Barack Obama urged congressional leaders on M...

Barack Obama urged congressional leaders on Monday to act quickly to pass a huge stimulus package for the U.S. economy. He met with a bipartisan (concerning or involving two different political parties) group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Later he met individually with Democratic and Republican House and Senate leaders and spoke to a bipartisan leadership gathering. In comments to reporters early on Monday, he emphasized the urgency of finalizing economic legislation (立法). “We have got an extraordinary economic challenge ahead of us,” he said, “We are expecting a sobering job report at the end of the week. Nancy Pelosi and her staff have been extraordinarily helpful in working with our team so that we can shape an economic recovery and reinvestment plan that starts putting people back to work.”

Mr. Obama wants tax cuts for individual Americans and businesses to make up a significant portion of expected legislation. This could involve as much as $300 billion of a bill that is likely to go beyond $700 billion and include aid to cash-poor U.S. states, and money for alternative energy and a range of infrastructure (基础设施) projects. Later, Mr. Obama said he expects to be able to sign legislation as soon as the end of this month, adding that quick action is necessary to “break the drive of the U.S. economic depression”.

Emerging later from bipartisan talks with Mr. Obama, Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers discussed with the president how to pass a stimulus package as quickly as possible. “An economic recovery package that will create jobs immediately and will grow the economy and that is what we talked about today,” said Nancy Pelosi. “How we could do this fast, deliberatively and to act upon it soon.” Just how soon that would be, Pelosi would not say.

How much support Democrats can obtain from Republicans will depend on the details. But the severity of the U.S. economic depression has created considerable bipartisan backing for quick action. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid said: “There are investments that we need to make on behalf of the American people to turn around this economy. We felt very good about the meeting; we are confident that we can do this and we have to do this.”

“I think the best thing I can do is to decline to comment on what they are going to do going forward,” said Dana Perino. “Obviously, we think that tax cuts were the right way to help our economy get out of the economic depression that this president inherited and we know that tax cuts can stimulate innovation.” Asked by reporters how large the economic stimulus package might be, Senate Majority Leader Reid said Obama indicated that all but one of some 28 economists advising him had said it should range from $800 billion to $1.3 trillion.

1.Barack Obama urged congressional leaders and met with bipartisan leaders to _____.

A．take over the White House

B．end economic decline

C．understand each other better

D．negotiate political issues

2.If the stimulus package is passed quickly and successfully, it can _____.

A．obtain support from Republicans

B．finalize economic legislation

C．enhance America’s international position

D．provide job opportunities

3.What is the bipartisan leaders’ attitude towards this meeting?

A．Uncertain.         B．Hopeful.          C．Disappointed.      D．Indifferent.

4.What can we infer from the passage?

A．The best way out of the economic depression is tax cuts.

B．The Republic Party plays the key role in coping with the economic depression.

C．Democrats and Republicans will team up in the economic depression.

D．When the stimulus package will be passed is known to the lawmakers.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday announced a new

plan to renew and expand the nation's roads, railways and runways, in a bid (努力) to restart the sluggish economy and to help create jobs.

Obama announced the billion-dollar infrastructure(基础设施) spending program at an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking the Labor Day holiday in the United States.

The proposal calls for investments over six years, including rebuilding and modernizing 150,000 miles (241,350 kilometers) of roads, 4,000 miles (6,430 kilometers) of railways and 150 miles ( 241 kilometers) of runways.

"It sets up an Infrastructure Bank to leverage(杠杆；利用) federal dollars and focus on the smartest investment. All of this will not only create jobs now, but will make our economy run better over the long haul," Obama said.

"This is a plan that will be fully paid for and will not add to the deficit over time," said Obama.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent in August, reflecting business reluctance to hire among uncertain economic prospects, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Friday.

The president admitted that new jobs "have not been coming fast enough" in the United States.

"These years would be some of the most difficult in our history. The problems facing working families are nothing new, but they are more serious than ever. And that makes our cause more urgent than ever," he added.

1.What does the underlined word “sluggish” probably mean?

2.What’s the main idea of this passage?

