The United States is trying to improve an edueation system that produces millions of citizens who cannot read, write, or add—let alone finding their country on a map.

In his first State of Union message since taking office a year ago, President George Bush promised to wipe out illiteracy(文盲) in the next decade and declared that“by the year 2008, U.S students must be first in the world in math and science achievements. ” They have a long way to go. American students were placed 14th in a recent general science test conducted in 16 countries. In a separate survey of chemistry students, the United States came 12 out of 14. In a mathematics test, they were last. According to Bush, there are 17 million illiterates in this country of 245 million people. Other estimates put the number as high as 23 million. In percentage terms, that ranks the United States alongside Niearague and below Cuba. “This nation,”Bush said in his State of the Union address, “will not accept anything but excellent in education.” Bush, who has declared himself “Education president”, and senior officals of his administration are warning that the United States will be unable to compete in the world without an educated workforce.

How to increase educational standards is a matter of debate in a country whose schools have no uniform national curriculum and are subject to a confusing variety of state and local controls. Most experts think that the problem lies at the elementary and high school'levels rather than with universities-but even their graduates show huge gaps in general knowledge. Among the root causes most frequently mentioned in education debates is the low respect in which U.S. society holds teachers-in contrast to Japan and Germany. In Japan teaching is a profession of high prestige(威望) and high pay. In the United States teachers are near the bottom of the society.

5.By“the United States came 12 out of 14”(Para. 2), the author means .      

A.the United States ranked 12th not 14th in the chemistry test

B.the United States ranked 12th in the chemistry test conducted by 14 countries

C.the United States progressed from 14th to 12th in the chemistry test

D.the United States ranked 12th in chemistry test and 14th in general science test

6.The cause of low educational level in America include the following EXCEPT that .      

A.some problems exist in primary and secondary education

B.society keeps teachers in low respect

C.America pays more attention to economy instead of education

D.America has no uniform national courses

7.Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

A.President Bush carried out his promise made in his first State of Union message.

B.The education in Japan and Germany is in higher level.

C.According to Bush, the number of illiterates accounts for 9% of the total.

D.Teachers in the United States enjoy good treatment and great respect.

8.Which of the following is the right order of the least-first of the percent of illiterates?

A.Germany, Cuba, Nicaragua.         B.Germany, Nicaragua, Cuba.

C.Nicaragua, Japan, Cuba.            D.Cuba, Japan, Nicaragua.

Central Park
Outside among the trees, watch the wildlife — both the human and animal varieties. Call (212)360 — 3465 or (212)360 — 2726 for events and tours. Central Park stretches from 59th to 110th Sts., and from 5th Ave. to Central Park. West.
Empire State Building
This is among the most striking building in the city, the nation,even the world. The observation dock (瞭望台) on the 86th floor is open to general public, offering a wonderful view of the second floor youll find the New York Skyride, a simulated (模拟的) helicopter ride. Over Manhattan.5th Ave. at 34th St., Midtown/ (212)736 — 3100.
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
Five blocks west of Time Square, this museum has hundreds of air, deep-sea and space exhibit’s. Walk the fight deck of the 900-foot-long aircraft carrier Intrepid,see dozens of old and modern aircraft and ride the Intrepid Navy Flight Simulator.Pier 86,W. 46th St.and 12th Ave./(212)245-0072.
Madison Square Garden
If it’s big, it probably happens at the Garden. Check out sporting events, concerts and much more.Tours are available. 7th Ave, btwn. 31th and 33th Sts., Midtown/(212)4656-741.
1. The New York Skyride is for ______.
A. sightseeing                B. fight training
C. model plane-sports          D. city transportation
2. If a visitor is interested in music,he will probably go to______.
A. Central Park                        B. Empire State Building
C. Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum        D. Madison Square Garden
3. What is the purpose of these texts?
A. To provide information of living in New York.
B. To provide directions of city traffic in New York.
C. To give visitors a guide to New York.
D. To give a brief introduction to the history of New York.

Events Calendar

TUESDAY

Landscape Pests (害虫)

Learn to identify, control and prevent seasonal landscape-disease and landscape-pest problems at the workshop, 3:30 pm. – 5 pm. Tuesday at the US National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington. $15; registration required.

202-245-4521 or www.usna.usda.gov.

