For some people, it’s easy to get dressed for work. Pilots and police officers, for example, don’t have to make decisions about their work clothes. They wear uniforms to work every day.

   For many office workers, however, it is more difficult to choose clothes for work. They do not wear uniforms to the office. Also, many organizations are changing their dress codes. They are allowing their employees to wear casual(随意的) clothes to work.

   The change to casual work clothes began in the 1990s. At first, many companies in the United States allowed employees to wear casual clothes on one day of the week—Friday. Friday became “Casual Friday” or “Dress-down Friday”. Today, however, many companies are allowing their employees to wear casual clothes every day of the week.

Some studies show that people are producing and achieving more when they are wearing comfortable clothes. Some companies also like the casual dress code because they don’t need to buy special clothes for work. They can save money this way.

    Unfortunately, a casual dress code can also cause problems. Sometimes employees think they can wear anything. Many companies have rules about casual clothes. They list the kinds of clothes that are not “business-casual” clothes. Blue jeans, sandals, and sportswear are examples of clothes that are usually too casual for the office.

1.What do pilots and police officers wear to work?

A. Casual clothes.          B. Sportswear.      C. Blue jeans.      D. Uniforms.

2.What do the underlined phrase “dress codes” mean?

A. They tell what you can do and can’t do.

B. They are rules about what clothes to wear.

C. They save a lot of money.

D. They show you what to say at work.

3.“Dress-down Friday” is a day when employees are allowed to_______.

A. eat delicious food

B. have smart uniforms on

C. wear casual clothes to work

D. work longer hours

4.Why do some companies agree to the casual dress code?

A. They don’t need to buy special clothes for work.

B. It is difficult for them to choose clothes for work.

C. They don’t like the same uniforms.

D. It is easy for them to make decisions about work clothes.

5.What problems can a casual dress code cause according to the passage?

A. Employees seldom wear comfortable clothes.

B. Usually employees put on expensive clothing.

C. Employees always have too little on themselves.

D. Sometimes employees dress too casually.

Now some women are spending a weekend at Mother’s Camp. There, husbands and children are not allowed. Why would a woman want to take a vacation without her family? Some women say they need time to be alone.

   At Mother’s Camp a woman has room to herself. She can sleep, read or watch TV, and no one will bother her. No children will ask, ”Mom, what’s for dinner?” No husband will say, “Oh, dear, I can’t find any clean socks.” In fact almost 50% of women in the United States work outside the home. Many of them work full- time and then come home to a second job – taking care of their homes and families. These working women say one of their biggest problems is housework.

   In the United States, working wives do about 75% of the housework. Many of their husbands say they want to help. But then they burn the rice or they can’t find the pans. They ask so many questions that their wives decide it is easier to do the job themselves.

   Some women go to Mother’s Camp just to get a break from housework. For two days they don’t cook, they don’t clean, they don’t look after their children and husbands. What do they do? They enjoy warm, sunny weather, walking, swimming or boating in a clear blue lake and sing songs around the camp-fire. They relax away from home. They have a really wonderful vacation at Mother’s Camp.

1. From this passage we can see ________ in the United States.

A. women want to work outside the home

B. working wives do most of the housework

C. husbands do as much housework as their wives

D. women like being bothered by their families

2.At Mother’s Camp, women can’t _______.

A. watch TV                       B. read newspapers  

C. swim in the lake                  D. bring their husbands and children

3.Why would some mothers like to be alone? Because _________.

A. they don’t like their husbands and children

B. they have to work full – time

C. they are too busy to relax themselves

D. they want a new life

4.________ is one of the biggest trouble for working wives in the United States.

A. Housework                      B. Working outside the home   

C. When to take a vacation            D. Looking after their children 

5.What’s the best title for this passage?

