Ⅱ.阅读理解

(2015·扬州中学4月检测)

Is the “Go to College”Message Overdone?

Even in a weak job market, the old college try isn?t the answer for everyone. A briefing paper from the Brookings Institution warns that “we may have overdone the message” on college, senior fellow Isabel Sawhill said.

“We?ve been telling students and their families for years that college is the only way to succeed in the economy and of course there?s a lot of truth to that，” Ms. Sawhill said. “On average it does pay off...But if you load up on a whole lot of student debt and then you don’t graduate, that is a very bad situation.”

One comment that people often repeat among the years of slow job growth has been the value of education for landing a job and advancing in a career. April?s national unemployment rate stood at 7.5%, according to the Labor Department. The unemployment rate for high­school graduates over 25 years old who hadn?t attended college was 7.4%, compared with 3.9% for those with a bachelor?s degree or more education. The difference is even bigger among those aged 16～24. The jobless rate for those with only a high school diploma in that age group is about 20%. At the same time, recent research by Canadian economists cautions that a college degree is no guarantee of promising employment.

Ms. Sawhill pointed out that among the aspects that affect the value of a college education is the field of one’s major：Students in engineering or other sciences end up earning more than ones who major in the arts or education. The cost of tuition and the availability of financial aid are other considerations, with public institutions generally a better financial bargain than private ones.

She suggested two avenues for improving the situation: increasing vocational (职业的) technical training programs and taking_a_page_from Europes focus on early education rather than post­secondary learning. “The European countries put a little more attention to getting people prepared in the primary grades，” she said. “Then they have a higher bar for whoever goes to college — but once you get ]into college, you’re more likely to be highly subsidized (资助).”

She also is a supporter of technical training — to teach students how to be plumbers, welders and computer programmers — because “employers are desperate” for workers with these skills.

1.People usually think that__________.

A.the cost of technical schooling is a problem

B.one will not succeed without a college degree

C.technical skills are most important for landing a job

D.there is an increased competition in getting into a college

2.What does the underlined part “taking a page from” mean?

A.Hearing from. B.Changing from.

C.Differing from. D.Learning from.

3.What can we infer from the passage?

A.Public institutions charge more for education.

B.European universities are stricter with students.

C.Students with certain skills are in great demand.

D.Canadian students prefer to major in engineering.

4.Ms. Sawhill may probably agree that__________.

A.too much stress has been put on the value of college degrees

B.technical training is more important than college education

C.a college degree will ensure promising employment

D.its easier for art students to find favorite jobs

Ⅲ.任务型阅读

(2015·江苏沭阳五校联考)Quality after­school programs are designed to improve academic performance, decrease youth crimes and other high­risk behaviors, and help young people grow into healthy, successful adults.

The effect of quality after­school programs on academic performance is clear. Studies show that students who take part in such programs show better work habits, higher rates of homework completion, improved grades, and higher scores on achievement tests. They also have fewer absences and are less likely to blame. After­school programs also influence high­risk teen behavior.Various studies show decreased rates of crime, drug­taking, and teen sex among youth who join in well­run after­school programs when compared to similar youth who do not. Finally, after­school programs play an important role in supporting different kinds of fields of development: physical development, mental development and social development. Thus, one can safely say that after­school programming is an effective method to help young people become contributing members of society.

Although there is enough proof from both small and large assessments that after­school programs can make a positive difference, it is important to note that not all programs are equal. First, dosage matters — young people who attend the most hours over the most years benefit more than members who attend less often or over a shorter period of time. Next, after­school programs make a bigger difference for those students who need help most and have the fewest choices. Finally, program qualities matter. After­school programs work best when they create unique opportunities for youth. They should provide opportunities, skill building meaningful involvement, expression suggestion, service, and work. Staff characteristics make an important difference in the quality of a program. The adults should treat youth as partners, create safe and fair environment, encourage personalized involvement, and actively create learning opportunities. In short, although after­school programs have a promising future, how they are designed and run matters.

Title：Quality After­school Programs

Purpose 1.(1) ________academic performance

2.Decreasing youth crimes and other high­risk behaviors

3.Helping young people grow into healthy, successful adults (2)________ 1.Improved academic performance

●better work habits

●higher rates of homework completion

●improved grades and higher scores

●fewer absences and(3) ________blame Helping young people become members making a (6)________to society 2.Decreased high­risk teen behaviors

●decreased rates of crime

●decreased drug (4)________

●decreased teen sex among youth 3.Various (5)________development

●physical development

●mental development

●social development Factor 1.Dosage matters.

2.(7)________matter.

3.Qualities matter. (8)________ The future of after­school programs is promising, (9)________how to design and run the programs is very (10)________.