In only two decades Asian Americans have become the fastest-growing US minority. As their children began moving up through the nation’s schools, it became clear that a new class of academic achievers was forming. Their achievements are reflected in the nation’s best universities, where mathematics, science and engineering departments have taken on a decidedly Asian character. This special liking for mathematics and science is partly explained by the fact that Asian-American students who began their educations abroad arrived in the US with a solid grounding in mathematics but little or no knowledge of English.They are also influenced by the promises of a good job after college. Asians feel there will be less unfair treatment in areas like mathematics and science because they will be judged more objectively. And the return on the investment in education is more immediate in something like engineering than with an arts degree.
Most Asian-American students owe their success to the influence of parents who are determined that their children take full advantage of what the American educational system has to offer. An effective measure of parental attention is homework. Asian parents spend more time with their children than American parents do, and it helps. Many researchers also believe there is something in Asian culture that causes success, such as ideals that stress family values and emphasize education.
Both explanations for academic success worry Asian Americans because of fears that they feed a typical racial image. Many can remember when Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants were the victims of social separation. Indeed, it was not until 1952 that laws were laid down giving all Asian immigrants the right to citizenship.
【小题1】. While making great achievements at college, Asian-American students ________.

In only two decades Asian Americans have become the fastest-growing U.S. minority (少数民族). As their children began moving up through the nation's schools, it became clear that a new class of academic achievers was emerging. Their achievements are reflected in the nation’s best universities, where mathematics, science and engineering departments have taken on a decidedly Asian character. This special liking for mathematics and science is partly explained by the fact that Asian-American students who began their educations abroad arrived in the U. S. with a solid grounding in mathematics but little or no knowledge of English. They are also influenced by the promise of a good job after college. Asians feel there will be less unfair treatment in areas like mathematics and science because they will be judged more objectively. And the return on the investment in education is more immediate in something like engineering than with an arts degree.

Most Asian-American students owe their success to the influence of parents who are determined that their children take full advantage of what the American educational system has to offer. An effective measure of parental attention is homework. Asian parents spend more time with their children than American parents do, and it helps. Many researchers also believe there is something in Asian culture that breeds success, such as ideals that stress family values and emphasize education.

Both explanations for academic success worry Asian Americans because of fears that they feed a typical racial image. Many can remember when Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants were the victims of social isolation. Indeed, it was not until 1952 that laws were laid down giving all Asian immigrants the right to citizenship.

While making tremendous achievements at college, Asian- American students ______.

A. generally feel it is a shame to have to depend on their parents

B. feel they are mistreated because of limited knowledge of English

C. are afraid that their academic successes bear a strong Asian character

D. still worry about unfair treatment in society

What are the major factors that determine the success of Asian Americans?

A. Asian culture and the American educational system.

B. A solid foundation in basic mathematics and being Asian Americans.

C. Hard work and intelligence. 

D. Parental help and a limited knowledge of English.

Why do the two “explanations” (Line 1, Para. 3 ) worry Asian Americans ?

A. American academic achievements have taken on too strong an Asian character.

B. They are afraid that they would again be isolated from American society in general.

C. People would think that Asian students rely on their parents for success.

D. Asian Americans would be a threat to other minorities

The author’s tone in this passage is                      .

A. objective          B. sympathetic       C. doubtful      D. critical

On a Friday night, a poor young artist stood at the gate of the New York railway station, playing his violin. The music was so great that many people stopped to put some money into the hat of the young man.

       The next day, the young artist came to the same place, and put his hat on the ground gracefully. Different from the day before, he took out a large piece of paper and laid it under his hat. Then he began to play the violin. It sounded more pleasant than ever.

       Soon he was surrounded with people who were attracted by the words on that paper. It said, “Last night, a gentleman named George Sang put an important thing into my hat by mistake. Please come to claim (认领) it soon.”

       After about half an hour, a middle-aged man rushed through the crowd to the violinist and said, “Yes, it’s you. I knew that you were an honest man and would certainly come here.” The young violinist asked calmly, “Are you Mr George Sang?” The man nodded. The violinist asked, “Did you lose something?” “It’s a lottery ticket,” said the man. The violinist took out a lottery ticket on which George Sang’s name was seen. “Is it?” he asked. George nodded and took the lottery ticket and kissed it, then danced with the violinist.

       The violinist was a student at an arts college and had planned to attend advanced studies in Vienna. Later his classmate asked the violinist, “At that time you needed money to pay the tuition （学费）and you had to play the violin in the railway station every day to make money. Why didn’t you keep the lottery ticket for yourself?”

