题目内容
“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in so many parts of the world. That program became one of American’s exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.
In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the nation’s pre-school children, from every kind of economic, racial, and geographical group.
Although some educators don’t agree to certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems appear when first graders who have learned from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.
Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional(偶然的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.
The programs all use songs, stories, jokes, and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.
Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories of its creators, the support by the government and private businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.
1. Children who often watch the program _______.
A. can have problems in school B. will be well educated
C. will take no interest in their studies D. have benefited from it
2. What is special about the program?
A. Children learn and enjoy themselves while watching.
B. It makes children feel able to learn.
C. It is shown at different hours during the week.
D. It offers great fun.
3. Why is “Sesame Street” so popular in the world?
A. Because it is supported by the government and businesses.
B. Because it uses a variety of skillful tricks.
C. Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.
D. Because mothers watch it along with their children.
4. The best title for this passage can be _ ______.
A. TV Programs B. Sesame Street
C. Educating Children D. A Great Success
D
A
C
B
【解析】
Commencement (毕业典礼) is a time for idealism.
But economic reality is cruel everywhere; especially for new graduate. They have been told repeatedly that a college degree is an open sesame(芝麻) to the global economy. But that’s not necessarily so, according to new research by two economists at he Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Frank Levy and Peter Temin.
It is true that people with college degrees make more money than people without degrees. The gap has narrowed somewhat in recent years, which is disturbing. But the earning power of college graduates still far outpaces that of less-educated workers.
The bad news, though, is that a college degree does not ensure a bigger share of the economics pie for many graduates. In recent decades Mr. Levy and Mr. Temin show, only college-educated women have seen their income grow in line with economy wide gains in productivity. The earnings of male college graduates have failed to keep pace with productivity gains.
Instead, a huge share of productivity growth, which expands the nation’s income, is going to Americans on the top of the income scale. In 2005, the latest year with available data, the top of 1 percent of Americans---whose average annual income was $ 1.1 million--- took in 21.8 percent of the nation’s income, their largest share since 1929.
Administration officials, and other politicians and economists, often, believe that income inequality, reflects an education gap. But Mr. Levy and Mr. Temin show that in the case of men, the average bachelor’s degree is not enough to catch the rising tide of the global economy.
They argue that the real reason that inequality is worsening is the lack of strong policies that broadly distribute economic gains. In the past, for example, a more progressive income tax and unions promote equality. Positive measures have been eroding and new ones have not yet emerged, making the income gap even greater.
Mr. Levy and Mr. Temin conclude that only a new government policy can restore general prosperity. That’s a challenge to the nation’s leader and today’s graduates. America needs them to contribute to the development of the nation in global economy.
【小题1】The passage is mainly about that _______.
| A．there is a big income gap between female and male college graduates in America. |
| B．college graduates find it hard to find an ideal job after graduation in America. |
| C．research shows that American government should take measures to ensure income equality for college graduates |
| D．college degrees are losing value in America. |
| A．The whole nation has enjoyed a big income growth with the growth of productivity. |
| B．Much of the total income in America has been gained by a few very rich people. |
| C．A small part of people in America have income increase. |
| D．Upper class Americans contribute most to productivity growth. |
| A．being gradually destroyed by wind or rain |
| B．gradually reducing power |
| C．gradually disappearing |
| D．gradually not suitable |
| A．female college graduates have higher income than male ones. |
| B．female college graduates have benefited from some governmental measures to ensure their income growth. |
| C．income tax can grantee income equality. |
| D．new measures and policies have been taken to promote income equality. |
| A．lower college degree of college graduates |
| B．lack of proper governmental policies |
| C．gender discrimination |
| D．underdevelopment of economy and productivity. |