A. Busy Working Mothers            B. Welcome to Mother’s Camp

C. Mothers Relax Away from Home    D. Mothers in the U.S.

What do people do with their old, out-of-date but still useful computers? Most people don’t know what to do with them. Many old computers are put away in homes. Many more are simply thrown out with the rubbish.　　
Some companies are thinking of ways to bring down the number of old computers. Sony has agreed to help recycle old Sony products. Dell, Hewlett-Packard and other companies now also take back some old computers.　　
In some countries, laws are being passed, too. Computer companies will have to collect and recycle their used products. And 70% of computer waste must be recycled. The idea behind the laws is that computer companies themselves should pay the cost. That will encourage them to make computers that are easier and cheaper to repair and upgrade（升级）.　　
Yet while many people are throwing away good computers, others cannot afford them at all. Hundreds of organizations are working to solve this problem. They collect and repair old computers. Some also teach others how to repair computers.　　
The computers then go to schools, charities and people who need them. Giving a used computer to one of these organizations can turn one person’s rubbish into someone else’s useful things—and cut down on waste, too.　　
【小题1】 How do people usually deal with their old computers?　　
A. They stop using them. B. They give them to others.   C. They fix them up.　　
【小题2】 What do some computer companies do to bring down the number of old computers?　　
A. They don’t do anything about them.　　
B. They take back some old ones.       　　
C. They donate them to some charities.　　
【小题3】According to some countries’ laws, what must computer companies do?　　
A. Collect and recycle most of computer waste. 　　
B. Repair and upgrade old computers.      　　
C. Make much cheaper computers.　　
【小题4】 What may people who can’t afford computers think of the used computers?　　
A. Expensive.        B. Useful.         C. Out-of -date.　　
【小题5】 What is the passage about?　　
A. Repairing old computers.　　
B. Selling old computers.              　　
C. Recycling old computers. 　

In the West, some people believe that personality can be predicted according to the time of the year the person was bor. From China comes the belief that the year of birth influences one’s personality. In the past century, a new belief ahs arisen: the idea that personality is related to one’s ABO blood type. People with blood type A, for example, are considered more likely to be serious, hard-working, and quiet, while people with blood type O are likely to be popular and outgoing, yet often unable to finish what they start. Though this belief continues to be strong, some people question whether it is true.

The blood-type personality theory(理论) started in Japan in 1927 when Furukawa Takehi noticed personality similarities and differences among his workers. This idea soon went out of fashion, but was brought back by a Japanese television host named Toshitaka Nomi in the 1970s. The belief is still strong in Japan and is increasingly popular in neighboring countries. Some young Koreans have taken to the theory. A recent study showed 76 percent of Koreans aged between13 and 64 believing in the blood-type personality connection. Though most Asians might believe in the blood-type theory, for many it seems harmless and not something to be taken too seriously.

         Is the belief true? The scientists in Asia largely think the belief as a modern-day superstition(迷信). Most studies have failed to find any strong connection between blood and personality. Generally, scientists are against making predictions or important decisions based on this questionable theory.

1.The writer uses blood type A and O as an example to explain ________.

         A. the difference between the two blood types

         B. the relationship between the two blood types

         C. the influence of blood type on one’s behavior

         D. the connection between personality and blood type

2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?

         A. They don’t believe it.

B. It was brought back by them.

         C. They liked and accepted it.

D. They stole the idea from others

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

         A. Most scientists in Asia don’t believe in the theory.

         B. The blood-type theory began in Japan in the 1970s.

         C. The blood-type personality theory is about blood type.

         D. People don’t change their personality to match the theory.

4.What is the best title for the passage?

         A. Is the blood-type theory changeable ?

B. Is the personality changeable?

         C. Is it in your blood?      

D. Is it in you mind?

Mr. Ma, a famous mental doctor from Beijing once said at an important meeting, “Now many young students can have problems with their minds. Some students become worried because they have to study very hard. Others have trouble getting on well with people around them like their parents and classmates. Parents and teachers should care more about this problem.”

Then Mr. Ma gave some examples. One patient, a middle school student from Xi’an, was doing? badly in his lessons. He thought his teachers and friends often laughed at him, and he became so nervous and worried that one night he left his home without telling his parents. Another student, a 14-year-old school girl form Shanghai, was very afraid of exams. While she was reading the exam paper, she couldn’t think of anything to write.

A recent report from Jiefang Daily says about 18% of young students in Shanghai have mental problems. They often feel worried and very unhappy. Unluckily many of them won’t go and ask for help. Some think they will look stupid if they go to see a doctor. Others won’t talk about their secrets.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Ma offered some good ideas to young people:

●Talk to your parents ore teachers often.

●Take part in group activities.

●Try to get on well with the people around you.

●Go to see a doctor if you often feel unhappy.

1.The students who often become worried or have trouble getting on with others may have ______

A. no parents???????? B. poor memories??????????? C. mental problems

2.The school girl’s problem happened whenever she ________

A. studied very hard??? B. had exams?????????????? C. talked with her parents

3.Some of those with metal problems won’t ask for help because _____

A. they don’t’ want to tell their secrets to others?

B. their parents are too busy to look after them.

C. doctors can’t help them with the problem

4.The underlined word “stupid” in this passage means ______

A. studying???????? B. happy??????????????? C. not clever

5.According to the last part, which of the following is a good idea?

A. It’s important for children to live with their parents.

B. It’s useful for students to keep quiet in class.

C. It’s not necessary for young people to have more group activities.