Until the 1980s, the American homeless population comprised (组成) mainly older males. Today, homelessness strikes much younger part of society. In fact, a 25-city survey by the U. S. Conference of Mayors in 1987 found that families with children make up the fastest growing part of the homeless population. Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems — both legal and educational — for already overburdened（负担过重的）urban school administrators and teachers.

Estimates of the number of homeless Americans range from 350,000 to three million. Likewise, estimates of the number of homeless school children vary radically. A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis, But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.

One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes. The Elementary School Center in New York City estimates that there are 1.5 million of them, many of whom are not counted as children because they do not stay in family shelters and tend to live by themselves on the streets.

Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.

1. It is implied in the first paragraph that ____.

A. the writer himself is homeless, even in his eighties

B. many older homeless residents are going on strike in 25 cities

C. there is a serious shortage of academic facilities (设施).

D. homeless children are denied the opportunity of receiving free education

2. The National Coalition for the homeless believes that the number of homeless children is _____.

A. 350,000

B. 1,500,000

C. 440,000

D. 110,000

3.  One part of the homeless population is difficult to estimate. The reason might well be ____.

A. the homeless children are too young to be counted as children

B. the homeless population is growing rapidly

C. the homeless children usually stay outside school

D. some homeless children are deserted by their families

4. The McKinney Act is mentioned in this passage in order to show that ___.

A. the educational problems of homeless children are being recognized

B. the estimates on homeless children are hard to determine

C. the address of grade-school children should be located

D. all homeless people are entitled（有权利的） to free education

5. The passage mainly deals with ____.

A. the legal problems of the homeless children

B. the educational problems of homeless children

C. the social status of older males

A young man named Charles Lyell had different ideas .He wrote a book about them called Principles of Geology .The earth ,according to Lyell ,was not only thousands of years old ,it was millions of years old .As to（关于）the common belief that changes in the earth's surface happen suddenly because of a single earthquake or flood ,he said that this might happen once in a while ,but usually these changes took place very slowly .He believed that the surface of the earth had been changing from the beginning of time .The changes ,he said ,were caused by the long-term action of the winds and seas ,and by forces such as volcanoes breaking out under the earth's surface .Once in a great while he thought ,a mountain might appear for the first time after an earthquake .But usually mountains would rise slowly and steadily.? Professor Henslow was interested in Lyell's ideas ,but he did not actually believe them .Charles Darwin could not make up his mind about them .But they set him thinking along lines which would later change the beliefs of thoughtful people all over the world.?

At Cambridge ,Charles Darwin studied just enough to pass the examination ,and received his college degree in 1831.During this time ,he had become more and more interested in geology .At the end of the school year ,he went to North Wales with one of his teachers to examine the rock formations（构成） and to search for fossils（化石）.Fossils are the remains of ancient living things .They are usually found fixed in rocks in the earth's crust（地壳）.Fossils may be of animals ,such as fish ,insects ,birds ,or humans .They may be of plants from tiny leaves to huge trees.? When a living creature dies ,it usually decays（腐烂）or is eaten by animals .However ,if it sinks into a riverbed or is quickly covered by the blowing sands of a desert storm ,the bones are kept up in the earth. Over many years the soft inner parts of a bone disappear ,leaving the inside hollow. Water containing mineral enters into the hollow. Slowly the mineral hardens and makes the bone hard and heavy,like stone.

1.According to Charles Lyell, it is mainly _______ that the earth has been formed like today's shape.?

A.from the beginning of time

B.past some experiences of big flood?

C.over a very long period of years

D.because of several big earthquakes

2.Charles Lyell believed the fact that a mountain is formed_______.?

A.more by seas than by volcanoes

B.more slowly than suddenly?

C.more by an earthquake than by winds

D.more steadily than quickly?

3.Unlike Professor Henslow ,Charles Darwin_______.?

A.never thought Lyell's ideas were right?

B.did made up his mind not to accept Lyell's ideas?

C.thought about what the world were then thinking about?

D.thought over Lyell's ideas and developed them?

4.The main purpose of Darwin's going to North Wales was to_______.?

A.make a study of fossils

B.appreciate the rock information?

