Stepfamilies are commonplace in the United St...

Stepfamilies are commonplace in the United States and their number continues to grow. While stepfamilies differ widely in their make-up， they all consist of a parenting couple and children， one or more of whom is of a previous union. Such combinations of his kids， her kids， and then， possibly， kids of the new union make for complicated and often trying difficulties， more challenging than those of traditional families.

Since stepfamilies involve more people and， consequently， more potential problems from the start than do childless new marriage， it is wise for the couple to do some careful planning prior to (＝before) marriage. Not only do the prospective(预期的) marital partners need agreement about their own carriers， life goals， finance and special interests， they must also prepare for new relationship with their children and attempt to accommodate their individual needs and feelings. Furthermore， there are often the rights of other relatives to consider.

As for any family， the basic ingredient(成分) of a successful stepfamily are affection， kindness and mutual(相互的) respect. However， love alone is not enough. Certainly love is the cornerstone upon which the foundation of any family is built， but there are also many other important ingredients involved in building a successful stepfamily.

Surveys reveal that successful families regard the ability to communicate openly as the most important factor in their success. Communication is what keeps families on track and functioning as a unit. Although healthy communication is easier for some people than for others， this skill can be learned and improved. Healthy communication involves speaking clearly and listening carefully.

By their very nature， stepfamilies often are complicated by past events that give rise to ambivalent(矛盾的) loyalties， lingering(持久的) hurts， fears， feelings of guilt and unrealistic dreams. The difficulties that arise within the stepfamilies are human and understandable. However， there are ways to confront(面临) and resolve them. For example， support groups and professional counselors(法律顾问) are available in most communities to provide help and guidance when communications stopped and problems seem overwhelming(压倒性的).

Planning and building a stepfamily is not a responsibility to take lightly. It can be a very trying and， at times， seemingly impossible effort. Many potential troubles can arise and threaten to destroy the stepfamily. Nevertheless， meeting and mastering these special challenges can bring unexpected satisfactions and rewarding depths of family closeness and affection.

1.According to the passage， there are 　　　 in the United States.

A.no stepfamilies

B.more stepfamilies than ever before

C.fewer stepfamilies than ever before

D.fewer stepfamilies than traditional ones

2.Which of the following can help avoid the potential problems arising in a stepfamily？

A.The pursuit of the same careers.

B.Professional interventions(干涉).

C.The development of special interests.

D.Careful planning before the marriage.

3. Many people believe that 　　　 contributes most to the building of a successful stepfamily.

A.everlasting loyalties

B.open communication

C.kindness and mutual respect

D.persistent(持久稳固的) affection

4. It is natural for a stepfamily to be 　　　.

A.unrealistic

B.complicated

C.ambivalent

D.guilty

5.According to the author， planning and building a stepfamily is 　　　.

A.impossible

B.satisfying and rewarding

C.discouraging and frustrating

D.a difficult and trying experience

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Restaurants in Europe, the United States and Japan are testing technology to let diners order their food direct from a screen at their table instead of depending on a fellow human being to note their choice.

Besides cutting costs, companies that sell the “e-menus” argue the bytes-for-bites way has a new value that can attract younger customers, and various photographs of steaks and gooey desserts attract diners to order more. It also could extend the TV dinner. How about a computer game dinner?

“It's about impulse-buying,” said Adi Chitayat, Conceptic’s CEO. “If a person starts looking at pictures of chocolate cake, the chances are he'll order it.” Frame, a restaurant in Tel Aviv with the system, is said to have its sales on tables with the e-menu increased by about 11% . Customers often call ahead to reserve （预定）spots equipped with screens, manager Natalie Edry told Reporters.

At one of the e-menu tables, IT worker Gil Uriel and his young family were enthusiastic as they checked out pictures of the dishes on offer and squabbled（争吵）overdesserts. “It’s more visual,” says Uriel, as his children clicked away furiously on a games function between courses. “We can still choose, we can still argue —but it’s much easier when we can all see it.”

1.The following are the advantages of “restaurants with” EXCEPT that ________.

A．eating in them is more comfortable

B．the restaurants can save a lot of money

C．they can attract more youngsters to the restaurants

D．customers can see the pictures of their ordered foods

2.The underlined word “impulse—buying” in the 3rd paragraph means________.

A．having no idea in buying things

B．being uninterested in buying things

C．having no patience in buying things

D．being encouraged in buying things

3.According to the last paragraph, we know that________.

A．customers feel little interest in the e-menus

B．e-menus only attract a small number of customers

C．it still takes time for e-menus to be widely accepted

D．restaurants of this kind are refused by customers

4.This passage might be taken from ________.

