考前练习任务型.doc

（一）At the beginning of the twentieth century, many people thought that the American family was falling apart. A century later, we know that this was not the case. However, although the family is still alive in the United States, its size and shape were very different 100 years ago.In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there were mainly two types of families in the United States: the extended and the nuclear. The extended family usually includes grandparents, parents, and children living under the same roof. The nuclear family consists of only parents and children.Today there are many different kinds of families. Some people live in “traditional” families, that is, a stay-home mother, a working father, and their own biological children. Others live in two-paycheck families, single-parent families, adoptive or foster, families, blended families (where men and women who were married before marry again and combine the children from previous marriages into the new families），child less families, and so on.What caused the structure of the family to change? In the early 1900s the birthrate began to fall and the divorce rate began to rise. Women were suddenly choosing to go to college and take jobs outside the home. In the 1930s and 1940s, many families faced serious financial, or money problems during the Great Depression, when many people lost their jobs. During World War II（1939-1945)，5 million women were left alone to take care of their homes and their children. Because many men were at war, thousands of these war widows had to go to work outside their home.During the next ten years, the situation changed. There were fewer divorces, and people married at a younger age and had more children than the previous generation. It was unusual for a mother to work outside the home during the years when her children were growing tip. Families began leaving cities and moving into single-family homes in the suburbs. The traditional family seemed to be returning.In the years between 1960s and 1990s, there were many important changes in the structure of the family. From the 1960s to the early 1970s, the divorce rate doubled and the birthrate fell by half. The number of single-parent families tripled, and the number of couples living together without being married doubled again. In fact, the single-parent household, once unusual, has replaced the traditional family as the typical family in the States. If we can judge from history, however, this will probably change again in the twenty-first century.The Changes of the American FamilyMain comparisonsContextsDifferent_1_There were two _2_ types of families in the past, _3_, the extended and the nuclear.Nowadays _4_types of families can be seen than before.Changes in different _5_.In the 1900s and 1940sMany of the women had to work outside due to the _6_of money., thus causing the fall of _7_and the rise of divorce rate.In the 1950sDivorce rate slided and there were more children . The families tended to be _8_ again.In the years between 1960s and 1990sDifferent types of familes_9_. Traditional families are no longer the typical ones in America.A trend worth notingAuthors opinion on changesThe present structure is _10_; it will experience changes again in the near future. （一）1. kinds/ types 2. main 3. namely 4. more 5.periods 6. lack 7. birthrate 8. fewer 9. occurred 10. temporary （二）The family sphere(范围) used to be defined by its isolation from the public realm. There was the public male realm（领域）of rational accomplishment and cruel competition, and the private female and child-rearing sphere of home, intuition（直觉）and emotion. The private realm was supposed to be isolated from the realities of adult life. For both better and worse, television and other electronic media tend to break down the difference between those two worlds. The membrane around the family sphere is much more permeable(可渗透的). TV takes public events and transforms them into dramas that are played out in the privacy of our living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.Parents used to be the channel through which children learned about the outside world. They could decide what to tell their children and when to tell it to them. Since children learn to read in stages, books provide a kind of natural screening process, where adults can decide what to tell and not tell children of different reading abilities. Television destroyed the system that separated adult from child knowledge and separated information into year-by-year slices for children of different ages. Instead, it presents the same information directly to children of all ages, without going through adult filters.So television presents a real challenge to adults. While a parent can read a newspaper without sharing it with children in the same room, television is accessible to everyone in that space. And unlike books, television doesnt allow us to flip（翻转）through it and see whats coming up. We may think were giving our children a lesson in science by having them watch the Challenger take off, and then suddenly they learn about death, disaster and adult mistakes.Books allow adults to discuss privately what to tell or not tell children. This also allows parents to keep adult material secret from children and keep their secret keeping secret. Take that same material and put it on The Today Show and you have 800,000 children hearing the very things the adults are trying to keep from them. Television takes our kids across the globe before parents give them permission to cross the street. More importantly, children gradually learn that adults are worried and anxious about being parents. Actually, television