1 . Happy birthday! Do birthdays really makes people happy?    1    Birthdays celebrates the day when we were born. Besides, that extra candle on the cake suggest another year of growth and maturity (成熟) — or so we hope. We all like to imagine that we are getting wiser and not just older. Most of us enjoy seeing the wonder of growth in others, as well. For instance, seeing our children develop and learn new things makes us feel proud. For Americans, like people in most cultures, growing up is a wonderful process. But growing old?

    2    Growing old is not exactly for people in youth-oriented (以年轻人为中心) American culture.     3    As the old saying goes, “You’re young as you feel.” Older people joke about how many years young they are, rather than how many years old. People in some countries value the aged as a source of experience and wisdom. But Americans seem to favor those that are young, or at least “young at heart”.

Many older Americans find the “golden years” to be anything but golden. Economically, “senior citizens” often struggle just to get by. Retirement at the age of 65 brings a sharp decrease in personal income. Social security benefits usually cannot make up the difference. Older people may suffer from poor nutrition, medical care, and housing.    4    American sociologist Pat Moore once dressed up like an older person and wandered city streets. She was often treated rudely — even cheated and robbed. However, dressed as a young person, she received much more respect.

    5    Why? People are living longer. Fewer babies are being born. And middle-aged “baby boomers” are rapidly entering the group of the elderly. America may soon be a place where wrinkles (皱纹) are “in”. Marketing experts are already noticing this growing group of consumers.

A．That is a different story.

B．Most people in America like the young.

C．Of course they do.

D．Some even experience age discrimination (歧视).

E．People in America grow larger every year.

F．Most Americans like to look young, act young and feel young.

G．Unfortunately, the elderly population in America is increasing fast.

2 .

Personal Robot Make your parents and teachers happy ! Are you having problems finishing your homework on time? Do you avoid tidying your room until your mom shouts at you? You don’t need to worry if you buy a Mr. Helping Hand personal robot. Mr. H can be programmed to organize your homework. Your own personal robot will follow you around, putting away books and objects that you have left on the floor or bed. Mr. H also has these features (特点)： • weighs only 500 grams • includes long-lasting batteries • comes with a 5-year guarantee • remembers simple instructions Originally (最初) sold for $499 NOW ONLY 299

WATCH CONTROL This is a watch that James Bond would be proud to wear! This is NOT a watch for ordinary people! Your electronic PENGO WATCH CONTROL • acts as a remote control for TVs and videos. • gives you a daily weather forecast. • reminds you when to hand in your homework. • sets off a silent warning alarm when parents or teachers are near. Besides, your PENGO WATCH CONTROL will always tell you the time accurately! Originally sold for $199 NOW ONLY $99 For further information, click here.

1. With help from a Mr. H, you can ________.

A．stop using batteries

B．finish your homework on time

C．remember your teacher’s instructions

D．get your room tidied on your way home

2. A PENGO WATCH CONTROL can help you to ________.

A．repair your TV	B．organize your homework
C．be a James Bond	D．know what the weather is like

3. You can get your Mr. H far ________.

A．$499

B．$299

C．$199

D．$99

4. Where would you be most likely to find the two texts?

A．On a notice board	B．In a company brochure
C．On a teenage website	D．In a college newspaper

3 . Mr. Reese was born in a big city. His father had several companies and got a lot of money. He could give his son all the young man wanted. He was busy with his business and never asked him how he got along with his studies. So the boy spent most time in the restaurants or cinemas. Of course he was weak at his lessons and learned nothing at school. He made many friends but none of them was good and when they knew he came from a rich family, they began to teach him to gamble(赌博). Of course he lost much money.
　　Now Mr. Reese was twenty and finished middle school. He could not do anything. But his father didn't mind it until one day he found the young man had sold one of his companies. He became so angry that he made him leave his house. The young man couldn't gamble any longer. His friends made him pay his debt. He had to ask his mother to help him and the woman often gave him some money. But one evening his father happened to find it. The old man stopped his wife from doing so. They began to fight in the room. The young man brought out a knife and killed his father. His mother helped him to run away, but soon after that he was caught and sentenced(判刑)to death.
　　It was a cold and wet day. Suddenly it began to rain hard when Mr. Reese was being sent to the execution ground(刑场). Soon both he and the soldiers were wet through. He said angrily,“Bad luck! I shall be shot in such bad weather!”
　　“Don't complain(抱怨), brothers” said one of the soldiers. “You're luckier than us all. We'll have to go back to the city after that!”
1. Old Reese never wanted to know about his son's studies because _________.

A．he was sure his son was good at his lessons

B．he spent all his energies on his business

C．he knew nothing about the education

D．his wife looked after their children

2. The bad young men taught Young Reese to gamble in order _________.

A．to play with him

B．to spend spare time

C．that the could get much money from him

D．that they could find jobs in his father's companies

3. Old Reese became angry because _________.

A．him son had learned nothing at school

B．his son was weak at all his lessons

C．his son couldn't do anything in the companies

D．his son had lost one of his companies

4. Mr. Reese complained _________.

A．he was sentenced to death

B．he would be shot

C．he went to the execution ground on foot

D．he would be shot in bad weather