Many children first learn the value of money by receiving an allowance. Parents often give th
eir children an amount of money that they may spend as they wish. The purpose is to let the children learn from experience at an early age when financial mistakes are not very costly.
A child may receive an allowance ea
ch week or each month. The amount is not so important. But parents should make clear what the child is expected to pay for with the money.
At first, young children may spend all of their allowance soon after they receive it. If they do this, they will learn the hard way that spending must be done within a budget. Parents should not offer more money until the next allowance is to be given.
Older children may be responsible enough to budget larger costs like those for clothing. The object is to show young people that a budget demands choices between spending and saving.
Many people who have written on the subject say it is not a good idea to pay your child for work around the home. These jobs are a normal part of family life. Paying children to do extra work around the home, however, can be useful. It can even provide an understanding of how a business works.
Allowances give children a chance to experience three things they can do with money. They can share it in the form of gifts or giving it to organizations. They can spend it by buying things they wan
t. Or they can save it.
Saving helps children understand that costly goals require sacrifice: you have to cut costs and plan for the future. Requiring children to save part of their allowance can also open the doo
r to future saving and investing. Many banks offer free savings accounts for young people with small amounts of money.The functions of allowances given to children are the following EXCEPT ______.
| A．they can save more money for their future business |
| B．they can give them to charities |
| C．they may spend them on what they like |
| D．they can learn to deal with money |
The underlined word "sacrifice" in the last paragraph means "_____".
| A．牺牲 | B．计划 | C．选择 | D．放弃 |
What's the main idea of the passage?
| A．Children should save part of their allowance. |
B．Don’t pay your chi ld for work around the home. |
| C．Allowance helps teach children early about money. |
D． Parents should allow children to spend money as they wish. |
How many advantages of saving has the passage mentioned?
| A．2 | B．3 | C．4 | D．5 |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A．Children are advised  to buy anything they wish to with the allowance. |
| B．Parents should offer children more money if they spend all of their allowance soon after they get it. |
| C．It can be useful to pay children to do extra work around the home. |
| D．It is unnecessary for the children to save part of the allowance. |
The city of Rome has passed a new law to prevent cruelty to animals. All goldfish bowls are no longer allowed and dog owners must walk their dogs,
"The civilization of a city can be measured by this," said Monica Cirinna, the councilor(议员 ) behind the new law.
"It's good to do whatever we can for our animals who in exchange for a little love fill our existence with their attention," she told a Rome newspaper.
The newspaper reported that round bowls don't give enough oxygen for fish and may make them go blind.
"Rome has tried to protect fish more than anywhere else in the world. It stands out for recognizing that fish are interesting animals who deserve our respect and compassion every bit as much as dogs and eats and other animals,” said Karin Robertson, a director of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Last year a law was passed in Italy that gives people who desert pets big fines (罚款) and prison sentences. Since then local governments have added their own animal protection rules.
The northern city of Turin passed a law in April to give pet owners fines of up to $ 598 if they do not walk their dogs three times a day.
The new law in Rome also says that owners mustn't leave their dogs in hot cars or cut their dogs' tails to make them look lovelier. The law also gives legal recognition to the "cat ladies" who feed homeless cats. The cats live all over the city from ancient ruins to modem office car parks.The new law passed in Rome will .
| A．help improve fishing environment |
| B．guarantee better conditions for goldfish |
| C．stop people from catching goldfish |
| D．discourage keeping goldfish at home |
People in Rome believe that the civilization of a city can be judged by its .
| A．exchanges with' other cities |
| B．protection for ancient ruins |
| C．awareness of animal protection |
| D．recognition of animal lovers |
The underlined word" compassion" in Paragraph 5 is the closest in meaning to .
| A．pity | B．praise | C．support | D．popularity |
People may break the law in Turin if they
| A．keep their dogs or cats in cars |
| B．feed homeless animals in car parks |
| C．raise their cats near ancient ruins |
| D．shut their dogs home all day long |
As a boy growing up in India，I had longed to travel abroad. I used to listen to the stories my father would tell me about his stay in Canada and tours to Europe in the 1970s，with great interest.
My big moment finally came in the summer of 1998 when I was able to accompany my parents to Europe，where my father was to attend a meeting. We planned to travel to Belgium，Netherlands and West Germany.
