Wearing ties was originally the mark of Britain’s most powerful classes, which made the tie itself a symbol of power and respect． And that led it to be adopted by a much larger tribe－the business tribe．

You cannot wear a tie if you work with machinery． So wearing a tie became a sign that you were a man who used your brain to make a living, rather than your hands． It showed you were serious． It showed you were a professional． It meant that everyone who wanted a job in business had to wear one． It was just impossible to take seriously a man who didn’t wear a piece of colored silk around his neck．

This is how millions of people came to be wearing ties across the world． They are part of the uniform of business．

“Ties offer a point of indifference,” says John Milne, head of the British Guide of Tie Makers, “They give a chance to say something about their own personality．”

So if you happen to meet a man with a very brightly colored tie, there is a good chance that he is the office joker． There is also a good chance that he will be wearing brightly colored socks．

Is there a future for ties? The signs are not promising． Tie wearing seems to be rare among the new bread of entrepreneurs(创业者) in the Internet and new technology industries． Many political leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, now go without ties． This shows they are men of the people－but not the people wearing ties．

Up until around 1960, it was common for men across the western world to wear hats as part of their business uniform． That changed with the election of John F． Kennedy to the presidency of the United States． Kennedy never wore a hat－in fact his nickname was “hatless Jack”． Seeing that the most powerful man in the world did not have to wear a hat, millions of other men decided that they did not have to, either． Hats simply vanished across the Western world． Perhaps “tieless Tony” (former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair) will have the same effect as “hatless Jack”．

1．In Britain, ties were first used as a sign to show a person’s __________．

       A．personality           B．social position      C．wearing style       D．favorite hobby

2．In the business world, wearing a tie was necessary because _________．

       A．it showed you used your brain              B．it showed you got a good salary

       C．it showed you were an employer           D．it showed you were well-equipped

3．The writer may hold the opinion that _____________．

       A．Blair is the best leader in the world

       B．Kennedy is the best leader in the world

       C．millions of people will go to work without a tie

       D．people will wear hats instead of ties

4．The underlined word “vanished” in this passage may mean _________．

       A．sold                 B．washed               C．appeared               D．disappeared

Reading can provide lots of fun for children and teens during summer vacation. Children who read during the summer are better prepared for school when they return to classes in the fall. Public libraries throughout Wisconsin will host summer events to encourage children and young adults to include reading in their summer fun.

●All Star Readers

The Milwaukee Public Library will host its 2007 Summer Reading Club for kids from 3 to 18. Signing up starts on June 1 at all Milwaukee public libraries and bookmobile sites.

Children aged 6 to 12 are invited to become “All Star Readers” at the Milwaukee library when they sign up for the Summer Reading Club. Children can score a point by reading 10 books or 1,000 pages. When they reach the reading goal, they will win a bag full of prizes.

●Sparkey Spots the Ball

Children up to 5 years old can join the read-to-me club, “Sparkey Spots the Ball”. They will receive their own reading folders to record the books read to them by parents, brothers and sisters or relatives. Once they have listened to 20 books, they will win a baseball and a coupon（优惠券）for McDonald’s ice cream.

●X-treme Read

Teens between the age of 13 and 18 can join in their own reading program called “X-treme Read”. Teens can read to win movie passes, CDs and more.

The library also plans extreme bike races by C4BMX at four libraries in June and July. Check with your local library or Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for the exact dates, times, and places of the demonstrations (集会).

1.Students who take part in the reading club can _________.

A．take part in extreme bike races

B．get a good mark in the final exam

C．get better prepared for the new term

D．finish their homework ahead of time

2.In order to become “All Star Readers” and win a lot of prizes, you _________.

A．should be 19 years old

B．should be at least 5years old

C．must read at least 1,000 pages or 10 books

D．should listen to 20 books.

3.Which of the following is TRUE according to this passage?

A．Children up to 5 can not join in the read –to- me club.

B．Children can score two points by reading 10 books or 1,000 pages..

C．Teens between the age of 6 and 12can join in “X-treme Read”.

D．There are extreme bike races by C4BMX at four libraries in June and July.

4.In which club will they win a baseball and a coupon for McDonald’s ice cream.?

A．2007 Summer Reading Club               B．Sparkey Spots the Ball

C．X-treme Read                          D．All Star Readers

Reading can provide lots of fun for children and teens during summer vacation. Children who read during the summer are better prepared for school when they return to classes in the fall. Public libraries throughout Wisconsin will host summer events to encourage children and young adults to include reading in their summer fun.
●All Star Readers
The Milwaukee Public Library will host its 2007 Summer Reading Club for kids from 3 to 18. Signing up starts on June 1 at all Milwaukee public libraries and bookmobile sites.
Children aged 6 to 12 are invited to become “All Star Readers” at the Milwaukee library when they sign up for the Summer Reading Club. Children can score a point by reading 10 books or 1,000 pages. When they reach the reading goal, they will win a bag full of prizes.
●Sparkey Spots the Ball
Children up to 5 years old can join the read-to-me club, “Sparkey Spots the Ball”. They will receive their own reading folders to record the books read to them by parents, brothers and sisters or relatives. Once they have listened to 20 books, they will win a baseball and a coupon（优惠券）for McDonald’s ice cream.
●X-treme Read
Teens between the age of 13 and 18 can join in their own reading program called “X-treme Read”. Teens can read to win movie passes, CDs and more.
The library also plans extreme bike races by C4BMX at four libraries in June and July. Check with your local library or Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for the exact dates, times, and places of the demonstrations (集会).
【小题1】Students who take part in the reading club can _________.