Blue Collar
      Graduates from China's "blue-collar" vocational schools have an employment rate of 95. 6 percent, but
many lose their jobs because of unrealistic expectations, according to a senior official with the Ministry of
Education (MOE).
      MOE figures show a total of 3. 64 million students graduated from vocational schools last year, of
whom 3. 48 million found jobs. The employment rate for these students was 95. 6 percent.
      "The employment rate for blue-collar workers has stayed high since 1999 and above 90 percent since
2002," Wang Jiping, the MOE's deputy head of vocational education section, said on Wednesday. "However,
the figure is not the cause for optimism because it only indicates that people get employed."
       He said many students find jobs, but are unable to stay in the posts for reasons such as overly high
expectations for salaries or poor performance.
       Wang said vocational school graduates needed more guidance to find jobs that could use their skills
and meet "rational" demands for wages (工資), so that they can stay in the posts.
       "The government is to set up a national information platform to better show market demand for blue
collar talents", he said.
       MOE figures show 73. 23 percent of the 3. 64 million graduates from vocational middle schools found
jobs in companies and factories, 10 percent started their own businesses, and 16. 37 percent went on to
further study.
       Wang said the demand for highly skilled workers boosted the development of vocational education.
_____, the MOE called for vocational schools to set up more market-oriented training courses with which
students could easily find jobs.

1. Many vocational school graduates lose their jobs for the following reasons EXCEPT ______ according to
    the text.

A. their high expectations for salaries
B. their poor performance
C. their lack of working experience
D. their unrealistic expectations

2. The underlined word boosted in the last paragraph can be replaced by ______.

A. improved
B. prevented
C. ended
D. started

3. Among the vocational school graduates last year about ______ took up their own business.

A. 540,000
B. 360,000
C. 150,000
D. 70,000

4. Which of the following is the best sentence to be put into the blank of the last paragraph?

A. To develop vocational education
B. To build up graduates' own business
C. To offer graduates more jobs
D. To meet the demand

     More than 17,000 flights to and from European airspace were cancelled, including all flights from Britain's
major airports.
     The Met Office reported that volcanic ash had begun to fall across Britain, coating surfaces with a fine
layer of dust and raising fears for people with breathing difficulties.
     Meanwhile experts warned of shortages of some foods with produce destined for British shops rotting in
airport warehouses in other parts of the world.
     Geologists reported that activity at the volcano increased yesterday, spewing a plume of ash 5.3 miles high
into the atmosphere.
     The Icelandic Meteorological Office said the winds blowing the volcanic ash southeast to Europe and up
into Scandinavia and Russia will continue in the same direction for at least two days and could go on until
Wednesday. But scientists fear there could be more eruptions from the 5,466-foot volcano, Mount
Eyjafjallajkull. 
     A university geophysicist said, "From what we've seen, it could erupt, pause for a few weeks, and then
possibly erupt again. It could go on for months." As the no fly zone expanded yesterday, so did the chaos. 
The Icelandic volcano causing travel chaos across Europe could go on erupting for months, geologists have
warned.
     The National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) extended restrictions on flights from British airports to
7 p.m. on Sunday, with the expectation of further extensions.
     Ferry operators have reported record bookings. P&O took 6,000 foot passengers across the Channel on
Friday compared to the 100 to 200 it would expect on a normal Friday in April.
     Eurostar trains were fully booked until tomorrow, with 50,000 more passengers than normal since the
airline disruption (中斷) began on Thursday, including comedian John Cleese who arrived back in London last
night after a most difficult overland journey from Switzerland.
     The operator is charging passengers a minimum ＄223 for a single ticket from Paris to London over the
next two days prompting criticisms of profiteering. A return ticket can normally be bought for as little as 69.
Eurostar denied it was cashing in.
     Some 4,000 British tourists have been stranded in South Africa.
     The British Embassy in Athens said there were currently "many thousand" British holidaymakers trying to
leave Greece after the holidays, in many cases anxious to get back in time for the start of the school term this
week, with some of those desperate to return resorting to renting cars or embarking on long train journeys.

