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      The worst US economic depression in the recent 70 years is forcing senior citizens out of retirement,
leaving them fighting for jobs in a weak labor market or risking homelessness.
      The study by Experience Works, released on Tuesday, showed 46 percent of the 2,000 low income
people over 55 years who participated needed to find work to keep their homes. Nearly half of them had been searching for work for more than a year.
      "These people are at the age where they understandably thought their job-searching years were
behind them,” said Cynthia Metzler, president and CEO of Experience Works.
     "Bur here they are, many in their 60s, 70s and beyond, desperate to find work so they can keep a
roof over their heads and food on the table.”
      According to the study, many of the participants had no intention of working past their 60 th birthday, but _______ after being laid off or following the death of the partner. Over a third of the participants had
retired.
      Ninety percent of the respondents 76 years and older planned to continue working for the next five
years.
      Huge medical bills due to a persona illness or that of a partner were also reasons for coming out of
retirement, the survey found. The longest and deepest economic decline since the 1930s is making finding
a job for the low-income elderly workers a difficult challenge.
      The Experience Works study found that 46 percent of the elderly jobseekers were sometimes forced
to choose between paying rent and buying food or medication. Almost three-quarters believed their age
made it harder to compete for jobs with younger workers.
     "This study underscores calls for the need to create policies that remove barriers to employment for
elder workers and provide additional programs and services specifically aimed at helping elder people
re-enter the work force or remain working,” said Metzler.
1. What’s the main idea of the passage? (no more than 12 words)
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Fill in the blank in Paragraph 5 with proper words. (no more than 5 words)
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Complete the following statement with proper words. (no more than 3 words)
   The people over 55 years are hard to avoid the feeling that they have passed the age of
________________________________________________________________________________
4. What might be the solution to the problem according to the study? (no more than 15 words)
________________________________________________________________________________
5. What does the word “them” (line2, paragraph 2) probably refer to? (no more than 7 words)
________________________________________________________________________________

    People in China, as in other parts of the world, are waiting to see how U.S. President-elect Barack
Obama will deal with global problems such as the current economic slowdown once he takes office. As
Sam Beattie reports from Beijing, there is widespread hope for closer U.S.-Chinese cooperation.
    For many students in Beijing, Mr. Obama symbolizes all that is possible in the United States. He's a
popular winner here, seen as a self-made man who has made it to the top.
"I think he is very charming, and a president who can create a new era," said Zhang Wei, a university
student. "I like him very much and most of my friends do too." Ni Weibo, another university student,
agrees. "Sino-U.S. relations still need more cooperation," she said. "I think he will help take it to a new
era."
   China's President Hu Jintao congratulated Mr. Obama within hours of his victory, saying he hoped
bilateral ties could be made stronger.
   Political analysts here say China will be looking for the incoming president to avoid contentious issues
such as Taiwan's independence, human rights and Tibet.
   Instead, they say Beijing would like Mr. Obama to focus on solving the global economic crisis, and to
help China's slowing economy by opening up U.S. markets.
   But trade relations might be a sticking point, says Renmin University's Professor of International Studies, Shi Yinhong.
   He warns, "There is a possibility that President Obama will take some protectionist measures which
China will not accept, then trade disputes could develop to a degree that we have not seen ever before."
   Despite making the headlines, Mr. Obama faces some tough challenges in managing the U.S.
relationship with China. China is now a stronger and more confident country than the China his
predecessors dealt with. And in this time of economic uncertainty, analysts say it's a country with which
Mr. Obama will want to maintain a good relationship.

1. What can we infer from the first three paragraphs?
A. Mr. Obama was popular with many students in Beijing mostly because he will take office soon.
B. Economic slowdown is the big problem that the world is facing and looking forward to solve except US
C. China's President Hu Jintao congratulated Obama on his victory within hours.
D. Through Obama's being elected, we can see all is possible in US and a new relationship may come.

2.What is not mentioned in this passage?
A. What Barack Obama is expected to do in dealing with the US-China relationship.
B. Why Barack Obama will maintain a good relationship with China.
C. How Barack Obama will deal with the current economic slowdown.
D. What image Barack Obama has given to Chinese people.

