Below are descriptions of six famous states in the U. S.
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is the most populous U.S. state and was admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850.California's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west, to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east. Earthquakes are a common occurrence due to the state's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire: about 37,000 are recorded annually. The California Gold Rush happened in San Francisco and there is also a famous Silicon Valley. Hollywood exists in Los Angeles, making it the center of entertainment. “The Golden State” has long been a popular designation for California and was made the official State Nickname in 1968.
Florida is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Miami is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern United States.The climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. Its economy relies mainly on tourism, agriculture, and transportation. Florida is also known for its amusement parks, the production of oranges, and the Kennedy Space Center. Florida has attracted many writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and continues to attract celebrities and athletes. It is internationally known for golf, tennis, auto racing, and water sports.
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It became the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. Utah is the most religiously homogeneous state in the Union. Approximately 63% of Utahans are reported to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS, which greatly influences Utah culture and daily life. The state is a center of transportation, education, information technology and research, government services, mining, and a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation.
Texas is the second most populous and the second-largest of the 50 states in the United States of America. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify Texas as a former independent republic and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. The "Lone Star" can be found on the Texas state flag and on the Texas state seal today. The term "six flags over Texas" came from the several nations that had ruled over the territory. In 1845 it joined the United States as the 28th state. One Texas industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle. Due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy.
Virginia, is a U.S. state located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there. It is unique in how it treats cities and counties equally, manages local roads, and prohibits its governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy has many sectors: agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley; federal agencies in Northern Virginia, including the headquarters of the Department of Defense and CIA; and military facilities in Hampton Roads, the site of the region's main seaport. Virginia's public schools and many colleges and universities have contributed to growing media and technology sectors. As a result, computer chips have become the state's leading export.
Kentucky, is a state located in the east south-central region of the United States. In 1792 it became the 15th state to join the Union. Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on the bluegrass found in many of its pastures because of the fertile soil. It is a land with diverse environments and abundant resources, including the world's longest cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park, the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States, and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.Kentucky is also home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States.
【小题1】 Which state is called the “golden state” and why?

Some of the best-known names in the entertainment industry have taken part in an unprecedented telethon to help victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

The benefit(义演), called “America: a Tribute to Heroes,” was sponsored by all four major U.S television networks, ABC, CBS, FOIX and NBC. It was broadcast by three-dozen television, cable and radio networks across the country and aired live to more than a hundred countries around the world.

Hollywood stars joined music entertainers in asking listeners and viewers to pledge cash donations to charities helping the victims of the September 11^th attacks.

Actors, including Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise and Clint Eastwood, told stories of heroic acts by people who tried to save others from the burning World trade Center and the Pentagon. Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali made a rare public appearance in show of support.

The appeals alternated with performances by such popular entertainers as Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Steve Wonder, Paul Simon and the rock band U—2.

They appeared on stages in New York, Los Angeles and London, decorated with hundreds of burning candles.

Singer Billy Joel sang “ New York State of Mind” with a New York City firefighter’s hat on his piano. Sting dedicated his song “ Gragile” to a friend who died in the World Trade Center. Stevie Wonder condemned(指责) hatred in the name of religion before singing his song “ Love’s in Need of Love today”. Pledge phones were manned by dozens of other celebrities, including Jack Nicholson, Meg Ryan, Whoopic Goldberg, Cindy Crawford, Al Pacino and Sylvester Stallone.

Organizers say the two-hour telethon raised millions of dollars. All participants, from stars to stagehands, worked without pay.

Those who appeared on stages were ______.

A. some best-known names in the USA

B. some famous singer, film stars and other music entertainers

C. People who tried to save others from the burning World trade Center and the Pentagon.

D. Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Hollywood stars

The underlined word “ telethon” most probably means ______.

A. a performance to raise money

B. a concert held by some television networks

C. a television program which lasts a long time

D. a television program for entertainment

Which of the following statements is True?

A. Four major U.S. television networks broadcast the benefit

B. The former heavy weight champion Muhammad Ali sang a song to show his support

C. Billy Joel, wearing a firefighter’s hat, played the piano for the listeners and viewers

D. The organizers, stars and people who worked for the benefit didn’t get any money for themselves.

The best title for the news report is ______.

A. U.S Telethon Raises Money for Attack Victims

B. Best-known names Pledge Donations

C. Seeking More Support 

D. A Tribute to Heroes  

WASHINGTON—Laura Straub is a very worried woman. Her job is to find families for French teenagers who expect to live with American families in the summer.

It is not easy, even hopeless.

“We have many children left to place—40 out of 75,” said Straub, who works for a Paris-based foreigner-exchange program started 50 years ago. Family life was more than accommodating (提供膳宿). For one thing, more mothers stayed at home. But now, increasing numbers of women work outside the home. Exchange-student programs have struggled in recent years to sign up host (主人) families for the 30 000 teenagers who every year come from abroad to spend a school year in the United States, as well as the thousands more who take part in summer programs.

School systems in many parts of the U.S., unhappy about accepting non-taxpaying students, have also strictly limited the number of exchange students they accepted. At the same time, the idea of hosting foreign students is becoming less exotic.

In search for host families, who usually receive no pay, exchange programs are increasingly broadening their requests to include everyone from young couples to retirees.

 “We are open to many different types of families,” said Vickie Weiner, eastern area director for ASSE, a 25-year-old program that sends about 30 000 teenagers on school-year exchange programs worldwide.

For elderly people, exchange students “keep us young—they really do”, said Jen Foster, who is hosting 16-year-old Nina Post from Denmark.