3.Which of the following will be changed most in length?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday announced a new plan to renew and expand the nation's roads, railways and runways, in a bid (努力) to restart the sluggish economy and to help create jobs.

Obama announced the billion-dollar infrastructure(基础设施) spending program at an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking the Labor Day holiday in the United States.

The proposal calls for investments over six years, including rebuilding and modernizing 150,000 miles (241,350 kilometers) of roads, 4,000 miles (6,430 kilometers) of railways and 150 miles ( 241 kilometers) of runways.

"It sets up an Infrastructure Bank to leverage(杠杆；利用) federal dollars and focus on the smartest investment. All of this will not only create jobs now, but will make our economy run better over the long haul," Obama said.

"This is a plan that will be fully paid for and will not add to the deficit over time," said Obama.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent in August, reflecting business reluctance to hire among uncertain economic prospects, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Friday.

The president admitted that new jobs "have not been coming fast enough" in the United States.

"These years would be some of the most difficult in our history. The problems facing working families are nothing new, but they are more serious than ever. And that makes our cause more urgent than ever," he added.

1.What does the underlined word “sluggish” probably mean?

A. 繁荣的                                       B. 崩溃的                         C. 疲软的                         D. 行动迅速的

2.What’s the main idea of this passage?

A. The US president launched a new program aiming at improving the nation’s infrastructure.

B. The US unemployment rate rose according to the Labor Department.

C. These years will be the most difficult in the American history.

D. More roads, railways and runways will be rebuilt and modernized.

3.Which of the following will be changed most in length?

A. Roads.                                        B. Railways.                  C. Runways.                     D. Highways.

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

WASHINGTON, Sept．6 （Xinhua） -- U．S．President Barack Obama on Monday announced a new plan to renew and expand the nation's roads, railways and runways, in a bid （努力） to restart the sluggish economy and to help create jobs．

Obama announced the billion-dollar infrastructure（基础设施） spending program at an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking the Labor Day holiday in the United States．

The proposal calls for investments over six years, including rebuilding and modernizing 150,000 miles （241,350 kilometers） of roads, 4,000 miles （6,430 kilometers） of railways and 150 miles （ 241 kilometers） of runways．

"It sets up an Infrastructure Bank to leverage（杠杆；利用） federal dollars and focus on the smartest investment．All of this will not only create jobs now, but will make our economy run better over the long haul," Obama said．

"This is a plan that will be fully paid for and will not add to the deficit over time," said Obama．

The U．S．unemployment rate rose to 9．6 percent in August, reflecting business reluctance to hire among uncertain economic prospects, the U．S．Labor Department reported on Friday．

The president admitted that new jobs "have not been coming fast enough" in the United States．

"These years would be some of the most difficult in our history．The problems facing working families are nothing new, but they are more serious than ever．And that makes our cause more urgent than ever," he added．

1.What does the underlined word “sluggish” probably mean?

A．繁荣的               B．崩溃的               C．疲软的               D．行动迅速的

2.What’s the main idea of this passage?

A．The US president launched a new program aiming at improving the nation’s infrastructure．

B．The US unemployment rate rose according to the Labor Department．

C．These years will be the most difficult in the American history．

D．More roads, railways and runways will be rebuilt and modernized．

3.Which of the following will be changed most in length?

A．Roads．                                            B．Railways．

C．Runways．                                        D．Highways．

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

President Barack Obama has complained about the loss of privacy that comes with being leader of the United States, regretting the loss of simple pleasures such as a long walk or a trip to the car wash or supermarket.

"I just miss – I miss being unknown," he said. "I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk."

His dream, he said, was to "go through Central Park and watch folks passing by ... spend the day watching people – I miss that".

Faced with criticism for playing more golf than most previous occupants of the White House, he explained that the sport was simply the best way of getting relaxed.

"It's the only excuse I have to get outside for four hours," he told Hearst magazines.

Though he said he enjoyed his life in the White House, he felt disillusioned（醒悟的，幻想破灭的） with the some of the ways of Washington, which he has failed to change, such as the "kabuki dance（日本歌舞）" among political parties before serious policy discussions begin. His comments may be seen as excuse by critics who have accused him of appearing too detached（漠然）, and being slow to engage in important issues such as Libya and the near shutdown of the US government last week.

