Australia warns on migrant cuts
Australia may cut the number of immigrants who are allowed into the country if the global financial crisis raises unemployment levels.
Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans said a decision on reducing numbers would be taken after mid-year financial data is published next month.
Around 190, 300 immigrants are forecast to arrive in Australia in 2008/09. Earlier this month, a British minister said the country could reduce migrant flows due to the economic crisis. Mr Evans said the country's current migrant programme, which is aimed at skilled workers, was designed when Australia was forecasting good economic growth and a skills shortage.
"The government will take a calm look at those issues and make a decision when we have got proper information," he told Nine Network television.
"Clearly if the demand for labour comes off, you'd adjust the migration programme appropriately," he said. "We can turn the taps off if we need to. " Mr Evans said that any decision on cutting migrant flows was complex, considering their contribution to the country's economy. "We know that they consume, they buy property, and they're a net positive to the budget, " he said. "And a lot of the skills that are coming in at the moment are in the mining sector, which has allowed us to increase our exports. "
He said there were still industries which had a "strong demand" for labour and the government would analyse the economic situation and consult industry before deciding on what to do.
1.
Which of the following can we know from this passage?
| A．Australia may decide to increase the number of migrants. |
| B．Britain has decided to reduce the number of migrants. |
| C．Australia has decided to increase the number of migrants. |
| D．Britain has decided to increase the number of migrants. |
2. Australia may cut off the number of migrants mainly because ______ .
| A．Britain has decided to reduce the number of migrants |
| B．it is forecast Australian will have good economic growth |
| C．Australia has no demand for skilled workers in mining |
| D．the global economic crisis is getting worse and worse |
3. What does Mr Evans imply by saying the underlined sentence?
| A．It is necessary for the country to cut off the number of migrants. |
| B．Citizens should turn off the taps when they don’t use the water. |
| C．Britain shouldn’t have reduced the number of migrants. |
| D．Increasing migrants to the country will consume more water. |
4. From the passage, what does Mr Evans think of migrants’ contributions to Australia’s economy?
| A．Negative | B．Doubtful | C．Positive | D．Critical |
Dick was a twenty-year-old man. His father was a teacher and taught chemistry in a middle school and his mother worked in a shop. They lived a happy life until his parents died one night when suddenly an earthquake broke out. Luckily his sister took him to see their aunt in the city and they did not stay at home. Everything was destroyed in the earthquake and the two children got into trouble. Thanks to their aunt who was not rich enough, they grew up but they lived a ha
rd life. His sister was so sad that she became a nun(修女). After he finished middle school, he was introduced to an owner of a hotel and began to work there.
One day the young man fell to the ground while he was cleaning a window on the second floor. He was sent to the hospital and the doctor loo
ked him over. One of his legs was broken and he had to be in hospital. He said to the nur
se, “I’m a poor man, madam. Arrange a third-class ward(病房) for me, please.”
“Can’t anybody help you?”
“No, madam,” answered Dick. “I have only a sister. She’s a nun and she’s poor, too.”
“I don’t think so,” the nurse said angrily. “Nuns usually marry God. And God is the richest in the world, you know!”
“Well, then,” Dick said with a smile. “Please arrange a first-class ward for me and post the bill(账单) to my brother-in-law(姐夫).Dick’s parents died _____.
| A．in an accident | B．in the war | C．in the earthquake | D．from the disease |
Dick and his sister escaped from the earthquake because ____.
| A．they played outside | B．they were in a safe place |
| C．their parents saved them | D．the aunt saved them |
The sister and brother lived a hard life because ____.
| A．they lost all | B．they were too young |
| C．they were hurt in the earthquake | D．they had to look after themselves |
After Dick finished middle school, ____.
| A．he stayed at home | B．he began to look for a job |
| C．he broke his leg | D．he began to work in the hotel |
Which of the following is true?
| A．The nurse would arrange a third-class ward for Dick. |
B． The nurse would arrange a first-class ward for Dick. |
| C．The nurse would post Dick’s bill to God. |
| D．Dick had a rich brother-in-law. |
What does “getting along” with your teacher mean? “Getting along” means that both you and your teacher have a way of communicating and getting what you need from the relationship. In your teacher’s opinion, he or she wants to make sure that you are paying attention, being polite, and trying your best to learn. In your opinion, you want a teacher who is respectful to you, answers your questions, and tries to help you learn. You can get along and learn without being friends with your teacher, although it’s nice if that happens.
