Question

    In the fall of 2017, when Paula Aldridge needed to get a job, she found herself at a crossroads. The 50-year-old wasn’t sure she would ever work again, due to health issues.

But Aldridge’s life and career journey started to turn around after she connected with Goodwill of Central Iowa’s skills training programs. These programs are tailored to help people develop the kind of specific, real-world skills they need to get and keep a job, through a combination of detailed instruction and hands-on experience.

When Aldridge first connected with Goodwill in September 2017, she was dealing with several barriers to immediate employment. Transportation was challenging, as she didn’t have a driver’s license or own a car. Aldridge also had a limited work history with long employment gaps (间断) , meaning she missed out on learning important skills, such as working a credit card machine. On top of that, her physical health issues were also a problem.

According to Kayleigh Duff, a career specialist at Goodwill of Central Iowa, the biggest barrier Aldridge had to overcome was from within. “She said outwardly that she had all of this confidence and that she knew how strong a worker she was, but I don’t think she truly believed it herself.”

Thankfully, Aldridge had plenty of people on her side to provide motivation and guidance. She originally started off in the food service training program but was eager to enter the retail (零售) skills program, since she had previously worked at the Salvation Army and Subway. When Aldridge mentioned her interest in retail, Duff recognized that her go-getting attitude would be a perfect match for the program.

The seven-week retail skills training is a systematic program combining classroom instruction with on- the-job experience at a Goodwill store. As Aldridge progressed and graduated from the program, she became more confident in her abilities.

Duff said it was great to see how Aldridge grew into the devoted, driven worker she is today. “She has this strong desire, this longing to succeed. And she knows that she’s able to do that, although she has fallen short in the past.”

1.What can be learned about Goodwill’s training programs?

A.They combine theory with practice.

B.They guarantee a good job for participants.

C.They are designed mainly for the unemployed.

D.They were established in the autumn of 2017.

2.What was the biggest problem Aldridge faced according to Duff?

A.Poor health. B.Poor working skills.

C.A lack of confidence. D.A lack of a driver’s license.

3.Why did Aldridge change her training program?

A.She wanted to attend a more systematic program.

B.She wanted to gain some hands-on experience.

C.She was more interested in retail.

D.She followed Duff’s advice.

4.What’s the main idea of the text?

A.A 50-year-old devotes herself to Goodwill.

B.Goodwill helps a 50-year-old turn her life around.

C.Goodwill training programs spring up around the world.

D.Success is closely linked to appropriate training programs.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.C

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。本文主要讲述了Goodwill的技能培训项目帮助了50岁的奥尔德里奇找工作，改变了她的生活。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中These programs are tailored to help people develop the kind of specific, real-world skills they need to get and keep a job, through a combination of detailed instruction and hands-on experience.这些课程通过详细的指导和实践经验的结合，旨在帮助人们培养获得并保住一份工作所需的那种具体的、现实世界的技能。可知，Goodwill的培训项目是理论与实践相结合。故选A项。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段中According to Kayleigh Duff, a career specialist at Goodwill of Central Iowa, the biggest barrier Aldridge had to overcome was from within. “She said outwardly that she had all of this confidence and that she knew how strong a worker she was, but I don’t think she truly believed it herself.”爱荷华州中部Goodwill的职业专家凯蕾·达夫(Kayleigh Duff)表示，奥尔德里奇必须克服的最大障碍来自内心。她表面上说她很有自信，她知道自己是一个多么坚强的员工，但我不认为她真的相信自己.可知，她面临的最大问题是缺乏自信。故选C项。

3.细节理解题。根据第五段中She originally started off in the food service training program but was eager to enter the retail (零售) skills program, since she had previously worked at the Salvation Army and Subway. When Aldridge mentioned her interest in retail, Duff recognized that her go-getting attitude would be a perfect match for the program. 她最初参加的是食品服务培训项目，但由于之前曾在救世军(Salvation Army)和赛百味(Subway)工作过，所以她很想参加零售技能培训项目。当奥尔德里奇提到她对零售的兴趣时，达夫意识到她积极进取的态度与这个项目是完美的搭配。可知，她对零售更感兴趣，所以她改变了培训的项目。故选C项。

4.主旨大意题。根据第一段中The 50-year-old wasn’t sure she would ever work again, due to health issues. 由于健康问题，50岁的她不确定自己是否还能再工作。第二段中But Aldridge’s life and career journey started to turn around after she connected with Goodwill of Central Iowa’s skills training programs. 但奥尔德里奇在与爱荷华州中部Goodwill的技能培训项目建立了联系后，她的生活和职业生涯开始好转。可知，本文主要讲述了Goodwill的技能培训项目帮助了50岁的奥尔德里奇找工作，改变了她的生活。故选B项。