Americans are thinking about national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) led the effort.
　　The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. What is the reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to each state.
Local control of education probably was a good idea two hundred years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even twenty years ago.
Many American educators say that getting a good education should not depend on where you live. They say that some states have lowered their standards in order to increase student scores on tests required by the No Child Left behind Act.
　　Kara Schlosser is communications director for the CCSSO. She says the new standards clearly state what a student should be able to do to be successful in college and work.
　　Forty--eight states have already shown approval for the standards. Two states refuse to accept the idea. Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the national standards will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still others fear federal control.
　　Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. However, approving the standards will help states qualify (取得资格) for some federal grant money.
【小题1】What would be the best title for the passage?

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　　One of the most interesting of all studies is the study of words and word origins （来源） . Each language is 1 of several earlier languages, and the words of a language can sometimes be traced （追溯） back through two or three different languages to their 2 . Again , a word from one language may 3 into other languages and 4 a new meaning. The word “etiquette” , which is of Freuch origin and originally meant a label , 5 a sign , passed into Spanish and 6 its original meaning. So in Spanish the word “etiquette” today is used to 7 the small paper which a store 8 to a suit, a dress or a bottle. The word “etiquette” in French, 9 , gradually developed a different meaning. It 10 became the custom to write directions on small cards, or “etiquette” , as to how visitors should dress themselves and 11 during an imporiant ceremony. 12 the word “etiquette” began to mean a system of correct manners for people to follow. 13 this meaning, the word passed into English.

　　Consider the word “breakfast”. To fast is to go for some period of time without 14 . Thus in the morning, after many hours 15 the night without food, one 16 his fast.

　　Consider the everyday English 17 “Goodbye” . Many , many years ago people would say to each 18 on parting:“God be with you. ” As this was 19 over and over millions of times , it gradually became 20 to “Goodbye” .

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After a busy day of work and play, the body needs to rest. Sleep is necessary for good health. During this time, the body recovers from the activities of the previous day. The rest that you get while sleeping enables your body to prepare itself for the next day.

　　There are four levels of sleep, each being a little deeper than the one before. As you sleep, your muscles relax little by little. Your heart beats more slowly, and your brain slows down. After you reach the fourth level, your body shifts back and forth from one level of sleep to the other.

　　Although your mind slows down, from time to time you will dream. Scientists who study sleep state that when dreaming occurs, your eyeballs begin to move more quickly (Although your eyelids are closed). This stage of sleep is called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement.

　　If you have trouble falling asleep, some people recommend breathing very deeply. Other people believe that drinking warm milk will help make you drowsy. There is also an old suggestion the counting sheep will put you to sleep!

1.A good title for this passage is ____.

A. Sleep            B. Dreams  　C. Good Health      D. Work and Rest

2.The word drowsy in the last paragraph means ____.

A. sick             B. asleep   　C. stand up          D. a little sleepy

3.This passage suggests that not getting enough sleep might make you _____.

A. dream more often   　B. have poor health   C. nervous     D. breathe quickly

4.During REM, ____.

A. your eyes move quickly  B. you dream C. you are restless　 D. both A and B

5.The average number of hours of sleep that an adult needs is ______ .

A. approximately six hours    B. around ten hours 

C. about eight hours          D. not described here

Who owns the large American companies that produce cars, washing machines, and television sets? They are owned by a large group of people called stockholders.

　　A company must have money to build factories and to buy machinery. To get this money, it sells shares of stock（股份）. Each share of stock is a share in the ownership of the company. The person who buys a share of stock becomes a part owner of the company. He is called a stockholder. A company can have thousands of stockholders. Sometimes a very large company is owned by millions of stockholders.

　　Few persons can afford to buy a whole company, but the average individual can become part owner of a business. He can save his dollars and buy a share of stock in a large company. A person does not have to be wealthy to be a stockholder.

　　When a company makes money, each stockholder may receive a dividend(股息) check, which is his share of the profits（利润）. Parts of a company’s profits are not paid out to the stockholders. This money is used by the company so it can grow larger. If the company does well, its shares of stock become more valuable.

　　More than 20 million people own shares of stock in America’s companies. By owning stock, they are helping America’s businesses grow. They are also putting their money to work to earn more money.

1.The story makes you think that _____.

A．a farmer is not allowed to buy the shares of stock

B．if a company does well, its shares of stock have no value

C．a person may own a part of the company that makes TV sets

D．the only people who can buy stocks are those who are wealthy

2.A dividend is the stockholder’s share of the _____.

A．company’s profits

B．company’s savings

C．company’s income

D．products made by the company

3.Why do companies keep part of their profits?

A．They want to buy the shares of stock, too.

B．They cannot find all the names of their stockholders.

C．They use the money to help the company grow larger.

D．They think they have sent their stockholders enough money.