The population conference in Brasilia has now ended. One of the aims of the conference was for countries from each continent to look back at past experiences and to learn from them for the future.

In Europe

Population problems are different in different parts of the world.  For example, in many European countries the population is getting older. The birth rate is very low because many young people have only one child or none at all. People are living longer, too. On average, men tire to 76 and women to 78. By 2050 around 25 % of the population of some European countries will be over 60 years old.

This change has happened very fast within two generations. If governments had expected this change, they would have encouraged people to prepare more for old age. At the moment many old people are very lonely and often very poor. If people had expected to live so long, they would probably have saved more money for their retirement.

In Africa

In Africa, the problems of the future will be very different. There, the population is doubling every 24 years. Many families continue to have large numbers of children to look after older people and to help on the land. However, better medical services have increased life expectancy and more children survive to become adults. Research shows that the size of the family is connected with the standard of women’s education. If more girls had gone to school in the last 20 years, family size in Africa would probably not have continued to be so big.

In Asia

In contrast, the problem in Asia is not just population growth but also overcrowding in many cities. Traditionally, most people have lived in the countryside, but within the next 25 years more than 65% will live in cities. If Asian countries had expected this kind of change 20 years ago, they would have tried to provide more work and better education in the countryside. This is starting to happen now, but it may be too late.

56. What is the cause of African population problem?

A. Low birth rate and increased life expectancy. B. More older people, more children.

C. People’s moving from the countryside to the cities.

D. Better medical services and increased life expectancy.

57. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. In Europe it is normal to live to be 76 or more.

B. Medicine has changed population patterns.

C. Population problems are the same everywhere.

D. Many old people in Europe experience poverty.

58. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Cities everywhere are becoming larger and larger.

B. Asian countries have tried to provide more work for people.

C. A lot of girls couldn’t go to school in Africa.

D. The older people in Europe are, the lonelier they will be.

The population conference in Brasilia has now ended. One of the aims of the conference was for countries from each continent to look back at past experiences and to learn from them for the future.

In Europe

Population problems are different in different parts of the world.  For example, in many European countries the population is getting older. The birth rate is very low because many young people have only one child or none at all. People are living longer, too. On average, men tire to 76 and women to 78. By 2050 around 25 % of the population of some European countries will be over 60 years old.

This change has happened very fast within two generations. If governments had expected this change, they would have encouraged people to prepare more for old age. At the moment many old people are very lonely and often very poor. If people had expected to live so long, they would probably have saved more money for their retirement.

In Africa

In Africa, the problems of the future will be very different. There, the population is doubling every 24 years. Many families continue to have large numbers of children to look after older people and to help on the land. However, better medical services have increased life expectancy and more children survive to become adults. Research shows that the size of the family is connected with the standard of women’s education. If more girls had gone to school in the last 20 years, family size in Africa would probably not have continued to be so big.

In Asia

In contrast, the problem in Asia is not just population growth but also overcrowding in many cities. Traditionally, most people have lived in the countryside, but within the next 25 years more than 65% will live in cities. If Asian countries had expected this kind of change 20 years ago, they would have tried to provide more work and better education in the countryside. This is starting to happen now, but it may be too late.

56. What is the cause of African population problem?

A. Low birth rate and increased life expectancy. B. More older people, more children.

C. People’s moving from the countryside to the cities.

D. Better medical services and increased life expectancy.

57. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. In Europe it is normal to live to be 76 or more.

B. Medicine has changed population patterns.

C. Population problems are the same everywhere.

D. Many old people in Europe experience poverty.

58. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Cities everywhere are becoming larger and larger.

B. Asian countries have tried to provide more work for people.

C. A lot of girls couldn’t go to school in Africa.

D. The older people in Europe are, the lonelier they will be.

As you grow rapidly through your teenage years, you will experience a lot lf changes.The changes may seem difficult and they may seem to happen quickly. Don’t panic! You will deal successfully with them! You are a young adult now!
With more responsibility, you will find more freedom to make your own choices. This is a time to be well informed about own choices. This is a time to be well informed about your choices so that you can make healthy balanced decisions that will help shape your future. You may already know your career path or you may have no idea at all what you want to do. Both situations are fine! Work hard and the right opportunity will present itself to you.
Young adulthood means greater freedom and more choices. You will probably want to be independent. But try not to shut your family out of your life. You should learn to think of others even though you are old enough to look after yourself. Your family have been with you since you came into this world.
It is also perfectly natural in this time for you to spend more time with your friends than your family. Choose your friends wisely. A true friend will stand by you no matter what happens.
This period is a part of the life cycle. There are some people who will be with you throughout life’s journey and there will be some people with whom you part and go separate ways. Leaving school can be hard. The reality is that you may not ever see all of your classmates again.
You are a young adult. It is your life. No one can live it for you. The choices that you make from now on will be your choices. So making the right choices will be important to you. Life is for living. Enjoy your life wisely!

1. 1.

   The best title for this passage would be       .

   1. A.
      The Choices in Life
   2. B.
      The Key to Success
   3. C.
      Say Goodbye to the Past
   4. D.
      Becoming a Young Adult
2. 2.

   Who do the underlined words “ some people”(Paragraph 5)probably refer to?

   1. A.
      your parents
   2. B.
      your classmates
   3. C.
      true friends
   4. D.
      your relatives
3. 3.

   The author thinks teenage years are      .

   1. A.
      a period of complete freedom
   2. B.
      too hard for young people to get through
   3. C.
      an important time for the young to make the right choices
   4. D.
      a very important period for young students to leave their parents
4. 4.

   Who is the passage mainly written for?

   1. A.
      Teenagers.
   2. B.
      Teachers.
   3. C.
      Young parents.
   4. D.
      Adults.