Washington, April 4----- The United States has more than 90 million families for the first time, but each contains fewer people on average than ever, the Census Bureau(统计局) reported today.
The 90,031,000 families in the United States averaged 2.64 members each as of last July 1.“The reason is, in effect, changes in the age structure,” explained Campbell Gibson, a population researcher for the bureau. Most Americans born in the great explosion of births are now in their 20’s and 30’s when they most likely to set up families, he said.
The fact that many are doing so increased the number of families from 80.4 million in 1980 t0 88.8 million in 1986 and past the 90 million mark last summer.
At the same time, the average number of people per family dropped from 2.75 in 1985 to 2.65 in 1986 and then to 2.64, Mr Gibson said.
By comparison, the 1970 Census found the average family contained 3.14 people. Families averaged more than four people in 1939 and more than five in 1880.
The growing number of ever---- smaller families is still going on, but Mr Gibson pointed out that family growth was not the same as population increase in the 1970’s.
The same age factors that are increasing the number of families also happened then, but in the 1970’s the proportion(比例) of families in each age group was also growing.
That hasn’t continued in the 1980’s for a number of possible reasons, Mr Gibson said. For example, in the 1980’s more young people have chosen to remain home with their parents instead of setting up housekeeping on their own, as many did in the 1970’s.
This could be caused by the increasing cost of housing, he said. Delays in marriage while young people go to work and school, have also been widely reported as a factor, but it was not the only factor for the family changes.
1.The smaller figure of families reported here is _________.
A.1980 | B.80,400,000 | C.2.64 | D.90 million |
2.What’s the reporter’s attitude towards the present situation?
A. People should get married at later age.
The average number of family members should be 2.64. It’s not clear in the report. Young people should set up housekeeping on their own, as many did in the 1970’s.3.From the last paragraph we may infer that________.
A. delay in marriage will not help the number of the families
delay in marriage is the major factor of the family changes the writer felt sorry that many young people now delay their marriages there must be some other factors which have led to the slower growth in the 1980’s4. The underlined word “factor” in the passage means_________.
A.reason | B.something that proves be true |
C.advantage | D.something that helps to bring about a result |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
Washington, April 4----- The United States has more than 90 million families for the first time, but each contains fewer people on average than ever, the Census Bureau(统计局) reported today.
The 90,031,000 families in the United States averaged 2.64 members each as of last July 1.“The reason is, in effect, changes in the age structure,” explained Campbell Gibson, a population researcher for the bureau. Most Americans born in the great explosion of births are now in their 20’s and 30’s when they most likely to set up families, he said.
The fact that many are doing so increased the number of families from 80.4 million in 1980 t0 88.8 million in 1986 and past the 90 million mark last summer.
At the same time, the average number of people per family dropped from 2.75 in 1985 to 2.65 in 1986 and then to 2.64, Mr Gibson said.
By comparison, the 1970 Census found the average family contained 3.14 people. Families averaged more than four people in 1939 and more than five in 1880.
The growing number of ever---- smaller families is still going on, but Mr Gibson pointed out that family growth was not the same as population increase in the 1970’s.
The same age factors that are increasing the number of families also happened then, but in the 1970’s the proportion(比例) of families in each age group was also growing.
That hasn’t continued in the 1980’s for a number of possible reasons, Mr Gibson said. For example, in the 1980’s more young people have chosen to remain home with their parents instead of setting up housekeeping on their own, as many did in the 1970’s.
This could be caused by the increasing cost of housing, he said. Delays in marriage while young people go to work and school, have also been widely reported as a factor, but it was not the only factor for the family changes.
1.The smaller figure of families reported here is _________.
A.1980 | B.80,400,000 | C.2.64 | D.90 million |
2.What’s the reporter’s attitude towards the present situation?
A. People should get married at later age.
The average number of family members should be 2.64. It’s not clear in the report. Young people should set up housekeeping on their own, as many did in the 1970’s.3.From the last paragraph we may infer that________.
A. delay in marriage will not help the number of the families
delay in marriage is the major factor of the family changes the writer felt sorry that many young people now delay their marriages there must be some other factors which have led to the slower growth in the 1980’s4. The underlined word “factor” in the passage means_________.
A.reason | B.something that proves be true |
C.advantage | D.something that helps to bring about a result |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The United States has about 475,000 school buses ---all painted yellow.Each day they carry more than 25,000,000 children, half of all schoolchildren in the country.But these buses, on average, use four liters of diesel (柴油) fuel to travel less than sixteen kilometers.When the school year began last fall, diesel averaged 55 cents a liter nationally.The price nearly doubled, to a dollar and 8 cents, by the end of school in June.
