America has been experiencing the longest economic increase in its history. Incomes have risen, unemployment has fallen, and cities such as New York are bursting with new office buildings.
But just a short walk from Manhattan’s skyscrapers, George Brown sits on the side-walk, cooking a lunch of rice and bits of fish over a can of cooking fuel.
Brown is homeless——one of the 2.3 million people in the US who end up on the street.
During the day, Brown collects aluminum cans and sells them for five cents a piece. At night, he sleeps on the street.
“I have been on the street about eight or nine years, something like that,” said the 62-year-old former construction worker.
Brown admits he had problems with alcohol and has smoked cocaine. But he said he still wants a more stable housing arrangement. He could afford it just with the money he earns by collecting cans and small pieces of metal, if only truly low-income housing were available.
However, he sees no hope of finding affordable housing in New York.
With the strong economy and unemployment down, beautiful housing is being built to meet demand.
A US report shows rents in New York City rose more than 27 per cent, from ＄549 to ＄700 a month.
One of the side effects of the strong economy is that rents have been going up.
The majority of people who experience homelessness really just need some affordable housing help.
But few housing companies are building for the poor. Many small apartments in the city now rent for ＄1,500 a month or more.
Brown, the homeless New Yorker, said he has a daughter who lives in the city but he rarely sees her. She is angry about his drinking and won’t allow it in her house.
Smiling, he said he also has seven grandchildren whom he’d like to see more often. “All I’ve got to do is clean up my act,” he said.
【小題1】What kind of life does George Brown lead?

A．Stable.B．Dangerous.C．Hard.D．Comfortable.
【小題2】 It can be inferred from this passage that     .
A．America is short of housing companies
B．the poor can’t benefit from the increasing economy
C．poor people in America will become rich
D．housing companies will build more houses for the poor
【小題3】The underlined part “clean up my act” in the last paragraph means “   ”.
A. remove my cans                B kick my bad habits   
C. make a lot of money             D. see my grandchildren
【小題4】Which part of a newspaper is the passage possibly taken from?
A．Society.B．Science.C．Arts.D．Business.


【小題1】C
【小題2】B
【小題3】B
【小題4】A

解析

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B
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  1. 1.

    In which country was the first Laughter Club started?

    1. A.
      Britain.
    2. B.
      America.
    3. C.
      Australia.
    4. D.
      India.
  2. 2.

    How did the writer feel at the beginning of the class?

    1. A.
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    2. B.
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    3. C.
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    4. D.
      Stressful.
  3. 3.

    When did the people in the club begin to laugh for real?

    1. A.
      After a few minutes.
    2. B.
      After a few hours.
    3. C.
      After a few seconds.
    4. D.
      After a few days.
  4. 4.

    Which of the following is true according to the passage?

    1. A.
      Fake laughter and real laughter are both good for health.
    2. B.
      40% of the people in Laughter Clubs are good friends.
    3. C.
      Adults laugh more often than children in a day.
    4. D.
      Laughing is the best way to prevent illness.

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