Question

A few years ago, a pilot had to have perfect eyesight and a college degree if he or she wanted to land a job with an American airline. But today, airlines do not stick to those requirements because they can’t find enough qualified pilots.

Airlines must hire up to 62 000 new pilots in the next decade. But qualified pilots are few and far between in the United States. Every year there are more planes being flown. At the same time, 12 to 15 foreign countries are recruiting American pilots.

As a result, pilots are earning spectacular salaries. The going rate for skilled pilots is well over $90 000 a year. Some pilots can earn about $160 000 plus free housing working for foreign airlines.

Because of the shortage, some people say unqualified pilots are being allowed to fly planes. They fear the number of crashes will skyrocket. Each year, more and more pilots with less than 2 000 hours of experience are being hired. Airlines are also bringing on board many more pilots who are older than 50, although law requires pilots to retired at age 50.

Being an airline pilot is a difficult job that requires people to make life and death decision under pressure. Some pilots crack under the pressure.

The military is also having a hard time keeping pilots. Air Force pilots must commit to spending at least six years in the Air Force. The Air Force invests millions of dollars to train each pilot, so it doesn’t want to lose them.

Experts say this problem is going to get a lot worse. Congress may establish a commission to study the country’s pilot needs. In the meantime, salaries of pilots will continue to rise and the number of crashes may keep pace.

1. The main idea of the article is_______.

A. a shortage of pilots is caused by airlines and military

B. there have been more crashes because pilots have worse eyesight and higher salaries

C. a shortage of pilots may lead to more crashes

D. airlines should hire more pilots even if they’re unqualified

2. Today a pilot no longer needs_______.

A. perfect eyesight

B. military training

C. two college degrees

D. to be recruited

3. Air Force pilots should stay in the Air Force because________.

A. the Air Force is a good place to work

B. the Air Force pays more than airlines

C. the military should have hard time keeping pilots

D. the Air Force spends a lot of money training them

4. Some people wouldn’t be good pilots because__________.

A. they can’t make decisions quickly

B. they don’t earn spectacular salaries

C. they weren’t recruited by foreign countries

D. the number of crashes keeps pace with them

 

Answer 1

答案：A;C;D;A
解析：

1、整体理解文章可知本文是围绕飞行员缺乏这一事实展开话题，文章前后呼应，不难得出全文主题是：合格飞行员的缺乏有可能导致空难事故的增加。 2、文章第一段告诉了答案。 3、从文章倒数第二段可找到答案。 4、根据文章中所说的合格的飞行员的条件可得出答案为A。

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