A new enemy is threatening Japanese traditions: leisure. A part of its attempt to increase imports, the government is trying to get people to work less and spend more. The workers are disgusted.

The figures support the western prejudice that the Japanese are all working without play. Trying to force workers away from their desks and machines, the government said last April that the country should cut down from its 2,100 hours average work year to 1,899 hours and a five-day by 1992. Beginning in February, banks and offices two Saturdays a month. The government hopes that others will follow that practice. But some persuasion will be needed. Small companies are very angry about it and they fear competitions may not cut hour. The unions are no happier: they have even advertised in newspapers arguing their case against the foreign pressure that is forcing leisure upon them. They say shorter hours are a disguised pay cut. The industrialists, who have no objection to the government’s plans, admit that shorter hours will help them cut costs. Younger Japanese who are supposed to be acting against their hard-working parents, show no sign of wanting time off either. But unlike older workers, they do spend money in their spare time. Not content with watching TV, they dance, dress up, sit in cafes, go to pop concerts and generally drive the leisure-industry boom. Now that they know how to consume, maybe the West can teach them to relax and enjoy themselves too.

1.       A possible reason for workers’ unwillingness(不情愿) to accept more leisure is that ____.

A. they are not used to leisure     

B. they don’t want to spend more

C. they will earn less money  

D. they view leisure a challenge to Japanese traditions

2. Who supports the short-hour system?

   A. The small companies.                  B. The unions

   C. The industrialists.                        D. The younger generation

3. The younger workers are different from the old workers as _______.

  A. the former have a new style of consumption

  B. the former want to have more leisure

  C. the former don’t like watching TV

  D. the former are anti-social

4. It can be inferred that the Japanese government adopts the short-hour system ____.

  A. in order to improve efficiency   

  B. partly because of the foreign pressure

  C. to save some chances for others 

  D. to reduce the burden of some industrialists

5. The passage mainly discusses ______.

  A. a new policy threatening Japanese tradition

  B. the balance between work and play

  C. different attitudes towards short working hours

  D. generation gap

C

Take Action for a Better World: Volunteers Needed

Six months’ preparation in Denmark: Africa studies, team work combined with social work with risk group teenagers.

Six months’ community work in Malawi in People to People Projects: Child Aid, HIV/ AIDS. Fights and Teacher Training.

Qualifications (条件): 18 years, hard working and social engagement.

Please contact us by email: takeaction@berrerworld.com

Part-time Work with Exchange Students

YOUYH International is a non-profit high school foreign exchange student organization. We welcome teenagers from over 80 countries worldwide and provide host families. The Community Representative is a part-time position designed for people with a strong desire to do something rewarding in the community and earn some extra money.

Applicants(申请人) best suited for this work should enjoy teenagers, have a strong interest in cross-cultural communication and feel comfortable networking. Full training and support will be provided through branch offices throughout the US. Positions available in most states.

If interested, please email staff@youth.org or call 888-123-9872.

International Summer Job

Hi, I’m an ESL student in China. I’m 20, quiet and polite, and I speak reasonable English. I’m looking for a summer job in an English-speaking country. I can teach Chinese or do house and garden work, and cook Chinese dishes. Can anybody offer me a job? I don’t need to earn much, just enough in 2 months (July- August) to pay for my return ticket to China. My goal is to improve my English and see a bit more of the world.

My email is: ram3462@hotmail.com

Call for Native Speakers of English

I am looking for native speakers of English to join in an experiment. This experiment is carried out over the Internet. You don’t need any specific knowledge other than understanding and speaking English at a native level. The first task will take you around 15 minutes. After this task, you can decide whether you want to continue the experiment. The tasks involve reading texts and designing questions and answers.

If you are willing to help me, then please email me: club3864@hotmail.com

63．Who is suitable to work as a Community Representative in YOUTH International?

A．One who enjoys working with teenagers from different countries.

B．One who hopes to take action in fighting against diseases.

C．One who has a strong desire to improve his or her English.

D．One who wants to earn some pocket money in the program.

64．Where will Jack, a volunteer, receive the training before he is sent to work in Malawi?

