Raymond Schneider politely elbowed his way through crowds of customers as he made for the candy bins at Dylan’s Candy Bar in Manhattan. Since he was laid off in December, Mr. Schneider, a 33-year-old designer, says he has become a “gummy junkie,” buying a lot of sweets every time he shops for groceries.
“Sugar is comforting,” he said. “There’s nothing more stressful than growing financial insecurity everywhere.”
The recession (经济衰退) seems to have a sweet tooth. As unemployment has risen, Americans, particularly adults, have been consuming growing amounts of candy, say candy makers, store owners and industry experts.
Theories vary on exactly why. For many, sugar lifts spirits dragged low by the economy. For others, candy also provides a reminder of better times. And not insignificantly, it is relatively cheap.
At Candyality, a store in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, business has jumped by nearly 80 percent compared with this time last year, and the owner, Terese McDonald, said she was struggling to keep up with the demand for Bit-O-Honeys, Swedish Fish and Sour Balls.
“They put candy in their actual budget,” she said.
Many big candy makers are also reporting rising sales and surprising profits.
“Candy companies are relatively recession-proof,” said Peter Liebhold, chairman of the Smithsonian Institution’s work and industry division. “During the Great Depression, candy companies stayed in business.”Raymond Schneider was set as an example to show ________.
| A．many Americans were laid off in the recession |
| B．lots of Americans like candies |
| C．many Americans in the recession like sweets which are comforting |
| D．Americans are suffering much in the recession. |
What does the underlined sentence “The recession seems to have a sweet tooth” mean?
| A．Candy consuming rises while people are suffering bad effects of the recession. |
| B．The recession doesn’t have any bad effect on Americans. |
| C．Americans are optimistic even though they are out of employment. |
| D．Candy companies stayed in business during the Great Depression. |
Which is NOT the reason why people in the recession like sugar?
| A．It is relatively cheap. |
| B．It is comforting and can make a lot of profits. |
| C．It raises people’s spirits up. |
| D．It calls up people’s good memories. |
The best title of the passage is ________.
| A．Sugar Is Comforting |
| B．Candy Companies Stay In Business |
| C．Americans Have A Sweet Tooth |
| D．Sugar Sales Rise In The Recession |
Many of us mistakenly believe that it’s wrong to think we have any good qualities. We may spend a lot of time blaming ourselves for our negative qualities, thinking that self criticism is the key to improving our performance. However, a constant focus on our supposed shortcomings can stop our efforts to make friends with other people. How can we believe that others could like us if we believe our inner being is flawed?
If someone seems to dislike you, the reason for that dislike might have little or nothing to do with you. The person who doesn’t like you might be fearful, or shallow or busy or shy. Perhaps you and that person are simply a mismatch for each other at this particular time.
Don’t take yourself out of the game by deciding that your flaws are bigger than your good qualities. In fact, some of the very qualities you consider to be flaws may be irresistible to someone else. Although some factors that might cause one person to reject you, there are at least many factors that will work in your favor.
You might be thirty pounds over your ideal weight, but you may have a wonderful laugh and a real enthusiasm for life. There are many people who don’t mind your extra pounds. You may drive a shabby car, but you might be a great dancer and a loyal friend. There are people out there looking for loyalty, or fun, or sweetness, or wisdom, and the package it comes in is not important. If you are worried that you are not beautiful enough to attract friends, keep in mind that not everyone is looking for physical beauty in their friends. You can decide to feel inferior because you don’t have much money and you don’t drive a nice car. You can believe that this is the reason
that you don’t have many friends in your life. On the other hand, if you are very wealthy you may be suspicious that everyone is after your money and that nobody really likes you as a person.
