1、题源 USA Today (November 22, 2022) 有删减阅读理解AA union representing rail conductors narrowly voted to reject a collective bargaining agreement arranged by the Biden administration, moving one step closer to a severe freight rail strike that appeared averted two months ago.SMART Transportation Division, re
2、presenting about 28,000 conductors, rejected the deal early Monday, while a separate union representing rail engineers the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen voted to ratify the five-year agreement.The split among the two largest rail unions comes after three smaller unions already rej
3、ectedthe agreement with rail companies that was negotiated by the White House in September. Eight freight rail unions have now approved the agreement, but all 12 must sign on for ratification.A rail strike or lockout could paralyze(使瘫痪) the economy by halting the shipment of many foods, particularly
4、 grain, and critical goods before next months holiday season.“Its now back to the bargaining table for our operating craft members,” said Jeremy Ferguson,president of SMART-TD, adding that he believes issues can be resolved without a strike. “The ball is now in the railroads court. Lets see what the
5、y do.”A status quo contract is in place until Dec. 8. SMART-TD can go on strike, or rail companies can lock out workers, beginning Dec. 9 if an agreement is not reached. Congress has the power to intervene to set a contract if parties dont reach a deal.In addition to straining supply chains, a shutd
6、own could disrupt passenger rail including Amtrak, which operates mostly on tracks owned by freight railroads.“Lets be clear, if the remaining unions do not accept an agreement, Congress should be preparedto act and avoid a disastrous $2 billion a day hit to our economy, said Ian Jefferies, presiden
7、t and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, which represents the nations largest freight companies. 1. The underlined word “ratify” can be best replaced by _A. reviseB. approveC. decline D. cease2. Which of the following is correct according to the passage?A. Strike or lockout can be easily
8、settled before holidaysB. The White House is on conductors sideC. The operating craft members are unwilling to hold talks with rail companiesD. Only when all twelve rail unions agree to sign the agreement will the issues be finally resolved3. What is Ian Jefferies attitude towards rail strike?A. sup
9、portiveB. sympathetic C. opposedD. objective4. Whats the best title for the text?A. Union rejects deal, risks rail shutdownB. Reform now for the paralyzed economy C. Go back to the bargaining table, rail conductors!D. The ball is now in the White Houses courtBNervous shoppers are saying theyll buy l
10、ess or switch to cheaper brands this holiday season, as inflation remains high and more Americans worry about whether theyll be able to hold onto their jobs. “Inflation is sort of a fancy term for people having to pay more for the same amount of stuff and I think thats the reality that consumers are
11、 trying to grapple with. What were seeing is consumers trying to make adjustments where they can to account for all the places where theyre seeing high costs.” said Chris Jackson, senior vice president at Ipsos.In recent months, inflation hit a four-decade high and the American Farm Bureau Federatio
12、n said the cost of items that typically make up a Thanksgiving meal is up 20% according to its annual survey of reports from volunteer shoppers.Roughly 7 in 10 Americans say they will buy a smaller amount or look for a cheaper choice when shopping for desserts and treats, while 68% intend to make th
13、e same changes when picking up frozen foods, 65% will try to save money when purchasing fresh produce, and 64% will make a switch or buy less when filling their carts with prepared foods. American adults are even cutting back on booze, with half of those polled saying they plan to shrink the amount
14、of alcohol theyll purchase or pick up a less expensive alternative.Ipsos consumer confidence index found that 67% of Americans believe the economic situation in the U.S. is bad, while 33% say conditions are good. Of those who think the economy is in tough shape, 40% say its only “somewhat bad,” high
15、lighting how Americans are generally not as pessimistic as they were after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, or during the great recession of 2008. But as layoffs mount, Americans are growing increasingly worried about losing their jobs.Among those surveyed, 46% said its “at least somewhat likely”
16、 they, a friend, or someone in their family will be laid off in the next six months. 1. Which of the following statements is correct as inflation remains high in America?A. Consumers intend to purchase high-quality brands B. Consumers have to pay more for the same amount of goodsC. Consumers try to
17、make adjustments to New year mealD. Consumers will store up more food for the holiday season2. Where are shoppers cutting back?A. grain product and frozen foodsB. fresh produce and dry instant cerealC. desserts, treats and starchy foodD. prepared foods and alcohol3. Whats the meaning of the underlin
18、ed word “booze”?A. parties B. banquetsC. drinksD. receptions4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?A. Consumers are only worried about inflationB. 46% of Americans will be unemployed in the next six monthsC. A clear majority of Americans were pessimistic during the great recession of 2008D. Mo
19、re than half of the Americans believe the economic situation in the U.S. is bad语法填空With black and orange feathers and red eyes, the critically endangered pheasant-pigeon remained a mystery for more than a century. But the bird _1_(spot) for the first time since 1882.The bird exists in the rugged Fer
20、gusson Island, just off the coast of southeast Papua New Guinea. There, a team of researchers with the Papua New Guinea National Museum arrived in September, _2_(hope) to spot the bird.The team spoke with locals to help them set up camera traps _3_(capture) an image of the bird, according to Re:Wild
21、, _4_help fund the effort. For nearly a month, the team went without evidence of the bird. But just two days before researchers were set to leave the island, Jordan Boersma, co-leader of the expedition team, was going through camera footage _5_ he was “stunned” to see the bird walking right past the
22、 camera.The researchers credited their success _6_ local hunter Augustin Gregory, who had told them he had seen the ground-dwelling bird in an area with steep ridges. The team then went into a dense forest area of the island, _7_they placed a camera on a 3,200-foot-high ridge near a river.Serena Ket
23、aloya, a conservationist from Milne Bay, said local communities were “very excited” at the news because many people _8_(see) the bird until the research team arrived on the island.Not much is known about the pheasant-pigeon. The species population is undetermined, but it is listed _9_critically enda
24、ngered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As of July 2021, its estimated population was 50 to 249 birds. Researchers suspect the population has declined because of logging and the _10_(lost) of forest habitat.答案BDCABDCDis spotted; hoping; to capture; which; when; to; where; hadnt seen; as; loss