A．a food guide                           B．a website

C．a traveling magazine                     D．classic advertisements

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Children in the United States are exposed to many influences other than that of their families．Television is the most significant of these influences，because the habit of watching television usually begins before children start attending school．

Parents are concerned about the lack of quality in television programs for children．The degree of violence in many of these shows also worries them．Studies indicate that，when children are exposed to violence，they many become aggressive or insecure.

Parents are also concerned at，out the commercials that their children see on television． Many parents would like to see fewer commercials during programs for children．And some parents feel that these shows should not have any commercials at all because young minds are not mature enough to deal with the claims made by advertisers．

Educational television has no commercials and has programs for children that many parents approve of The most famous of these is Sesame Street，which tries to give preschool children a head start in learning the alphabet(字母)and numbers．It also flies to teach children useful things about the world in which they live．

Even though most parents and educators give Sesame Street and shows like it high marks for quality，some critics argue that all television，whether educational or not，is harmful to children．These critics feel that the habit of watching hours of television every day turns children into bored and passive(被动的)consumers of their world rather than encouraging them to become active explorers of it．

1.Which of the following statements is NOT based on the passage?

A．Parents are worried about the influence from television on their children

B．Television has much influence on children

C．Both parents and their children like watching educational television．

D．Some critics think that television is no good for children．

2.In what ways do children suffer from television?

A．They become the victims of social violence

B．They spend hours watching television instead of doing school work

C．The programs make the children lose interest in the world．

D．The programs make the children spend too much of their parents’ money

3.Parents would not like their children to see commercials because ____

A．they think that their children ore not old enough to handle advertising

B．commercials teach children alphabet and numbers

C．commercials help to sell products

D．they don’t like commercials

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Children in the United States are exposed to many influences other than that of their families．Television is the most significant of these influences，because the habit of watching television usually begins before children start attending school．

Parents are concerned about the lack of quality in television programs for children．The degree of violence in many of these shows also worries them．Studies indicate that，when children are exposed to violence，they many become aggressive or insecure.

Parents are also concerned at，out the commercials that their children see on television． Many parents would like to see fewer commercials during programs for children．And some parents feel that these shows should not have any commercials at all because young minds are not mature enough to deal with the claims made by advertisers．

Educational television has no commercials and has programs for children that many parents approve of The most famous of these is Sesame Street，which tries to give preschool children a head start in learning the alphabet(字母)and numbers．It also flies to teach children useful things about the world in which they live．

Even though most parents and educators give Sesame Street and shows like it high marks for quality，some critics argue that all television，whether educational or not，is harmful to children．These critics feel that the habit of watching hours of television every day turns children into bored and passive(被动的)consumers of their world rather than encouraging them to become active explorers of it．

1.Which of the following statements is NOT based on the passage?

A.　 Parents are worried about the influence from television on their children

B.　 Television has much influence on children

C.　 Both parents and their children like watching educational television．

D.　 Some critics think that television is no good for children．

2.In what ways do children suffer from television?

A.　 They become the victims of social violence

B.　 They spend hours watching television instead of doing school work

C.　 The programs make the children lose interest in the world．

D.　 The programs make the children spend too much of their parents’ money

3.Parents would not like their children to see commercials because ____

A.　 they think that their children ore not old enough to handle advertising

B.　 commercials teach children alphabet and numbers

C.　 commercials help to sell products

D.　 they don’t like commercials

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Young people in the United States do not have a strong understanding of the world and their place in it.

Two U. S.—based groups, the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Geographic, Society commissioned an online survey earlier this year. They wanted to know what young people educated in American colleges knew about geography, U. S. foreign policy, recent international events, and economics.

The survey was given to over 1,200 Americans between the ages of 18 and 26 years. All of them presently attending, or having previously graduated from, a 2-or 4-year college or university.

The average test score, out of 75 total possible answers, was 55 percent. The study identifies a few important problems. For example, only 30 percent knew that the only part of the U. S. government that can declare war is Congress. Only 60% of those taking the survey could identify Brazil on a world map.

Part of the problem, argue the organizers of the survey, is the internet. They say it is becoming harder to find high-quality information about world events amongst all the fake news and trivia which swamp the web. Forty-three percent of those questioned said they read about the news on Facebook.

Another problem is that most college courses do not require students to learn about international issues. If such information is not required, Richard Haass from the Council on Foreign Relations said, then the United States could have leaders like Gary Johnson. He was a recent presidential candidate who did not know about the Syrian city of Aleppo when a reporter asked him about it.

The survey results were not all bad. The young people also demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and renewable energy. And the majority of them said that international issues were becoming more important to them.

Haass says these findings suggest the need to find was to get good information to students, both in school and online. To help, the Council on Foreign Relations is creating a new program called CFR Campus, designed to help build knowledge about global issues.

1.What can we learn about the survey?

A. All the participants were recent university graduates

B. It was an online survey conducted by two US universities

C. Its aim is to figure out what the young people know about America

D. It was given to over 1,200 American people aged from 18 to 26

2.What’s one reason survey organizers give for young people’s lack of knowledge?

