7. In the opinion of Cushman, the key to the problem is that____.

A．the social security net has not been set up

B．China has too large a population

C．the government has not taken stronger steps to protect workers

D．the unions have not played an important part to raise the wages.

6. According to Chip, it is____for McDonald’s and KFC to give employees a low salary.

A．unacceptable　　　 B．shameful　　　　 C．acceptable　　　　 D．illegal

5. What are they debating about?

A．McDonald’s and KFC pay too low a salary to their employees.

B．Setting up a social security system.

C．Fast-food restaurants have no rights to fire workers.

D．McDonald’s and KFC will be punished for their behaviour.

4. 　The best title of this passage might be______.

A．Sicily-an Island of Italy

B．Sicily-the Site of Roman and Greek Colonies

C．Italy’s most Beautiful Island

D．SiTALY’S Tasty Island Culture

B

Observer 2007-03-28 13:54

　 Nothing could be more shameful for McDonald’s and KFC. They are violating labour’s rights. The government must immediately bring the guilty to justice. A stricter government inspection system must be enforced to protect the workers.

Nathan 2007-03-28 21:39

It is known that McDonald’s and KFC and other fast-food restaurants pay the lowest wage they possibly can to get their employees. I think it’s kind of funny that these two restaurants have not yet set up unions. It is also known that they also take every possible measure e(legal, and sometimes illegal) to prevent their employees from forming or joining unions. I think it is high time that government enforced the law that they have made.

Cushman 2007-03-28 22:32

The deepest reason is that China has a large population. If you complain that the pay is very low, the boss will tell you that can go to other places and that there are a lot of people waiting for the job. Today finding a job is not very easy, so you don’t have many choices, and you have to face the reality.

Chip 2007-03-29 20:33

If wages were too low, people wouldn’t work for them, but they do, so it proves the wages are reasonable. Sure, they could raise the wages, but why should they? The workers are still working, still willing to show up on time, and it keeps costs lower. Were they to raise wages, they would have to FIRE more workers, and the price of burgers would go up. Then people wouldn’t buy them, then McDonald’s would once again FIRE more workers because of a reduced demand, and you’d be back in the same boat, just with less people working.

3.　 According the author, Pasta changes with______.

A．weather　　　　　　 B．age　　　　　　　 C．social position　　 D．season

2. 　The underlined sentences mean Sicilian people______.

A．can always forgive other’s mistakes

B．can’t stand going hungry

C．like eating

D．may make mistakes when they are hungry

1. 　Invaders from Rome and Greece came to Sicily______.

A．by bike　　　　　 B．by ship　　　　　 C．on foot　　　　　 D．by train

8. 　The passage mainly talks about ___________________ .

A. the fact that women are living longer than men

B. something about the Japanese oldest living lady

C. the fact that Kagoshima is famous for longevity

D. the secret of living longer

第21天　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　A

　Sicily, an island of Italy, is home to beautiful beaches, outstanding food, and a bit of Italian history on every corner. It’s located just southwest of the Italian mainland and it’s the largest Mediterranean island.

　Invaded(侵略)by many armies over the centuries, it became the site of Roman and Greek colonies. Those cultures remain to this day.

　Although they have a rich culture and history, Sicilian people lead a simple life. Living on land with fertile(肥沃的) soil, most of them work in agriculture, fishing and mining, and of course tourism.

　In Sicily, most stores and businesses are closed from one to four in the afternoon. Street become crowded around five as people start to go out and engage in a variety of activities. They may take a walk to the shops, enjoy a pastry(糕点)or just meet up with friends.

　Food is one of the great pleasures of Sicilian people. There is an old Sicilian saying： “With a contented stomach, your heart is forgiving. With an empty stomach you forgive nothing.” People will go miles out their way to eat fresh seafood. Pasta(意大利面)is the main food Each region has its seasonal pasta dishes, and every family cook their own specialty. Bread is common too. As another Sicilian saying goes, “A table without bread is like a day without sunshine.” In Sicily, bread is always freshly baked or bought, and usually twice a day.

7. 　Which of the following is not true about Kamato Hongo?

A. She is the world’s oldest person alive.

B. She loves drinking Japanese rice wine.

C. She is fond of traditional Japanese dancing.

D. She cares about everything that happens around her.

6. 　Who is considered to be the world’s oldest man alive in the passage?

A. Maud Farris-Luse.　　　　　　　　 B. Shigechiyo Izumi.

C. Yukichi Chuganji.　　　　　　　　 D. Kamato Hongo.