President Barack Obama set out his plans for the nation on January 27. At the top of his to-do list: his jobs for Americans, health care and education.

“Although we have our difficulties, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not stop,” President Barack Obama told American in his State of the Union speech on January 27. Guests and government officials filled the hall of the House of Representatives (众议院).

Obama looked back on his first year in office and explained his plan for the future. He dealt with important matters, including health care, the nation’ s high unemployment, national security (安全) and education. Many times during the 70-minute speech, people in the hall clapped (拍手) their hands happily.

The U.S. law system requires the President to report regularly to government officials. Presidents see the speech as an opportunity to set their goals and encourage the nation.

The President devoted much of his speech to the plight of unemployed (失业的) Americans. “Jobs must be our Number 1 focus (焦点) in 2010,” he said. “People are out of work. They are hurting.” Obama also stressed the value of education. “The best way for people to lead a better life is a first-class education.” he told the nation.

Following the President’s speech, the other party always gets the chance to speak. Bob McDonnell, the new governor of Virginia, spoke for Republicans (共和党人). He agreed with many of Obama’s goals, but pointed out policy difference. He tried to persuade both parties to work together. The President had made the same point earlier in the evening. He promised to hold monthly meetings with members of both parties. “Let’s show the American people,” he said, “that we can do it together.”

It can be inferred (推断) from the passage that Obama’s speech on January 27 __________.

was made to explain his plan for the future

was welcomed by the government officials present

was given to ask for foreign help

was actually boring

The underlined word “plight” in para. 5 probably means __________.

   A. education                      B. safety

   C. goal                          D. sadness

Which of the following things does Obama consider the most important in 2010?

   A. Health care.                    B. Jobs.

   C. Education.                     D. National security.

We can infer from the last paragraph that __________.

Republicans don’ t agree with Obama’ s goals

Obama will try to cooperate with the other party

Bob McDonnell was not clear about the two parties’ policy differences

Republicans thought it difficult for the two parties to work together

-–I’m very disappointed in my next-door neighbour.

   ---______?

   ---He promised not to make noises at midnight, but he’s still doing so. 

    A. What’s wrong with you          B. How come

    C. I beg your pardon                                    D. Can I help you

Last Sunday he promised ________ today, but he hasn't appeared yet.

Compassion is a desire within us to help others. With effort, we can translate compassion into actions. An experience last weekend showed me this is true. I work part-time in a supermarket across from a building for the elderly. These old people are out main customers, and it’s not hard to lose patience over their slowness. But last Sunday, one aged gentleman appeared to teach me a valuable lesson. This untidy man walked up to my register（收款机）with a box of biscuits. He said he was out of cash (现金), had just moved into his room, and had nothing in his cupboards. He asked if we could let him have the food on trust. He promised to repay me the next day.

I couldn’t help staring at him. I wondered what kind of person he had been ten or twenty years before, and what he would be like if luck had gone his way. I had a hurt in my heart for this kind of human soul, all alone in the world. I told him that I was sorry, but store rules didn’t allow me to do so. I felt stupid and unkind saying this, but I valued my job.

Just then, another man, standing behind the first, spoke up. If anything, he looked more pitiable. “Change it to me,” was all he said.

What I had been feeling was pity. Pity is soft and safe and easy. Compassion, on the other hand, is caring in action. I thanked the second man but told him that was not allowed either. Then I reached into my pocket and paid for the biscuits myself. I reached into my pocket because these two men had reached into my heart and taught me compassion.

41. The aged gentleman who wanted to buy the biscuits_________.

A．promised to obey the store rules    

B．forgot to take any money with him

C．hoped to have the food first and pay later   

D．could not afford anything more expensive

42. Which of the following best describes the old gentleman?

A．kind and lucky        B．poor and lonely

C．friendly and helpful D．hurt and disappointed

43. The writer acted upon the store rules because_________.

A．he wanted to keep his present job  

B．he felt no pity for the old gentleman

C．he considered the old man dishonest     

D．he expected someone else to pay for the old man

44. What does the writer learn from his experience?

A．Wealth is more important than anything else    

B．Helping others is easier said than done

C．Experience is better gained through practice

D．Obeying the rules means more than compassion.

He promised to come, but he hasn't ______ yet.

A．turned up         B．turned over        C．turned out         D．turned back