THROUGH AUGUST 3

Horticultural(园艺的) Art

Watercolors, pen-and-ink drawings and colored-pencil pieces by the Brookside Gardens School of Botanical (植物学的) Art and Illustration will be on display at the exhibit Botanic 2007: The Art and Science of Plants at Brookside Gardens Visitors Center, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, through Aug. 3. Free. 301-962-1400 or www.brooksidegardens.org.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 9

Botanical Art

Visit Patterns in Nature, an exhibit by Amy Lamb featuring photographs of flowers, leaves and other botanical life, at the US Botanic Garden Conservatory （温室），West Orangerie, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, through Sept. 9. The conservatory is open 10 am. – 5 pm. Daily. Free. 202-225-8333.

THROUGH OCTOBER 8

Botanic Garden Exhibit

Celebrating America’s Public Gardens is on view through Oct. 8 at the US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington. The exhibit, on the Conservatory Terrace and in the National Garden, features displays of 20 public botanic gardens across the country. Hours are 10 am. – 5 pm. Daily. Free. 202-200-8956.

If you want to record your name for an event in advance, you may call _____.

       A. 202-225-8333    B. 202-245-4521    C. 301-962-1400    D. 202-200-8956

If you go to Botanic Garden Exhibit, you _____.

       A. can enjoy drawings and coloured-pencil pieces

       B. can learn how to kill pests living on the plants

       C. can find displays of 20 botanic gardens across the country

       D. will enjoy the photographs of flowers and leaves

From the advertisement, we learn _____.

       A. the first event is about growing healthy plants

       B. all of the events are free of charge

       C. there is no time limit to all the events

       D. you can find the information of all the events either by phone or by e-mail

1.If you want to join Live Card to save money on tickets, you can call________.

A．0844 847 2484                         B．0800 587 5007

C．0844 499 6699                         D．0161 245 6609

2.How can you pay for a ticket when you book by post?

A．By visiting the website of a post office.

B．By going to your local bank in person.

C．By enclosing your Live Card in an envelope.

D．By providing your credit card information.

3.What benefit can group bookers enjoy according to the text?

A．Delayed payment for tickets.               B．Invitations to opening nights.

C．Reduced booking fees by phone            D．Generous discounts on tickets.

The United States is trying to improve an edueation system that produces millions of citizens who cannot read, write, or add—let alone finding their country on a map.

In his first State of Union message since taking office a year ago, President George Bush promised to wipe out illiteracy(文盲) in the next decade and declared that“by the year 2008, U.S students must be first in the world in math and science achievements. ” They have a long way to go. American students were placed 14th in a recent general science test conducted in 16 countries. In a separate survey of chemistry students, the United States came 12 out of 14. In a mathematics test, they were last. According to Bush, there are 17 million illiterates in this country of 245 million people. Other estimates put the number as high as 23 million. In percentage terms, that ranks the United States alongside Niearague and below Cuba. “This nation,”Bush said in his State of the Union address, “will not accept anything but excellent in education.” Bush, who has declared himself “Education president”, and senior officals of his administration are warning that the United States will be unable to compete in the world without an educated workforce.

How to increase educational standards is a matter of debate in a country whose schools have no uniform national curriculum and are subject to a confusing variety of state and local controls. Most experts think that the problem lies at the elementary and high school'levels rather than with universities-but even their graduates show huge gaps in general knowledge. Among the root causes most frequently mentioned in education debates is the low respect in which U.S. society holds teachers-in contrast to Japan and Germany. In Japan teaching is a profession of high prestige(威望) and high pay. In the United States teachers are near the bottom of the society.

By“the United States came 12 out of 14”(Para. 2), the author means .      

A.the United States ranked 12th not 14th in the chemistry test

B.the United States ranked 12th in the chemistry test conducted by 14 countries

C.the United States progressed from 14th to 12th in the chemistry test

D.the United States ranked 12th in chemistry test and 14th in general science test

The cause of low educational level in America include the following EXCEPT that .      

A.some problems exist in primary and secondary education

B.society keeps teachers in low respect

C.America pays more attention to economy instead of education

D.America has no uniform national courses

Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

A.President Bush carried out his promise made in his first State of Union message.

B.The education in Japan and Germany is in higher level.

C.According to Bush, the number of illiterates accounts for 9% of the total.

D.Teachers in the United States enjoy good treatment and great respect.

Which of the following is the right order of the least-first of the percent of illiterates?

A.Germany, Cuba, Nicaragua.         B.Germany, Nicaragua, Cuba.

C.Nicaragua, Japan, Cuba.            D.Cuba, Japan, Nicaragua.