C.do research work into dead animals

D.look for plants from tiny leaves to huge trees

Until the 1980s, the American homeless population comprised (组成) mainly older males. Today, homelessness strikes much younger part of society. In fact, a 25-city survey by the U. S. Conference of Mayors in 1987 found that families with children make up the fastest growing part of the homeless population. Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems — both legal and educational — for already overburdened（负担过重的）urban school administrators and teachers.
Estimates of the number of homeless Americans range from 350,000 to three million. Likewise, estimates of the number of homeless school children vary radically. A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis, But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.
One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes. The Elementary School Center in New York City estimates that there are 1.5 million of them, many of whom are not counted as children because they do not stay in family shelters and tend to live by themselves on the streets.
Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.
【小题1】 It is implied in the first paragraph that ____.

Why should mankind explore space?  Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth?  These are questions that,  understandably,  are very often asked.

Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains,  and on into all possible areas and environments?  The wider the spread of a species,  the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.

Nearly every successful civilization has explored,  because by doing so,  any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge,  we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge,  we can lessen its effects.

Exploration also allows minerals and other potential(潜在的）resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them,  they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction,  in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products(副产品）of technological developments in the space industry!

While many resources are spent on what seems a small return,  the exploration of space allows creative,  brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works,  it also holds dangers. The danger exists,  but knowledge can help human beings to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space,  the chance to save ourselves might not exist.

While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different,  but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.

56. Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph 1?

A. To express his doubts.

B. To compare different ideas.

C. To introduce points for discussion.

D. To describe the conditions on Earth.

57. What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph 2?

A. Humans are nature-born to do so.

B. Humans have the tendency to fight.

C. Humans may find new sources of food.

D. Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.

58. The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to­­_______ .

A. survival chances

B. potential resources

C. unexpected benefits

D. physical possessions

59. What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A. Our genetic make up.

B. Resources on the earth.

C. The adaptive ability of humans.

D. By-products in space exploration.

60. Which of the statements can best sum up the passage? 

A. Space exploration has created many wonders.

B. Space exploration provides the best value for money.

C. Space exploration can benefit science and technology.

D. Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Until the 1980s, the American homeless population comprised (组成) mainly older males. Today, homelessness strikes much younger part of society. In fact, a 25-city survey by the U. S. Conference of Mayors in 1987 found that families with children make up the fastest growing part of the homeless population. Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems — both legal and educational — for already overburdened（负担过重的）urban school administrators and teachers.
Estimates of the number of homeless Americans range from 350,000 to three million. Likewise, estimates of the number of homeless school children vary radically. A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis, But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.
One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes. The Elementary School Center in New York City estimates that there are 1.5 million of them, many of whom are not counted as children because they do not stay in family shelters and tend to live by themselves on the streets.
Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.

1. 1.

   It is implied in the first paragraph that ____.

   1. A.
      the writer himself is homeless, even in his eighties
   2. B.
      many older homeless residents are going on strike in 25 cities
   3. C.
      there is a serious shortage of academic facilities (设施).
   4. D.
      homeless children are denied the opportunity of receiving free education
2. 2.

   The National Coalition for the homeless believes that the number of homeless children is _____.

   1. A.
      350,000
   2. B.
      1,500,000
   3. C.
      440,000
   4. D.
      110,000
3. 3.

    One part of the homeless population is difficult to estimate. The reason might well be ____.

   1. A.
      the homeless children are too young to be counted as children
   2. B.
      the homeless population is growing rapidly
   3. C.
      the homeless children usually stay outside school
   4. D.
      some homeless children are deserted by their families
4. 4.

   The McKinney Act is mentioned in this passage in order to show that ___.

   1. A.
      the educational problems of homeless children are being recognized
   2. B.
      the estimates on homeless children are hard to determine
   3. C.
      the address of grade-school children should be located
   4. D.
      all homeless people are entitled（有权利的） to free education
5. 5.

   The passage mainly deals with ____.

   1. A.
      the legal problems of the homeless children
   2. B.
      the educational problems of homeless children
   3. C.
      the social status of older males
   4. D.
      estimates on the homeless population