A. Young people are unwilling to travel abroad

B. The sources from which they get their information

C. The US university system is of poor quality

D. Their lack of interest in knowing more about the world

3.According to the survey, what topic did the young Americans understand best?

A. Environmental matters　　 B. Geographic information

C. Foreign relations　　 D. Government organizations

4.In which column of a newspaper could we find this article?

A. Economics　　 B. Entertainment

C. Politics　　 D. Education

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Young people in the United States do not have a strong understanding of the world and their place in it.

Two U. S.— based groups, the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Geographic, Society commissioned an online survey earlier this year. They wanted to know what young people educated in American colleges knew about geography, U. S. foreign policy, recent international events, and economics.

The survey was given to over 1,200 Americans between the ages of 18 and 26 years. All of them presently attending, or having previously graduated from, a 2- or 4-year college or university.

The average test score, out of 75 total possible answers, was 55 percent. The study identifies a few important problems. For example, only 30 percent knew that the only part of the U. S. government that can declare war is Congress. Only 60% of those taking the survey could identify Brazil on a world map.

Part of the problem, argue the organizers of the survey, is the internet. They say it is becoming harder to find high-quality information about world events amongst all the fake news and trivia which swamp the web. Forty-three percent of those questioned said they read about the news on Facebook.

Another problem is that most college courses do not require students to learn about international issues. If such information is not required, Richard Haass from the Council on Foreign Relations said, then the United States could have leaders like Gary Johnson. He was a recent presidential candidate who did not know about the Syrian city of Aleppo when a reporter asked him about it.

The survey results were not all bad. The young people also demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and renewable energy. And the majority of them said that international issues were becoming more important to them.

Haass says these findings suggest the need to find was to get good information to students, both in school and online. To help, the Council on Foreign Relations is creating a new program called CFR Campus, designed to help build knowledge about global issues.

1.What can we learn about the survey?

A.All the participants were recent university graduates.

B.It was an online survey conducted by two US universities.

C.Its aim is to figure out what the young people know about America.

D.It was given to over 1,200 American people aged from 18 to 26.

2.What’s one reason survey organizers give for young people’s lack of knowledge?

A.Young people are unwilling to travel abroad.

B.The sources from which they get their information.

C.The US university system is of poor quality.

D.Their lack of interest in knowing more about the world.

3.According to the survey, what topic did the young Americans understand best?

A.Environmental matters. B.Geographic information.

C.Foreign relations. D.Government organizations.

4.In which column of a newspaper could we find this article?

A.Economics. B.Entertainment.

C.Politics. D.Education.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Young people in the United States do not have a strong understanding of the world and their place in it.

Two US-based groups, the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Geographic Society, conducted an online survey last year. They wanted to know what young people in American colleges knew about geography, U.S. foreign policy, recent international events, and economics.

The survey was given to over 1,200 Americans between the ages of 18 and 26 years. All of them presently attending, or having previously graduated from, a 2- or 4-year college or university.

The average test score, out of 75 total possible answers, was 55 percent. The study identifies a few important problems. For example, only 30 percent knew that the only part of the U.S. government that can declare war is Congress. Only 60% of those taking the survey could identify Brazil on a world map.

Part of the problem, argue the organizers of the survey, is the Internet. They say it is becoming harder to find high-quality information about world events amongst all the fake news and trivia which swamp the web. Forty-three percent of those questioned said they read about the news on Facebook.

Another problem is that most college courses do not require students to learn about international issues. If such information is not required, Richard Haass from the Council on Foreign Relations said, then the United States could have leaders like Gary Johnson. He was a recent presidential candidate who did not know about the Syrian city of Aleppo when a reporter asked him about it.

The survey results were not all bad. The young people also demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and renewable energy. And the majority of them said that international issues were becoming more important to them.

Haass says these findings suggest the need to find ways to get good information to students, both in school and online. To help, the Council on Foreign Relations is creating a new program called CFR Campus, designed to help build knowledge about global issues.

1.What do we know about the survey?

A. The participants were all recent university graduates.

B. It was an online survey conducted by two US universities.

C. It was given to over 1,200 American people aged from 18 to 26.

D. It aimed to find out what the young people know about America.

2.What’s one reason survey organizers give for young people’s lack of knowledge?

A. The poor quality of the US university system.

B. Young people’s unwillingness to travel abroad.

C. The sources from which they get their information.

D. Their lack of interest in knowing more about the world.

3.What topic did the young Americans understand best according to the survey?

A. Government organizations.　　 B. Geographic information.

C. Foreign relations.　　 D. Environmental matters.

4.In which column of a newspaper could we find this article?

A. Economics.　　 B. Education.

C. National Politics.　　 D. Entertainment.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Young people in the United States do not have a strong understanding of the world and their place in it.

