1、阅读理解(二)AFew 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 doubledto $1.01 per packsmokers have jammed telephone “quit lines” across the country seeking to kick the habit.This is not a surprise to public
2、health advocates.Theyve 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
3、taxes improve public 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
4、，cost $10.06 at one drugstore Wednesday.In 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 surveys13.8%，far below the national average.By comparison,26% of high school stu
5、dents 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 lowincome Americans “who choose to smoke.”Thats true.But there is more reason i
6、n keeping future generations of lowincome workers from getting hooked in the first place.As for todays 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.【语篇解读】 烟草税增加后，取得了立竿见影的效果许多烟民纷纷戒烟。然而有些地方却对此充耳不闻，中学
7、生吸烟的比例居高不下。本文让我们意识到：从长远看，通过增加烟草税而使人们戒烟是泽被千家万户的大事。1The text is mainly about _.Athe price of cigarettesBthe rate of teen smokingCthe effect of tobacco tax increaseDthe differences in tobacco tax rate解析主旨大意题。本文主要谈论的是烟草税增加后取得的明显效果以及给人们带来的益处。A、B、D三项均为文章的某一方面。答案C2What does the author think is a surprise?A
8、Teen smokers are price sensitive.BSome states still keep the tobacco tax low.CTobacco taxes improve public health.DTobacco industry fiercely fights the tax rise.解析事实细节题。由第三段第一句可知，唯 一让人吃惊的是，有些州对此充耳不闻，也就是继续保持低烟草税。答案B3Rogers attitude towards the lowincome smokers might be that of _.Atolerance Bunconcer
9、n Cdoubt Dsympathy解析推理判断题。Roger认为高烟草税是把税收负担加到了低收入的烟民身上，故应该持同情态度。答案D4What can we learn from the last paragraph?AThe new tax will be beneficial in the long run.BLowincome Americans are more likely to fall ill.CFuture generations will be hooked on smoking.DAdults will depend more on their families.解析推理
10、判断题。由全文最后一句可知，增加烟草税促使烟民戒烟，可让他们有更多的时间与家人团聚，减少癌症和心脏病的发病率，从长远看，是一件有益的事情。答案ABSome people will do just about anything to save money.And I am one of them.Take my familys last vacation.It was my sixyearold sons winter break from school，and we were heading home from Fort Lauderdale after a weeklong trip.The
11、 flight was overbooked，and Delta，the airline，offered us $400 per person in credits to give up our seats and leave the next day.I had meetings in New York，so I had to get back.But that didnt mean my husband and my son couldnt stay.I took my ninemonthold and took off for home.The next day，my husband a
12、nd son were offered more credits to take an even later flight.Yes，I encouragedokay，orderedthem to wait it out at the airport to “earn” more Delta Dollars.Our total take：$1,600.Not bad，huh?Now some people may think Im a bad mother and not such a great wife either.But as a bigtime bargain hunter，I kno
13、w the value of a dollar.And these days，a good deal is something few of us can afford to pass up.Ive made a living looking for the best deals and exposing(揭露) the worst tricks.I have been the consumer reporter of NBCs Today show for over a decade.I have written a couple of books including one titled
14、Tricks of the Trade：A Consumer Survival Guide.And I really do what I believe in.I tell you this because there is no shame in getting your moneys worth.Im also tightfisted when it comes to shoes，clothes for my children，and expensive restaurants.But I wouldnt hesitate to spend on a good haircut.It kee
15、ps its shape longer，and its the first thing people notice.And I will also spend on a classic piece of furniture.Quality lasts.5Why did Delta give the authors family credits?AThey took a later flight.BThey had early bookings.CTheir flight had been delayed.DTheir flight had been cancelled.解析细节理解题。根据文章
16、第一段中“.give up our seats and leave the next day.”可知答案。答案A6What can we learn about the author?AShe rarely misses a good deal.BShe seldom makes a compromise.CShe is very strict with her children.DShe is interested in cheap products.解析推理判断题。根据文章第三段中“But as a bigtime bargain hunter, I know the value of a
