Education is vital to a nation which holds the reins of economy over the world, so it is to an individual who strives for better livelihood in a highly competitive society like the Americans.

　　New technology and automation create opportunities as well as challenges to the American people. Machines now take the sweat out of labor, and computers perform tedious mental chores. They have eliminated many of the menial, dirty, or dull jobs, but also entail challenges that can be met only by a better prepared work force. More education and more skill will be the chief requisite for a job.

　　In the United States, primary schools and high schools offer a broad education to provide a sound foundation in English, mathematics, arts and physical and social sciences. Subordinate to the broad education, both college preparatory and vocational courses are taught under one roof in the comprehensive high schools. Academic, business and technical courses are taught in the 2-year community and junior colleges. Many of their graduates decide they need more schooling and go on to regular colleges and universities. Skill centers in many large cities provide trainings and retraining for youngsters who leave high school and want to qualify for skilled occupations in industries or subprofessional and technical jobs in service fields. Vocational high schools provide “marketable skills” to young men and women who will never go to colleges. Also there are technical institutes under federal sponsorship and a vast range of in-school and on-the-job training programs financed by labor departments and industries.

　　1. What does better education mean to the American people?

　　A. Education making them learn how to use modern machines.

　　B. Education making students be able to communicate with foreigners.

　　C. Education including English, mathematics, arts, and physical and social sciences.

　　D. Education making a person get well-paid job.

　　Best Answer:C

　　詳解：答案C。見原文第三段第一句。由于當(dāng)今美國的新技術(shù)為從業(yè)者帶來了更多的挑戰(zhàn)，在小學(xué)和中學(xué)里，開設(shè)了一系列的教育課程。C項所述與原文意思相符，故本題的正確答案為C。

　　2.What have advanced technology and automation done to Americans?

　　A. Created chances and challenges to the Americans.

　　B. Forced them to get high position in their work.

　　C. Made them manage to earn much more money.

　　D. Given them chances to communicate with foreigners.

　　Best Answer:A

　　詳解：答案A。參見原文第二句。新技術(shù)的開發(fā)為美國人創(chuàng)造了機會，同時也帶來了挑戰(zhàn)。A項與原文相符，B、C、D 三項所述不符合原文意思。故本題應(yīng)選A。

　　3.What courses are available in a comprehensive high schools?

　　A. Academic courses.

　　B. Mathematics.

　　C. Technical courses.

　　D. Vocational courses.

　　Best Answer:D

　　詳解：答案D。見原文第三段第二句。在美國綜合性中學(xué)里也講授附屬于普及教育的大學(xué)預(yù)科和職業(yè)課程。D項符合原文。

　　4.What trainings are available to young people who do not go to colleges after they graduate?

　　A. Trainings in junior colleges.

　　B. Trainings in skill centers.

　　C. Trainings in work.

　　D. Trainings in community colleges.

　　Best Answer:B

　　詳解：答案B。見原文第三段第九至十二句。許多離開中學(xué)的年輕人想成為企業(yè)中熟練工種的或服務(wù)行業(yè)中次專業(yè)和技術(shù)工作的合格人才。許多大城市的技術(shù)中心為他們提供訓(xùn)練與再訓(xùn)練的機會。B項符合原文。

　　5.Which of the following is the major requirement for a job?

　　A. More education.

　　B. More skill.

　　C. More chances.

　　D. Both A) and B).

　　Best Answer:D

　　詳解：答案D。見原文第二段最后一句。受過良好教育以及具有較多技能是當(dāng)今美國人找工作時必須具備的主要條件。D項符合原文;A、B兩項有失偏頗;C項與原文不符。