The point is that you can focus on just about anything and believe it’s the reason you do not have friends and cannot make any.According to the passage, plays an important role in making friends.
| A．admitting your shortcomings | B．self criticism |
| C．modesty | D．confidence |
If you are not liked by a person, .
| A．you should find the reason in yourself |
| B．you’d better talk with the person face to face |
| C．you may not be the one to be blamed |
| D．you and that person misunderstand each other |
We can learn from the third paragraph that .
| A．your good qualities may make you earn more money |
| B．your weakness may also be your strengths in some way |
| C．your negative qualities may cause you to lose friends |
| D．you’ll have few friends if you don’t share the same interest |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the author?
| A．It is important to lose weight. |
| B．It is easier for a wealthy person to make friends. |
| C．Inner qualities are more important than physical appearance. |
| D．If you are not beautiful enough, try to improve your physical beauty. |
What do you think the author is most likely to suggest if he continues to write?
| A．How to find your good qualities. | B．How to make friends. |
| C．How to make self criticism. | D．How to keep fit. |
President Abraham Lincoln often visited hospitals to talk with wounded soldiers during the Civil War.Once，Lincoln went over to the bedside of a young dying soldier.
“Is there anything I can do for you？”asked the President. The soldier obviously didn't recognize Lincoln, and with some effort he was able to whisper, “Would you please write a letter to my mother？”
So the President carefully began writing down the soldier's words，“My dearest mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty. I'm afraid I'm not going to recover. Don't grieve too much for me, please. Kiss my sister Mary for me.May God bless you and Father.”
The soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and added, “Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.”The young man asked to see the note and was astonished when he discovered who had written it.“Are you really the President？”he asked. “Yes, I am，”replied Lincoln quietly.Then he asked if there was anything else he could do.“Would you please hold my hand？”asked the soldier.“It will help to see me through to the end.”
In the quiet room, the tall gaunt (憔悴的)President took the soldier's hand and spoke warm words of encouragement until death came.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
| A．The dying soldier was filled with love. |
| B．Lincoln only signed his name in the letter instead of the soldier's. |
| C．The soldier was the only child in his family. |
| D．Lincoln often wrote letters for the wounded. |
When the soldier's mother read the letter, she would probably be________.
| A．sad but feel greatly relieved |
| B．apologetic but grateful |
| C．calm and thankful |
| D．sorry and feel it unexpected |
The underlined word “grieve” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by“________”．
| A．feel worried | B．feel sad | C．cry | D．miss |
In writing the passage，the author intends to________.
| A．tell us war is cruel | B．make us laugh |
| C．draw our attention | D．tell us Lincoln was great |
On Boy's Day，children don't have to go to school.Every family with a boy hangs up huge carpshaped flags.The flags are usually three colors：black(representing the father)，red (representing the mother)and blue(representing the son). Japanese parents believe that the flags will bring their boys good luck and give them courage and power.
May 5th is Japanese Children's Day. But since the festival is mainly celebrated by boys，it is usually called Boy's Day. The celebration of Boy's Day has a long history.It is said that the festival is derived from the Dragon Boat Festival in China.
On this day，Japanese boys eat a special kind of rice cake. It is covered with a leaf and filled with bean paste (豆酱)．Children love to eat it. And eggs on leaves are another traditional food.
Japanese children are so happy that they have three festivals each year. In addition to Boy's Day，they also have Girl's Day and the 753 Festival.
Girl's Day is the girl's festival on March 3. It is also called the Doll's Festival because on that day，families get a set of dolls at home for their daughters. It is celebrated because the parents want their daughters to be strong and healthy.
The 753 Festival is for children aged three, five and seven years old. Japanese people think that these three ages are the luckiest ones in one's life. On that day, these children get special candies wrapped in beautiful bags.The candy is a symbol of a long and healthy life for these children. The 753 Festival falls in November.What is the BEST title for the passage?
| A．Japanese 753 Festival |
| B．Japanese Boy's Day |
| C．Japanese Girl's Day |
| D．Japanese Children's Day |
On Boy's Day，you may not see________.
| A．eggs on leaves |
| B．leaves filled with bean paste |
| C．carpshaped flags |
| D．dolls |
Which of the Days is said to come from a Chinese festival?
| A．International Children's Day |
| B．Boy's Day |
| C．Girl's Day |
| D．The 753 Festival |
According to the passage，why do the girls in Japan always receive dolls on Girl's Day?
| A．Because girls themselves want dolls. |
| B．Because doll factories want to send dolls to girls to celebrate Girl's Day. |
| C．Because parents want their daughters to be healthy. |
| D．Because parents believe dolls can bring them good luck. |
The arrival of autumn starts the traditional fall festivals which aim to welcome the new season. Here's a guide to several fall festivals that are held in the Roanoke region each year.