17、 dollar. And these days, a good deal is something few of us can afford to pass up.”可知作者自称是一个一流的杀价者，并且说一笔好的交易是很少有人能够拒绝的，因此作者不会错过一笔好买卖的，答案为A项。答案A7What does the author do?AShes a teacher.BShes a housewife.CShes a media person.DShes a businesswoman.解析细节理解题。根据文章第四段第二句“I have been the consumer reporter of
18、 NBCs Today show for over a decade.”可知作者是一位媒体工作者。答案C8What does the author want to tell us?AHow to expose bad tricks.BHow to reserve airline seats.CHow to spend money wisely.DHow to make a business deal.解析写作意图题。文章最后一段讲述了如何明智地花钱，即如何让钱花得更值得，故答案为C项。答案CCA MENTORING(导师制) program is giving life changing op
19、portunities to Banbury youth.Young Inspirations was founded two years ago to provide mentoring sessions for students and unemployed young adults aged 11 to 21.Alex Goldberg，the programs founder，said：“We set up Young Inspirations because we wanted to give young people experiences which will potential
20、ly be life changing and broaden their outlook.”“We try to create work experience opportunities that will really make a difference to our youth.For example，weve secured internships(实习) with worldfamous firms such as Honda.”“At a time of funding cutbacks where schools are finding it more and more diff
21、icult to offer this kind of mentoring，it is extremely important that these opportunities are available both to help youth with their school work and grades and to give them opportunities which may help shape their futures.” Kieran Hepburn,14，is one of a group of Banbury youth who has benefited from
22、the program so far.In October the Banbury School pupil was accompanied by Young Inspirations staff to Paris where he was an observer at the United Nations Educational，Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) International Youth Forum(论坛)The event was held for young people from around the world
23、，to seek their views on how the future of youth and education should look.Kieran joined several hundred observers mostly in their 20s and was the only UK school pupil to attend the event.Kieran thinks the trip was a life changing experience.“Before we left I didnt quite know what to make of it but w
24、hen we got there we didnt stop，it was amazing，” he said，“We went to three or four hours of debates each day and then did something cultural each afternoon.”The main theme of the forum was how youth can drive change in political and public life.It dealt with issues(问题) such as drug abuse，violence and
25、 unemployment.Kieran said：“It has really helped me to improve my confidence and social skills as well as my school grades and I was voted most improved pupil at school in August.”The Young Inspirations mentoring sessions take place each Friday in Banbury.For details visit .9The Young Inspirations me
26、ntoring program aims to _.Atrain staff for worldfamous firmsBoffer job opportunities to young adultsCprovide youth with unique experiencesDequip the unemployed with different skills解析细节理解题。由第三段中的“We set up Young Inspirations because we wanted to give young people experiences.”可知目的是给青年提供独特的经历。答案C10Ac
27、cording to Alex Goldberg，it is difficult for schools to offer the mentoring due to _.Athe lack of support from firmsBthe cultural differencesCthe effect of unemploymentDthe shortage of money解析推理判断题。由第五段中的“funding cutbacks”(削减资金)可知，缺乏资金给导师制的发展带来了困难。答案D11We can learn from the passage that _.Athe visit
28、 to the United Kingdom was amazingBKieran has made great progress in many aspectsCthe youth have found a way to solve their problemsDthe mentoring sessions are held every day except Friday解析推理判断题。由文章倒数第二段中的“It has really helped me to improve my confidence and social skills as well as my school grade
29、s and I was voted most improved pupil at school in August. ”可知Kieran在很多方面取得了进步。故选B项。答案B12What would be the best title for the passage?AAlex Goldberg，Founder of Young InspirationsBYoung People Find a World of OpportunityCKieran，Banbury School Pupil to ParisDDebates Help Youth with Their Grades解析标题归纳题。本文主要就Alex Goldberg创建了导师制，给青年人提供了了解社会、获得社会经验的机会，最后这个项目扩大到国际范围，给青年人改变自己和社会的机会。所以正确答案为B。答案B