      A．In some local offices in the U.S.               B．In an ESL organization in China.

    C．In a preparation program in Denmark.                 D．In an exchange student center in Africa.

65．If Mrs. Black in the U.S. hopes to learn some Chinese at home, she may contact _______.

     A．takeaction@betterworld.com                     B．ram3462@hotmail.com

    C．club3864@hotmail.com                          D．staff@youth.org

66．What are volunteers for an experiment over the Internet supposed to do?

    A．To interview people online.                          B．To do some housework.

C．To offer advice on Child Aid.                        D．To provide language exercises.

Who is suitable to work as a Community Representative in YOUTH International?

A. One who enjoys working with teenagers from different countries.

B. One who hopes to take action in fighting against diseases.

C. One who has a strong desire to improve his or her English.

D. One who wants to earn some pocket money in the program.

Where will jack, a volunteer, receive the training before he is sent to work in Malawi?

A. In some local offices in the US.       

B. In an ESL organization in China.

C. In a preparation program in Demark.   

D. In an exchange student center in Africa.

Mrs. Black in the US hopes to learn some Chinese at home, she may contact _______.

A. takeaction@betterworld.com          B. ram3462@hotmail.com

C. club3864@hotmail.com              D. staff@youth.org

What are volunteers for an experiment over the Internet supposed to do?

A. To interview people online.            B. To do some housework.

C .To offer advice on Child Aid          D. To provide language exercises.

C
Take Action for a Better World: Volunteers Needed
Six months’ preparation in Denmark: Africa studies, team work combined with social work with risk group teenagers.
Six months’ community work in Malawi in People to People Projects: Child Aid, HIV/ AIDS. Fights and Teacher Training.
Qualifications (条件): 18 years, hard working and social engagement.
Please contact us by email: takeaction@berrerworld.com
Part-time Work with Exchange Students
YOUYH International is a non-profit high school foreign exchange student organization. We welcome teenagers from over 80 countries worldwide and provide host families. The Community Representative is a part-time position designed for people with a strong desire to do something rewarding in the community and earn some extra money.
Applicants(申请人) best suited for this work should enjoy teenagers, have a strong interest in cross-cultural communication and feel comfortable networking. Full training and support will be provided through branch offices throughout the US. Positions available in most states.
If interested, please email staff@youth.org or call 888-123-9872.
International Summer Job
Hi, I’m an ESL student in China. I’m 20, quiet and polite, and I speak reasonable English. I’m looking for a summer job in an English-speaking country. I can teach Chinese or do house and garden work, and cook Chinese dishes. Can anybody offer me a job? I don’t need to earn much, just enough in 2 months (July- August) to pay for my return ticket to China. My goal is to improve my English and see a bit more of the world.
My email is: ram3462@hotmail.com
Call for Native Speakers of English
I am looking for native speakers of English to join in an experiment. This experiment is carried out over the Internet. You don’t need any specific knowledge other than understanding and speaking English at a native level. The first task will take you around 15 minutes. After this task, you can decide whether you want to continue the experiment. The tasks involve reading texts and designing questions and answers.
If you are willing to help me, then please email me: club3864@hotmail.com
63．Who is suitable to work as a Community Representative in YOUTH International?
A．One who enjoys working with teenagers from different countries.
B．One who hopes to take action in fighting against diseases.
C．One who has a strong desire to improve his or her English.
D．One who wants to earn some pocket money in the program.
64．Where will Jack, a volunteer, receive the training before he is sent to work in Malawi?
A．In some local offices in the U.S.             B．In an ESL organization in China.
C．In a preparation program in Denmark.                D．In an exchange student center in Africa.
65．If Mrs. Black in the U.S. hopes to learn some Chinese at home, she may contact _______.
A．takeaction@betterworld.com                    B．ram3462@hotmail.com
C．club3864@hotmail.com                        D．staff@youth.org
66．What are volunteers for an experiment over the Internet supposed to do?
A．To interview people online.                        B．To do some housework.
C．To offer advice on Child Aid.                       D．To provide language exercises.