Labor force is defined as being the total number of people who are available to work and earn income. This definition includes everyone who is employed or seeking paid employment, so it includes employers and the self-employed. Labor is one of the country's resources which can be combined with other resources to produce the goods and services wanted by the community.

       Although the size of the workforce depends a great deal on the size of the total population, there are several other influences which also affect it. The age distribution (分布) of the total population has a very marked effect on the available workforce. If the population has a high proportion of very young people or of those too old to work, then the available workforce would be lower than if there were a balanced spread age distribution. If the population naturally grows rapidly, the number of births greatly exceeds (超出) the number of deaths then as a total population increases proportion of the workforce declines.

       Sometimes a population is described as aging which means that the birth rate is either falling or growing very slowly, and as people retire from the workforce there are insufficient numbers of young people entering it to replace those who are leaving it. In that situation the population is top-heavy with older people. So the percentage of the population in the workforce declines when there is either a rapid increase in births or a falling birth rate.

       The age distribution of the population has several important effects on the economy. If the population is aging and there is an increase in the number of people retiring without a corresponding increase in the number entering the workforce, this raises the problem of the ability of the economy to provide a reasonable level of social services to the retired group. If the aged are to be cared for in special homes, finance must be available for that purpose. If the size of the workforce is small relative to the total population, then the government tax revenue (税收) is relatively low and either the government has less money available to it or the workforce members have to be taxed more heavily.

In the passage “labor force” is defined as ___________.

A．people who are available to work and earn income

B．self-employed people only

C．people who are looking for an employment

D．employers who create job opportunities

The conclusion which can be drawn from the second paragraph is that___________.

A．a natural growth of population leads to a balanced workforce

B．a large population does not necessarily mean a higher proportion of workforce

C．the larger the population, the higher the proportion of the workforce

D．the workforce will be lower, if the population has a balanced age distribution，

When a population is said to be aging，___________.

A．there are more people retiring than those entering the workforce

B．the birth rate must be growing

C．there should be an oversupply of workforce

D．There are more people entering the workforce than those retiring

The population which is top-heavy with older people ___________ of a country.

A．leads to the high rate of unemployment 

B．results in low tax on the workforce members 

C．affects employees’ incomes

D．places pressure on the economy

书面表达(满分25分)

最近某高中拟开展以“校园拒绝零食”为主题的活动。假如你是该校学生会主席，请你以学生会的名义，参考下面的内容提示，给全校学生写一封倡议书。

内容提示：1．描述吃零食的现象；

            2．阐述吃零食的影响；

            3．提出合理化的建议。

注意：   1．词数100左右，开头已为你写好(不计入总词数)。

         2．参考词汇：snacks零食；phenomenon现象。

Dear fellow students，

There is a serious phenomenon in our school．________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________    

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

It ________ my father half an hour to go to work on foot every day.

   A. took          B. takes          C. taken          D. will take

The wise use that is ____ the limited time has greatly contributed to his success.

A．made of   B. to make of   C. making for   D. made for

Peter has been busy these days and seldom _________ to come over to have a chat with me.

A. doesn’t he have time              B. does he have time

C. he has time                     D. he hasn’t time

It’s reported that one thousand people are affected by the H1N1 flu virus in that area , two hundred and fifty-five children ____.

      A．were included     B．including       

       C．include            D．included

Last week, only two people came to look at the house, _______ wanted to buy it．

       A．none of them          B．both of them          C．none of whom        D．neither of whom

L1PITOR

What is a major function of Lipitor?

A. To help quit smoking.       B. To control blood pressure.

C. To improve unhealthy diet.   D. To lower "bad" cholesterol.                                        

If it has been over 12 hours since you missed a dose, you should        

   A. change the amount of your next dose

   B. eat more when taking your next dose

C. have a dose as soon as you remember

D. take the next dose at your regular time   

Which of the following is a common side effect of taking Lipitor?

A. Face swelling.                              B. Upset stomach.

C. Kidney failure.                       D. Muscle weakness.                  

What is the main purpose of the passage?

A. To teach patients ways for quick recovery.  

B. To present a report on a scientific research

C. To show the importance of a good lifestyle.

D.To give information about a kind of medicine.      

下面是一篇应用文及其应用场合的信息，请阅读下列应用文和相关信息，并按照要要求匹配信息。

首先，请阅读下列的应用文：

a. Needed: Full time secretary position available. Applicants should have at least 2 years experience and be able to type 60 words a minute. No computer skills required. Apply in person at United Business Ltd.. 17 Browning Street.

b. Are you looking for a part time job? We require 3 part time shop assistants to work during the evening. No experience required. Applicants should be between 18 and 26. Call 366-76564 for more information.

c. Computer trained secretaries: Do you have experience working with computers? Would you like a full time position working in an exciting new company? If your answer is yes, give us a call at 457-896754.

d. Teacher Needed: Tommy’s Kindergarten needs 2 teachers/trainers to help with classes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m... Applicants should have appropriate licenses. For more information visit Tommy’s Kindergarten in Leicester Square No.56.

e. Part time work available: We are looking for retired adults who would like to work part time at the weekend. Responsibilities include answering the telephone and giving customers information. For more information contact us by calling 345-674132.

f. University position open: The university of Cumberland is looking for 4 teaching assistants to help with homework correction. Applicants should have a degree in one of the following: Political Science, Religion, Economics or History. Please contact the University of Cumberland for more information.

   请阅读以下职位申请者的信息，然后匹配申请者和她、他拟要申请的职位：

Jack Anderson.   Jack graduated from the University of Trent with a degree in Economics two years

ago. He would like an academic position.

Margaret Lillian.  Margaret is 21 years old and would like a part time position to help her pay her university expenses. She can only work in the evenings.

Alice Fingelhamm.   Alice was trained as a secretary and has six years of experience. She is an excellent typist but does not know how to use a computer. She is looking for a full time position.

Peter Florian.   Peter went to business school and studied computer and secretarial skills. He is looking for his first job and would like a full time position.

Lynne Nagata   Lynne, aged 65, once worked in a kindergarten. She is now a housewife, helping her daughter with her housework on weekdays. She is looking for a part time job.

     申请者                            申请职位

Jack Anderson                     A. full time secretary

Margaret Lillian                   B. part time shop assistant

Alice Fingelhamm                 C. computer trained secretary

Peter Florian                      D. kindergarten teacher

Lynne Nagata                     E. part time job at the weekend

F. university teaching assistant

---- Do you feel like walking there or shall we _____ bus?

   ---- I'd like to walk. But since there isn’t much time left, let's______ taxi.

     A. take; take     B. get on a; take   C. get on; take a   D. take a; take a