1 . The Chinese government ends its one-child policy (政策) and allows families to have three children. The policy is meant to balance population development, stop a falling birth rate (出生率) and strengthen the country’s labor force (劳动力).
China, with the largest population in the world, started the one-child policy in 1980. But the government allowed only a small number of couples to have two children. For example, some families in the countryside could have two children, if the first-born child is a girl. In 2016, the Chinese government gave other couples a chance to have two children if one of them was an only child. Because of aging of population, in 2021, it allowed families to have three children.
To the newest policy, different families have different opinions. “Too many young people in the cities are no longer interested in having two or three children,” an official said. “People in the countryside are more interested.”
At the end of 2021, China had a population of more than 1.4 billion people. A total of 900 million of them have jobs. But the labor market population will drop in 30 years. That is to say, the country will be in great need of labor by the year 2050. With the three-child policy, an increase in births can solve this problem.
Boys and girls, what do you think of the three-child policy? Do you want to have new-born brothers or sisters?
1. Why does the Chinese government end the one-child policy?| A．Because China needs a larger population. |
| B．Because a falling birth rate must be stopped. |
| C．Because most families want to have a second or third child. |
| A．20 years. | B．30 years. | C．more than 40 years. |
| A．They strongly support the policy. |
| B．They don’t think it is good. |
| C．They’re not interested in it any more. |
| A．In 2035. | B．In 2050. | C．In 2070. |
| A．The population development will be balanced. |
| B．The labor market population will drop. |
| C．There will be more old people. |
2 . People working from home have more options for making their living abroad than ever before. Recently new destinations have launched programs to tempt workers to abandon their home offices for tropical shores and year-round sun.
Montserrat
Remote workers must have medical insurance and an annual income of at least $70,000.
Fees are S500 for individuals-or $750 or higher for families — to apply.
Applicants know within a week if they are approved.
Remote workers must test negative for Covid-19 and quarantine for 14 days at an accommodation of their choice.
Mauritius
Remote workers seeking a "Covid-safe" place to ride out the pandemic can consider Mauritius.
There is no fee to apply, though applicants need long-term accommodation plans, travel and health insurance and proof of sufficient funds to stay in Mauritius, which is defined as at least$ 1,500 in monthly income.
The Bahamas
People who think they may tire of staying on one island can apply for the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay program.
The new 12-month residency permit lets remote workers and students live and move between 16 different islands in the Bahamas.
Applications are processed within five days and cost $25 per person.
Travelers need a negative Covid-19 test result.
Dubai
All nationalities can apply for Dubai's new remote working program, provided they make $5,000 per month.
At $287 to apply, fees are lower than most other programs. Applicants must have health insurance and show proof of income.
Travelers must arrive with a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test taken no more than 72 hours before departing.
1. Which place charges least for application?| A．Montserrat. | B．Mauritius. | C．The Bahamas. | D．Dubai. |
| A．Travelers have the longest residency permit. |
| B．Applicants are informed of approval results. |
| C．Remote workers need no Covid-I9 test taken. |
| D．Students are allowed to apply for the program. |
| A．First-class service. | B．Permanent residency. |
| C．Cosy environment. | D．Health insurance. |
