1 . New research shows that the cost of raising a child in China is nearly seven times its GDP per capita (头数), far more than in the United States and Japan.

GDP, or gross domestic product, is the measure of the total value of goods and services in a country. GDP per capita is a measure resulting from GDP divided by the size of a nation’s total population.

The high cost of child-raising is one more difficulty Chinese policymakers face as they try to deal with quickly decreasing birth rates.

Experts warn China’s aging population will put pressure on its health and social security systems. A decrease in workers could also severely limit growth for the world’s second largest economy in the coming years.

New policies permit families to have as many as three children But China’s birth rate dropped to 7.52 births per 1,000 people in 2021. That is the lowest since the National Bureau of Statistics began recording the information in 1949.

The high costs of raising a child have caused officials in China to place restrictions (限制规定) on the private tutoring industry. Some areas have been giving couples money for having a second or third child.

The average cost of raising a child to the age of 18 in China in 2019 was 485,000 yuan for a first child. That is 6.9 times China’s GDP per capita that year. That information comes from a recent report from the YuWa Population Research Institute in Beijing.

China ranks second highest among the 13 countries included in the study. The country is behind only South Korea, which has the lowest birth rate in the world. The United States number, based on 2015 data, is at 4.11 times GDP per capita. Japan stands at 4.26, based on data from 2010.

Child raising costs are even higher in China’s major cities, reaching more than 1 million yuan in Shanghai and 969,000 yuan in Beijing. Birth rates in the two cities are even lower than the national average.

YuWa warned the decreasing birth rate would “profoundly (深刻地) affect” China’s economic growth potential, its ability to create and its welfare (福利) problems.

The study found that China would need to spend at least 5 percent of its yearly GDP to provide reasons for couples to have more children. That would include education funding (基金), special housing loan (贷款) rates and tax breaks. Other considerations include equal time for mothers and fathers to be away from their jobs and the building of more childcare centers.

1. Why do officials in China place restrictions on the private tutoring industry?

A．Because of the high cost of childcare.

B．Because there are too many extra-curricular tutoring classes.

C．Because the tutoring industry does not help students improve their grades.

D．Because many families want to give their children more leisure time.

2. What can we know from the passage?

A．China has the lowest birth rate in the world.

B．The cost of childcare in Beijing is higher than that in Shanghai.

C．The reduction of workers won’t limit China’s growth in the future.

D．The birth rate in 2021 has been the lowest since 1949.

3. What is the GDP per capita in 2019?

A．About 3,346,500 yuan.	B．Around 70,300 yuan.
C．Less than 50,300 yuan.	D．More than 80,000 yuan.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The measures that can reduce education costs.

B．The conclusion of the research by YuWa Population Research Institute.

C．The ways to increase the birth rate.

D．The impact of the decline of the birth rates.

2 . I came to Canada from Sri Lanka in 2000. My first day in Canada started at Toronto airport. I will never forget that day, when I felt very strange in the airport. There were so many people with different faces, skin color, hair, clothes and languages. I met an immigration officer, who turned to me and said, “Welcome to Canada.” I replied, “Thank you.” At that time my feelings were mixed which he understood.

On my first day in Canada there were many surprises in my life. The weather, transportation, culture, medical system, taxes, houses and languages are different in my country. When I came to Canada, it was snowing in Toronto. That day was very beautiful. I had never seen snowfall. I was happy to be here but Sri Lanka is a hot country with no winter and no snowfall. Canada has different seasons and different weather.

On my first day in Canada I knew few English words. I wanted to speak with other people but I couldn’t speak very well, because I didn’t know enough English. So I decided to study English and after that I would look for a job.

In Canada the health care system is very good, where there’re many hospitals and doctors, and we don’t pay for the medical care. There’re few hospitals in my home country, where I have to pay a lot.

On my first day in Canada I went shopping and I paid tax for the first time. I was so nervous that I asked my husband about it and he explained it was normal to pay tax there.

In Canada there are different kinds of houses. In my country, there are no apartments, no townhouses and no basements. When houses are built in Canada, the government makes a plan, while in my country, people make a plan.

As my stay lasts in Canada, my feelings, my mind, and my life are changing slowly. I enjoy living here because in my country a war has broken out. I’m feeling safe living in Canada.

1. Which surprised the author on her first day in Canada?

A．Snowfall.	B．Heavy rain.
C．Fine weather.	D．immigration officers.

2. How does the author develop the last four paragraphs?

A．Logic.	B．Contrast
C．Time order.	D．Exemplification.

3. Which is the best title of the passage?

A．My first day in Canada

B．Sri Lankans in Canada

C．Better life in Canada

D．Escape from SriLanka

3 . Do Americans have any morals? That's a good question. Many people insist that ideas about right and wrong are merely personal opinions. Some voices, though, are calling Americans back to traditional moral values. William J. Bennett. former U. S. Secretary of Education, edited The Book of Virtues in 1993 to do just that.    1    The success of Bennett's book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values. But what are they?

One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty. The well-known legend about George Washington and the cherry tree teaches this value clearly. In the story, instead of punishment, George received praise for not lying but telling the truth that he cut down his father's favorite cherry tree. Sometimes American honesty—being open and direct—can offend people.    2    

Another virtue Americans respect is perseverance. Remember Aesop's Fables (伊索寓言) about the turtle and the rabbit that had a race?    3    But the turtle finally won because he did not give up.

    4    The story of “The Good Samaritan(撒马利亚人)" from the Bible describes a man who showed compassion. On his way to a certain city, a Samaritan man. instead of just passing by. stopped to help a poor traveler lying on the road who was beaten and robbed.

In no way can this brief description cover all the moral values honored by Americans. Courage, responsibility, loyalty, gratitude and many others could be discussed. In fact, Bennett's bestseller—over 800 pages—highlights just 10 virtues. Even Bennett admits that he has only scratched the surface. But no matter how long or short the list, moral values are invaluable.    5    

A．But this virtuous attitude is hardly one of them.

B．Compassion(同情心) is a desire within us to help others.

C．The rabbit thought he could win easily, so he took a nap.

D．Compassion may be the queen of American virtues.

E．But Americans still believe that "honesty is the best policy”.

F．They are the foundation of American culture—and any culture.

G．Bennett suggests that great moral stories can build character.