Since arriving at the White House in January 2009, Mr Obama has already racked up（打）60 rounds of golf in office, more than George W Bush did in his eight years.

In terms of ability, Golf Digest magazine has ranked Mr Obama eighth out of the 18 presidents who played the game since it became established in the early 20th century.

1.What do the second paragraph and the third paragraph mainly tell us?     .

A．Obama wishes to enjoy simple pleasures.

B．Obama likes going shopping with his girls.

C．Obama likes to take a walk.

D．Obama likes to watch folks passing by.

2.According to Obama, he plays golf to ___________.

A．avoid criticism

B．show his ability

C．get relaxed

D．show his advantage over the former presidents

3.What does the underlined word “It” refer to in the fifth paragraph?

A．Playing golf.                            B．Getting relaxed.

C．Changing some ways of Washington.         D．Watching people

4.What is the best title of the passage?

A．Obama complains about lack of privacy as president

B．Obama can’t live a normal life

C．Obama is often criticized

D．Obama likes to play golf

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

President Barack Obama has complained about the loss of privacy that comes with being leader of the United States, regretting the loss of simple pleasures such as a long walk or a trip to the car wash or supermarket. "I just miss—I miss being anonymous," he said. "I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk." His dream, he said, was to "go through Central Park and watch folks passing by... spend the day watching people—I miss that".

Faced with angry criticism for playing more golf than most previous occupants of the White House, he explained that the sport was simply the best way of getting away from it all. "It's the only excuse I have to get outside for four hours in a row, he told Hearst Magazines.

Though he said he enjoyed his life in the White House, he felt disappointed with some of the ways of Washington, which he has failed in his pledge(保证) to change, such as the "kabuki dance( 日本歌伎舞)" among political parties before serious policy discussions begin. His comments may be seen as vindication(证实) by critics who have accused him of appearing too detached (超然的), and being slow to engage in vital issues such as Libya and the near shutdown of the US government last week.

Since arriving at the White House in January 2009, Mr Obama has already racked up (得分)60　 rounds of golf in office, more than George W. Bush did in his eight years.

In terms of ability, Golf Digest magazine has ranked Mr Obama eighth out of the 18 presidents who played the game since it became established in the early 20th century.

1.What can be inferred from the first paragraph about Barack Obama after he became the US president?

A. He liked living a busy life.

B. He used to wash his car himself.

C. He used to spend most of his time with his family.

D. He is unhappy with being too frequently watched by the public.

2. Barack Obama's explanation to playing golf is 　　　　 .

A. to keep fit　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. to enjoy life

C. to release his pressure　　　　　　　　 D. to balance his work

3.Which one of the following statements is from the critics?

A. The president is really a great golf player.

B. There are always unnecessary procedures among political parties.

C. The president lost a lot privacy, but he loves the life in the White House.

D. The president seems to have no interest in some really important issues.

4.According to the text, which of the following statements is TRUE about Barack Obama?

A. He regrets to become the US president.

B. He has lost privacy ever since he became president.

C. He couldn't play too much golf' because of people being angry with him.

D. He is not good at playing golf compared with the other presidents who played golf.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday paid honor to health care workers who have treated Ebola patients in West Africa, calling them “heroes”_________ to be applauded rather than discouraged.

A. reserving　　　 B. deserving

C. observing　　　 D. preserving

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

After a week-long vacation, U.S. President Barack Obama will focus on proposals to strengthen the still-recovering American economy. The agenda includes the reform of the nation’s health care system.

The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare as some call it, expands federal health care programs for the needy and encourages Americans of all income groups to purchase private health care insurance.

“If you do not have insurance, beginning on October 1st, private plans will actually compete for your business. You can comparison--shop in an online marketplace, just like you would for cell phone plans or plane tickets. You may be eligible for new tax credits to help you afford the plan that’s right for you. And if you are in the up to half of all Americans who have been sick or have a preexisting condition, this law means that beginning January 1st, insurance companies have to cover you," Obama said.