Boones Mill Apple Festival
It is held the third Saturday in September every year.The festival is hosted by the Boones Mill Lions Club and attracts(吸引) people from all over Virginia. The most important things of the festival include art shows, fried apple pies，and a high school band. There are lots of food，crafts，music，and games for every age group. Admission (入场费) is free. For more information, call 540－334－5975.
Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
Ferrum College hosts the festival as an October celebration of the harvest every year.The festival shows some farm fresh produce and the farming practices of the last year.Children can enjoy playing many of the games.The festival begins at 10：00 a．m.Admission is $ 10 for adults and $ 5 for children and senior citizens.You can call 540－365－4412 or visit the website：http：//www，blueridgeinstitute.org.
Mountain Magic Fall Festival
The town of Buchanan on the outskirts of Roanoke is the place where the Mountain Magic Fall Festival is held.The festival is held in October and has two to four groups of crafters，antique dealers，and food vendors.Live Bluegrass music plays all day and children enjoy visiting the pet zoo. The auto show and farmers' market are also big attractions. Call 540－357－2509 for more information.
Vinton Fall Festival
A 5K walk, a truck ride, and a civil war group are just some of the exciting parts of the Vinton Fall Festival.The festival is held in October under the golden shade trees in downtown Vinton.Other attractions include hayrides，agriculture judging, health education，and children's activities.Phone: 540－343－1364.If a boy and his parents go to Blue Ridge Folklife Festival，they should pay________.
| A．$5 | B．$10 | C．$15 | D．$25 |
By visiting the website you can learn more information about________.
| A．Boones Mill Apple Festival |
| B．Blue Ridge Folklike Festival |
| C．Mountain Magic Fall Festival |
| D．Vinton Fall Festival |
If your children want to see some animals，you probably should go to ________.
| A．Boones Mill Apple Festival |
| B．Blue Ridge Folklife Festival |
| C．Mountain Magic Fall Festival |
| D．Vinton Fall Festival |
Which would be the BEST title for this passage?
| A．Autumn—the Season of Harvest in America |
| B．Traditional Fall Festivals in the Roanoke Region |
| C．Interesting History of Some Traditional Festivals |
| D．The Differences Between the Traditional Festivals |
Do you enjoy reading? Do you read newspapers or magazines? Chances are, if you do any of these activities, your preschool child is on his way to becoming a reader.
The process of learning to read is complex, and one of the most important things to know is that parents can help their children learn to read.As children have conversations with adults, they hear both new and familiar words and their vocabulary grows.
There are many opportunities for adults and children to talk together, such as when riding in the car or in a bus, doing housework like fixing dinner，or bathing and getting ready for bed. A major part of conversation is listening. When children talk, adults listen and respond.Then children listen and respond，and so the flow of conversation happens.
Have you watched your preschool child pretend to read to his younger sisters or brothers? Have you read his favorite story over and over？These experiences tell children that reading is fun.And when things are fun and they are repeated, your child will see letters. He begins to connect them to familiar words, especially the letters that make up his name.A natural next step for him to take is to write the letters.
When children see parents make a grocery list，they want to use a pencil and paper to make their own list. To encourage these beginning writing activities, have pencils, markers, crayons and scrap paper within your children's reach.
The more children get connected with talking，listening, reading and writing, the easier it is for them to become active readers. While you as a parent have a big influence on these early behaviors, it is important to remember that opportunities for literacy experiences happen when you and your child share in the basic routines(日常生活) of everyday life.The third paragraph tell us that parents can talk with their children________.
| A．during daily routines |
| B．only in quiet places |
| C．in their spare time |
| D．when they are eager to talk |
During the process of learning to read，children may ________.
| A．copy the action of the adults |
| B．prefer to talk with those of their own age |
| C．show no interest in reading at all |
| D．waste a lot of paper and other materials |
When do children want to learn to write?
| A．When their parents ask them to do so. |
| B．When they believe they can write well. |
| C．When they know what they want to know. |
| D．When they can connect letters with familiar words. |
The passage is written to________.
| A．talk about parents' influence on their children's behavior |
| B．encourage parents to set a good example to their children |
| C．advise parents to make reading a part of their children's daily life |
| D．make parents believe in the importance of early reading |
粤公网安备 44130202000953号