During the past generation, the American middle-class family that once could count on hard work and fair play to keep itself financially secure had been transformed by economic risk and new realities. Now a pink slip, a bad diagnosis, or a disappearing spouse can reduce a family from solidly middle class to newly poor in a few months.In just one generation, millions of mothers have gone to work, transforming basic family economics. Scholars, policymakers, and critics of all stripes have debated the social implications of these changes, but few have looked at the side effect: family risk has risen as well. Today’s families have budgeted to the limits of their new two-paycheck status. As a result, they have lost the parachute they once had in times of financial setback – a back-up earner (usually Mom) who could go into the workforce if the primary earner got laid off or fell sick. This “added-worker effect” could support the safety net offered by unemployment insurance or disability insurance to help families weather bad times. But today, a disruption to family fortunes can no longer be made up with extra income from an otherwise-stay-at-home partner.During the same period, families have been asked to absorb much more risk in their retirement income. Steelworkers, airline employees, and now those in the auto industry are joining millions of families who must worry about interest rates, stock market fluctuation, and the harsh reality that they may outlive their retirement money. For much of the past year, President Bush campaigned to move Social Security to a saving-account model, with retirees trading much or all of their guaranteed payments for payments depending on investment returns. For younger families, the picture is not any better. Both the absolute cost of healthcare and the share of it borne by families have risen – and newly fashionable health-savings plans are spreading from legislative halls to Wal-Mart workers, with much higher deductibles and a large new dose of investment risk for families’ future healthcare. Even demographics are working against the middle class family, as the odds of having a weak elderly parent – and all the attendant need for physical and financial assistance – have jumped eightfold in just one generation.From the middle-class family perspective, much of this, understandably, looks far less like an opportunity to exercise more financial responsibility, and a good deal more like a frightening acceleration of the wholesale shift of financial risk onto their already overburdened shoulders. The financial fallout has begun, and the political fallout may not be far behind.【小题1】Today’s double-income families are at greater financial risk in that ________A．the safety net they used to enjoy has disappeared.B．their chances of being laid off have greatly increased.C．they are more vulnerable to changes in family economics.D．they are deprived of unemployment or disability insurance.【小题2】As a result of President Bush’s reform, retired people may have ________A．a higher sense of security.B．less secured payments.C．less chance to invest.D．a guaranteed future.【小题3】According to the author, health-savings plans will ________A．help reduce the cost of healthcare.B．popularize among the middle class.C．compensate for the reduced pensions.D．increase the families’ investment risk.【小题4】It can be inferred from the last paragraph that ________A．financial risks tend to outweigh political risks.B．the middle class may face greater political challenges.C．financial problems may bring about political problems.D．financial responsibility is an indicator of political status.

单选题（共50题，100.0分） 22. (2.0分) The professor has just ___ a new book on war and world politics.A. no doubtB. taken control ofC. been prone toD. come out with

“This is currently the most efficient way to transmit certain types of data like electronic mail.” In this sentence, “transmit” means ______.A. transportB. hand inC. transformD. send out

Questions 56-60 are based on the following passage.-|||-Medical experts say most Americans do not get enough sleep.They say more Americans need to take a-|||-nap-that is to rest for a short period in the middle of the day.They give people advice to sleep lightly-|||-before continuing with other activities.The experts say naps might improve health by reducing pressure.-|||-Some European and Latin American companies have supported the idea of napping for many years.-|||-They ask people to leave work,go home and have a nap before returning.In the United States,some-|||-companies let workers rest simply in their offices.They believe this can help workers make fewer mistakes-|||-and also increase the amount of work that a person can do.-|||-Sleep experts say it is likely that people make more mistakes at work than at other time.They suggest-|||-that people should not carry out important tasks when they feel sleepy.And they believe the best thing to-|||-do is to take a nap.About 20 minutes of rest is all you need.Experts say this provides extra energy and can-|||-increase your efficiency until the end of the day.But they point out that a nap should last no more than 20-|||-to 30 minutes.A longer nap will put the body into deep sleep and waking up will be difficult.-|||-56.In the first paragraph,take a nap means __ .-|||-A.resting for a short time in the middle of the night-|||-B.working for a long period in the middle of the day-|||-C.sleeping for a short time in the middle of the day-|||-D.walking for a long period in the middle of the night-|||-57.The best way to increase workers`efficiency is __ .-|||-A.having a rest for twenty to thirty minutes-|||-B.doing relaxing exercises-|||-C.talking with friends-|||-D.singing and dancing-|||-58.We can infer from the passage that sleep experts __ .-|||-A.approve of taking a longer nap B.approve of taking a deep sleep-|||-C.disapprove of taking a short sleep D.disapprove of taking a longer nap-|||-59.What will happen to workers if they keep on working without any rest?-|||-A.They will get a lot of money.-|||-B.They will fail in their jobs and even cause a lot of trouble.-|||-C.They will live a happy life in the future.-|||-D.They will feel better after finishing everyday jobs.-|||-60.What is the passage mainly about?-|||-A.The advantages of taking a nap during the day.-|||-B.The advantages of deep sleep during weekends.-|||-C.The disadvantages of deep sleep during weekends.-|||-D.The disadvantages of taking a nap during the day.-|||-Ⅲ.Reading Comprehension(4 points)-|||-Section A (30 points,2 for each)-|||-Directions: There are 3 passages in this part.Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished-|||-statements.For each of them there are 4 choices marked A,B,Cand D.You should decide on the best ONE-|||-and mark the corres ponding letter on the ANSWER SHEET.