1. Where is the volcano, Mount Eyjafjallajkull located?

A. England
B. Ireland
C. Iceland
D. Switzerland

2. Which of the following is NOT the influence of the volcano eruption?

A. Breathing difficulties
B. Shortages of food
C. The airline disruption
D. A fine layer of sand

3. What does the underlined word "chaos" mean in Para. 6? 

A. Danger.
B. Anxiety.
C. Desperation.
D. Disorder.

4. From the passage, we know that the volcano eruption _____.

A. forced all the people to go back home
B. brought the train company a large profit
C. made 6,000 passengers take ships to cross the Channel
D. prevented British students from going to school on time

     Sony and Toyota are struggling. But one brand name is booming (繁榮) in Japan during the economic
slowdown-Mickey Mouse.
     According to the company that runs Tokyo Disneyland, Japan's busiest theme park will be more packed
than ever over Christmas and New Year's Day. Despite the bad economy, it's already been a record year for
an escape which is cheaper than the average night out in pricey Tokyo.
     "Here, economic depression (蕭條) seems a world away " visitor Namie Katsunuma said. "This is the only
place where I can totally forget the economic worries and hardship of my life."
     The single mother's salary at an auto factory was cut in November, but with her $ 500 yearly pass in hand,
she makes the 95-km journey from her home to Tokyo Disneyland every couple of months.
     The park's operator, Oriental Land Co., estimates (估算) a record 26.5 million people will visit Tokyo
Disneyland and its nearby sister park, Disney Sea, during the financial year ending in March. The company is
forecasting sales of a record $ 4.2 billion, up almost 10 percent.
     "In a way, the economy works well for Tokyo Disneyland," said Hiroshi Watanabe, an economist at the
Tokyo-based Daiwa Research Institute. "Because of the economic depression, people have stopped buying cars
and houses or going to Hawaii, and Tokyo Disneyland offers an affordable and pleasant alternative."
     Around the world, Disney's theme parks have been a bright spot for the brand this year as people seem to
look for an escape from bad times.

1. According to the passage, what happens to Tokyo Disneyland this year?

A. Fewer people visit it.
B. Less money is made.
C. It attracts more visitors.
D. Its sales have reached $ 4.2 billion.

2. What can be the possible reason for Tokyo Disneyland' s boom?

A. It costs less money to play here than in any other theme park.
B. People have a new understanding of amusement.
C. The economic depression has changed people's plans to spend money.
D. Visitors seek an escape from economic depression.

3. What does the underlined word "alternative" mean in the sixth paragraph?

A. choice
B. park
C. time
D. trip

4. According to the last paragraph, what is the writer probably going to write?

A. The theme parks that attract most visitors.
B. More examples of the success of Disney theme parks.
C. Tokyo Disneyland' s plan for the next year.
D. The economic depression in other companies.

     Few laws are so effective that you can see results just days after they take effect. But in the nine days
since the federal cigarette tax more than doubled-to $1.01 per pack-smokers have jammed telephone "quit
lines" across the country seeking to kick the habit.
     This is not a surprise to public health advocates. They've studied the effect of state tax increases for
years, finding that smokers, especially teens, are price sensitive. Nor is it a shock to the industry, which
fiercely fights every tax increase.
     The only wonder is that so many states insist on closing their ears to the message. Tobacco taxes improve
public health, health, they raise money and most particularly, they deter people from taking up the habit as
teens, which is when nearly all smokers are addicted. Yet the rate of taxation varies widely.
     In Manhattan, for instance, which has the highest tax in the nation, a pack of Marlboro Light Kings cost
$10.06 at one drugstore Wednesday. Charleston, S.C., where the 7-cent-a-pack tax is the lowest in the
nation. The price was $4.78.
     The influence is obvious.
     In New York, high school smoking hit a new low in the latest surveys-13.8%, far below the national
average. By comparison, 26% of high school students smoke in Kentucky, Other low-tax states have similarly
depressing teen-smoking records.
     Hal Rogers, Representative from Kentucky, like those who are against high tobacco taxes, argues that the
burden of the tax falls on low-income Americans "who choose to smoke."
     That's true, But there is more reason in keeping future generations of low-income workers from getting
hooked in the first place, As for today's adults, if the new tax drives them to quit, they will have more to
spend on their families, cut their risk of cancer and heart disease and feel better.