has also places families under a lot of stress.How Television Changes Childhood?Main comparisonsContextsDistance between _1_and the outside.Homes used to be isolated from the _2_realm.Homes nowadays are _3_to the outside world.Media through which children can obtain informationIn the past, children might learn _4_about the outside world with the help of parents and _5_.More information is got directly through TV and other electronic media, which breaks down the _6_ between adult world and the child world._7_ of the information children getTraditionally, kids could only knew what they should learn at their age, carefully_8_by their parents.Everything can possibly be known by children, including many aspects of _ life.Effects on family educationParental instructionFamilies are now under greater stress than before. Adults are anxious about being parents and faced with new _10_. （二）1. Homes 2. public 3.connected 4.indirectly 5.books 6.difference 7. Content 8. decided/ chosen 9.adult 10. challenges （三）Some people believe that greed and selfishness has become the basis of modern society, and we should return to the old traditions of family and community then we will have a better life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the above opinion?In this fast-paced world, many values are undergoing major changes. While people traditionally prioritize caring, sharing and generosity in life and work, modern people seem to be more self-absorbed and self-concerned.Modern people act selfishly to survive the harsh competition of life. They say that it is a jungle out there. To survive, you have to fight with whatever means that come handy. Obviously greedy and selfishness go perfectly well with such ideas. In a company, employees do everything they can to get better pay and higher position, even at the cost of colleagues. We are in any way advocating any selfish conduct. It is just that people are pressured to act in a certain way due to outside influences.In spite of common practice, it is hard to conclude that modern society is built on greed and selfishness, both of which are not newly invented vocabulary. In ancient times people also did greedy and selfish things though such behaviors were more condemned then. But we can not ignore the fact that people in the past lived a relatively more isolated life and faced less pressure compared with their modern counterparts.Are we happier to share with others and be generous to them? There is no fixed answer either. Some people take great pleasure helping and giving to others while others feel happy doing the opposite. But I personally think that people should not be too selfish. Caring for others can actually encourage the development of a mutually beneficial relationship.In conclusion, modern people appear to be more self-centered than those in the past due to strong outside pressure. However, we should encourage people to know the importance of being caring and generous and to build a mutually beneficial relationship with others.Are Modern People Becoming More Selfish?Main comparisonsContexts _1_ are changingIn the past people put caring, sharing and generosity in the first _2_.Nowadays, people seem to be more _3_about themselves._4_are changing too.People in the past appeared to be modest and self-effacing(谦让的).People may strive to achieve their own _5_ at the price of their coworkers.The authors understanding_6_ for the changes in authors eyesFierce _7_ and great _8_on modern people may be responsible for the changes.The authors _9_towards topicA relationship which can _10_ two sides should be established. （三）1.Values 2. place 3. concerned 4. Behaviors 5. goals 6. Reasons 7. competition 8. pressure 9. attitudes 10. benefit （四）Traditionally, customers may consider more about what they buy the product for. However, the image of product and the consuming circumstance have become the key points to attract customer awareness and stimulate their buying needs. Frequently, customers buy goods just because they are cute, lovely and unique. With a less emphasis on functional utilities, the experience and imaginative space are placed into an increasingly important role. The image of product is emphasized, as well as the communication between products and consumers. “Customer behavior, which appears to be focused and directed at the object and at pleasure, in fact responds to quite different objectives: displaced expression of desire, and the production of a code of social values through the use of differential signs”(Baudrillard) . The reason for image-oriented customer behavior is probably that customers lifestyle has been continuously virtualized by paying much attention to “Virtual Reality”. The evidences can be traced from computer games and Hollywood movies, in which customers preference for fleeing reality is perfectly matched.This change requires us to take efforts to enhance product image by integrating style, color, taste, shape and material, and communicate with customers creatively, imaginatively and innovatively, and enable them to enjoy the distinctive experience image brings. “A need is not a need for a particular object as much as it is a need for difference” ( Baudrillard). The typical example is Apple Computers IMAC, which has strong visual impact and outstanding dynamics. By this way, customer relationship can be set up through image, and brand can be treated as living that can transform people. Other examples commonly used are Disney Fairyland and Las Vegas, where new experience and imagination are fully demonstrated. In sum, consumption is negotiation, a never-ending conversation held in the languages of advertising, packaging, branding, fashion, and