The underlined word “exotic” means _________.

A. difficult       B. wonderful        C. exciting         D. accommodating

According to the text, why was it easier for Laura Straub to find American families for foreign students?

A. More mothers wasn’t working outside and was able to afford to look after children .

B. American school systems were better than now.

C. Foreign students paid hosting families a lot of money.

D. The government was happy because it could gain tax.

Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. All the families can host foreign students.

B. Only young couples can host foreign students.

C. Only those who were retired can host foreign students.

D. Exchange programs are open to many different types of families including everyone from young couples to retirees.

Which of the following is the best title of this passage?

A. U.S. Struggle to Find host Families

B. Idea of Hosting Students is Different

C. Foreign-exchange Program Is Going on

D. Exchange Students Keep Old People Young

Some of the best-known names in the entertainment industry have taken part in an unprecedented telethon to help victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

    The benefit(义演), called “America: a Tribute to Heroes,” was sponsored by all four major U.S television networks, ABC,CBS, FOIX and NBC. It was broadcast by three-dozen television, cable and radio networks across the country and aired live to more than a hundred countries around the world.

    Hollywood stars joined music entertainers in asking listeners and viewers to pledge cash donations to charities helping the victims of the September 11^th attacks.

    Actors, including Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, tom Cruise and Clint Eastwood, told stories of heroic acts by people who tried to save others from the burning World trade Center and the Pentagon. Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali made a rare public appearance in show of support. The appeals alternated with performances by such popular entertainers a Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Steve Wonder, Paul Simon and the rock band U—2. They appeared on stages in New York, Los Angeles and London, decorated with hundreds of burning candles.

    Singer Billy Joel sang “ New York State of Mind” with a New York City firefighter’s hat on his piano. Sting dedicated his song “ Gragile” to a friend who died in the World Trade Center. Stevie Wonder condemned hatred in the name of religion before singing his song “ Love’s in Need of Love today”. Pledge phones were manned by dozens of other celebrities, including Jack Nicholson, Meg Ryan, Whoopic Goldberg, Cindy Crawford, Al Pacino and Sylvester Stallone.

    Organizers say the two-hour telethon raised millions of dollars. All participants, from stars to stagehands, worked without pay.

1.Those who appeared on stages were ______.

　 A. some best-known names in the USA

　 B. some famous singer, film stars and other music entertainers

　 C. People who tried to save others from the burning World trade Center and the Pentagon.

　 D. Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Hollywood stars

2.The underlined word “ telethon” most probably means ______.

A. a performance to raise money　     

B. a concert held by some television networks

C. a television program which lasts a long time

D. a television program for entertainment

3.Which of the following statements is true?

A. Four major U.S. television networks broadcast the benefit

B. The former heavy weight champion Muhammad Ali sang a song to show his support

C. Billy Joel, wearing a firefighter’s hat, played the piano for the listeners and viewers

D. The organizers, stars and people who worked for the benefit didn’t get any money for themselves.

4.The best title for the news report is ______.

A.U.S Telethon Raises Money for Attack Victims

B. Best-known names Pledge Donations

C. Seeking More Support         

D. More People Join

D
Cellphone users in the United States have contributed more than $11 million to Haitian earthquake relief through text messages in what is being called as an unexpected mobile response to a natural disaster.
The Mobile Giving Foundation called it a “mobile-giving record” for funds raised for a single cause. Donations are rising swiftly, as former President Bill Clinton and other politicians urge the American people to give.
Jim Manis, chief officer of the organization helping to manage cellphone donations, said it was receiving up to 10,000 text messages per second. The foundation said more than $11 million has been donated.
Cellphone users can donate $5 to Haiti-born hip-hop musician Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund by texting the word “Yele” to 501501, or they can donate $10 to other nonprofit organizations, such as the American Red Cross, by texting the word “Haiti” to a specified number, like 90999.
The donation is charged to a user’s cellphone bill.
The American Red Cross said it has received more than $ 9 million in donations from more than 900,000 mobile phone users.
“It’s beyond our imagination that we’ve received this amount,” said spokeswoman Nadia Pontif.
Jean’s fund had raised $2 million via text messages, according to Give on the Go, Yele’s mobile application service provider.
The giving is also being fueled by the popularity of websites like Facebook and Twitter, where users are urging one another to make donations using cellphones.
Wireless carriers(无线运营商) Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc., Sprint and T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG, have waived(免收) fees for customers wishing to send mobile donations. Carriers are also letting users know they are not taking a cut of the donations.
“There are no text messaging fees and 100% of the $10 donation goes to the American Red Cross, and every carrier is working through a solution to push those funds out faster.” Verizon said in a statement.
68. A mobile phone user can donate some money to Haiti by texting the word _____ .
A. “Yele” to 501501 to donate $10                    B. “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10
C. “Yele” or “Haiti” to 501501 to donate $ 5      D. “Haiti” to the American Red Cross to donate $ 5
69. The underlined word “fueled” in the ninth paragraph most probably means “_____ ”.
A. protected             B. discouraged      C. inspired             D. reflected
70. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Facebook and Twitter are two relief organizations from the USA.
B. Many American politicians force Americans to give donations to Haiti.
C. The American Red Cross expected to receive much more donations.
D. Carriers have promised not to take a share from the donation.
71.Which may be the best title for the passage?
A. U.S. Texting Raises $11 Million for Haiti Earthquake
B. An Unexpected Terrible Earthquake Hit Haiti
C. The American Red Cross Offers Help to Haiti
D. Wireless Carriers Donate $11 Million to Haiti