Question

SYDNEY—Australia's economic boom is encouraging a steady stream of unexpected visitors looking for work: Americans.

US citizens are heading to Australia in small but growing numbers as near 10% unemployment at home drives more to look for jobs Down Under, where China's thirst for iron ore(矿石) and energy is transforming the Pacific nation into an economic powerhouse.

A bricklaying student from Silver Trowel, a leading provider of quality education and training in the building and construction industry, was apprenticed(当学徒) on a building project in Western Australia, where workers are in short supply.

Daniel Davila，a 23­year­old floorer from Camarillo, California made the 14­hour move across the Pacific two years ago. He had been forced to take a job stocking shelves at a local grocery store for $8.90 an hour when he couldn't get work fixing floors.

On a good day in Australia, he now makes as much as 50 Australian dollars( US $50.21 ) an hour—about twice the amount for a typical flooring job in the US. He plans to start his own flooring business.

“I can make what I did in a week in the US in less than a day here”，said Mr. Davila, who lives near a mining boom town in Western Australia.

Australian government figures show just under 7，000 Americans currently work on long­term visas, an 80% jump over the past five years.US citizens are now the third­largest group applying for so­called 457 work visas, after British and Indian nationals. Americans with degrees in areas such as accounting or mine engineering, as well as other skilled workers，can obtain a nonrenewable(不可更新的) permit for as much as a three­year stay.After that, they can apply for the renewable 457, which allows up to a four­year stay.

The need for workers is particularly pressing in Western Australia.The mining state's unemployment rate was 4.5% in November, below the national average of 5.2%. Drivers of heavy trucks can pull in six­figure salaries while experienced crane(起重机) operators can earn hundreds of thousands a year. Attracting skilled workers is a shift for Australia, which historically sent many of its most highly educated to the US and Europe, according to migration data.

36．________， a growing number of Americans go to work in Australia.

A．As a result of the encouragement of Australia

B．As a result of high unemployment in the US

C．Out of their ambition of finding valuable resources

D．Out of their determination to realize their dreams

37．It can be inferred from the passage that 457 work visas are ________．

A．for skilled workers in some fields

B．for students on the building project

C．especially for American workers

D．especially for those out of work

38．It is implied in the passage that ________．

A．foreigners have to give up their original professional jobs when working in Australia

B．it is possible for foreigners to earn more money in Australia than in their own countries

C．there are more US citizens hoping to work in Australia than from other countries

D．Australians think it fair to exchange their talent with American skilled workers

39．Which part of Australia needs workers particularly?

A．North­western Australia.

B．Eastern Australia.

C．South­eastern Australia.

D．Western Australia.

Answer 1

随着澳大利亚经济的繁荣发展，有越来越多的美国人去澳大利亚寻找工作。他们的发展如何呢？让我们从文章中寻找答案。

36．B　细节理解题。从第二段中的“but growing numbers as near 10% unemployment at home drives more to look for jobs Down Under”知，美国将近10%的失业率导致越来越多的美国人到澳大利亚寻找工作，所以选B项。

37．A　推理判断题。从文章倒数第二段中的“…457 work visas…as well as other skilled workers”可知，457工作签证是专门颁发给高级技术工人的，所以答案选A项。

38．B　从Daniel Davila的例子并结合文章可知，很多美国人在澳大利亚赚的钱要比在美国赚的多得多，由此可知答案为B项。

39．D　细节理解题。从最后一段的“The need for workers is particu­larly pressing in Western Australia.”可知，澳大利亚的西部地区急需工人，答案选D项。