In every school, kids will say that some teachers are mean or strict, but don’t judge a teacher until you are in his or her class and can see for yourself. A strict teacher may be someone who feels strong about getting his or her job done — teaching you the subject you are supposed to learn. It’s also important to remember that making mistakes is a part of learning. By pointing out your mistakes and helping you correct them, a teacher is teaching you. Remember, in most cases, your teacher is on your side.
Even if a teacher isn’t your favorite, you can still have a successful relationship, especially if you carry out your responsibilities as a student. Here are some of those responsibilities:
●Attend class ready to learn. Be prepared for class with the right pencils and books.
●Listen carefully when your teacher is talking.
●Do your best, whether it’s classroom work, homework, or a test.The main idea of this passage is about _______.
| A．learning from your teacher |
| B．making friends with your teacher |
| C．getting along with your teacher |
| D．understanding your teacher |
If you get along with your teacher, _______.
| A．your teacher will have to answer your questions |
| B．both of you will benefit from the relationship |
| C．your teacher will have to be respectful to you |
| D．you will have to try your best to learn |
What does the underlined sentence in the second paragraph mean?
| A．Your teacher is teaching you to learn the subjects. |
| B．The teacher has the responsibility to be strict with students. |
| C．Pointing out your mistakes is also a way for a teacher to teach. |
| D．The teacher is there to help you. |
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT the responsibility of a student?
| A．Learning by making mistakes. | B．Attending class ready to learn. |
| C．Listening to your teacher carefully. | D．Trying your best to learn. |
Washington, April 4----- The United States has more than 90 million families for the first time, but each contains fewer people on average than ever, the Census Bureau(统计局) reported today.
The 90,031,000 families in the United States averaged 2.64 members each as of last July 1.“The reason is, in effect, changes in the age structure,” explained Campbell Gibson, a population researcher for the bureau. Most Americans born in the great explosion of births are now in their 20’s and 30’s when they most likely to set up families, he said.
The fact that many are doing so increased the number of families from 80.4 million in 1980 t0 88.8 million in 1986 and past the 90 million mark last summer.
At the same time, the average number of people per family dropped from 2.75 in 1985 to 2.65 in 1986 and then to 2.64, Mr Gibson said.
By comparison, the 1970 Census found the average family contained 3.14 people. Families averaged more than four people in 1939 and more than five in 1880.
The growing number of ever---- smaller families is still going on, but Mr Gibson pointed out that family growth was not the same as population increase in the 1970’s.
The same age factors that are increasing the number of families also happened then, but in the 1970’s the proportion(比例) of families in each age group was also growing.
That hasn’t continued in the 1980’s for a number of possible reasons, Mr Gibson said. For example, in the 1980’s more young people have chosen to remain home with their parents instead of setting up housekeeping on their own, as many did in the 1970’s.
This could be caused by the increasing cost of housing, he said. Delays in marriage while young people go to work and school, have also been widely reported as a factor, but it was not the only factor for the family changes.The smaller figure of families reported here is _________.
| A．1980 | B．80,400,000 | C．2.64 | D．90 million |
What’s the reporter’s attitude towards the present situation?
A. People should get married at later age.
- The average number of family members should be 2.64.
- It’s not clear in the report.
- Young people should set up housekeeping on their own, as many did in the 1970’s.
A. delay in marriage will not help the number of the families
- delay in marriage is the major factor of the family changes
- the writer felt sorry that many young people now delay their marriages
- there must be some other factors which have led to the slower growth in the 1980’s
| A．reason | B．something that proves be true |
| C．advantage | D．something that helps to bring about a result |
Commonwealth Games gold winner Liam Killeen is one of England’s most successful Mountain Biking stars. Liam recently came third in the opening round of the World Cup Series.
Do you come from a sporty family?
NO, but my family have encouraged me and supported me from the beginning of my career.
Were there any sports you didn’t like playing at school?
I didn’t do much swimming or cricket. My school focused more on rugby and athletics including cross-country running which I really enjoyed.
How does it feel to represent England?
