College and university graduations in the United States are arriving earlier each year as the average length of school year gets shorter．

The school year has fallen by nearly six weeks，from 197days in 1964to 156days in 1994，according to the National Association of Scholars． 1　 ，most American kindergarten，elementary（初等的）and high school students are 2　 to spend 180days a year in their schools．The length of the average class period also has 3　 ，from more than 57minutes to less than 54，the Association reports．

“The 4　 has to be that students are simply 5　 less，”said the director of the Association．“If you count the actual 6　　 of contact hours，you'll find they are 7　 four years in college getting an education that would have taken about 8　 years in 1964．”

The universities argue that they are simply teaching more 9　 ．“The traditional idea that learning 10　 in the classroom and through reading and writing 11　 based on seat time is out of date，” said a spokesman for the American Council on Education． 12　 than attending lectures，students now chat with their professors on their computers or use other types of 13　 technology，allowing for a shorter school year，he said．“It is very 14　 that，in many schools，they are going to spend less time 15　 than they used to．”

1．A．By comparison　　　　　　　 B．In particular C．Strangely enough D．As a result

2．A．intended　 B．required　　　 C．requested　　 D．inquired

3．A．fallen　　 B．declined　　　 C．oppressed　　 D．lowered

4．A．reason　　 B．cause　　　　 C．conclusion　　 D．condition

5．A．playing B　 B．learning　　　 C．working　　　 D．paying

6．A．number　　 B．times　　　　 C．need　　　　　 D．arrangement

7．A．spending　 B．given　　　　 C．living　　　　 D．asked

8．A．five　　　 B．two　　　　　 C．three　　　　 D．six

9．A．quickly　　 B．thoroughly　　 C．wisely　　　　 D．efficiently

10．A．came　　　 B．took place　　 C．started　　　 D．appeared

11．A．questions B．books　　　　 C．assignments　 D．texts

12．A．Rather　　 B．More　　　　　 C．Less 　　　　 D．Easier

13．A．knowledge B．information　 C．message　　　 D．intelligence

14．A．possibly　 B．probably　　　 C．lovely　　　　 D．likely

15．A．at home　 B．in the laboratory　　　　　　　 C．in the classroom D．on computer

It was a winter morning, just a couple of weeks before Christmas 2005. While most people were warming up their cars, Trevor, my husband, had to get up early to ride his bike four kilometres away from home to work. On arrival, he parked his bike outside the back door as he usually does. After putting in 10 hours of labor, he returned to find his bike gone.

　 The bike, a black Kona 18 speed, was our only transport. Trevor used it to get to work, putting in 60-hour weeks to support his young family. And the bike was also used to get groceries(食品杂货), saving us from having to walk long distances from where we live.

　 I was so sad that someone would steal our bike that I wrote to the newspaper and told them our story. Shortly after that, several people in our area offered to help. One wonderful stranger even bought a bike, then called my husband to pick it up. Once again my husband had a way to get to and from his job. It really is an honor that a complete stranger would go out of their way for someone they have never met before.

　 People say that a smile can be passed from one person to another, but acts of kindness from strangers are even more so. This experience has had a spreading effect in our lives because it strengthened our faith in humanity(人性) as a whole. And it has influenced(影响) us to be more mindful of ways we, too, can share with others. No matter how big or how small, an act of kindness shows that someone cares. And the results can be everlasting.

1. Why was the bike so important to the couple?

　 A. The man’s job was bike racing.

　 B. It was their only possession(财产).

　 C. It was nice Kona 18 speed.

　 D. They used it for work and daily life.

2. We can infer from the text that____________.

　 A. the couple worked 60 hours a week.

　 B. people were busy before Christmas.

　 C. the stranger brought over the bike.

　 D. life was hard for the young family.

3. How did people get to know the couple’s problem?

　 A. From radio broadcasts.　 B. From a newspaper.

　 C. From TV news.　　　　 D. From a stranger.

4. What do the couple learn their experience?

　 A. Strangers are usually of little help.

　 B. One should take care of their bike.

　 C. News reports make people famous.

　 D. An act of kindness can mean a lot.

完形填空：

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意,然后从1~25各题所给的四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案。

　In the past American families tended to be quite large. Parents 　1 　five or more children were common. Over the years the 　2 　of the families has decreased (缩减). One reason for this is 　3 　in the cost of living. On the average children 　4 　 schools for more years than they 　5 　, making them financially (经济上) depend on their families 　6 　. Moreover children nowadays 　7 　and have more money to 　8 　entertainment. The parents 　9 　take the responsibility for 　10 　expenses. Meanwhile, families are 　11 　than they used to be. More and more American 　12 　work away from home.

　The break-up of the family occurs (发生) 　13 　the parents divorce (离婚). A lot of children in the 　14 　live part of young lives with only 　15 　. Broken families usually result in 　16 　for children alike. Children blame themselves when their parents 　17 　. They grow up feeling unsettled as they are moved 　18 　between parents. These single parents must 　19 　the children's emotional needs while also supporting them financially. This leaves very 　20 　time for the parents' own interests. Single parents often 　21 　other single parents. In this type of family unrelated children are forced to 　22 　brother and sister relationship. The 　23 　of many American families today are not good. However, recent science indicates(表明) that things are getting better. The divorce rate is declining. The rate of child birth 　24　. Perhaps Americans have learnt 　25 　important families are.

It was a winter morning, just a couple of weeks before Christmas 2005. While most people were warming up their ears, Trevor, my husband, had to get up early to ride his bike four kilometers away from home to work. On arrival, he parked his bike outside the back door as he usually does. After putting in 10 hours of labor, he returned to find his bike gone.

The bike, a black Kona 18 speed, was our only transport. Trevor used it to get to work, putting in 60-hour weeks to support his young family. And the bike was also used to get groceries (食品杂货) saving us from having to walk long distances from where we live.

I was so grieved that someone would steal our bike that I wrote to the newspaper and told them our story. Shortly after that，several people in our area offered to help. One wonderful stranger even bought a bike, then called my husband to pick ii up. Once again my husband had a way to get to and from his job. It really is an honor that a complete stranger would go out of their way for someone they have never met before.

People say that a smile can be passed from one person to another, but acts of kindness from strangers are even more so. This experience has had a spreading effect in our lives because it strengthened our faith in humanity (人性) as a whole. And it has influenced (影响) us to be more mindful of ways we, too, can share with others. No matter how or how small, an act of kindness shows that someone cares. And the results can be everlasting.

51. Why was the bike so important to the couple?

A. The man's job was bike racing. 　　　　　　　　　 B. It was their only possession.

C. It was a nice Kona 18 speed. 　　　　　　　　　　　 D. They used it for work and daily life

52. We can infer from the text that ________

A. The couple worked 60 hours a week 　　　　　 B. people were busy before Christmas

C. the stranger brought over the bike 　　　　　　　 D. life was hard for the young family

53. How did people get to know the couple's problem?

A. From radio broadcasts. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. From a newspaper.

C. From TV news. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. From a stranger.

54. The underlined word "grieved" in paragraph 3 probably means________.

A. upset　 　　　　　 B. pleased　　 　　　　　 C. frightened　 　　　　 D. lucky

55. What do the couple learn from their experience?

A. Strangers are usually of little help. B. One should take care of their bike.

C. News reports make people famous. D. An act of kindness can mean a lot.