WASHINGTON--Almost 13 per cent of Americans still live in poverty in spite of a slight decrease in their number last year and a rise in average household income, the Census Bureau（统计局）reported last week.
Last year, the poverty rate dropped to 12.7 per cent of the population from 13.3 per cent the year before, and the common household income rose for the fourth year running.
According to the US government, poverty is described exactly as people who earn US $13,003 a year for a family of three, and US $ 16,600 a year for a family of four.
The number of those living in poverty fell from 35.6 million in 1997 to 34. 5 million in 1998--but that number is still high in the light of（考虑……的因素）the growing economy, which has seen the largest peacetime growing in history since US President Bill Clinton took office over six years ago.
One reason for the continued high poverty rate is immigration, according to Steve Camarota with the Centre for Immigration Studies.
His figures show the total number of immigrants living in poverty has tripled over the last 19 years from 2.5 million to 7.5 million in 1998.
Clinton took the chance to declare the country's strong financial health, saying it has “helped lift millions of hardworking families out of poverty.”
“The best news is that these gains finally are being shared with all groups in America, from the wealthiest to the poorest,” he told reporters at the White House.
But the Census report showed that while white households saw their incomes rise 3 per cent from 1997--1998 to a record US $424,000, African-American families held steady at an average US $ 254,000 annually.
Hispanic households had a 4.8 per cent increase to US $ 28,300 a year for the period.
(1) From the first paragraph, we get to know that in the last few years ________.
[ ]
A．American families have become richer
B．American families have become poorer
C．most American families have enjoyed a better life
D．most American families have suffered a lot
(2) In America, poor families ________.
[ ]
A．have more people than others
B．live in the countryside with more children
C．live in big cities with more children
D．get money below a certain specified（规定）“amount”
(3) The word “tripled” in the sixth paragraph means “________”.
[ ]
(4) What Clinton said means that ________.
[ ]
A．he would support the poor over the world
B．he would be president forever
C．he had done well as a president
D．he would make the poor richer
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口算心算速算应用题系列答案科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
In October 1961 at Crowley Field in Cincinnati Ohio an old deaf gentleman named William E. Hoy stood up to throw the first ball of the World Series. Most people at Crowley Field on that day probably did not remember Hoy because he had retired(退休) from professional baseball 58 years earlier in 1903. However he had been an outstanding player and the deaf people still talk about him and his years in baseball.
William E. Hoy was born in Houckstown Ohio on May 23, 1862. He became deaf when he was two years old. He attended the Columbus Ohio School for the deaf. After graduation he started playing baseball while working as a shoemaker.
Hoy began playing professional baseball in 1886 for Oshkosh(Wisconsin) of the Northwestern League. In 1888 he started as an outfielder(外场手) with the old Washington Senators. His small figure and speed made him an outstanding base runner. He was very good at stealing bases during his career. In the 1888 major league season he stole 82 bases. He was also the Senators’ leading hitter in 1888. Hoy was clever and he threw right-handed and batted left-handed. On June 19,1889 he threw out three batters(击球手) at the plate from his outfield position.
The arm signals used by judges today to show balls and strikes began because of Hoy. The judge lifted his right arm to show that the pitch was a strike and his left arm to signal that it was a ball.
For many years people talked about Hoy’s last ball game in 1903. He was playing for Los Angeles of the Pacific Coast Winter League. It was a memorable game because Hoy hit a wonderful ball which won the game. It was a very foggy day and therefore very hard to see the ball. In the ninth inning(棒球的一局) with two men out, Hoy managed to catch a fly ball to make the third out in spite of the fog. Los Angeles defeated their opposition and won the game.
After he retired Hoy stayed busy. He ran a dairy farm near Cincinnati for 20 years. He also became a public speaker and traveled giving speeches. Until a few years before his death he took 4-10 mile walks several mornings a week. On December 15, 1961 William Hoy died at the age of 99.
1. In which order did the following things happen in Hoy’s life?
a. Hoy worked as a shoemaker.
b. Hoy began to run a diary farm.
c. Hoy played a memorable game in the heavy fog.
d. Hoy threw the first ball of the World Series.
e. Hoy became deaf.
