Poverty exists because our society is an unequal one, and there are plenty of political pressures to keep it that way. Any attempt to redistribute wealth and income in the United States will be opposed by powerful middle and upper class interests. People can be relatively rich only if others are relatively poor, and since power is concentrated in the hands of the rich, public policies will continue to reflect their interests rather than those of the poor.
As Herbert Gans has pointed out, poverty is actually functional form from the point of view of the non-poor. Poverty ensures that ‘dirty’ work gets done. If there were no poor people to clean floors and empty dustbins, these jobs would have to be rewarded with high incomes before anyone would touch them. Poverty creates jobs for many of the non-poor, such as police officers, welfare workers, and government officials. Poverty makes life easier for the rich by providing them with cooks, gardeners and other workers to perform basic work while their employers enjoy more pleasurable activities. Poverty provides a market for low-level goods and services, such as day-old bread, rundown automobiles. Poverty legitimizes (make legal) middle-class values. To the middle class, the fate of the poor---who are supposed to lack honesty, and a taste of hard work---only confirms the desirability of qualities the poor are thought to lack. Poverty also provides a group that can be made to absorb the costs of change. For example, the poor bear the pressure of unemployment and it’s their homes, not those of the wealthy, that are destroyed when a route has to be found for a new highway. It cannot be said that the wealthy keep the poor in poverty. It is just that poverty is an outcome of the American economic system, which the poor are politically powerless to influence or change.
1. The best title is ________________________.
A.Functions of Poverty | B.Political Power in Poverty |
C.The Fate of the Poor | D.An Unequal Society |
2. Poverty exists in American society because ____________.
A.the wealthy work hard and are glad to keep it |
B.the majority of the non-poor are totally indifferent (not paying much attention) to it |
C.the rich are politically powerful while the poor are politically powerless |
D.the poor like the jobs that they’re supplied by the wealthy. |
3.The poor take on ‘dirty work’ ___________________.
A.under political pressure | B.for the high pay offered |
C.as they are reasonably paid | D.though ill-paid |
4. The author thinks that _____________________.
A.the poor lack such desirable qualities as honesty | |
B.the poor are not supposed to work hard | |
C.the poor are willing to bear the costs of change | D.none of the above |
高二英语阅读理解简单题
Poverty exists because our society is an unequal one, and there are plenty of political pressures to keep it that way. Any attempt to redistribute wealth and income in the United States will be opposed by powerful middle and upper class interests. People can be relatively rich only if others are relatively poor, and since power is concentrated in the hands of the rich, public policies will continue to reflect their interests rather than those of the poor.
As Herbert Gans has pointed out, poverty is actually functional form from the point of view of the non-poor. Poverty ensures that ‘dirty’ work gets done. If there were no poor people to clean floors and empty dustbins, these jobs would have to be rewarded with high incomes before anyone would touch them. Poverty creates jobs for many of the non-poor, such as police officers, welfare workers, and government officials. Poverty makes life easier for the rich by providing them with cooks, gardeners and other workers to perform basic work while their employers enjoy more pleasurable activities. Poverty provides a market for low-level goods and services, such as day-old bread, rundown automobiles. Poverty legitimizes (make legal) middle-class values. To the middle class, the fate of the poor---who are supposed to lack honesty, and a taste of hard work---only confirms the desirability of qualities the poor are thought to lack. Poverty also provides a group that can be made to absorb the costs of change. For example, the poor bear the pressure of unemployment and it’s their homes, not those of the wealthy, that are destroyed when a route has to be found for a new highway. It cannot be said that the wealthy keep the poor in poverty. It is just that poverty is an outcome of the American economic system, which the poor are politically powerless to influence or change.
1. The best title is ________________________.
A.Functions of Poverty | B.Political Power in Poverty |
C.The Fate of the Poor | D.An Unequal Society |
2. Poverty exists in American society because ____________.
A.the wealthy work hard and are glad to keep it |
B.the majority of the non-poor are totally indifferent (not paying much attention) to it |
C.the rich are politically powerful while the poor are politically powerless |
D.the poor like the jobs that they’re supplied by the wealthy. |
3.The poor take on ‘dirty work’ ___________________.
A.under political pressure | B.for the high pay offered |
C.as they are reasonably paid | D.though ill-paid |
4. The author thinks that _____________________.
A.the poor lack such desirable qualities as honesty | |
B.the poor are not supposed to work hard | |
C.the poor are willing to bear the costs of change | D.none of the above |
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
In our modern world, when something wears out, we throw it away and buy a new one. The _______ is that countries around the world have growing mountains of _______ because people are throwing out more rubbish than ever before.
