1 . Among the constant adjustive education standards and requirements, it’s important to ask a question: exactly what do we want in a high school graduate?
Some people think the goal is to enter college and earn a bachelor’s degree. Others find that interpretation too narrow, preferring that young people leave school with the skills to move into living-wage jobs. But one thing many people can embrace is that high school graduates are skilled in basic math and English.
A proposed law, House Bill 1308,could ruin that goal. Students must do the following things to get a diploma: earn 24 credits of coursework; complete a High School and Beyond Plan matching those courses; meet one requirement of a series of “graduation pathways”. The problem is that these pathways don’t work for all kids.
In large part, that’s because they guide students toward college standards. Last year, after surveying nearly 1,000 students, researchers discovered that 18% of students said they were “not good” at math, and 33% said they were poor test-takers. For them, the current pathways are a barrier because of their emphasis on these skills.
The new pathway is instead focused on performance. It would allow kids to create a presentation—say an exhibit or report — demonstrating mastery of two core subjects, but not necessarily math or English. When the bill came up for discussion, over 350 people showed their support, because it’s possible that through the performance pathway, a student could create a project emphasizing mastery in “fine arts” and “health and fitness”. Rep. Sharon favors the proposal. In a hearing, she spoke of her granddaughter, who wrote and self-published a novel while still in school, to illustrate the kind of project is workable. While Tafona Ervin worries that the lack of emphasis on math and English could lead students to graduate without solid skills.
If the purpose of education is to ensure that young people are prepared to pursue a fulfilling life, finishing school uncertain of one’s abilities in math and English weakens education’s goal.
1. Why is the question mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To make an argument. | B．To introduce the topic. |
| C．To raise an education problem. | D．To clarify a concept. |
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．By making comparisons. | B．By offering statistics. |
| C．By providing suggestions. | D．By doing experiments. |
| A．Workable. | B．Effective. | C．Awful. | D．Reasonable. |
2 . California will be the first state to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products.
California’s fur law was one of several bills designed to prevent cruelty to animals. “California is a leader when it comes to animal protection and today that leadership includes banning the sale of fur, ” said Governor Newsom in a news report. “
Many retailers are also ending fur sales. In mid-October, Macy’s (American’s department store) announced it will stop fur from all its stores by the end of 2020. The stores will also close all fur vaults and salons. Other fashion brands such as Prada, Gucci, Michael Kors and Burberry have taken similar steps in recent years.
| A．But we are doing more than that. |
| B．California is taking the lead in protecting animals. |
| C．Similar laws have been carried out globally already. |
| D．And that in turn will leave many people unemployed. |
| E．Two other California cities had already banned fur sales. |
| F．Not surprisingly, the ban is welcomed by animal rights activists. |
| G．The ban applies to clothing, shoes, handbags and other things that contain fur. |
LEGAL NOTICE If you purchased Hill's Prescription Diet or Science Diet Canned Dog Food Between September 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019, Your Rights May Be Affected by a Class Action Settlement. | |
| WHAT IS THIS LAWSUIT ABOUT? The lawsuit claims that Hill's Prescription Diet(HPD) and Science Diet(SD) canned dog food products had high levels of Vitamin D. The lawsuit states that purchasers of these products lost money by purchasing dog food products that were not manufactured as represented and/or paid for services as a result of injuries to their dogs. The Court will hold a hearing on July 27, 2021, at 10:00 a. m. by Zoom Video, which may be moved to a different location, time or date. The Zoom Video link will be posted on www.PetFoodSettlement.com. WHO IS INCLUDED? You are included in the Settlement if you purchased HPD and/or SD canned dog food products in the U. S. between September 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019. | WHAT DOES THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDE? Consumer Food Purchase: If you purchased HPD and/or SD canned dog food products between September 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019, you could get a full refund with Proof of Purchase or up to 。20 total without Proof of Purchase. You must submit a valid Claim Form by July 2, 2021. Dog Injury: If your dog suffered injuries consistent with the consumption of excess Vitamin D as a result of your dog eating HPD and/or SD canned dog food products, you could receive money. You must submit a valid Claim Form with proper documentation by July 2, 2021. You can find more details on how to submit a claim by visiting www.PetFoodSettlement.com or calling 1-833-537-1191. |
www.PetFoodSettlement.com 1-833-537-1191 | |
1. When will the hearing be held according to the notice?
| A．July 27, 2021. | B．July 2, 2021. |
| C．May 31, 2019. | D．Sept. 1, 2018. |
| A．One provided some proof of purchasing related products. |
| B．One purchased HPD canned dog food on Sept. 11, 2018. |
| C．One submitted a valid claim application form on July 3, 2021. |
| D．One purchased some SD canned dog food products, costing $20. |
| A．1. | B．2. |
| C．3. | D．4. |
4 . Moving to Orange County
If you're thinking of moving to Orange County, with its wealth of sandy beaches, wineries and tourist attractions then there’re several things that you’ll need to know.
Visas for the US
The US has a number of options, and if you are relocating due to work commitments or family ties, you’ll be alongside the majority of applicants.
A green card holder, for instance, can apply for an immigration visa for a spouse（配偶）or (unmarried) child. A US employer can apply on behalf of a non-national person, and there are five preference categories for companies sponsoring immigration visas, the majority of which require exceptional skills, master’s training or experience of a particular profession. If you are being sponsored by an employer, your spouse and any child under the age of 21 can apply for immigration visas alongside you.
Temporary worker visas, on the other hand, are typically easier, but still not necessarily easy, to obtain and allow for limited stays.