A. d e a c b B. e a c b d C. d a e c b D. e a b c d
2. We can infer from the last paragraph that Hoy _______ in his late years.
A. became famous B. led a relaxed life
C. traveled around the world D. was in good physical condition
3. This passage is mainly about _______.
A. a deaf player devoted to the game of baseball
B. baseball game rules and important players
C. the rise in the social position of the deaf people
D. where the baseball judge hand signals came from
4. What can be inferred from this passage?
A. Hoy was the greatest baseball player in his time.
B. Speaking and listening are not necessary in baseball games.
C. The judge had to study the hand signals very seriously.
D. Hoy’s family encouraged him to become a baseball player.
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
In 1883, an imaginative engineer named John Roebling decided to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with Long Island. However, bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was a pipe dream. It was not practical. It had never been done before.
But Roebling refused to listen to them. He thought about the bridge day and night and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. After much discussion and persuasion he convinced his son Washington, who was a promising engineer himself, that the bridge in fact could be built.
Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished. With great excitement, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.
The project started well, but several months after it began, a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was so seriously injured that he was never able to walk, talk or even move again.
"We told them so", "Crazy men and their crazy dreams", "It's foolish to chase wild visions", the critics said and most thought the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.
Washington's wife tried to inspire and pass on her husband's enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay in his hospital room, an idea suddenly hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this finger and tapping it on his wife's arm, he slowly developed a code to communicate with her. Then he used this method to tell his wife what the engineers should do. It seemed crazy but the project was under way again. For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed.
Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances.
_ What did most people think about Roebling's idea to build the bridge?
A. It would never become a reality. B. Washington was not experienced enough.
C. It would take a lot of time. D. Finding the money would be impossible.
_The underlined word `daunted' (para. 6) is closest in meaning to '______'.
A. unpleasant B. scared C. amazed D. determined
_ Which of the following shows the correct order of the events that happened in the story?
a. Roebling convinced his son.
b. Washington found a new way to communicate.
c. They hired the crew.
d. The bridge was completed.
e. Roebling wanted to build a bridge.
f. There was a tragic accident.
A. e, a, c, f, d, b B. e, a, f, b, c, d C. e, f, a, b, c, d D. e, a, c, f, b, d
_ What can we learn about Washington's wife?
A. She knew sign language very well.
B. She was devoted to her husband.
C. She developed a code to communicate with her husband.
D. She helped her husband design the plan.
_ What does the story tell us?
A. Success will come with the passing of time.
B. Struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.
C. Even the most distant dream can be realised with a never-say-die attitude.
D. The people who make a difference in our life should be remembered forever.
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
The Erie Canal was the first important national waterway built in the US. It crossed New York from Buffalo on Lake Erie Troy to Albany on the Hudson River. It joined the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. The canal served as a route over which industrial goods could flow into the west, and materials could pour into the east. The Erie Canal helped New York develop into the nation’s largest city.
The building of the canal was paid for entirely by the state of New York. It cost $ 7 143 789, but it soon gained its price many times over. Between 1825, when the canal was opened, and 1882, when toll charges(过运河费) were stopped, the state collected $121 461 891.
For a hundred years before the Erie was built, people had been talking about a canal which could join the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. The man who planned the Erie Canal and carried the plan through was De Witt Clinton. Those who were against the canal laughingly called it “Clinton’s Ditch(沟)”. Clinton talked and wrote about the canal and drew up plans for it. He and Governor Morris went to Washington in 1812 to ask for help for the canal, but they were unsuccessful.
Clinton became governor of New York in 1817, and shortly afterwards, on July 4, 1817, broke ground for the canal in Rome, N.Y. The first part of the canal was completed in 1820. As the canal grew, towns along its course developed fast. The length of the canal is 363 miles.
We can see that the Erie Canal ________.
A. joined the Great Lakes together
B. crossed New York from north to south
C. played an important part in developing New York City
D. was the first waterway built in the US
It can be inferred that ________ into the Atlantic Ocean.
A. the Great Lakes flow B. the Hudson River flows
C. Lake Erie flows D. the Erie Canal flows
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. The Erie Canal brought profits of over $114, 000, 000.
B. It’s 363 miles from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
C. The West was more advanced than the East when the canal was built.
D. Many other states helped New York built the canal.
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Clinton broke ground for the canal at both ends.