Bob Riley speaks for the American School Bus Council.He says fuel prices for schools are not much lower than others have to pay.As a result, schools are looking for ways to reduce transportation costs.Bus routes are being redrawn or, in some cases, canceled (取消).Some areas are buying buses that use natural gas or other alternative fuels.Other steps include fewer field trips and less travel by sports teams.And some school districts (地区) may end any bus service not required by law.
Studies show that school buses are the safest form of transportation to and from school.The American School Bus Council says cuts in bus service are bad for children and possibly the environment.It says removing buses from the road will mean an increase in other vehicles transporting students.Spokesman Bob Riley says another concern is that reducing bus services might reduce attendance.
But it could also get more children to walk or bicycle to school.And that would surely make people happy at the National Center for Safe Routes to School.More kids walking or biking safely to school is the aim of a three-year-old federal program, part of an international movement.The goal is to increase physical activity and reduce air pollution.The United States will celebrate Walk to School Day on October the eighth this year.But for some students, high fuel prices could make every day a walk-to-school day.
1.What does this passage mainly tell us?
A.High fuel prices’ influences on school buses.
B.New measures to transport school students.
C.The safest form of student transportation.
D.The origin of Walk to School Day.
2.Which of the following information is implied in the first paragraph?
A.There are too many school buses in the United States.
B.There are too many students in the US.
C.Diesel prices are going up too rapidly in the US.
D.School buses consume too much diesel in the US.
3.What can we learn from Paragraph 3?
A.Cuts in bus service will have negative results.
B.The US government is encouraging cuts in bus services.
C.The US schools are searching for the safest transportation means.
D.Reducing bus service will do a lot of good to the environment.
4.The National Center for Safe Routes to school encourages more children to walk or bike to school in order to ____.
A.save more fuels and diesel for the country
B.keep the children safe on their way to school
D.keep the children healthy and the environment clean.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The united States has about 475,000 school buses — all painted yellow. Each day they carry more than 25,000,000 children, half of all schoolchildren in the country. But these buses, on average, use four liters of diesel (柴油) fuel to travel less than sixteen kilometers. When the school year began last fall, diesel averaged 55 cents a liter nationally. The price nearly doubled, to a dollar and 8 cents, by the end of school in June.
Bob Riley speaks for the American School Bus Council. He says fuel prices for schools are not much lower than others have to pay. As a result, schools are looking for ways to reduce transportation costs. Bus routes are being redrawn or, in some cases, canceled. Some areas are buying buses that use natural gas or other alternative fuels. Other steps include fewer field trips and less travel by sports teams. And some school districts may end any bus service not required by law.
Studies show that school buses are the safest form of transportation to and from school. The American School Bus Council says cuts in bus service are bad for children and possibly the environment. It says removing buses from the road will mean an increase in other vehicles transporting students. Spokesman Bob Riley says another concern is that reducing bus services might reduce attendance.
But it could also get more children to walk or bicycle to school. And that would surely make people happy at the National Center for Safe Routes to School. More kids walking or biking safely to school is the aim of a three-year-old federal program, part of an international movement. The goal is to increase physical activity and reduce air pollution. The United States will celebrate Walk to School Day on October eighth this year. But for some students, high fuel prices could make every day a walk-to-school day.
1.What does this passage mainly tell us?
A.High fuel prices’ influences on school buses. |
B.New measures to transport school students. |
C.The safest form of student transportation. |
D.The origin of Walk to School Day. |
2.In order to cut down transportation cost, many schools take the following measures EXCEPT_____.
A.changing some bus routes |
B.stopping some bus routes |
C.asking parents to drive children to and from school |
D.using other types of fuels |
3.The National Center for Safe Routes to School encourages more children to walk or bike to school in order to ____.
A.save more fuels and diesel for the country |
B.keep the children safe on their way to school |
C.make the children live a simple life |
D.keep the children healthy and the environment clean |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Although the United States covers so much land and the land produces far more food than the present population needs,its people are by now almost entirely an urban society. Less than a tenth of the people are engaged in agriculture and forestry(林业), and most of the rest live in or around towns,small and large.Here the traditional picture is changing: every small town may still be very like other small towns,and the typical small town may represent a widely accepted view of the country,but most Americans do not live in small towns any more. Half the population now lives in some thirty metropolitan areas(1arge cities with their suburbs, of more than a million people each—a larger proportion than in Germany or England,let alone France). The statistics(统计)of urban and rural population should be treated with caution because so many people who live in areas classified as rural travel by car to work in a nearby town each day. As the rush to live out of town continues,rural areas within reach of towns are gradually filled with houses, so that it is hard to say at what moment a piece of country becomes a suburb. But more and more the typical American lives in a metropolitan rather than a small town environment.
1.If now America has 250 million people.how many of them are engaged in agriculture and forestry?
A.About 25 million |
B.More than 25 million |
C.Less than 25 million |
D.Less than 225 million |
2.Which of the following four countries has the smallest proportion of people living in metropolitan areas?