Two US-based groups, the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Geographic Society, conducted an online survey last year. They wanted to know what young people in American colleges knew about geography, U.S. foreign policy, recent international events, and economics.

The survey was given to over 1,200 Americans between the ages of 18 and 26 years. All of them presently attending, or having previously graduated from, a 2- or 4-year college or university.

The average test score, out of 75 total possible answers, was 55 percent. The study identifies a few important problems. For example, only 30 percent knew that the only part of the U.S. government that can declare war is Congress. Only 60% of those taking the survey could identify Brazil on a world map.

Part of the problem, argue the organizers of the survey, is the Internet. They say it is becoming harder to find high-quality information about world events amongst all the fake news and trivia which swamp the web. Forty-three percent of those questioned said they read about the news on Facebook.

Another problem is that most college courses do not require students to learn about international issues. If such information is not required, Richard Haass from the Council on Foreign Relations said, then the United States could have leaders like Gary Johnson. He was a recent presidential candidate who did not know about the Syrian city of Aleppo when a reporter asked him about it.

The survey results were not all bad. The young people also demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and renewable energy. And the majority of them said that international issues were becoming more important to them.

Haass says these findings suggest the need to find ways to get good information to students, both in school and online. To help, the Council on Foreign Relations is creating a new program called CFR Campus, designed to help build knowledge about global issues.

1.What do we know about the survey?

A. The participants were all recent university graduates.

B. It was an online survey conducted by two US universities.

C. It was given to over 1,200 American people aged from 18 to 26.

D. It aimed to find out what the young people know about America.

2.What’s one reason survey organizers give for young people’s lack of knowledge?

A. The poor quality of the US university system.

B. Young people’s unwillingness to travel abroad.

C. The sources from which they get their information.

D. Their lack of interest in knowing more about the world.

3.What topic did the young Americans understand best according to the survey?

A. Government organizations.　　 B. Geographic information.

C. Foreign relations.　　 D. Environmental matters.

4.In which column of a newspaper could we find this article?

A. Economics.　　 B. Education.

C. National Politics.　　 D. Entertainment.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

More than half of parents in the United States are helping , or have helped their adult children who have been hit by high unemployment and stagnant（无变化的）wages, 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 children, to return.

“Parents are continuing their financial involvement longer than we expected,” said Ted Beck, the president and CEO of National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).

About 60 percent of parents questioned in the survey said they are helping their adult children who are no longer in school financially, providing housing and 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 earn money than for their children.

Parents are helping their children out of genuine concern, and because they do not want to see them struggle. But Beck said that parents who make sacrifices to help their adult children should be cautious about their own finances.

“If you are taking on extra debt or delaying 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 ten percent have delayed retirement. But the survey also showed that 42 percent of adult children living at home are helping with the cooking and cleaning.

1.The underlined words “boomerang children” in the first paragraph likely means ________.

A. adult children visiting parents often

B. married adult children

C. adult children depending on parents for financial support

D. adult children independent and successful in life

2.What is Ted Beck’s suggestion to the parents?

A. Asking their children to help with the housework.

B. Leaving their children to struggle to live.

C. Being careful when helping their children financially.

D. Putting off their time of retirement.

3.According to the survey, we can know that ________.

A. about 50% of parents give money to their adult children to cover the daily cost

B. two - thirds of adult children are faced with financial problems in school

C. one - third of adult children earn money more easily than their parents

D. one in ten parents has delayed retirement

4.What is the main idea of the whole 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.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Students who want to study in the United States may find that their chances for financial aid are limited. They often have to pay for their education with their own savings or their family's money.

A recent report from the Institute of International Education in New York looked at 2008-2009 school year.

Colleges and universities in the United States had more than half a million foreign students. 63% of them paid for school mostly by themselves or with family help. 26% percent were supported by the school they attended.

There are other sources of financial aid for international students. These include a student's home government or university, or the United States government. Private sponsors, international organizations and employers may also provide support. Yet during the last school year, not many students were able to depend on any of these other sources. Current employers provided the most help. Still, they represented the main support for just four percent of international students.

Those at the graduate level, however, are more likely than undergraduates to receive financial aid in the United States. More than 80% percent of foreign undergraduates depended mostly on personal and family money to pay for school last year. The same was true of less than half of graduate students. Most of the others received financial aid from their college or university in the United States.

A list of American schools that offer financial aid to foreign students can be found at a useful Web site. The address is edupass.org. This site also provides information about scholarship programs. But it warns foreign students not to pay if there is any charge for scholarship application forms. You could be cheated out of your money.

1.Most foreign students depend on _______ to pay for their education.

2.How many sources of financial aid are mentioned in the text?

3.Which of the following statements is true according to the text?

4.The text mainly talks about ________.

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析