Finding accommodation
The three largest cities in the county are Anaheim, an industrial center, Santa Ana,10 miles from the coast with a perfect safety record, and Irvine, an wealthy planned city with a number of highly regarded schools. If you’re looking for a metropolitan lifestyle, expect to pay an average of 1,600 USD in rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, rising to 2,900 USD a month for a family-size, three-bedroom apartment; an approximate 600 USD premium（溢价）on similar apartments outside of the city center.
If you would like to settle outside of a city, there are a number of suburbs in Orange County with plenty to offer young professionals and families. Perhaps one of the most renowned is Newport Beach, noted as one of the cleanest beaches in the county and famous for its many restaurants and fantastic schools. If you’re looking for an inland town, Aliso Viejo is an excellent option. This compact（紧凑的）town is easy to navigate and is ideal for young families.
1. If you want to get a US immigration visa, you must meet one of the requirements that ________.| A．you should have an unmarried child |
| B．your employer should be a non-national person |
| C．your spouse should be a lawful permanent resident |
| D．you should be qualified for five immigrant visa preference categories |
| A．a settler’s sponsor | B．a settler’s professional level |
| C．a settler’s company location | D．a settler’s needs and the type of lifestyle |
5 . Smoking in your own home in Thailand may now be considered a crime , if the smoke is considered harmful to other people in the house.
The new law , Family Protection and Development Promotion Act , was initiated(启动) by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and was announced in the Royal Gazette on May 22 ,2019.
The law aims at curbing smoking at home which might be hazardous for others' health residing under the same roof. In that case, it will be considered as “domestic violence". The new law came into force on August 20.
According to the center for research and knowledge management for tobacco control , at the Faculty of Medical Science of Mahidol University , there are about 4.9 million households where one or more family members smoke.
An average of 10. 3 million people have unwittingly (不知不觉地) become passive smokers because they've been breathing in smoke at home. Scientific studies show that passive smokers are al greater risk of being affected by cancer.
Of 75 child patients from houses where smoking is practiced ,76% of them were found to have nicotine traces in their urine , with 43% of them having nicotine content exceeding permissible levels.
Smoking at home also “may lead to physical or emotional violence” because of aggressiveness when there is a . lack of smoking, and might as well ruin relationships between smokers and non-smoker family members.
According to the new law , anyone who thinks they are affected by domestic smoking can report to officials concerned so that inspectors will be sent to investigate and take legal action against the smokers.
Once convicted , the court may order a person to receive treatment to quit smoking in an attempt to protect the person's family.
In February in 2019 ,Thailand had banned smoking at six of its airports along with a ban in public places.
1. What is the fact about the new law in Thailand?| A．It makes it clear that smoking at home is a crime. |
| B．I’s a law on protecting the health of non-smokers. |
| C．It was drafted and adopted by the royal family. |
| D．It classifies smoking as a form of domestic violence. |
| A．Treating. | B．Changing. |
| C．Improving. | D．Controlling. |
| A．It may increase the risk of cancer in passive smokers. |
| B．It will probably cause physical or emotional violence. |
| C．It will make the smokers become more aggressive. |
| D．It may lead 10 disharmony in family relations. |
| A．Smoking is illegal anywhere in Thailand. |
| B．Smokers are less likely 10 develop cancer than non-smokers. |
| C．People who smoke at home in Thailand will be sent to prison. |
| D．Thailand is committed to creating a smoke-free environment. |
| A．The new laws. | B．A healthy lifestyle. | C．Profitable industries. |
7 . NEW YORK—President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend immigration to the Unit States for 60 days to stop those applying for permanent residency from taking American job has drawn criticism from immigration supporters who brand it a “distraction” amid the coronavirus pandemic(流行病).
“In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!” the president tweeted Monday night. Trump said he signed the executive order Wednesday. “This would ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy opens,” Trump said at Wednesday night’s coronavirus news briefing.
The president had initially wanted to suspend all immigration to the US to stop the spread of OVID-19 and “protect American jobs”, as 22 million have filed(申请) for unemployment. But on Tuesday he said his executive order would affect only some family members of US citizens seeking green cards (permanent residency IDs) and foreign workers who want to move to America.” It would be wrong and unjust for Americans laid off by the virus to be replaced with new immigrant labor flow in from abroad.” Trump said at the briefing.
The executive order won’t bar(禁止) immigrants already living in America seeking green cards, or the 85,000 workers a year given H-1B visas nor seasonal farm workers. It also will not stop people using temporary visas for work or travel.
“The Trump administration is again seeking to distract Americans from their own failures to secure testing, provide basic protections for all workers, and create a healthcare system that works for us all,” Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the New York Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, told China Daily. He also said, “Among the l million essential workers in New York City working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic—delivery worker, EMS staff, drivers, healthcare personnel, and more—half are immigrant.”
Former US secretary of state John Kerry told CNN that the immigration order was “a sideshow, an effort to divert people’s attention”.
At least 6 million US healthcare workers were born abroad, including 29 percent of all doctors, 38 percent of home health aides(助力) and 23 percent of retail store pharmacists(药剂师), according to the Migration Policy Institute.
1. Why did Trump sign the executive order according to Para. 2?| A．To improve the welfare of American people. |
| B．To reduce employment pressure in America. |
| C．To promote America’s economic development. |
| D．To avoid American population rising so quickly. |
| A．Immigration to America should be limited to give local Americans more job chances. |
| B．The Trump administration is trying its best to secure testing to deal with the virus. |
| C．Immigrants play an important role in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| D．The Trump administration has created an effective healthcare system. |
| A．Ignore people’s attention |
| B．Control people’s attention |
| C．Focus on people’s attention |
| D．Take people’s attention away. |
| A．US immigration suspension draws criticism. |
| B．US stops those applying for permanent residency. |
| C．US takes measures to stop spread of COVID-19. |
| D．US healthcare workers who were born abroad. |