3. What does " a sticking point"( in para.7 ) mean?
A. a twist point    
B. a disputed point  
C. a good beginning  
D. a understanding point

4. What is the best title for this report?
A. US-Chinese Cooperation Under the Current Economic Slowdown
B. Obama, Seen As A Popular Winner In China
C. Chinese Want Stronger Ties With US Under Obama Administration
D. The Current Economic Problem faces China As Well As US

     Nearly 600,000 Americans lost their jobs this past month, pushing the nation's unemployment
rate to 7.6 percent. But not all of those fired workers are sitting at home, reading the want ads
and waiting for the phone to ring.  Thousands are returning to school, making public colleges
and universities among the few bright places in a disappointing U.S. economy.
     For example, when many Americans have had their work hours decreased, or even lost their
jobs, Sherian Huddleston in charge of the enrollment (注冊) of new students at Middle Tennessee
State University(MTSU) is working overtime. The university's population grew by 800 students this
term--an increase of 4 percent over last spring's registration. Huddleston says seeing enrollments
rise in a failing economy is not unexpected. "When people are out of jobs," she points out," they
will look at 'What else can I do?" What other career can I follow?' and they will often go to school
or return to school if they have not previously completed their degree."
     Older returning students aren't the only ones increasing enrollment at Middle Tennessee State.
Huddleston says she's also seeing an increase in student transfers. "Students who previously went
out of state to more expensive schools, or even in state to more expensive, maybe private schools,
because of the economy those students may be transferring to public schools, the state schools, to
make the most of the lower cost of attending," she explains.

1. According to the passage, many students return to school ______.

A. to find a new job
B. to read the want ads
C. to complete their degree
D. to turn to their schoolmates for help

2. Which of the following is TRUE of Sherian Huddleston?

A. She is not surprised when seeing enrollments go up.
B. She doesn't think it a good idea to transfer to public schools.
C. She is puzzled by those students who return to school.
D. She thinks returning to school is a good way to save the falling economy.

3. Many students are transferring to public or state schools mainly because

A. public or state schools provide better education
B. public or state schools offer better jobs
C. they don't want to get affected by the falling economy
D. they want to bring down the expense

4. Which can serve as the best title of the passage?

A. Falling American Economy
B. College Enrollment Up in a Depressing Economy
C. College Admit More Students Than Before
D. More Students Prefer to Return School

     Most Americans get what money they have from their work；that is ,they earn an income from wages
or salaries.The richest Americans,however,get most of their money from what they own-their stocks,
bonds,real estate,and other forms of property,or wealth.Although there are few accurate statistics to go by,
wealth in American society appears to be concentrated in very few hands.More than 20 percent of
everything that can be privately owned is held by less than one percent of the adult population and more
than 75 percent of all wealth is owned by 20 percent of American adults.The plain fact is that most
Americans have no wealth at all aside from their homes,automobiles,and a small amount of savings.
     Income in the United States is not as highly concentrated as wealth.In 1917 the richest 10 percent of
American families received 26 percent of all income,while the poorest 10 percent received 17 percent,
mainly from Social Security and other government payments.The most striking aspect of income
distribution is that it has not changed significantly since the end of World War ?.Although economic growth
has roughly doubled real disposable(可自由使用的)family income(the money left after taxes and adjusted
for inflation)over the last generation,the size of the shares given to the rich and the poor is about the same.
By any measure economic inequality is great in the United States.
     The reality behind these statistics is that a large number of Americans are poor.In 1918,14 percent of
the population was living below the federal government's poverty line,which at that time was an annual
income of $9,287 for a nonfarm family of two adults and two children.In other words,about one out of
seven Americans over 31 million people was officially considered unable to buy the basic necessities of
food,clothes,and shelter.The suggested poverty line in 1981 would have been an income of about $11,200
for a family of four.By this relative definition,about 20 percent of the population or more than 45 million
Americans are poor.

1．What does the majority of the Americans have in terms of wealth?

