II. Reading comprehension.(15 points)
Passage 1
Each student at an engineering college in Canada gets a steal ring upon graduation as well as graduation certificate.
There is a story behind the unusual ring. Several years ago, a graduate from this engineering college designed an iron-steel bridge. Unfortunately, because of mistakes in his design, the bridge collapsed soon after it came into use.
This event shook the engineering college. And the head of the college decided to take back the framework of the iron-steel bridge and use it as the material for making rings to give the students upon their graduation. The college wants the students to remember this lesson forever so as to avoid making such mistakes again.
1. Upon graduation each student is given a steel ring as a
A. gift from the college
B. lesson to avoid making any mistakes in design
C. model to make designs
D. warning not to make iron-steel bridge
2. The wrongly-designed iron-steel bridge was finally
A. shipped away
B. sold at a low price
C. made into many rings
D. used again after repairing
3. The ring is quite unusual because
A. its design is excellent
B. it is very expensive
C. it is different from others
D. it had a sad story
4. The best title for the passage is
A. A Great Mistake
B. A Shocking Event
C. A Warning Ring
D. A Wrongly-designed Bridge
5. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. The iron-steel bridge collapsed soon after it was built
B. The iron-steel bridge has been used ever since it was built
C. The iron-steel bridge didn't come into use until it collapsed
D. The bridge collapsed because it was designed by a poor student
Passage 2
American cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture. Cities contain the very best aspects of a society: opportunities for education, employment, and entertainment. They also contain the very worst parts of a society: violent crime, racial conflict, and poverty. American cities are changing, just as American society is changing.
After World War II, city residents became wealthier, more prosperous. They had more children. They needed more space. They move out of their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the suburbs, areas near a city where people live. These are areas without many offices or factories. During the 1950s the American "dream" was to have a house in the suburbs.
Now things are changing. The children of the people who left the cities in 1950s are now adults. They, unlike their parents, want to live in the cities. Many young professionals, doctors, lawyers, and executives are moving back into the city. Many are single; others are married, but often without children. They prefer the city to the suburbs because their jobs are there; they are afraid of the fuel shortage; or they just enjoy the excitement and opportunities which the city offers. A new class is moving into the city- a wealthier, more mobile class.
Only a few years ago, people thought that the older American cities were dying. Some city residents now see a bright, new future. Others see only problems and conflicts. One thing is sure: many dying cities are alive again.
6. Paragraph 1
A. explains why American cities are changing
B. shows tat American cities have many problems
C. is a description of cities
D. says: American cities contain the very best aspects of a society
7. In the 1950s the American "dream" was
A. to have a house
B. to buy a new house in the suburbs
C. to have a big car
D. to buy an apartment in the city
8. In paragraph 3, the author gives _______ reasons why people want to live in cities.
A. two
B. four
C. five
D. three
9. According to the article, cities are
A. sick
B. living
C. alive again
D. dying
10. The movement of people to and from the city can explain
A. racial conflict
B. social changes
C. violent crime
D. the best aspects of a society
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