In many societies, there is often greater acceptance of light skin than dark skin.Light skin may be seen as a mark of beauty, intelligence and success.These beliefs can lead to social pressures even within the same racial or ethnic group, if some members are darker skinned than others.
The result is that skin lightening has become a common activity across Africa, Asia and other areas of the world.More and more people with dark skin are using skin-lightening products, even if it means they may face health risks.
They believe that having whiter skin will improve their lives.Many people think they will have a better chance of getting a job or marrying into a better family.Or they want to look like what their society generally considers beautiful.
Some beauty care products and soaps contain chemicals that make skin lighter.This process is also called bleaching.But some of the chemicals are extremely dangerous.One of the most dangerous is hydroquinone.
Hydroquinone has been banned in several countries.This chemical has been linked to kidney damage and some kinds of cancer.It also causes low birth weight in babies when mothers use it during pregnancy.
At first, bleaching products make the skin color lighter.But after long-term use they can cause problems.They could even make some skin darker.
The chemicals in the products block and break down the natural process that gives color to skin.The skin loses its natural barrier to protect against sunlight.Then the skin can become thick and discolored.Usually the person will use more of the product in an effort to correct the problem, but this only makes it worse.
And these are not the only risks.Experts say some people who change their skin color suffer emotional damage.They feel regret and sadness.They feel that instead of risking their health, they should have learned to love and accept their skin color as it was.
(1)
Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?
[ ]
A.
The Dark Side of Skin Lightening
B.
The Advantage of Skin Lightening
C.
The Standard of Beauty
D.
Introduction to Beauty Care Products
(2)
People try to make skin color lighter by using beauty care products mainly because in some societies ________.
[ ]
A.
people with dark skin are not considered as clever as those with light skin
B.
light skin may be more accepted and seen as a mark of beauty, intelligence and success
C.
having whiter skin will make them get a better job easily
D.
having dark skin makes them looked down upon
(3)
The underlined word“bleaching”in Paragraph 4 means ________.
[ ]
A.
Making something white by using chemicals
B.
Making something beautiful by using chemicals
C.
Making beauty care products by using chemicals
D.
Changing something by using chemicals
(4)
It can be concluded from the passage that ________.
Student Date of Birth:19/08/1988 Department of Education and Training
International Students Centre
Hong Xue 827-839 George Street PO Box 707
60 Waratah Street Broadway NSW 21007
Croydon Park NSW 2133 Phone:(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456
Fax:(612)9212 6721
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/international/
WARNING LETTER
Dear Hong Xue,
As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa.It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions:You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you:
●have not turned 18; and
●are not staying in Australia with:
-a parent
-a custodian(监护人); or
-a relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character.
Note:You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider.
You must obey the following rules:
1.During term time you must:
a)remain in your homestay during the school term;
b)come home every night; and
c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts.
2.On weekends you must:
a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and
b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting.
3.You must return your guardian's telephone calls.
This will be your only warning.If you continue to breach(违反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa.Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Carlon
Student Advisor
International Students Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
(1)
What's the purpose of writing this letter?
[ ]
A.
To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa.
B.
To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again.
C.
To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor.
D.
To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations.
(2)
What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?
[ ]
A.
He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents.
B.
He is required to come home every night according to the rules.
C.
He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted.
D.
His student Visa has been cancelled.
(3)
To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?
[ ]
A.
Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133.
B.
Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
C.
Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training.
D.
Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007.
阅读理解
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.Green said,“Clearly I am the most important.I am the sign of life and hope.I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves.Without me, all animals would 1 .”
Blue interrupted,“You only think about the 2 , but consider the sky and the sea. 3 the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea.Without my peace, you would all be 4 .”
Yellow chuckled(笑道),“You are all so serious.I bring laughter, fun, and 5 into the world.”
Orange started next to blow her trumpet,“I am the color of health and strength.I may be 6 , but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life.When I fill the sky 7 , my beauty is so striking that no one gives another 8 to any of you.”
Red could stand it 9 and he shouted out,“I am the ruler of all of you.I am the color of danger and of bravery.I am willing to 10 truth.I am also the color of passion and of love.”
Then came Purple and Indigo(深蓝)….
The colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own 11 .Their quarreling became louder and louder.Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder.Rain started to pour down 12 .The colors crouched(蜷缩)down 13 , drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor(叫嚷), rain began to speak,“You foolish colors, fighting 14 yourselves, each trying to dominate 15 .Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, 16 ?Join hands with 17 and come to me.”
Doing as they were told, the colors 18 and joined hands.They formed a colorful rainbow.From then on, whenever a good rain 19 the world, a rainbow appears in the sky.They remember to 20 one another.