Drunken driving — sometimes called America’s socially accepted form of murder — has become a national epidemic (流行病). Every hour of every day about three Americans on average are killed by drunken drivers, adding up to an incredible 250,000 over the past ten years. A drunken driver is usually referred to as one with 0.10-blood alcohol content or roughly three beer glasses of wine or shots of whisky drunk within two hours. Heavy drinking used to be an acceptable part of the American manly image and judges were lenient in most courts, but the drunken killing has recently caused so many well-publicized tragedies, especially concerning young children, that public opinion is no longer so tolerant.

    Twenty states have raised the legal drinking age to 21, reversing a trend in the 1960s to reduce it to 18. After New Jersey lowered it to 18, the number of people killed by 18-20 years old drivers more than doubled, so the state recently upped it back to 21.

    Reformers, however, fear raising the drinking age will have little effect unless accompanied by educational programs to help young people to develop “responsible attitudes” about drinking and teach them to resist peer pressure to drink.

    Though new laws have led to increased arrests and tests in many areas already, to a marked decline in accidents, some states are also punishing bars for serving customers too many drinks. A bar in Massachusetts was fined for serving six or more double brandies to a customer who was “obviously drunk” and later drove off the road, killing a 9-year-old boy.

    As the accidents continue to occur daily in every state, some Americans are even beginning to speak well of the 13 years national prohibition of alcohol that began in 1919, which President Hoover called the “noble experiment”. They forgot that legal prohibition didn’t stop drinking, but encouraged political corruption(腐败) and organized crime. As with the booming drug trade generally, there is no easy solution.

What can be inferred from the fact of the traffic accidents in New Jersey?

A. many drivers were not of legal age.

B. young drivers were often bad drivers.

C. Drivers should not be allowed to drink.

D. the legal drinking age should be raised.

The underlined word “lenient” in the first paragraph means “_________”.

A. serious         B. cruel          C. merciful         D. determined

In America, public opinion about drunken driving has changed because __________.

A. judges are giving more severe sentences

B. new laws are introduced in some states

C. the news media have highlighted the problem

D. drivers are more conscious of their image

Why is the problem of drinking and driving difficult to solve?

A. Because alcohol is easily obtained.

B. Because drinking is linked to organized crime.

C. Because legal prohibition has already failed.

D. Because making laws alone is not sufficient.

New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate and enter the new year with a smile on your face. This year, there’re plenty of local activities for all ages and interests, so the smiles will come easily.
BLUE CONCERT
Blues band the Coyotes is playing at the Dance Barn,at 8 Barn View in Sudden Valley, The show will start at 9 p. m. and benefit the charity Bikers Fighting Cancer. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 224-2308 for more information.
NEW YEAR’S LAUGHS
Ring in the New Year and laugh out the old one at the Upfront Theatre Comic improvisers will hit on all the highlights of the year with The Last Laugh of 2008. The 9 p. m. show will cost $15 and is open to all ages. The 11 P. m. show is to 21 and older and costs $18, which includes a champagne (香槟酒) toast. Call 733-8855 for more information.
MAZE
For a fun activity earlier in the evening,walk the labyrinth (迷宫) at the Leopold Crystal Bellroom. Wander through the maze, based on the French Chartres Cathedral, for free from 4 to 9 P. m. Call 752-0048 for more information.
COUNTRY DANCING
At the Bellingham Eagles Hall, live local music will help get the dance started at 8 p. m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for kids 12 and younger. For more information, call 676-1554.

  1. 1.

    In what way do these activities have in common?

    1. A.
      They’re all held in the same day.
    2. B.
      They’re all held by the same organization.
    3. C.
      They’re all organized for children.
    4. D.
      They’re all about the dancing and music.
  2. 2.

    Which of the following activities may be free for Tom aged 16?

    1. A.
      COUNTRY DANCING.
    2. B.
      NEW YEAR'S LAUGHS.
    3. C.
      MAZE.
  3. 3.

    If you want to know something about the Coyotes at 8 Barn view, you'd better call _______.

    1. A.
      676-1554
    2. B.
      733-8855
    3. C.
      752-0048
    4. D.
      224-2308
  4. 4.

    Which of the followings will be the highlights of NEW YEAR'S LAUGHS?

    1. A.
      Wander through the maze.
    2. B.
      The champagne toast.
    3. C.
      Its live music.
    4. D.
      The Last Laugh of 2008.
  5. 5.

    It can be inferred from the text that ___________.

    1. A.
      $10 is enough to book a ticket to Blue Concert
    2. B.
      you can read the text on a telephone book
    3. C.
      all these activities are international ones
    4. D.
      New Year’s Laughs will hold shows three times

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