Health-care spending accounts for one-seventh of U.S. economic activity, and is projected to increase to one-fifth in coming years. The cost has a direct bearing on America’s economic and financial well--being. Drawn up in 2010, the Affordable Care Act aims to control costs and expand access to health care. The effort is a big failure, according to Republican law makers like Tim Griffin and Todd Young.

“Republicans will continue to do everything we can to protect all Americans from the president's top-down, one-size-fits-all, Washington-knows-best approach to health care that is driving up costs and hurting our economy," said Griffin. “The sooner we can delay, oppose and cancel the president's health-care law, the sooner we can get people back to work and focus on expanding opportunity for everyone.”

The president accuses Republicans of putting partisanship(党派偏见) ahead of Americans’ health-care needs. “A lot of Republicans seem to believe that if they can gum up the works and make this law fail, they will somehow be sticking it to me. But they would just be sticking it to you. Your health insurance is not something to play politics with. Our economy is not something to play politics with," he said.

As a matter of fact，the success or failure of Obamacare could shape the president’s legacy long after he leaves office.

1.It is implied in Obama’s words in Paragraph 3 that________.

A. health care insurance will be of great benefit to Americans

B. health care insurance will help recover American economy

C. insurance companies don’t expect him to carry out the law

D. insurance companies will cover Americans in all aspects

2.According to Tim Griffin，Obama’s health-care law________.

A. will be strongly opposed to by the Republicans

B. will cause fewer economic problems in America

C. will be cancelled sooner or later by the government

D. will never work without the help of the Republicans.

3.What does Obama accuse Republicans of according to the passage?

A. They don’t know what Americans are in need of.

B. They tend to put their own benefit ahead of Americans’.

C. They know nothing about health insurance and economy.

D. They like to play politics with economy and health insurance

4.What is the author’s tone in this passage?

A.Subjective                        B.Critical            C.Unconcerned                   D.Objective

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

You don’t have to ask Barack Obama what it is like to be a president-elect．Chances are you can be one, too, and it won’t take more than 30 years’ efforts to achieve that．

A new computer game, Commander in Chief, offers the chance to step into the president’s shoes and see whether you can do a better job running the country than he can．

The video game will be available on January 20, the day Obama is sworn in （宣誓就职） as president．

So what will you do in the game?

Like Obama, your early task is to select members of the Cabinet（内阁）from 250 personality types．Then you immediately face internal（国内的）and external（对外的） challenges．Every decision you make has an in-game consequence．

“You can put your own political theories into action and see the domestic（国内的）and international effect,” said the lead designer Louis-Marie Rocques．

Internal decisions involve managing budgets, security, education, health care and discussion over many proposed laws．You also have to respond to critics．Every decision has a consequence, which changes the political environment．For example, raising taxes will raise criticisms and protests while lowering taxes means you will have less money to play with．

What about external decisions? Well, you have to deal with military issues, global economics, trade agreements, and spending time lobbying（游说）other presidents．You can determine the course of world events by invading（侵略）a neutral country, or toppling（推翻）an unfriendly country but then you must face the economic, political, and military consequences．

Don’t want to be president of the US? The game also lets you become virtual（虚拟的）leader of other countries including France, Germany, Spain and Russia．

1.The purpose of writing this passage is mainly to________．

A．show you how hard it is to be the newly-elected president, Barack Obama

B．explain why the video game is so popular among American citizens

C．introduce to you one special computer game, Commander in Chief

D．inform how designers developed the interesting computer game

2.Which of the following items belongs to internal affairs in the game?       A．Managing budgets, responding to critics and military issues．

B．Managing budgets, raising taxes and trade agreements．

C．Health care, discussing proposed laws and lowering taxes．

D．Education, security and lobbying other countries．

3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Those who want to be a president one day will get a taste of their private life．

B．The first task in the game is to form the Cabinet consisting of 250 members．

C．The video game has hit the stores in America and enjoys sales success．

D．Like a real president, the players will face challenges at home and abroad

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in China’s economic center Shanghai on Sunday night, November 15^th 2009, ______a state visit to China.

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析