1. The text is mainly about _____.

A. the price of cigarettes
B. tie rate of teen smoking
C. the effect of tobacco tax increase
D. the differences in tobacco tax rate

2. What does the author think is a surprise?

A. Teen smokers are price sensitive.
B. Some states still keep the tobacco tax low.
C. Tobacco taxes improve public health.
D. Tobacco industry fiercely fights the tax rise.

3. The underlined word "deter" in Paragraph 3 most probably means _____.

A. discarding
B. remove
C. benefit
D. free

4. Rogers' attitude towards the low-income smokers might be that of _____.

A. tolerance
B. unconcern
C. doubt
D. sympathy

5. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A. The new tax will be beneficial in the long run.
B. Low-income Americans are more likely to fall ill.
C. Future generations will be hooked on smoking.
D. Adults will depend more on their families.

     Cassandra Feeley finds it hard to manage on her husband's income So this year she did something more
than a hobby (業(yè)余愛(ài)好): She planted vegetables in her yard. For her first garden, Ms Feeley has put in 15
tomato plants, and five rows of a variety of vegetables. The family's old farm house has become a chicken
house, its residents arriving next month. Last year, Ms Rita Gartin kept a small garden. This year she has
made it much larger because, she said, "The cost of everything is going up and I was looking to lose a few
pounds, too; so it's a win-win situation all around."
     They are among the growing number of Americans who, driven by higher living costs and a falling
economy(經(jīng)濟(jì)), have taken up vegetable gardening for the first time. Others have increased the size of their
existing gardens. Seed companies and garden shops say that not since the 1970s has there been such an
increase in interest in growing food at home. Now many gardens across the country have been sold out for
several months. In Austin, Tex, some of the gardens have a three-year waiting list.
     George C. Ball Jr. owner of a company, said sales of vegetable seeds and plants are up by 40% over last
year, double the average growth of the last five years. Mr. Ball argues that some of the reasons have been
building for the last few years. The big one is the striking rise in the cost of food like bread and milk, together
with the increases in the price of fruits and vegetables. Food prices have increased because of higher oil price.
People are now driving less, taking fewer vacations, so there is more time to garden.

1. What does the word "residents" in Paragraph 1 probably refer to?

A chickens
B. tomatoes
C. gardens
D. people

2. By saying"a win-win situation all around", Ms Gartin means that _____.

A. she is happier and her garden bigger
B. she may spend less and lose weight
C. she is selling more and buying less
D. she has grown more varieties of vegetables

3. Why is vegetable gardening becoming increasingly popular?

A. More Americans are doing it for fun.
B. The price of oil is lower than before.
C. There's growing need for fruits.
D. The cost of living is on the rise.

4. Which of the following might be the best title for the text?

A. Family Food Planning
B. Banking on Gardening
C. A Belt-tightening Move
D. Gardening as a Hobby

     Few laws are so effective that you can see results just days after they take effect. But in the nine days
since the federal cigarette tax more than doubled-to $1. 01 per pack-smokers have jammed telephone "quit
lines" across the country seeking to kick the habit.
     This is not a surprise to public health advocates. They've studied the effect of state tax increases for
years, finding that smokers, especially teens, are price sensitive. Nor is it a shock to the industry, which
fiercely fights every tax increase.
     The only wonder is that so many states insist on closing their ears to the message. Tobacco taxes improve
public health, health, they raise money and most particularly, they deter people from taking up the habit as
teens, which is when nearly all smokers are addicted. Yet the rate of taxation varies widely.
     In Manhattan, for instance, which has the highest tax in the nation, a pack of Marlboro Light Kings cost
＄10.06 at one drugstore Wednesday. Charleston, S, C., where the 7-cent-a-pack tax is the lowest in the
nation. The price was $ 4.78.
     The influence is obvious.
     In New York, high school smoking hit a new low in the latest surveys-13.8%, far below the national
average. By comparison, 26% of high school students smoke in Kentucky, Other low-tax states have similarly
depressing teen-smoking records.
     Hal Rogers, Representative from Kentucky, like those who are against high tobacco taxes, argues that
the burden of the tax falls on low-income Americans "who choose to smoke."
     That's true, But there is more reason in keeping future generations of low-income workers from getting
hooked in the first place, As for today's adults, if the new tax drives them to quit, they will have more to
spend on their families, cut their risk of cancer and heart disease and feel better.