I have vivid memories even today of going to Mumbai airport at night all excited about finally going abroad. I had heard several great things about Lufthansa till then but now I finally got to experience them first hand，during the flight to Frankfurt. We flew business class and even today I can remember the excellent service by the Lufthansa crew. The flight was really smooth and thoroughly enjoyable，even for someone like me，who is otherwise scared of flying.
After spending almost two weeks in Europe，we took the Lufthansa airport express from Dusseldorf to Frankfurt airport，for our return flight. What a journey that was! All along the Rhine (莱茵河)，it was simply an unforgettable experience. I was in a sombre mood on the flight back to Mumbai as it marked the end of a wonderful vacation，but the Lufthansa crew members were able to change it into a most enjoyable experience yet again，with the quality of their service.
Being the first airline to take me overseas，Lufthansa will always hold a special place in my heart. Even today，I continue to enjoy flights on Lufthansa and simply cannot dream of choosing any other airline. Flying，in general，for me，has always been an ordeal (terrible and painful experience)．Flying on Lufthansa，however，is something I always have and always will look forward to.What made the author so interested in traveling abroad?
| A．Growing up in India. |
| B．Once staying in Canada. |
| C．Once traveling to Canada with his father. |
| D．His father's stories about his traveling experiences. |
Which of the following is TRUE about the author's trip to Europe in 1998?
| A．The author traveled with one of his parents. |
| B．Both their going and return are by air. |
| C．They traveled in spring that year. |
| D．They stayed in Europe for nearly two months. |
It can be inferred from the passage that Lufthansa is ________.
| A．a city in India | B．a city in Europe |
| C．an airline company | D．a travel agency |
The underlined word “sombre” in the 4th paragraph probably means “________”．
| A．happy | B．sad | C．angry | D．enjoyable |
Barack Obama urged congressional leaders on Monday to act quickly to pass a huge stimulus package for the U.S. economy. He met with a bipartisan (concerning or involving two different political parties) group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Later he met individually with Democratic and Republican House and Senate leaders and spoke to a bipartisan leadership gathering. In comments to reporters early on Monday, he emphasized the urgency of finalizing economic legislation (立法). “We have got an extraordinary economic challenge ahead of us,” he said, “We are expecting a sobering job report at the end of the week. Nancy Pelosi and her staff have been extraordinarily helpful in working with our team so that we can shape an economic recovery and reinvestment plan that starts putting people back to work.”
Mr. Obama wants tax cuts for individual Americans and businesses to make up a significant portion of expected legislation. This could involve as much as $300 billion of a bill that is likely to go beyond $700 billion and include aid to cash-poor U.S. states, and money for alternative energy and a range of infrastructure (基础设施) projects. Later, Mr. Obama said he expects to be able to sign legislation as soon as the end of this month, adding that quick action is necessary to “break the drive of the U.S. economic depression”.
Emerging later from bipartisan talks with Mr. Obama, Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers discussed with the president how to pass a stimulus package as quickly as possible. “An economic recovery package that will create jobs immediately and will grow the economy and that is what we talked about today,” said Nancy Pelosi. “How we could do this fast, deliberatively and to act upon it soon.” Just how soon that would be, Pelosi would not say.
How much support Democrats can obtain from Republicans will depend on the details. But the severity of the U.S. economic depression has created considerable bipartisan backing for quick action. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid said: “There are investments that we need to make on behalf of the American people to turn around this economy. We felt very good about the meeting; we are confident that we can do this and we have to do this.”
“I think the best thing I can do is to decline to comment on what they are going to do going forward,” said Dana Perino. “Obviously, we think that tax cuts were the right way to help our economy get out of the economic depression that this president inherited and we know that tax cuts can stimulate innovation.” Asked by reporters how large the economic stimulus package might be, Senate Majority Leader Reid said Obama indicated that all but one of some 28 economists advising him had said it should range from $800 billion to $1.3 trillion.Barack Obama urged congressional leaders and met with bipartisan leaders to _____.
| A．take over the White House |
| B．end economic decline |
| C．understand each other better |
| D．negotiate political issues |
If the stimulus package is passed quickly and successfully, it can _____.
| A．obtain support from Republicans |
| B．finalize economic legislation |
| C．enhance America’s international position |
| D．provide job opportunities |
What is the bipartisan leaders’ attitude towards this meeting?
| A．Uncertain. | B．Hopeful. | C．Disappointed. | D．Indifferent. |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．The best way out of the economic depression is tax cuts. |
| B．The Republic Party plays the key role in coping with the economic depression. |
| C．Democrats and Republicans will team up in the economic depression. |
| D．When the stimulus package will be passed is known to the lawmakers. |
Stewart Island Ferry Services
While most visitors spend at least one night on Stewart Island, it is also readily accessible by ferry as a day excursion from Invercargill and Bluff.