Good, and it’s a responsibility as well as an honor, whether representing England, as in the Commonwealth Games, or Great Britain as I did in the Athens Olympics (2004). I am proud to represent a nation that is generally well regarded by others.
Which other sports stars do you like?
Everyone who has made it to world class competition level has earned respect. I particularly admire Paula Radcliffe and Lance Armstrong.
What are your hopes for the future?
To have this season continue as successfully as it has started and make the podium in the World Cup in Fort William in May, and at the Mountain Bike World Championship on 27th August this year in New Zealand. In the longer term, to win a medal at the Olympics in Britain and to see more people racing and enjoying mountain biking.The passage is taken from .
| A．an interview between a reporter and Liam Killeen |
| B．a daily talk between Liam Killeen and his father |
| C．a book written by Liam Killeen |
| D．a speech made by Liam Killeen |
Liam Killeen won a gold medal in the .
| A．World Championships | B．World Cup |
| C．Commonwealth Games | D．Olympic Games |
.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Liam’s family enjoy sports very much. |
| B．Liam loves swimming and mountain biking |
| C．Liam took part in the Olympic Games in 2004 |
| D．Liam’s father also enjoys mountain biking very much |
From the passage we can infer that .
| A．Liam Killeen will win a gold medal in the Olympics in 2012 |
| B．Lance Armstrong is a world-class sports player |
| C．Liam Killeen has earned a lot of money |
| D．Liam has won many gold medals in world competitions |
What do you usually expect from a pop star’s concert? Dazzling stage design, mysterious guest singers or sensational costumes? The answer is yes for most singers. But no when it comes to David Tao’s concerts. “ I won’t invite guests to perform. I won’t dance, take off my clothes or dress up like a peacock to attract attention,” Tao said.Tao insisted a concert should offer nothing more than music.
Tao has been on the music scene since 1997. Quality is the word that can best describe his works. With six albums in 10 years, the 38-year-old singer is not prolific(多产的 ), but he has achieved much more than other Chinese singers who have produced 10 or more albums in a short time.
Tao is called the “ Godfather of R&B” in China and has been a trendsetter(创新者) in China’s music industry. His albums have won various awards in Asia for his socially conscious lyrics, simple rhythms and creative mix of traditional sounds, like Peking Opera and traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Tao’s parents were famous entertainers in Taiwan. Tao spent some of his childhood in Hong Kong. His father was an actor, singer and composer, while his mother was a Peking Opera artist. His parents once moved to the United States and his father worked for Walt Disney. Later his parents returned to Taiwan where his father began his singing career, leaving David to finish his education in the United States. Tao met Taiwanese producer, Wang Zhi Ping, who offered him a job. So Tao went back to Taiwan to write and produce songs for many singers. In 1997 with the help of Wang and another Taiwanese producer, Jim Lee, Tao released his first album which set a record in Taiwan as the first album from a new singer. Tao won two awards, Best Newcomer and Best Producer, becoming the first new comer/singer to also win a Best Producer award during the 9th GMA (金曲奖). Later, Tao released his second album. In this album Tao tried many musical styles including his favorite rock music; in fact each song is different in their style and music arrangement.
“I grew up listening to the most fashionably mixed types of music with my father playing Elvis Presley’s songs in one room and my mother singing Peking Opera in another,” Tao said jokingly.
Tao said he will release a new album after the tour and then he will switch roles to become a film director. Preparation for the movie has already begun and it will be released in 2011. “ After the concert, I will switch my focus to that. I hope I can make it one thing after another.”To pop star Tao, what is the most important thing to a concert?
| A．Costumes. | B．Stage design. |
| C．Guest singers. | D．Music and interaction. |
According to the passage, the reasons for Tao’s albums to win awards are as follows EXCEPT____.
| A．socially conscious lyrics | B．simple rhythms |
| C．mix of traditional sounds | D．quantities of albums |
. Tao is successful and called the “ Godfather of R&B” because_______.
| A．his parents influenced him a lot |
| B．he himself is prolific |
| C．he is creative in music |
| D．Both A and C |
We can infer from the passage that after the concert,_______.
| A．Tao will spend less time in his music |
| B．Tao will spend all his time producing music |
| C．Tao will become an actor |
| D．Tao will make two films |
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