1. The text is mainly about _____.

A. the price of cigarettes
B. tie rate of teen smoking
C. the effect of tobacco tax increase
D. the differences in tobacco tax rate

2. What does the author think is a surprise?

A. Teen smokers are price sensitive.
B. Some states still keep the tobacco tax low.
C. Tobacco taxes improve public health.
D. Tobacco industry fiercely fights the tax rise.

3. The underlined word "deter" in Paragraph 3 most probably means _____.

A. discourage
B. remove
C. benefit
D. free

4. Rogers' attitude towards the low-income smokers might be that of _____.

A. tolerance
B. unconcern
C. doubt
D. concern

     There was more evidence the effects of high oil prices on the transportation industry.
     Automakers reported further drops in sales of tracks and SUVs (sport utility vehicles) in the United States
Big, fuel-hungry vehicles brought in big profits-until Americans faced big costs for fuel now they want smaller
and more fuel-efficient cars. The head of General Motors, Rick Wagoner, says the prices are changing consular
behavior. G.M sales in the United States dropped 30％from last year. The Ford Motor Company had a 19％
drop.
     General Motors announced it will close four truck factories in North America and expand car production.
It may also see its Hummer division. Hummers are military-like vehicles. But Rick Wagoner said G-M will go
forward with plans to make the Chevy Volt, a car powered mainly by electricity. He said it will be available no
later than the end of 2010.
     Still, new findings show that Americans are driving less. The Federal Highway Administration says the
number of kilometers traveled on public roads has dropped since late 2006.
     Many people may be driving less because of high gasoline prices But transportation officials worry that less
demand for gasoline will mean shortages of money from fuel taxes that support reads. Use of public
transportation, though, is up. The American Public Transportation Association says it increased three percent
this year.
     High fuel prices are also affecting air travel. The International Air Transport Association expects the
industry to lose at least two billion dollars this year, mainly because of prices for jet fuel. This week more air,
carriers in the United States announced plans to cut flights and jobs and remove older. Less fuel efficient planes
from service Continental Airlines said record-high fuel prices have produced the worst crisis (危機(jī)) for the
industry since 2001.

1. According to Rick Wagoner, _____.

A. G.M. has made the Chevy Volt already
B. G.M. sales in America had a 19％drop
C. oil prices affect people's buying behavior
D. people like bigger and more fuel-efficient cars

2. Which of the following will General Motors do?

A. To try to produce more cats.
B. To make a new kind of truck powered mainly by electricity.
C. To close truck factories in America.
D. To make more vehicles such as Hummers for the army.

3. The last paragraph mainly tells us _____.

A. high oil prices made some people lost their jobs
B. 1ess fuel-efficient planes will come out of service
C. airlines faces till worst crisis since 2001
D. the effect of oil prices on airlines

4. We can learn from the passage that _____.

A. American public transportation carries more passengers than before
B. the Ford Motor Company doesn't face the challenge of increasing oil prices
C. carmakers will get more money from American government
D. the prices of cars will be much cheaper than they are now

