SYDNEY—Australia's economic boom is encouraging a steady stream of unexpected visitors looking for work: Americans.

US citizens are heading to Australia in small but growing numbers as near 10% unemployment at home drives more to look for jobs Down Under, where China's thirst for iron ore(矿石) and energy is transforming the Pacific nation into an economic powerhouse.

A bricklaying student from Silver Trowel, a leading provider of quality education and training in the building and construction industry, was apprenticed(当学徒) on a building project in Western Australia, where workers are in short supply.

Daniel Davila，a 23­year­old floorer from Camarillo, California made the 14­hour move across the Pacific two years ago. He had been forced to take a job stocking shelves at a local grocery store for $8.90 an hour when he couldn't get work fixing floors.

On a good day in Australia, he now makes as much as 50 Australian dollars( US $50.21 ) an hour—about twice the amount for a typical flooring job in the US. He plans to start his own flooring business.

“I can make what I did in a week in the US in less than a day here”，said Mr. Davila, who lives near a mining boom town in Western Australia.

Australian government figures show just under 7，000 Americans currently work on long­term visas, an 80% jump over the past five years.US citizens are now the third­largest group applying for so­called 457 work visas, after British and Indian nationals. Americans with degrees in areas such as accounting or mine engineering, as well as other skilled workers，can obtain a nonrenewable(不可更新的) permit for as much as a three­year stay.After that, they can apply for the renewable 457, which allows up to a four­year stay.

The need for workers is particularly pressing in Western Australia.The mining state's unemployment rate was 4.5% in November, below the national average of 5.2%. Drivers of heavy trucks can pull in six­figure salaries while experienced crane(起重机) operators can earn hundreds of thousands a year. Attracting skilled workers is a shift for Australia, which historically sent many of its most highly educated to the US and Europe, according to migration data.

36．________， a growing number of Americans go to work in Australia.

A．As a result of the encouragement of Australia

B．As a result of high unemployment in the US

C．Out of their ambition of finding valuable resources

D．Out of their determination to realize their dreams

37．It can be inferred from the passage that 457 work visas are ________．

A．for skilled workers in some fields

B．for students on the building project

C．especially for American workers

D．especially for those out of work

38．It is implied in the passage that ________．

A．foreigners have to give up their original professional jobs when working in Australia

B．it is possible for foreigners to earn more money in Australia than in their own countries

C．there are more US citizens hoping to work in Australia than from other countries

D．Australians think it fair to exchange their talent with American skilled workers

39．Which part of Australia needs workers particularly?

A．North­western Australia.

B．Eastern Australia.

C．South­eastern Australia.

D．Western Australia.

I was cleaning out an old box when an old card caught my eye：Queen City Casket Company.“What is it？”I wondered.I __16__ it over.There，in faded ink，was a hand­scrawled __17__．Immediately my mind __18__ back many years ago.

I was nine years old，walking down the cold，wet streets of Springfield，with a bag of __19__ on my shoulder.On my __20__ that day，I came to that company finally，whose owner，Mr.Rader，had always taken me there to __21__ his workers whether they wanted any magazines.

__22__ off the rain like a wet dog，I entered Mr.Rader's office.After a quick glance he __23__ me over to the fireplace.Noticing the __24__ in the top of my __25__，he said，“Come with me！” pulling me into his truck.We __26__ before a shoe store.Inside，a salesman __27__ me with the finest pair of Oxfords I had __28__ seen.I felt about 10 feet tall when I got up __29__ them.“We'd like a pair of new socks too，” Mr.Rader said.

Back in his office，Mr.Rader took out a __30__，wrote something on it，and handed it to me.With tearful eyes，I read，“__31__ to others as you would have them do to you.”He said affectionately，“Jimmy，I want you to __32__ I love you.”

I said goodbye，and for the first time I __33__ a flicker of hope that somehow things would be all right.With people like Mr.Rader in the world，there was hope，__34__ and love，and that would always make a __35__．

16．A.read  B．thought  C．turned  D．passed

17．A.address  B．list

C．message  D．information

18．A.brought  B．approached

C．returned  D．traveled

19．A.magazines  B．newspapers

C．notes  D．books

20．A.returns  B．rounds  C．trips  D．arrivals

21．A.beg  B．demand  C．tell  D．ask

22．A.Letting  B．Giving  C．Turning  D．Shaking

23．A.followed  B．led

C．watched  D．carried

24．A.hole  B．mud  C．water  D．cover

25．A.coat  B．shoe  C．sock  D．bag

26．A.pulled up  B．took in

C．drove away  D．walked up

27．A.dressed  B．fitted  C．shared  D．comforted

28．A.never  B．already  C．ever  D．hardly

29．A.for  B．with  C．on  D．in

30．A.pen  B．paper  C．card  D．notebook

31．A.Do  B．Give  C．Show  D．Lend

32．A.say  B．know  C．consider  D．express

33．A.sensed  B．predicted  C．lost  D．admitted

34．A.sadness  B．challenge

C．kindness  D．intension

35．A.deal  B．fortune  C．choice  D．difference

—I'm sorry I stepped on your foot; it was an accident.

—It wasn't! You did it ________．

A．as usual  B．on purpose

C．at an end  D．right away

The suspect is expected to be brought to justice, as another ________witness has promised to be coming in court.

A．secure  B．reliable

C．punctual  D．respectful

We haven't settled the question of ________ it is necessary for him to study abroad.

A．if  B．where

C．whether  D．that

—I'd love to join your visit to a local museum today, but I'm on a very tight ________．

—I've got a lot of work to do today.

A．schedule  B．relief

C．budget  D．concern

I like getting up very early in summer. The morning air is so good ________．

A．to be breathed  B．to breathe

C．breathing  D．being breathed

In order to change some companies'________towards hiring women college graduates，the government plans to pass a law.

A．views  B．rules

C．attitudes  D．methods

In order to protect the environment, people are greatly encouraged to travel by public________．

A．transport  B．service

C．means  D．traffic

As is reported, it is 100 years ________Qinghua University was founded.

A．when  B．before  C．after  D．since