题目内容
Read the following passage．Answer the questions according to the information given in the passage and the required words limit．Write your answers on your answer sheet．
The worst US economic recession(萧条)in 70 years is forcing senior citizens out of retirement, leaving them fighting for jobs in a weak labor market or risking homelessness．
A 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．
“But 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 60th birthday, but had to change plans after being dismissed or following the death of the partner．Over a third of the participants had retired．
Ninety percent of respondents 76 years and older planned to continue working for the next five years．
Huge medical bills due to a personal illness or that of a spouse(配偶)were also reasons for coming out of retirement, the survey found．The longest and deepest economic slump 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, 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 older workers and provide additional programs and services specifically aimed at helping older people re-enter the work force or remain working,” said Metzler．
1．What has caused the American retired senior citizens back to work?(No more than 8 words)
2．Why is it hard for the elderly job seekers to find a job?(No more than 13 words)
3．Use several words to describe the possible feelings of the elderly job seekers?(No more than 4 words)
4．What might be the solution to the problem according to the study?(No more than 15 words)
解析：
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1．The worst US economic recession in 70 years 2．Because their age made it hard to compete for jobs with younger workers．/Because they are too old to compete for jobs with younger workers． 3．Worried, obliged, upset． 4．Suitable policies should be made to help the elderly work． /Removing barriers to employment and providing additional programs and services for older workers． |
Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from A-F for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need.
| Learn how to relax The right amount of stress is a necessity Share your stress Take care of yourself E. Try physical activities F. Be a participant |
Stress comes from mental or emotional activity and physical activity. It is unique and personal to each of us. You need stress in your life. Without stress, life would be dull and unexciting. Stress adds flavour, challenge, and opportunity to life. Too much stress, however, can seriously affect your physical and mental peace. A major challenge in this stress-filled world of today is to make the stress in your life work for you instead of against you.
【小题2】 ____________
When you are nervous, angry, or upset, release the pressure through exercise or physical activities. Running, walking, playing tennis, or working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try. Physical exercise will relieve that “uptight” feeling, relax you, and turn the frowns (皱眉) into smiles. Remember, your body and your mind work together.
【小题3】____________
You are special. Get enough rest and eat well. If a problem is beyond your control and cannot be changed at the moment, don’t fight the situation. If you are irritable (急躁的) and tense from lack of sleep or if you are not eating correctly, you will have less ability to deal with stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun, or you should ask your doctor for help. Be good to yourself.
【小题4】____________
One way to keep from getting aboard, sad, and lonely is to go where it’s all happening. Sitting alone can make you feel disappointed. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, get involved. Offer your services in neighbourhood or volunteer organizations. Help yourself by helping other people. Get involved in the world and the people around you, and you’ll find they will be attracted to you. You will be on your way to make new friends and enjoy new activities.
【小题5】____________
The best way of avoiding stress is to relax. Unfortunately, many people try to relax at the same pace that they lead the rest of their lives. For a while, forget your worries about time, productivity, and “doing right”. You will find satisfaction in just being, without struggling hard. Find activities that give you pleasure and that are good for your mental and physical well-being. Read a good book or listen to beautiful music to create a sense of peace. Forget about always winning. Focus on relaxation, enjoyment, and health.
Section C
Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from A-F for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need.
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A Preparation for taking a citizenship test B Citizenship tests in European countries C Cultural differences and conflicts D New US Citizenship Test E Different views on the new citizenship test F Goal of the new citizenship test |
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80. |
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Last week, a sample of the new US citizenship exam was released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services（US-CIS）. It will be tried out in 10 cities early next year to replace the current test in 2008. Instead of asking how many stripes the US flag has, as the current test does, the new one asks why there are l3 stripes. Instead of having to name the branches of government, an applicant is asked to explain why there are three.
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81. |
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The newly released US citizenship exam has included more information and knowledge. People who take it need to know more about the adopted country and have a deeper insight into its culture and values. “The goal is to make it more meaningful.” explains Emilio Gonzalez, director of the US—CIS. Immigrants who pass it are expected to have a better “understanding and respect” for US civic values, Gonzalez says.
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82. |
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The US isn't the only country dealing with citizenship tests that aim to get a “shared commitment” from immigrants for their adopted country's “values”. In recent years, in addition to the usual requirement of language／work skills and economic status, several European countries have adopted citizenship tests. Britain introduced a new citizenship test last November. In March, a new Dutch law took effect requiring all would-be immigrants to take a citizenship test. It involved watching a video showing nude（裸体的）women bathing at beaches and gay（同性恋的）men kissing in public. The aim was to ensure that “newcomers will be comfortable with the country's liberal social mores（风俗）”.
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83. |
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Europe has been known for welcoming immigrants for decades. But, today, the fact is that some immigrants are kept apart from local citizens by culture and they become hostile (敌对的) to each other. Promoting unity has become a major concern for European countries, after the rioting in Muslim ghettoes（少数民族聚居区）in France and the killing of Dutch public figures by religious extremists.
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84. |
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Officials believe that a person's attachment to a country can be tested by his or her knowledge of the country. However, some critics say that the changes can do little to help people assimilate（同化）themselves. “Immigration is a culture war today. Is giving a new test the right way to lessen the accusations in that fight?” says Ali Noorani, of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition（难民辩护联盟）.