       The violinist said, “Although I don’t have much money, I live happily. But if I lose honesty I won’t be happy forever.” Through our lives, we can gain a lot and lose so much. But being honest should always be with us.

What did the young artist do at the railway station on Friday?

   A. He played the violin to make some money.

   B. He waited for the train to Vienna.

   C. He came to buy a train ticket to Vienna.

D. He walked around the New York railway station.

According to the words on the paper, which sentence below is TRUE?

   A. It asked a gentleman named George Sang to claim his hat.

B. It asked a gentleman named George Sang to claim his important thing.

   C. It was a lottery ticket and he needed to find the owner.

   D. It was a lottery ticket and the owner is unknown.

From this article, we can learn that ____.

   A. we should share with others if we find something valuable

   B. we should know the importance of honesty and lead a happy life

   C. keep the lottery if you find one

   D. playing the violin could make you feel happy

Summerfest Arts Faire 2010
Summerfest Arts Faire is an arts festival in Logan, Utah, celebrating local, regional and national artists. Visitors can expect to see high quality artworks from nationally recognized artists. Summerfest also features live entertainment and a variety of delicious food.
Place: 50 North Main Street, Logan, UT 84321
Dates: June 17-June 19, 2010
Time: Thursday-Saturday 1:00 pm-10:00 pm
Venture Outdoors Festival
The 5th Annual Venture Outdoors Festival is a celebration of outdoor recreation (娱乐). This unique festival is designed to increase knowledge and understanding of and participation (参与) in the many recreational activities available in Utah. This family-friendly event features live music, guest speakers, giveaways, creative children’s activities, and great food all day long.
Place: 3100 South 2900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Date: June 19, 2010
Time: Saturday 3:00 pm -10:00 pm
The Days of ‘47 KSL 5 Parade (游行)
The parade is one of the largest and oldest parades in the United States. Colorful floats, bands, horses and clowns thrill tens of thousands of people each year. Many parade-goers camp out on the streets the night before just to make sure of a great position to catch it all.
Place: 900 South 700 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Date: July 24, 2010
Time: Saturday 9:00 am
Taylorsville Dayzz 2010
Experience Taylorsville Dayzz 2010, a celebration of the city’s birthday. Enjoy a 5K Family Run, Carnival, Food and Exhibit Booths and Fireworks. Listen to a live concert by Taylorsville Symphony and Utah Symphony, and a live performance of Jayson Hewlett (an American entertainer).
Place: 5100 South 2700 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84118
Dates: June 25-June 28, 2010
Time: Monday 8:00 pm, Friday 7:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 pm-10:00 pm
【小题1】If you have to go to work in the afternoon, you can only take part in        .

University is generally regarded as one of the most important times in a person’s life, yet the function of this institution continues to arouse debate. Many believe that arts subjects are  too easy, that practical skills are more useful and that a chosen subject for study should be clearly linked to a career. However, this view is far too simplistic. Arts subjects are very difficult. They can prepare students for any number of careers as well as allowing the student to take time to make a decision. The function of the modern university is to cater to different types of student.
Arts subjects are not easy. For example, a degree in Literature is not an easy option. No question in a Literature class has a single, simple answer. Debate is conducted in a spirit of openness, texts are very closely analyzed and skills in close reading are developed. Literature is about language, our primary means of communication. Arts subjects require the same concentrated study as any other subject.
Arts subjects can prepare students for any number of careers. A degree in an arts subject teaches skills in well organized debates and defence of a position through the provision of evidence. These are applicable to many types of career. Law, for example. The point is that an undergraduate degree in any Arts subject trains the student in analysis and structure. Therefore, Arts graduates can pursue any number of careers.
Arts subjects allow the student to take time to choose a career. Love of the subject for its own sake may well be the initial motivation for the Arts undergraduate but because the subject they have chosen is not so clearly linked to a career they have time to reflect, making a decision only when they are absolutely certain. Students who pursue Arts subjects therefore have the leisure to make a carefully considered choice.
In conclusion, it is clear that Arts subjects are not a waste of time. They are flexible when it comes to relating them to a career and they allow the student to discover an appropriate career path. Many industries now acknowledge that a degree in Literature can be just as valuable as any other subject, especially when it is evident that Arts graduates tend to think more creatively. Not all undergraduates have clearly defined goals and not all subjects can be simply matched to a career. Acknowledging this difference should be the main function of a modern university
【小题1】 What does the author mainly argue in this article?