     You're in a department store and you see a couple of attractive young women looking at a sweater. You
listen to their conversation:
     "I can't believe it-a Lorenzo Bertolla! They are almost impossible to find. Isn't it beautiful? And it's a lot
cheaper than the one Sara bought in Rome."
     They leave and you go over to see this incredible sweater. It's nice and the price is right. You've never
heard of Lorenzo Bertolla, but those girls looked really stylish. They must know. So, you buy it. You never
realize that those young women are employees of an advertising agency. They are actually paid to go from
store to store, talking loudly about Lorenzo Bertolla clothes.
     Every day we notice what people are wearing, driving and eating. If the person looks cool, the product
seems cool, too. This is the secret of undercover marketing. Companies from Ford to Nike are starting to
use it.
     Undercover marketing is important because it reaches people that don't pay attention to traditional
advertising. This is particularly true of the MTV generation-consumers between the age of 18 and 34. It is
a golden group. They have a lot of money to spend, but they don't trust ads.
     So advertising agencies hire young actors to "perform" in bars and other places where young adults go.
Some people might call this practice deceptive (騙人的), but marketing executive Jonathan Ressler calls it
creative. "Look at traditional advertising. Its effectiveness is decreasing."
     However, one might ask what exactly is "real" about of young women pretending to be enthusiastic
about a sweater? Advertising executives would say it's no less real than an ad. The difference is that you
know an ad is trying to persuade you to buy something. You don' t know when a conversation you overhear
is just a performance.

1. The two attractive young women were talking so that they could _____.

A. get the sweater at a lower price
B. be heard by people around
C. be admired by other shoppers
D. decide on buying the sweater

2. Lorenzo Bertolla is _____.

A. a very popular male singer
B. an advertising agency
C. a clothing company in Rome
D. the brand name of a sweater

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. The two girls are in fact employed by the Lorenzo Bertolla Company.
B. The MTV generation tend to be more easily influenced by ads.
C. Traditional advertising is becoming less effective because it's too direct.
D. Undercover marketing will surely be banned soon by the government.

4. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A. Two Attractive Shoppers
B. Lorenzo Bertolla Sweaters
C. Ways of Advertising
D. Undercover Marketing

     Housing price in China has always caused heated discussions among property (房產(chǎn)) developers and
ordinary Chinese. To many property developers and local government officials, housing price in China is
still low compared with many developed countries. However, the average housing price in the United States
is only 8,000 yuan per square meter, while in China, it is even higher than in the United States. This shows
that there are some bubbles(泡沫) in Chinese real estate market, the International Finance News reported.
     Although the average price of residential houses in the United States, after converted to Renminbi, is
about 8,000 yuan per square meter, the houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese
property developers do when they sell their houses. If US property developers sell their houses according to
the building area, then the housing price will be even lower than 8,000 yuan per square meter. In most big
Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, houses are sold at a price even higher than those in
the US.
     The high housing sales price in large cities in China proves that Chinese real estate market does have some
bubbles. Moreover, Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality,
environment and supporting facilities. Furthermore, it should be noted that American people's average income
is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people. How can the Chinese afford to buy a house which
is even more expensive than that sold in US?
     At the beginning of 2007, Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public. Now
in order to reduce the high housing prices, the government can regulate (控制) the real estate market by
raising tax on property industry and controlling the release of loans and lands to property developers. At the
same time, the government should allow people to build more houses through various fund-raising channels,
such as funds collected from buyers or raised by working units. By applying these multiple means, it is
expected that the high housing prices can be lowered.

1. What is the average housing price per square meter in China?

A. 8000 yuan
B. 10000 yuan
C. 7000 yuan
D. It's not mentioned here

2. Which of the following does NOT support the idea that the average housing price in China is even higher
    than in the United States?

A. Chinese houses can not be compared with houses in US in terms of building quality, environment and
     supporting facilities.
B. American people's average income is several dozen times higher than that of Chinese people.
C. The houses in US are not sold in terms of building area, as most Chinese property developers do when they
     sell their houses.
D. There are more people who need houses in China is larger than that in the United States.

3. How many measures are mentioned in the last paragraph in order to reduce the high housing prices?

A. Four
B. Three
C. Two
D. One

4. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. The housing price in China is so high that the government should do something useful to prevent it.
B. There are some bubbles in Chinese real estate market.
C. The average housing price in China is even higher than in the United States.
D. Chinese government issued a set of policies that aimed to benefit the public.