B

While still in its early stages, welfare reform has already been judged a great success in many states — at least in getting people off welfare. It’s estimated that more than 2 million people have left the rolls（名册） since 1994.

　　In the past four years, welfare rolls in Athens Country have been cut in half. But 70 percent of the people who left in the past two years took jobs that paid less than $6 an hour. The result: The Athens Country poverty rate still remains at more than 30 percent — twice the national average.

　　For advocates（代言人）for the poor, that’s an indication much more needs to be done.

　　“More people are getting jobs, but it’s not making their lives any better,” says Kathy Lairn, a  policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington.

　　A center analysis of US Census data nationwide found that between 1995 and 1996, a greater percentage of single, female-headed households were earning money on their own, but that average income for these households actually went down.

　　But for many, the fact that poor people are able to support themselves almost as well without government aid as they did with it is in itself a huge victory.

　　“Welfare was a poison. It was a toxin（毒素）that was poisoning the family,” says

Robert Rector, a welfare-reform policy analyst. “The reform is changing the moral climate in low-income communities. It’s beginning to rebuild the work ethic（道德观）, which is much more important.”

　　Mr. Rector and others argued that once “the habit of dependency is cracked,” then the country can make other policy changes aimed at improving living standards.

45. From the passage, it can be seen that the author _______.

　　A. believes the reform has reduced the government’s burden

　　B. insists that welfare reform is doing little good for the poor

　　C. is overenthusiastic about the success of welfare reform

　　D. considers welfare reform to be basically successful

46. Why aren’t people enjoying better lives when they have jobs?

　　A. Because many families are divorced.

　　B. Because government aid is now rare.

　　C. Because their wages are low.

　　D. Because the cost of living is rising.

47. From the passage we know that welfare reform aims at _______.

　　A. saving welfare funds

　　B. rebuilding the work ethic

　　C. providing more jobs

　　D. cutting government expenses

48. According to the passage before the welfare reform was carried out, _______.

　　A. the poverty rate was lower

　　B. average living standards were higher

　　C. the average worker was paid higher wages

　　D. the poor used to rely on government aid

B

While still in its early stages, welfare reform has already been judged a great success in many states — at least in getting people off welfare. It’s estimated that more than 2 million people have left the rolls（名册） since 1994.

　　In the past four years, welfare rolls in Athens Country have been cut in half. But 70 percent of the people who left in the past two years took jobs that paid less than $6 an hour. The result: The Athens Country poverty rate still remains at more than 30 percent — twice the national average.

　　For advocates（代言人）for the poor, that’s an indication much more needs to be done.

　　“More people are getting jobs, but it’s not making their lives any better,” says Kathy Lairn, a  policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington.

　　A center analysis of US Census data nationwide found that between 1995 and 1996, a greater percentage of single, female-headed households were earning money on their own, but that average income for these households actually went down.

　　But for many, the fact that poor people are able to support themselves almost as well without government aid as they did with it is in itself a huge victory.

　　“Welfare was a poison. It was a toxin（毒素）that was poisoning the family,” says

Robert Rector, a welfare-reform policy analyst. “The reform is changing the moral climate in low-income communities. It’s beginning to rebuild the work ethic（道德观）, which is much more important.”

　　Mr. Rector and others argued that once “the habit of dependency is cracked,” then the country can make other policy changes aimed at improving living standards.

45. From the passage, it can be seen that the author _______.

　　A. believes the reform has reduced the government’s burden

　　B. insists that welfare reform is doing little good for the poor

　　C. is overenthusiastic about the success of welfare reform

　　D. considers welfare reform to be basically successful

46. Why aren’t people enjoying better lives when they have jobs?

　　A. Because many families are divorced.

　　B. Because government aid is now rare.

　　C. Because their wages are low.

　　D. Because the cost of living is rising.

47. From the passage we know that welfare reform aims at _______.

　　A. saving welfare funds

　　B. rebuilding the work ethic

　　C. providing more jobs

　　D. cutting government expenses

48. According to the passage before the welfare reform was carried out, _______.

　　A. the poverty rate was lower

　　B. average living standards were higher

　　C. the average worker was paid higher wages

　　D. the poor used to rely on government aid

Do you know how to use a mobile phone (手机) without being rude to the people around you?

　　Talking during a performance irritates (激怒) people. If you are expecting an emergency call, sit near the exit doors and set your phone to vibrate (振动). When your mobile phone vibrates, you can leave quietly and let the others enjoy the performance.

　　Think twice before using mobile phones in elevators, museums, churches or other indoor public places—especially enclosed spaces. Would you want to listen to someone’s conversation in these places? Worse yet, how would you feel if a mobile phone rang suddenly during a funeral! It happens more often than you think. Avoid these embarrassing situations by making sure your mobile phone is switched off.

　　When eating at a restaurant with friends, don’t place your mobile phone on the table. This conveys the message that your phone calls are more important than those around you.

　　Mobile phones have sensitive microphones that allow you to speak at the volume you would on a regular phone. This enables you to speak quietly so that others won’t hear the details of your conversations. If you are calling from a noisy area, use your hand to direct your voice into the microphone.

　　Many people believe that they can’t live without their mobile phone. Owning a mobile phone definitely makes life more convenient, but limit your conversations to urgent ones and save the personal calls until you are at home.

1. What should you do when you need to answer a phone call during a performance?

　 A. Call back after the performance.　　　 B. Answer it near the exit door.

　 C. Talk outside the exit door.　　　　　　 D. Speak in a low voice.

2. Putting your mobile phone on a restaurant table may make your friends think_____.

　 A. you prefer to talk to your friends at the table　

　 B. you value your calls more than your friends

　 C. you are enjoying the company of your friends

　 D.you are polite and considerate of your friends

3. The author implies that the use of mobile phones in such places as museums should be_____.

　 A. limited　　　 B. expected　　　 C. discouraged　　　 D. recommended

4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

　 A. You should limit your mobile phone calls to personal affairs.

　 B. You should speak quietly into your phone while in a church.

　 C. You are supposed to turn off your mobile phone at a funeral.

　 D. You are supposed to use your mobile phone as much as possible.