How did we _______ a throwaway society? First of all, it is now easier to _______ an object than to spend time and money to repair it. _______ modern manufacturing (制造业)and technology, companies are able to produce products quickly and inexpensively. Products are plentiful and _______.
Another cause is our _______of disposable (一次性的) products. As _______ people, we are always looking for _______ to save time and make our lives easier. Companies ________ thousands of different kinds of disposable products: paper plates, plastic cups, and cameras, to name a few.
Our appetite for new products also ________ to the problem. We are ________ buying new things. Advertisements persuade us that ________ is better and that we will be happier with the latest products. The result is that we ________ useful possessions to make room for new ones.
All around the world, we can see the ________ of this throwaway lifestyle. Mountains of rubbish just keep getting bigger. To ________ the amount of rubbish and to protect the ________, more governments are requiring people to recycle materials. ________, this is not enough to solve (解决) our problem.
Maybe there is another way out. We need to repair our possessions ________ throwing them away. We also need to rethink our attitudes about ________. Repairing our possessions and changing our spending habits may be the best way to reduce the amount of rubbish and take care of our environment.
1.A.key B.reason C.project D.problem
2.A.gifts B.rubbish C.debt D.products
3.A.face B.become C.observe D.change
4.A.hide B.control C.replace D.withdraw
5.A.Thanks to B.As to C.Except for D.Regardless of
6.A.safe B.funny C.cheap D.powerful
7.A.love B.lack C.prevention D.division
8.A.sensitive B.kind C.brave D.busy
9.A.ways B.places C.jobs D.friends
10.A.donate B.receive C.produce D.preserve
11.A.adapts B.returns C.responds D.contributes
12.A.tired of B.addicted to C.worried about D.ashamed for
13.A.newer B.stronger C.higher D.larger
14.A.pick up B.pay for C.hold onto D.throw away
15.A.advantages B.purposes C.functions D.consequences
16.A.show B.record C.decrease D.measure
17.A.technology B.environment C.consumers D.brands
18.A.However B.Otherwise C.Therefore D.Meanwhile
19.A.by B.in favour of C.after D.instead of
20.A.spending B.collecting C.repairing D.advertising
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Some people’s lack of basic morals is turning our society into one ______ those in need will be unable to expect help from others.
A. which B. what C. where D. that
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
An ageing society is one in which the population of people over the age of 60 is increasing. This is a social problem. Can we solve it with the help of robots?
Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck,an expert in human animal relationship ,and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression, physical activity, and left satisfaction. ”No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated(刺激),”Edwards points out.” The problem is how we promote (促进)that, especially for those without friends or help. A robotic dog could be a solution.”
In the study, the robot, called AIBO, is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect baseline data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the researchers will review the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.
”I talk to him all the time, and he responds to my voice,” says a seventy year old lady, ”When I’m watching TV, he’ll stay in my arms until he wants down. He has a mind of his own.”
The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.
”At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry.” Beck says.” But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”
”Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels. Or heart rhythms. AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”
1.Which of the following can be the best title?
A.Dogs and the Old
B.Medical Examination and the Old
C.Robots Serving the Old
D.Dogs Needn’t Feeding
2.The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to____ .
A.understand human animal relationship
B.make lonely old people’s life better
C.find the causes of old people’s loneliness
D.promote the animal assisted research
3.What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?
A.It is easier to keep at home.
B.It can help the disabled people.
C.It responds to all the human orders.
D.It can watch TV with its owner.
4.The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may .
A. cure certain diseases
B. keep old people active
C. change people’s beliefs
D. look more like real dogs
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
With our country entering an aging society, ______ the retirement age is probably unavoidable.
A.having delayed B.delaying C.being delayed D.to be delayed
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
With our country entering an aging society, ______ the retirement age is probably unavoidable.
A. having delayed B. delaying C. being delayed D. to be delayed
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
An aging society is one ____ 10% or more of its population is over 60.
A. which B. where C. whose D. when
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
A serious problem for today’s society is who should be responsible for our elderly and how to improve their lives. It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society. I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem.
First, employers should take the responsibility for their retired employees. To make this possible, a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose. But when a company must take life-long responsibility for its employees, it may suffer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs.
Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility to the individual. This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement. This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years. This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor.