Sam must be ______ in his bedroom now.He is going to leave for Paris tomorrow.A. deceivingB. catchingC. attemptingD. packing

The accident didn't do much_____ to either of the motorcarsA. hurtB. injuryC. damageD. loss

Artificial（假的）flowers are used for scientific as well as for decorative purposes. They are made from a variety of materials, such as wax and glass, so skill-fully that they can scarcely be distinguished from natural flowers. In making such models, painstaking and artistry are called for, as well as thorough knowledge of plant structure. The collection of glass flowers in the Botanical Museum of Harvard University is the most famous in North America and is widely known throughout the scientific world. In all, there are several thousand models in colored glass, the work of two artist-naturalists, Leopold Blaschka and his son Rudolph. The intention was to have the collection represent at least one member of each flower family native to the United States. Although it was never completed. It contains more than seven hundred species representing 164 families of flowering plants, a group of fruits showing the effect of fungus diseases, and thousands of flower parts and magnified details. Every detail of these is accurately reproduced in color and structure. The models are kept in locked cases as they are too valuable and fragile for classroom use. 【选项】 1. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? A. An Extensive Collection of Glass Flowers B. The Lives of Leopold and Rudolph C. Flowers Native to the United States D. Material Used for Artificial Flowers 2. It can be inferred from the passage that the goal of Leopold and Rudolph was to __________. A. create a botanical garden where only exotic flowers grew B. do a thorough study of plant structure C. make a copy of one member of each United States flower family D. show that glass flowers are more realistic than wax flowers 3. The underlined word "it" refers to __________. A. the intention B. the collection C. one member D. each flower family 4. Which of the following is NOT included in the display at the Botanical Museum of Harvard University? A. Models of 164 families of flowering plants. B. Magnified details of flower parts. C. Several species of native birds. D. A group of diseased fruits. 5. Which of the following statements is TRUE of the flowers at Harvard University? A. They form a completed collection. B. They have a marvelous fragrance. C. They are loaned to schools for classroom use. D. They use authentic representations.

Packaging is an important form of advertising. A package can sometimes motivate someone to buy a product. For example, a small child might ask for a breakfast food that comes in a box with a picture of a TV character. The child is more interested in the picture than in breakfast food. Pictures for children to colour or cut out games printed on a package, or small gifts inside a box also motivate many children to buy products--or to ask their parents for them. Some packages suggest that a buyer will get something for nothing. Food products sold in reusable containers are examples of this. Although a similar product in a plain container might cost less, people often prefer to buy the product in a reusable glass or dish, because they believe the container is free. However, the cost of the container is added to the cost of the product. The size of a package also motivates a buyer. Maybe the package has "Economy Size"or "Family Size" printed on it. This suggests that the large size has the most product for the least money. But that is not always true. To find out a buyer has to know how the product is sold and the price of the basic unit. The information on the package should provide some answers. But the important thing for any buyer to remember is that a package is often an advertisement. The words and pictures do not tell the whole story. Only the product inside can do that.People are likely to buy the product sold in a glass or dish because (). A. they have no other choice B. they think they can get the container for free C. the container is too attractive D. they believe the cost of the container is included in the cost of the product

When a rare disease ALD threatened to kill the four-year-old boy Lorenzo, his parents refused to give up hope. Doctors explained that there was no cure for ALD, and that he would probably die within three years. But Lorenzo’s parents set out to prove the doctors wrong.The parents devoted themselves to keeping their son alive and searching for a cure. But doctors and the families of other ALD patients often refused to take them seriously. They thought the efforts to find a cure were a waste of time, and drug companies weren’t interested in supporting research into such a rare disease.However, the parents still refused to give up and spent every available hour in medical libraries and talking to anyone who would help. Through trial and error, they finally created a cure from ingredients (调料) commonly found in the kitchen. The cure, named "Lorenzo’s Oil", saved the boy’s life. Despite the good results, scientists and doctors remained unconvinced. They said there was no real evidence that the oil worked and that the treatment was just a theory. As a result, some families with ALD children were reluctant to try it.Finally, the boy’s father organized an international study to test the oil. After ten years of trials, the answer is: the oil keeps ALD children healthy.【小题1】Doctors said that Lorenzo might die within three years because_____ .A.they had never treated the disease beforeB.Lorenzo was too young to be curedC.no cure had been found for ALDD.ALD was a rare disease【小题2】The families of other ALD patients thought that _____ .A.the research for the new cure would cost too much moneyB.the efforts of Lorenzo’s parents were a waste of timeC.Lorenzo’s parents would succeed in finding a cureD.Lorenzo’s oil was a real cure for ALD【小题3】Scientists and doctors believed that Lorenzo’s Oil_____.A.was really effectiveB.was a success storyC.only worked in theoryD.would save the boy’s life【小题4】From the passage we can conclude that_____.A.doctors remain doubtful of the effectiveness of the cureB.many ALD patients still refuse to use the oilC.various cures have been found for ALDD.the oil really works as a cure for ALD

What we expect from you is working hard _____ hardly working.A. less thanB. rather thanC. as well asD. as much as