While income worry is a rather common problem of the aged, loneliness is another problem that aged parents may face. Of all the reasons that explain their loneliness, a large geographical distance between parents and their children is the major one. This phenomenon is commonly known as “ Empty Nest Syndrome”(空巢综合症). In order to seek better chances outside their countries, many young people have gone abroad, leaving their parents behind with no clear idea of when they will return home. Their parents spend countless lonely days and nights, taking care of themselves, in the hope that someday their children will come back to stay with them. The fact that most of these young people have gone to Europeanized or Americanized societies makes it unlikely that they will hold as tightly to the value of duty as they would have if they had not left their countries. Whatever the case, it has been noted that the values they hold do not necessarily match what they actually do. This geographical and cultural distance also prevents the grown-up children from providing response in time for their aged parents living by themselves.

The situation in which grown-up children live far away from their aged parents has been described as “ distant parent phenomenon”, which is common both in developed countries and in developing countries. Our society has not yet been well prepared for “ Empty Nest Syndrome”.

1.According to the passage, the loneliness of aged parents is mainly caused by ________.

A. their earlier experience of feeling lonely

B. the unfavorable living conditions in their native countries

C. the common worry about their income

D. the geographical distance between parents and children

2.Many young people have gone abroad, leaving

their aged parents behind, to _______.

A. live in the countries with more money

B. seek a better place for their aged parents

C. continue their studies abroad

D. realize their dreams in foreign countries

3.If young people go abroad, ________.

A. they do not hold to the value of duty at all

B. they can give some help to their parents back home

C. they cannot do what they should for their parents

D. they believe what they actually do is right

4.From the last paragraph, we can infer that______

A. the situation in the developed and developing countries are different

B. “Empty Nest Syndrome” has arrived unexpectedly in our society

C. children will become independent as soon as they go abroad

D. the aged parents are not fully prepared for “Empty Nest Syndrome”

For many people today, reading is no longer relaxation. To keep up with their work they must read letters, reports, trade publications, interoffice communications: a never-ending flood of words. In getting a job or advancing in one, the ability to read and comprehend quickly can mean the difference between success and failure. Yet the unfortunate fact is that most of us are poor readers.

Most reading faults can be traced to early school training. According to Dr. Betts, two persons out of five in school were forced to read material too difficult for them to understand at the time, a frustration experience which left them with bad reading habits.

Fortunately, almost anyone can learn to read faster and with more comprehension. Age makes little difference. According to a recent study of 138 students at The Reading Laboratory, Inc. , all age groups showed a marked increase in reading rate after training from 93 percent for the 50-90 age group to 142 percent for the 20-29.Dr. Mila Banton Smith, director of New York University’s Reading Institute, says that the average adult student, in 28 training hours, nearly triples (三倍的) his reading speed and boosts(增长) his comprehension by about 30 percent.

The best way to improve your reading, of course, is to enroll(登记) in a reading clinic. If there’s no clinic handy, you can improve your reading ability yourself--- provided you have no eyes troubles. (if reading tires you easily or makes your eyes or head ache, you should consult a doctor.)

1.To many people today, _______.

A. reading quickly is easy

B. reading quickly and comprehending quickly can ensure their success

C. reading is only for fun

D. reading can ensure their success

2.Most reading faults are_______

A. due to early school training

B. a frustrating experience

C. made by reading difficult materials

D. made by reading carelessly

3.Who can learn to read fast and with comprehension?

A. teachers only         B. students only

C. a few people          D. almost everybody

4.According to the passage, what is the best way to improve one’s reading？

A. go to a doctor

B. review what has been learnt at school

C. go to reading remedial class for special training

D. consult a dictionary

此题要求改正所给短文的错误。对标有题号的每一行做出判断：如无错误，在该行右边横线上画一个勾（√）；如有错误（每行只有一个错误），则按下列情况改正：

该行多一个词：把多余的词用斜线（／）划掉；在该行右边横线写下该词，并也用斜线划掉；

morning, I had a dry breakfast. We have no water to drink because      1.________

the water supply had cut off. The water had come back in the          2.________

evening. I did maths then. I didn’t stop after 12 o’clock. After a        3.________

short lunch I had the break. Then I went to my Sunday English class.    4.________

After a long and tired class for more than two hours, I went            5.________

at home. Some work had been done but some hadn’t. I must          6.________

review all my subject such as the Sciences, the Humanities,           7. ________

which include Chinese, English, Politics and History as              8.________

Well. That’s terribly! Especially when there was no water.            9.________

请以澳大利亚的 “就餐礼仪” (Table Manners in Australia)为题, 根据下列几点,写一篇100个单词左右的短文.

1、在澳大利亚接受邀请进行晚餐不可早去, 可晚到5—10分钟.

2、如果有事不能按时到达, 要打电话告知.

3、不必带礼物, 但第一次最好带一件小礼物. 例如: 一瓶葡萄酒或一束鲜花.

4、不喜欢的饭菜可不吃, 但餐毕不要忘记感谢主人.

—Bread ______ butter? 

     — Bread ______no butter. thank you.

A. or, and        B. and, but       C. or, but       D. and. and

The old tower looks nice. It’s about ______  

A. twelve-metre-high         B. twelve-metre high

C. twelve-metrees high        D. twelve metres high

My car ______ down just when I need it most. I have to get it repaired. 

A. always breaks             B. has always broken

   C. always broke              D. is always breaking

Mrs Read went to the market and bought several ______ eggs. 

  A. dozen of        B. dozens       C. dozen        D. dozens of

______ come into leaf or bloom is obviously a sign of spring. 

  A. Trees           B. The trees     C. That trees     D. What trees

—I’m sorry to ____ you to so much trouble. 

    —That’s all right.

A. put            B. add         C. give          D. take