大学英语四级阅读专项训练1Until the 1980s, the American homeless population comprised mainly older males. Today, homelessness strikes much younger part of society. In fact, a 25-city survey by the U. S. Conference of Mayors in 1987 found that families with children make up the fastest growing part of the homeless population. Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems both legal and educational for already overburdened urban school administrators and teachers. Estimates of the number of homeless Americans range from 350,000 to three million. Likewise, estimates of the number of homeless school children vary radically. A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis, But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes. The Elementary School Center in New York City estimates that there are 1.5 million of them, many of whom are not counted as children because they do not stay in family shelters and tend to live by themselves on the streets.Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.1. It is implied in the first paragraph that _.A) the writer himself is homeless, even in his eightiesB) many older homeless residents are going on strike in 25 citiesC) there is a serious shortage of academic facilitiesD) homeless children are denied the opportunity of receiving free education2. The National Coalition for the homeless believes that the number of homeless children is _.A) 350,000B) 1,500,000C) 440,000D) 110,0003. One part of the homeless population is difficult to estimate. The reason might well be _.A) the homeless children are too young to be counted as childrenB) the homeless population is growing rapidlyC) the homeless children usually stay outside schoolD) some homeless children are deserted by their families4. The McKinney Act is mentioned in this passage in order to show that _.A) the educational problems of homeless children are being recognizedB) the estimates on homeless children are hard to determineC) the address of grade-school children should be locatedD) all homeless people are entitled to free education5. The passage mainly deals with _.A) the legal problems of the homeless childrenB) the educational problems of homeless childrenC) the social status of older malesD) estimates on the homeless population2For any given task in Britain there are more men than are needed. Strong unions keep them there in Fleet Street, home of some Londons biggest dailies, it is understood that when two unions quarrel over three jobs, the argument is settled by giving each union two. Thru means 33 per cent over manning, 33 per cent less productivity than could be obtained. A reporter who has visited plants throughout Europe has an impression that the pace of work is much slower here. Nobody tries tm hard. Tea breaks do matter and are frequent. It is hard to measure intensity of work, but Britons give a distinct impression of going at their tasks in a more leisurely way. But is all this so terrible? It certainly does not improve the gross national product or output per worker. Those observant visitors, however, have noticed something else about Britain. It is a pleasant place. Street crowds in Stockholm. Paris and New York move quickly and silently heads down, all in a hurry. London crowds tend to walk at an easy pace (except in the profitable, efficient City, the financial district). Every stranger is struck by the patient and orderly way in which Britons queue for a bus; if the saleswoman is slow and out of stock she will likely say, oh dear, what a pity; the rubbish collectors stop to chat and call the housewives “Luv”. Crime rises here as in every city but there still remains a gentle tone and temper that is unmatched in Berlin, Milan or Detroit. It short, what is wrong with Britain may also be what is right. Having reached a tolerable standard, Britons appear to be choosing leisure over goods. 56. What happens when disputes over job opportunities arise among British unions? A) Thirty-three per cent of the workers will be out of work B) More people will be employed than necessary C) More jobs will be created by the g