A. Their income and savings.
B. Everything they own in their homes.
C. Actually,they have no wealth at all.
D. Their house,cars and small amounts of savings

2．What is the percentage of wealth that is in the hands of most Americans?

A. More than 25%.  
B. Less than 25%.
C. More than 75%.  
D. Less than 20%.

3．Why is economic inequality still great in the US in spite of the economic growth?

A. Because the proportion of income received by the rich and the poor remains almost the same as in
      1917.
B. Because the economic growth has widened the gap of the family income between the rich and the
      poor.
C. Because income in the US is still concentrated in the hands of the richest 10% of American families.
D. Because some Americans made great fortunes during the Second World War.

4．What can we learn from comparison of the two poverty lines in the last paragraph?

A. The poverty line of 1918 is more favorable to the poor than that of 1981.
B. The 1981 line didn't leave much to the poor.
C. There were more Americans who were officially poor by the 1981 line.
D. There were more Americans who were officially poor by the 1918 line

     BELIEVE it or not,   the color of the tie Barack Obama wore to the inauguration(就職典禮)is now a
hotly debated topic.The level of public interest in Obama's tie might seem strange but many people believe his choice will symbolize the type of government he plans to run,   as the color of a politician's tie is thought to convey ideas of power,   trustworthiness and more.
     Polities of ties
     It may be the least practical item of male dress,   but it is arguably the most expressive.In the UK and
many other coun－tries around the world,   conservative (保守的) politicians may wear a blue tie and their liberal opponents a red one.In America,   the colors go the other way round.The Republicans have in
recent years become associated with the color red,   and the Democrats with blue.But in spite of this,  
Bush wears blue ties more often than any other color.
     What they mean
     According to Sharon Haver,   editor of focusonstyle.com,   in America the feelings associated with
colors overrule their political significance."A guy who wants to be regarded as strong and in charge would wear red,   "Haver says.Unsurprisingly,   the business tycoon Donald Trump is known for wearing red ties.But what about blue?According to Haver,   "Blue is a softer color...Look at the sky.It's peaceful and
calm and trustworthy."
     Selecting the right tie for the right occasion
     ●Perfect job interview tie
     Perhaps no other tie－wearing occasion is as important as the job interview.Gilchrist,   the fashion
expert,   advises playing it safe and choosing a conservative one.Best choices are solids,   stripes or small
patterns.An excellent color is burgundy(深紅色) or another serious color.Avoid pink or yellow,   which
suggests that the wearer lacks gravity.
     Pattern ties,   Gilchrist suggests,   should be limited to a maximum of three colors.A striped tie is a safe choice as this is acceptable to everyone.Last,   Gilchrist recommends saving the expensive"hip"tie for those applying for glamorous creative jobs.
     ●Date－night tie
     When picking out the right tie for taking a girl out on a date,   spend more time considering color than
pattern.According to studies,   women are attracted to men wearing the color blue,   because blue gives
the image of a"stable,   faithful,   constant,   always there"person.So what is the worst color to wear on a
date?"Flattened caterpillar(毛蟲)yellow－green,   "according to Gilchrist,   "it will repel both sexes
equally."

1. Why are people interested in the tie that Obama wore to the inauguration?

A. Because they think the tie he wore will enable them to know about his personalities and policies.
B. Because they want to advise him how to select an appropriate tie for such a big occasion.
C. Because they think the tie will tell if he is trustworthy as they expected when he assumes office.
D. Because they believe the tie is an essential part of dressing to a mature politician like Obama.

2. What can we infer about Bush,   the former president,   from the passage?

A. He was probably liberal in his policies when he was in power.
B. He was a Republican when he served as president.
C. He wore only blue ties and had no ties of alternative colors.
D. He wanted to make himself unique by the tie that he wore.

3. The example of"the business tycoon Donald Trump" is given to __________.

A. prove that color reflects people's feelings to a certain degree
B. show that Donald is so wealthy that he can afford expensive ties
C. tell that Donald is physically strong and can handle everything
D. explain that red is a popular color,   especially with businessmen

4. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?

