overcrowding and crime will be problems of the suburbs instead of the city!
21. The first paragraph is used to _ . .
A. list some figures B. make comparisons C. lead to the topic . D. give suggestions
22. What did those moving outside think of their life in the city?
A. Cosy. B. Convenient. C. Colorful. D. Crowded.
23. What is the major problem for those who live in the countryside? A. Being far from downtown. B. Having gardens to take care of.
C. Failing to find parking lots. D. Suffering heavy traffic on the road. .
24. What is the author's attitude to his city life?
A. Approving.. B. Ambiguous. C. Grateful. D. Doubtful.
B
For most people, Christmas is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. But for Santa Claus,
and the thousands of fake Santas who impersonate（模仿） him every year, the Christmas season is time to get to work.
Although Santa Claus waits until Christmas Eve to take his famous sleigh (雪橇) ride, Santa
impersonators can be found at shopping malls around America throughout the six weeks leading up to
December 25. \that's when you know Christmas
really is on the way,\
With the excitement of Christmas, people often forget about the real people behind the red robes （长袍)
and white beards, but being a mall Santa. is a tough job. \it than just sitting in a chair. There is
more to it than just a red suit,\as a Santa for.38 years. \can really put the wear and tear on you.”
A recent survey showed some of the challenges that mall Santas face every year. About 90 percent of
Santas claimed that children pulled their beards to see if they were real, and 60 percent said that up to ten kids
cough or sneeze on them every day. Even more disturbing, one-third of the Santas admit to having children wet themselves while sitting on their laps.
So why would anyone take this job? For Ben Brauch, a retired high
school teacher who has worked as a
Santa for the last six years, the answer is simple-the children. \see maybe 12,000 kids in a six-week period.
It's hard work, but it's worth it because you get to play with kids.\Brauch loves his job so much that he keeps his white beard long all year.
25. According to Timothy Connaghan, we can conclude that _
A. all children are moved to tears when seeing Santa B. a mall Santa is always sitting in a chair
C. a mall Santa tolerates a lot during Christmas D. Santa impersonators are greatly admired
26. The underlined word \“ ”
A: hesitated B. stated C. worried D. insisted
27. Why does Ben Brauch love his job of Santa impersonator? A. Because he can keep his white beard long all year. . B. Because he as nothing else to do after retiring. C. Because he can earn a large sum of money. . D. Because he enjoys playing with children. 28. What is the best title of the text?
A. Santa impersonators during Christmas B. The coming
Christmas
C. Shopping malls in America D. A disturbing job
C
Two girls living next door to each other-a seemingly plain scene that has two very different life .stories behind it.
Chi Zhen, an 18-year-old student in Seville, Spain, used his camera to tell the story of two lives, which
went widespread online. Comments on the photos indicate that they have inspired many, to believe that the future is in their own hands.
Chi has seen many youths living life without a goal, wasting their time and blaming bad luck for it.
Feeling regret for them, he took a series of photos of his friends Veronica and Anna Maria, both freshmen at
the University of Seville in Spain. They live completely different life styles and are getting opposite results.
Chi hopes the photos will inspire those who have let go of their own fate (命运).
In the photos, Anna Maria, a Spanish girl, can be seen watching a TV programme . She spends most of her
time in front of her laptop. She rarely goes out, because she thinks she's not attractive and doesn't know what
to say in social situations. \ But she doesn't know that while she's wasting time watching TV, -Veronica, the \
has taught herself four foreign languages and traveled to many places. She goes to the library frequently and
her extensive knowledge and experience allow her to take part in any conversation and become the center of attention.
Chi thinks that Anna Maria resembles many of his Chinese .friends who study abroad. They are trapped to
their little circles, never trying to change their fate./'They say 'maybe I'll do it in my next life', but they are in
their 20s, their best time. How can they give up hope and accept this as their life?\
The influence of the photos has gone far beyond what Chi expected. One user commented on his photos
on Renren.com, saying, \wall separates two worlds, and the life we have depends on what we do.\
is determined to make a change right away. \and not watching TV anymore,\