entertainment.More Attention to the Image of ProductMain comparisonsContextsDifferent aspects _1_about by people when they are shopping.In the past, people think more about the _2_of the goods.People today are more easily _3_by the _4_ of product and the buying atmosphere.Different _5_ to promote salesTraditionally, producers may focus more on the functional utilities of goods.Nowadays, product image should be _6_and there should be more effective _7_with customers. More details worth noticingThe_8_ for image-centered behaviourInfluenced by computer games and Hollywood movies, peoples _9_is virtualized._10_are given to prove the importance of imageApple Computers IMAC/ Disney Fairyland/ Las Vegas （四）1.concerned/ cared 2. use/ function 3. attracted 4.image 5. ways 6. stressed 7.communication 8. reason 9. lifestyle 10. Examples Located on the north-eastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,000 kilometers and covers an area of some 348,700 square kilometers. It is a site of remarkable variety and beauty, and is often known as a great natural wonder of the world.The Great Barrier Reef has been constructed by simple marine animals called corals (珊瑚虫) over thousands of years. Contrary to popular belief, however, the Great Barrier Reef is not a continuous reef, but a group of nearly 3,000 coral reefs that have been growing for a long time. The Great Barrie Reef is no doubt the worlds most extensive stretch of coral reefs. They are of all sizes and shapes. Ranging from less than one hectare(公顷) to more than 100,000 hectares, these reefs provide the most spectacular（壮观的）marine scenery on Earth.One must also realize that the Great Barrier Reef contains more than just coral reefs. It is probably the worlds richest area in terms of biological diversity, displaying the maturity of an ecosystem which has evolved（变体）over the years. The Great Barrier Reef provides habitats for various forms of marine life. There are over 1,500 species of fish, about 400 species of corals, and 200 species of birds. As the habitat of endangered species such as the dugong (儒艮) and the large green turtle, it also holds great scientific interest. Given severe pressures being placed on these species elsewhere, the Great Barrier Reef may be their last secure stronghold.In 1981, the great Barrier Reef was added to the UNESCOS World Heritage List. Now it has become a very popular tourist destination. There are approximately two million visitors to the Great Barrier Reef each year. The area offers visitors a variety of activities including water sports and birdwatching. Over the years, however, the Great Barrier Reef has been faced with many environmental threats such as oil pollution, overfishing, decreased water quality and global warming. In 1975, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established with the purpose of protecting the areas biological diversity while providing for reasonable use, including tourism, fishing, boating, diving and research. The park authority has zoned the area in order to decide which activities are allowed in each zone. The Great Barrier Reef1._2._ideaDetailed information ILocation and 3._on the coast in the 5._ of Australia, 6._ an area of some 348,700 square kilometers IIIts constructionConstructed by simple marine 7._over thousands of years. IIIThe worlds richest area in terms of biological diversityThere are 8._ species of fish, about 400 species of corals and 200 species of 9._. IVIts environmental 4._Oil pollution, overfishing, decreased water quality and 10._throughout the world Key to the exercises（1）21-25 DBCBC 26-30 DCADB 31-35. CADBA （08山东）36. ABACD 4145 BBBCD 4650 CBAAC 5155 ADCDD 5659 CDCD 6063 CADB 6466 AAC 1. Paragraph 2. Main 3. size 4. threats 5.northeast 6. covering 7. corals 8. 1,500 9. birds 10. warmth任务型阅读二，每空一词。Beggars are often seen sitting by the side of a street with heads bowed as people pass them by. Some ask people passing by for a small amount of money and some just sit and wait to be given money. A few use aggressive behaviour to earn money.To solve the problem of aggressive begging, an “alternative giving ” plan has been suggested. Ten blue money boxes will be placed in busy places such as the market and the railway station. It aims to encourage people not to give money directly to beggars but instead to give generously to local homeless causes.Supporters of this plan think it will be an effective way to solve the beggars alcohol and drug problems. But the police oppose the plan arguing that beggars who do not receive cash may turn to criminality to feed their addictions. The homeless charity “Crisis” said the success of any plan will depend on its style. They think that imaginative and positive plans can help create local understanding and sympathy instead of hardness. Most of the beggars dislike the plan because they think they will not get enough money from the boxes for their showers, food and clothes.Begging is a big social problem both in developing and developed countries. Governments must play a big role in solving this problem. Training beggars to work and helping them to find appropriate jobs is one option. This is especially true for developing countries where many low-skill jobs exist.The general community should also be educated to see beggars not as dirty and dangerous, but as people who need understanding and help.Begging problemIntroduction to the begging problemSome beggars ask 3_for moneySome beggars just sit and wait to be givenmoneyAn “alternative plan” to the problemIn some busy places, such as the market and railway station, ten blue boxes will be placed to 4_people to give money to local homeless causes.Different 1_to