average age of the first-time house buyers is now 38.
In the US, the problem is known as the “full nest syndrome(综合症)”. Adults there are left struggling to support adult children who have stayed at home with student debts and facing few job opportunities in a weak economy. A recent study showed almost a third of American adults aged 34 and under are living with their parents.
1.“Big babies” mentioned in Paragraph 2 refers to those adults who ________.
A. depend on their parents for a living B. are not as smart as others
C. lose their job in the bad economy D. are poorly educated
2.The Italian government minister thinks that ________.
A. parents should make their children feel hopeless
B. parents should never make the bed for their children
C. young people should live on their own after 18
D. it is OK for adult children to live with their parents
3.The underlined word “surged” in paragraph 3 can be replaced by ________.
A. moved B. reduced C. recovered D. jumped
4.What does the last paragraph tell us?
A. America has the most adult children compared with other countries.
B. American parents are happy to live with their children.
C. Some American adult children are causing trouble for their parents.
D. It is a tradition for adult children to live with their parents in America.
Princess quiz time! How did Snow White survive? How did Cinderella (《灰姑娘》) leave her evil stepmother? How did Sleeping Beauty finally wake up?
A kind-hearted person always comes to save the princess, like a prince or a godmother. Princesses cannot protect themselves, though they are very pretty and nice. They always need the help of others.
However, in fact, women can’t put their life in the hands of a prince-like man. They need to work and even fight for their own happiness. The traditional image(形象) of a princess is getting out of date.
Recently, Disney, a company famous for its princess movies, posted the “top 10 rules for being a modern princess”. You will not find any rules related to beauty or looks. The rules focus on loyalty, honesty and other moral values. The rules say princesses need to believe in themselves and try their best to get out of trouble, instead of waiting for a prince’s help.
It’s not the first time Disney princesses have caught up with society’s development. In 1950, when people’s hearts were broken by World War II, Disney created Cinderella. In 1990, Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast (《美女与野兽》) loved reading when education was a man’s special right in the past. Belle showed the improvement of women’s position in society. Now is Elsa from the film Frozen (《冰雪奇缘》), a symbol of modern princess.
“This is brilliant – ‘The top 10 rules of being a modern princess’ – (it’s) about time,” a group named Confidently Mom said on social media website Twitter. Princesses are still very beautiful, but inner character is the key to being a princess.
1.What does the story think modern women should be like?
A. They should turn to others for help.
B. They should depend on themselves for their own happiness.
C. They don’t need to care about their appearances.
D. They should depend on men to do most things.
2.Disney’s rules for being a modern princess focus on a girl’s _____.
A. looks B. education C. position in society D. moral values
3.The images were created in order to catch up with the society’s development except _____.
A. Belle B. Cinderella C. Godmother D. Elsa
4.What does the group Confidently Mom think of the rules?
A. Fantastic. B. Meaningless. C. Doubtful. D. Social.
When I was growing up, Mother’s Day was as important as Christmas.
The energy around the house was always positive, mostly thanks to my father who made sure that his kids appreciated their mother. We would clean the house, and Mum got breakfast in bed in the morning and didn't have to lift a finger all day. And in the evening, we went to a restaurant for a traditional Mother’s Day dinner.
What I learned from my father over the years, was that no matter what, he always put my mother before himself. He absolutely loved her and never let her forget that.
I maintain(保持) my father’s Mother’s Day tradition with my wife. Growing up, I learned that showing affection to the woman you love or who gave birth to you is an important part of life. You see, it goes both ways, and the love you have for your mother comes back to you again and again.
Believing that and feeling it when you can may keep you from being lonely, even if your mum isn’t close by or has passed away. There are a number of us who no longer have a mother in our lives, and truth be told, there are often times when I wish my mum were still here to comfort me. So instead, I remember the times she did just that. It makes me smile, and somehow, those memories of a more simple and loving life give me the comfort I’m looking for.
If you are mum-less, you too should find a deserving woman in your life and celebrate Mother’s Day with her. If you don’t know anyone, there are plenty of lonely mums in rest homes who would enjoy your company for a couple of hours. The visit will make both of your days, and perhaps your lives, a little bit better.
1.What did the author (作者) learn from his father?
A. We should always put others before ourselves.
B. It’s necessary to express love to those we love.
C. It’s important to have an interesting family tradition.
D. Mother’s Day is just as important as Christmas.
2.Why does the author value the idea of showing love for one’s mother?
A. It can set a good example for kids to follow.
B. It is what mothers expect their children to do.
C. It’s important to follow your father’s rules.
D. It can warm your mother’s heart as well as yours.
3.What is the author’s advice to someone whose mum has passed away?
A. Visit lonely mums in rest homes on Mother’s Day.
B. Try to get used to life without a mum.
C. Turn to other family members for love.
D. Give all your attention to your mother-in-law.
Teachers’ Day is, interestingly, not celebrated on the same day all over the world. In some countries it is marked by a holiday, in others it is a working day.
International Teachers’ Day is celebrated on October 5. Being held ever since 1994, it is in honor of teachers' organizations worldwide. Its aim is to encourage supports for teachers and to meet the needs of students.
China ― In 1939, Teachers’ Day was set for August 27, Confucius' birthday. In 1951, the celebration was stopped. However, it was founded again in 1985, and the day was changed to September 10.
India ― Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5 in honour of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second president of India, whose birthday falls on that day.
Russia ― In Russia, Teachers’ Day was celebrated on the first Sunday of October between 1965 and 1994. Since 1994, the day is observed on the October 5, just the same day as World Teachers Day.
The US ― In the US, Teachers’ Day is non-official holiday. It is celebrated on the Tuesday of the first full week of May. A number of activities are organized in schools to honor teachers. The celebrations can continue for the whole week of May.
Thailand ― In Thailand, National Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on January 16. The first Teachers’ Day was held in 1957. The day is a holiday in schools.
1.What country celebrates Teachers’ Day in October?
A. India. B. The US. C. Thailand. D. Russia.
2.Which of the following has the same meaning as the underlined word “observed”?
A. celebrated B. held C. stopped D. fell
3.Which of the following is possibly true?
A. China has celebrated Teachers’ Day since the year 1931.
B. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday is in September.
C. Teachers’ Day is a working day in schools of Thailand.
D. Teachers’ Day is an official holiday in the United States.
4.From the passage we can learn that ________.
A. International Teachers’ Day aims to benefit the students
B. Teachers’ Day falls on Confucius' birthday in China
C. the first Teachers’ Day was held in 1965 in Thailand
D. a lot of activities are held on Teachers’ Day across the world
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.In which part of Minnesota will the storm start?
A. The eastern part. B. The southern part. C. The northern part.
2.When will the storm get to the East Coast?
A. On Wednesday. B. On Thursday. C. On Friday.
3.How deep will the snow be in the mountains of New York?
A. About four inches. B. About eight inches. C. About twelve inches.
4.What should people be careful about?
A. The high winds. B. The low temperatures. C. The heavy snowfalls.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man think is useful about Kayak. com?
A. To look at flexible dates. B. To compare different airlines.
C. To choose nonstop flights.
2.What do the man’s aunt and uncle care most about the flight?
A. The time. B. The price. C. The stops.
3.Where do the speakers probably live?
A. In Philadelphia. B. In Chicago. C. In New York.
4.On which day will the man’s sister get married?
A. May 28th . B. May 29th . C. May 30th.