A. Ties can be ignored by politicians since they are the least practical item of male dress.
B. Do choose ties carefully before dating,   because it is the most important occasion.
C. Why to avoid pink or yellow ties in job interviews is that they don't match the atmosphere.
D. The more colorful the tie is,   the more likely you'll get the job you want.

     The World Trade Organization came into existence in the 1990s.It operates a system of trade rules.It
serves as a place for nations to settle disagreements and negotiate agreements to reduce trade barriers.The
newest of its 150 members,Vietnam,joined in January.
     But the roots of  the WTO date back to World War Two and the years that followed. In 1944, the
International Monetary (貨幣的) Conference agreed to create the International Monetary Fund and the
World Bank.But they could not agree on an organization to deal with international trade.
     Three years later,in 1947,twentythree nations approved the General Agreement on Tariffs (關(guān)稅) and
Trade,or GATT.It_was_meant_to_be_temporary.Trade negotiations under GATT were carried out in a
series of talks called rounds.The first round lowered import taxes on onefifth of world trade.Later rounds
produced additional cuts,and negotiators added more issues.
     The sixth round began in 1963.It was called the Kennedy Round after the murder of President John
F．Kennedy.The results included an agreement against trade dumping.This is when one country sells a
product in another country at an unfairly low price.
     The eighth round of talks began in Punta del Este,Uruguay,in 1986.The Uruguay Round lasted almost
twice as long as planned.In all,123 nations took part in sevenandahalf years of work.They set time limits
for future negotiations.They also agreed to create a permanent system to settle trade disagreements.
     In April of 1994,most of those 123 nations signed an agreement.It replaced GATT with the World
Trade Organization.
     The WTO launched a new round on development issues in Doha,Qatar,in November of 2001.These
talks were supposed to end by January of  2005. But negotiators could not agree on  issues involving
agricultural protections.The current round has been suspended since last July.

1．The WTO got this name in the year________.

A．1947 
B．1963  
C．1986  
D．1994

2．Which of the following statements about GATT is NOT true?

A．It was set up after World War ?.
B．It was first approved by less than 30 countries.
C．It was a branch of the World Bank.
D．It was meant to improve international trade.

3．What does the underlined sentence in the third paragraph mean?

A．The founders wanted GATT to bring in money.
B．The founders didn't expect GATT to last long.
C．GATT was ready to change its name at the very beginning.
D．GATT was open for more member countries.

4．What is one of the results of the Uruguay Round?

A．A permanent system was agreed on.
B．It lasted almost eight years.
C．More countries took part in it.
D．More disagreements than expected were settled.

5．Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A．Why the WTO was Called GATT?
B．WTO Talk Rounds Last Longer
C．A Brief Introduction to the WTO
D．GATT or WTO?A Real Question

     It's very interesting to note where the debate about diversity is taking place. It is taking
place primari1y in political circles. Here at the College Fund, we have a lot of contact with
top corporate (公司的) leaders; none of them is talking about getting rid of those instruments
that produce diversity. In fact, they say that if their companies are to compete in the g1oba1
village and in the global market place, diversity is an imperative. They also say that the need
for talented, skilled Americans means we have to expand the pool of potential employees.
And in looking at where birth rates are growing and at where the population is shifting,
corporate America understands that expanding the pool means promoting policies that help
provide skills to more minorities, more women and more immigrants. Corporate leaders
know that if that doesn't occur in our society, they will not have the engineers, the scientists,
the lawyers, or the business managers they will need.
     Likewise, I don't hear people in the academy saying, "Let's go backward. Let's go back
to the good old days, when we had a meritocracy (不拘一格降人才)" (which was never
true-we never had a meritocracy, although we've come closer to it in the last 30 years, ) I
recently visited a great little college in New York where the campus has doubled its minority
population in the last six years. I talked with an African American who has been a professor
there for a long time, and she remembers that when she first joined the community, there
were fewer than a handful of minorities on campus. Now, all of us feel the university is better
because of the diversity. So where we hear this debate is primarily in political circles and in
the media-not in corporate board rooms or on college campuses.

1. The underlined word "imperative" in Para. l most probably refers to something .

A. superficial
B. remarkable
C. debatable
D. essential