A.United States | B.Germany | C.France | D.England |
3.What’s the meaning of the word“metropolitan”in the middle of the passage?
A.Of a large city with its suburbs | B.Of small and large towns |
C.Of urban areas | D.Of rural areas |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
As the United States nears the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 3,000 people, President Obama announced Sunday night that the al Qaeda(基地组织) leader and mastermind of that horrific day, Osama bin Laden, has been killed.
CNN reports that a senior government official confirmed that bin Laden was shot by a small team of U.S. soldiers while in a mansion with family members outside Islamabad(伊斯兰堡). His body is now in American custody(拘押) and is being handled according to Islamic customs. Three other adult men were killed in the firefight, including a son of bin Laden's, who was a senior member of the terrorist organization.
"Justice has been done," the president announced, saying that the operation he ordered after receiving intelligence information is "the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda."
The immediate reactions ranged from cautious to ecstatic. Crowds cheered outside the White House. But officials said a "worldwide caution" would be set for Americans in case of al Qaeda retaliation(报复).
Will bin Laden's death be the justice Americans have sought for nearly a decade?
Gordon Felt, president of Families of Flight 93, said it does bring comfort.
"This is important news for us, and for the world. It cannot ease our pain, or bring back our loved ones. It does bring a measure of comfort that the mastermind of the September 11th tragedy and the face of global terror can no longer spread his evil," Felt said.
President Obama says this victory does not close the book.
"His death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain cautious," he noted.
1.The underlined word “ecstatic” most probably means _________.
A. scared B. extremely happy and excited
C. doubtful D. amazed
2.The author mentions all of the items listed below EXCEPT_________.
A. Four people were killed in the firefight.
B. Families of the victims in the 9/11 attacks celebrated together.
C. President Obama thought highly of the Anti-Terrorist Military Action
D. Obama thought that al Qaeda will continue attack against the United States.
3.It can be inferred from the text _________.
A. The 9/11 attacks happened on September 11, 2001.
B. Osama bin Laden has three sons.
C. Some soldiers were injured in the firefight.
D. More than 3000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
4.From the last paragraph we can learn that _________.
A. Osama bin Laden’s death will put an end to terrorism.
B. President Obama doesn’t think bin Laden's death is a victory.
C. The United States will make efforts to defeat the al-Qaeda
D. The al Qaeda has a new leader now.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
More than half of the parents in the United States are helping, or have helped, support their adult children who have been hit by high unemployment and poor wages(工资), according to a new survey. It showed that present economic conditions are discouraging young adults from leaving home and forcing those who have already gone, so-called boomerang kids, to return.
“Parents are continuing their financial involvement longer than we expected,” said Ted Beck, president of National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).
About 60 percent of parents questioned in the survey said they’re helping their adult children who are no longer in school financially. Half are providing housing and nearly half are helping with living expenses.
For an increasing number of adult children, the situation is bad. Two-thirds of adult children, aged 18 to 39, who are not in school said they faced tougher financial pressures than previous generations, according to the survey. And nearly one-third of parents agreed that it was easier for them to find their financial feet than for their children.
Parents are helping their children out of genuine concern because they do not want to see them struggle. But Beck said that parents who make sacrifices(牺牲) to help their adult children should be careful about their own finances.
“If you are taking on extra debt or delaying(推迟) retirement to help your adult child, you could be making a mistake and putting your own financial future in danger,” Beck warned.
Boomerang children can also cause other problems for their parents. Thirty percent of parents said they had given up privacy since their adult children moved back home, while more than a quarter have taken on added debt, and seven percent have delayed retirement. But the survey also showed 42 percent of adult children living at home are helping with the cooking and cleaning.
1.According to the text, boomerang kids refer to ____.
A.married adult children
B.grown-ups living with parents
C.adult children independent and successful in life
D.young adults depending on parents for financial support
2.According to the survey, we can infer that _____.
A.about 30% of parents offer their adult children housing
B.one-third of adult children earn money more easily than their parents
C.two-thirds of adult children are faced with financial problems in school
D.about 50% of parents give money to their adult children to cover the daily cost
3.What is Ted Beck’s suggestion to the parents?
A.Asking their children to help with the housework.
B.Being careful when helping their children financially.
C.Leaving their children to struggle to live.
D.Putting off their time of retirement.
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.Adult children are less independent B.Parents help support adult children
C.Bad conditions affect children a lot D.Adult children like living with parents
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Scientists estimate that more than 60 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are preventable through lifestyle changes. Although there is no certain way to avoid all cancers, reducing individual risk factors greatly decreases the likelihood of getting many forms of this dangerous disease.
The American Chemical Society estimates that smoking causes nearly 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States — that is, about 166,000 cancer deaths each year. All cancer deaths caused by tobacco smoking could be prevented completely by not smoking and not using smokeless tobacco. For those who already smoke, quitting will reduce the risk of developing cancer. Studies show that after about ten years of not smoking, a past smoker’s risk lowers to about the level of those who have never smoked.
After quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet is the best way to lower the risk of cancer. Certain foods have been found to protect against cancer. Among these foods are cabbages, tomatoes, soy products, and foods high in vitamins A, C, and E. In addition, green and possibly black teas contain compounds that protect the body from cancer-causing substance.
To lower cancer risk, diets should include little or no red meat. Other foods to avoid or consume in moderation (适度地) include sugar, fat from animal products, and salt. Added fats and oils should come from vegetables, such as olives or corn, rather than from animal sources. Carbohydrates (碳水化合物) should come from whole grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread, rather than from processed foods, such as white rice and white bread.
The risk of cancer of the esophagus (食道) increases with heavy alcohol consumption, and many studies suggest that consuming alcoholic drinks increases the risk of breast cancer as well. Studies show that limiting intake to two drinks a day for men, and one drink per day for women, reduces cancer risk.
Low levels of physical activity have been implicated (牵连) in some cancer. Moderate activity for 30 minutes a day enhances the immune system, shortens the time food takes to move through the intestines (肠), and changes body composition and hormone levels. Researchers are studying how these effects might lower cancer risk.
1.Which of the following is true according to the author?
A. A person drinking tea regularly will not be likely to suffer from cancer.
B. Once a smoker has stopped smoking, there is almost no chance for cancers.
C. A balanced diet is absolutely effective in preventing one from getting cancer.
D. Those having quitted smoking for 10 years and non-smokers have less cancer risk.
2.What kind of people increase their chances of getting cancers?
A. Those whose foods contain less sugar, animal fat, and salt.
B. Those who are not moderate in drinking, smoking or eating.
C. Those who have only one or two drinks regularly per day.
D. Those whose diet contains little red meat and a lot of vegetables.
3.Which do you think is the best title for this passage?
A. The relation between food and disease. B. Causes of different kinds cancers.
C. Tips on lifestyle for cancer prevention. D. Ways to remain more healthy.
4.We can infer from the last paragraph that _______.
A. food’s staying in body too long might have something to do with cancer
B. the reasons why physical activity lowers cancer risk are clear
C. the more you exercise, the lower cancer risk you will take
D. plenty of physical exercise is most important for remaining healthy
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
More than two hundred years ago the United States _______ from the British Empire and became an independent country.
A.broke down | B.broke out | C.broke away | D.broke off |
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
More than two hundred years ago the United States _______ from the British Empire and became an independent country.
A. broke down B. broke out C. broke away D. broke off
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
China is now sending more college students to study in the United States than any other country. A new report shows a 23 percent increase in the number of Chinese students coming to the U.S.
The latest edition of the annual Institute of International Education (IIE) and another US institute found a 5 percent rise in the number of international university students in the US compared to one year ago. There are now over 157, 000 Chinese students at U.S. colleges and universities.
Asia accounted for four of the top five countries and regions to take advantage of the US higher education system. “Increased numbers of students from China, particularly at the undergraduate level, largely accounts for the growth this past year,” the report stated. “They really enroll in a full range of US higher education,” said Peggy Blumenthal, senior counselor to the president of IIE, the group that made the report. “20 years ago, students from China only knew of a handful of US institutions, but now, they are enrolling in our community colleges, in our small liberal arts institutions, in the research universities. Really spread across the country,” she said.
Chinese mainland was in the number one spot, while India was the number two country of origin. South Korea was the third and Canada was number four. China’s Taiwan held the number five spot. Saudi Arabia was in sixth with a 44-percent increase, while Japan was seventh, down 14 percent.
Blumenthal associates the increase in the number of Chinese students heading to US colleges to limited university places in China, as well as a feeling from students and their parents than they want a “unique” educational experience. China’s family planning policy, says Blumenthal, has also meant that families can concentrate resources on a single child.
The University of California at Los Angeles has one of the largest Asian student populations of any college in the United States.
1. Which ranked the third place sharing US higher education?
A. Saudi Arabia B. South Korea
C. Canada D. India
2.Why is the number of Chinese students going to the US increasing?
A. The US colleges are better than those in China.
B. Each family in China has only one child.
C. China lacks enough educational resources.
D. Chinese students can enter varieties of US colleges.
3.Which of the following is right according to Peggy Blumenthal?
A. The number of Chinese students going to the US has increased by 23%.
B. The University of California has contributed to Asian education greatly.
C. Chinese student populations in the US mainly consist of undergraduates.
D. Chinese students know more about US higher education than before.
4. The best title for the passage can be ________.
A. Chinese College Students Rush to US Schools
B. The Large Number of Chinese Students in the US
C. Chinese Students Make Up Largely Foreign Students in the US
D. Asian Middle School Students in the US Universities
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析