Experience Foveaux Strait in comfort and style on board our express catamarans. During the one-hour crossing between Bluff and Stewart Island keep a lookout for wildlife, especially seabirds. Watching mollymawks (albatross) soaring behind the ferry is a fantastic sight.
Interesting landmarks commonly seen include Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuke Island, Titi Islands and Mt Anglem - Stewart Island’s highest point.
Free tea and coffee on board
Interpretation handouts are available (English only).
Wheelchair access available
Personal baggage is carried free on the ferries - max. two bags per person (one stowed and one small carry-on). Additional baggage is by prior arrangement.
Vehicle parking available at Bluff (extra cost - reservations recommended)
| FERRY TO STEWART ISLAND Depart Bluff All year 9:30am Sep-May 5:00pm Oct –Apr 11:00am Jun –Aug 4:30pm Late Dec –mid Jan8:00am |
FERRY TO BLUFF Depart Stewart Island All year 8:00am Sep –May 3:30pm Oct –Mar 6:00pm Apr 5:00pm Jun-Aug 3:00pm Late Dec –mid Jan 9:30am |
| Other departures as locally advertised Duration 1hr Check-in 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. (Check-in and boarding gates are closed 10 minutes prior to times stated above.) |
“20% Multi-Purchase REWARD” on Return Ferry Services
Buy 2 or more different excursions and SAVE 20% off all lower priced!
Kids Go FREE on selected departures during NZ School Holidays!
Kids Go FREE for travel 20 April - 5 May 2013.If leaving a car at Bluff, a traveler had better _____.
| A．refer to the handouts first |
| B．use wheelchair access |
| C．make a reservation |
| D．park it 30 minutes before departure time |
John, who went to Stewart Island on Dec. 28th, got to the ferry dock at 7:55am. When did he most probably leave Bluff?
| A．At 8:00a.m.. | B．At 9:30a.m.. | C．At 11:00a.m.. | D．At 3:00p.m.. |
Which of the following is false about the ferry services?
| A．Tea and coffee are free for passengers. |
| B．Children go free for travel for about 15 days. |
| C．Travelers are sure to see some seabirds during the crossing. |
| D．Passengers have to pay extra cost for extra pieces of luggage. |
A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men aboard were able to swim to a small, desert-like island. Not knowing what else to do, the two survivors agreed that they had no alternativethan to pray to God.
However, to find out whose prayers were more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the island, and he was able to eat its fruit. But the other man’s parcel of land remained barren.
After a week, the first man became lonely and decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the island. But on the other side of the island, there was nothing.
Soon thereafter the first man prayed for a house, clothes and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these things were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship so that he and his wife could leave the island, and in the morning he found a ship docked at his side of the island.
The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island, considering the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from Heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”
“My blessings are mine alone since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he doesn’t deserve anything.”
“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”
“He prayed that all your prayers would be answered.”
For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us. So what you do for others is more important than what you do for yourself.The first man’s wife is _____.
| A．a swimmer who got to the island by accident |
| B．an angel sent by God to keep him company |
| C．a survivor from another wrecked ship |
| D．a native person on the desert-like island |
The underlined word “barren” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _____.
| A．isolated | B．unproductive | C．fertile | D．dry |
Which of the following is true about the second man?
| A．He didn’t deserve any blessing from God. |
| B．None of his prayers was answered by God. |
| C．He is not brave enough to tell God his needs. |
| D．His prayer helped his companion get out of trouble. |
What’s the moral of the story?
| A．Never judge a person by appearance. |
| B．Don’t lose heart in trouble. |
| C．Helping others is helping ourselves. |
| D．Greed is the root of all evil. |
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