B. Clinton started building the canal before he became governor.
C. All parts of the canal were completed at the same time.
D. Construction of the canal took eight years.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2009年全国各省市高考命题动态信息卷（辽宁专用） 英语（一） 题型：阅读理解
D
For many year,motorcycle riding was considered a male sport.Women usually rode on the seat behind the men driving the two - wheeled vehicle.Now more and more women are taking the front seat.
More than twenty million people in the United States ride motorcycles.The number of female motorcyclists has increased greatly over the past few years.More than ten percent of motorcycle owners in the United States are women.
We spoke with "Lisa Russell,Briggit Pope,Rayna Evans and Angela Meeks-Odom".They are on the executive committee of Lady Sport Riders motorcycle club in Largo,Maryland.They say they ride for more than fun.They say it gives women a wonderful feeling,a sense of freedom and control.
In 1998 the number of female bikers rose sharply.Lady Sport Riders began in 1999 in the Washington,D.C. area.The women formed the organization to share,their love of motorcyle riding.They say female motorcycle clubs let women share a strong sisterhood.Like other motorcycle clubs,the members of Lady Sport Riders also help their community(社区).
Female riders have helped change motorcycle culture.The Motorcycle Industry Council says more than five years ago factories began producing equipment that makes riding more pleasant for women.Some bikes now have smaller,softer seats and controls that are easier to reach. Modern clothes for riding look good and still provide protection.Besides,women are now riding motorcycles that are as powerful as the ones men ride.Lady Sprot Riders believe women have earned their place in the sport of motorcycle riding.When speaking of male motorcyclists,the members of the club say:"They Made the Game…We Came to Play!"
68."Taking the front seat" means ______ in the first paragraph.
A.siiing in front of the driver
B.sitting in front of the driver
C.driving faster than male drivers
D.driving motorcycles themselves
69.What do we know about Lisa Russell,Briggit Pope,Rayna Evans and Angela Meeks-Odom?
A.They together wrote the passage.
B.they were interviewed by the writers.
C.They started a club to help the community.
D.They started riding motorcycles in 1999.
70.Which is the same with both male and female riders?
A.The size and quality of the seats.
B.The design of the controls.
C.The clothes for riding.
D.the engine power of the motorcycles.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2010-2011学年福建省宁德市毕业班质量检查英语试题 题型：阅读理解
The Golden Gate Bridge, the first
sight for many people arriving in the United States by ship, is a
well-recognized landmark, which spans(横跨) the Golden Gate Strait.
The idea for a bridge across the strait had been around for many years, but it was not easy to get the project started. The construction of the bridge finally began in 1933. The construction work set new standards for safety----workers were among the first required to wear hard hats, and an innovative（革新的） safety net saved the lives of nineteen men while the bridge was built. The Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937, which was finished ahead of schedule.
Joseph Strauss was the chief engineer in charge of the bridge project. However, he had little experience with the construction of suspension（悬浮）bridges. For this reason, other engineers, architects, and designers made great contributions to the design and construction of the bridge. For example, the bridge owes its art style and unique orange color to the architects Irving and Gertrude Morrow. Charles Alton Ellis was the main engineer on the project and did much of the technical work necessary to build the bridge.
Today, the Golden Gate Bridge has a main span of 4,200 feet and a total length of 8,981 feet, making it one of the longest bridges in the world. The bridge is 90 feet wide, and its span is 220 feet above the water. The towers supporting the huge cables (巨缆) rise 746 feet above the waters of the Golden Gate Strait, making them 191 feet taller than the Washington Monument. About 40 million cars cross the bridge every year. There are foghorns（雾角）to let passing ships know where the bridge is, and aircraft beacons（信号灯）on the tops of the towers to stop planes from crashing into them.
1.The purpose of the passage is to _______.
A. describe the construction work of the Golden Gate Bridge
B. introduce the Golden Gate Bridge
C. tell us the history of the Golden Gate Bridge
D. introduce the engineers in charge of the Golden Gate Bridge
2.Safety innovations during the construction of the bridge included ________.
A. hardhats and a safety net B. aircraft beacons
C. foghorns D. all of the above
3. It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
A. Joseph Strauss was skilled in the construction of suspension bridges
B. it took the construction workers three years to build the Golden Gate Bridge
C. about 100 thousand cars cross the Golden Gate Bridge every day
D. the Golden Gate Bridge is the longest bridge in the world
4.The underlined word “them” in Paragraph 4 refers to ________.
A. towers B. cables C. waters D. bridges
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