In addition, the government could take responsibility for the care of the elderly. This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions. Furthermore, some institutions should be created for senior citizens, which can help provide a comfortable life for them. Unfortunately, as the present situation in our country shows, this is not a truly viable answer. The government can seldom afford to care for the elderly, particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young.
One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some working places especially for the elderly where they are independent.
To sum up, all these options have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to our elderly generations.
1.What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this article?
A. To discuss some possible solutions to an important social problem.
B. To make general readers aware of the problems of retired people.
C. To point out the need for government support for old people.
D. To instruct retired people on how they can have a happier life.
2.What does the underlined word “viable” most probably mean?
A. Impossible. B. Practical. C. Useful. D. Successful.
3.According to the passage, how can the government help to improve the lives of retired people?
A. Set aside some profits to help people with problems after they retire.
B. Increase savings levels of people during their working years.
C. Increase the discounts for food and transport for the old.
D. Make available pensions for those who have retired.
4.What can be concluded from the passage?
A. Taking care of the old is mainly an issue of money.
B. Employers should allow their workers to retire at a later age.
C. Becoming independent should be the goal of most old people.
D. There is no single solution to the problems of the old.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
A serious problem for today’s society is who should be responsible for our elderly and how to improve their lives. It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society. I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem.
First, employers should take the responsibility for their retried employees. To make this possible, a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose. But when a company must take life long responsibility for its employees, it may suffer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs.
Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility to the individual. This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement. This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years. This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor.
In addition, the government could take responsibility for the care of the elderly. This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions. Furthermore, some institutions should be created for senior citizens, which can help provide a comfortable life for them. Unfortunately , as the present situation in our country shows, this is not a truly viable answer. The government can seldom afford to care for the elderly, particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young.
One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some workplaces especially for the elderly where they are independent.
To sum up, all these options have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to our elderly generations.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A. The problem faced by the old in society.
B. Why we should take responsibility for the old.
C. How we can improve the lives of the old.
D. Where the old can go to get their pensions.
2.According to the passage, how can the government help to improve the lives of retired people?
A. Set aside some profits to help people with problems after they retire
B. Increase saving levels of people during their working years
C. Increase the discounts for food and transport for the old
D. Make available pensions for those who have retired
3.The underlined word “viable” most probably means ____.
A. impossible B. practical
C. useful D. successful
4.What can be concluded from the passage?
A. Taking care of the old is mainly an issue of money
B. Employers should allow their workers to retire at a later age
C. Becoming independent should be the goal of most old people
D. There is no single solution to the problem of the old
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
A serious problem for today's society is who should be responsible for our elderly and how to improve their lives. It is not only a financial problem but also a question of the system we want for our society. I would like to suggest several possible solutions to this problem.
First, employers should take the responsibility for their retired employees. To make this possible, a percentage of profits should be set aside for this purpose. But when a company must take life-long responsibility for its employees, it may suffer from a commercial disadvantage due to higher employee costs.
Another way of solving the problem is to return the responsibility, to the individual. This means each person must save during his working years to pay for his years of retirement. This does not seem a very fair model since some people have enough trouble paying for their daily life without trying to earn extra to cover their retirement years. This means the government might have to step in to care for the poor.
In addition, the government could take responsibility for the care of the elderly. This could be financed through government taxes to increase the level of pensions. Furthermore, some institution should be created for senior citizens, which can help provide a comfortable life for them. Unfortunately, as the present situation in our country shows, this is not a truly viable answer. The government can seldom afford to care for the elderly, particularly when it is busy trying to care for the young.
One further solution is that the government or social organizations establish some working places especially for the elderly where they are independent.
To sum up, all these options have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that some combination of these options may be needed to provide the care we hope to give to our elderly generations.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
A. The problems faced by the old in society.
B. Why we should take responsibility for the old.
C. How we can improve the lives of the old.
D. Where the old can go to get their pensions.
3. According to the passage, how can the government help to improve the lives of retired people?
A. Set aside some profits to help people with problems after they retire.
B. Increase savings levels of people during their working years.
C. Increase the discounts for food and transport for the old.
D. Make available pensions for those who have retired.
3. The underlined word "viable" most probably means" ".
A. impossible B. practical C. useful D. successful
4. What is the writer's main purpose in writing this article?
A. To point out the need for government support for old people.
B. To make general readers aware of the problems of retired people.
C. To discuss some possible solutions to an important social problem.
D. To instruct retired people on how they can have a happier life.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析