On September 11, it seemed like New York and the people who lived there had c...

李老师

On September 11, it seemed like New York and the people who lived there had changed forever. These days, however, it’s become obvious that, at least in one way, New Yorkers haven’t changed at all.
New Yorkers are famous for not agreeing on anything. Arguments, both good-natured and not, erupt(爆发) daily on everything from politics to food, world events to the price of vegetables. However, for a brief moment, a half-dozen architectural models managed to unite New York public opinion. The models were of proposed designs of buildings to replace the fallen World Trade Centre, and the overwhelming reaction was: “They stink” (糟透了).
Soon after the September 11 attack, the property’s owners had considered the idea of rebuilding the towers exactly as they had stood there. But critics pointed that the original designs were rather dull and their size made them impersonal and intimidating(令人畏惧的). Instead, they recommended a collection of smaller buildings including office space, retail stores and restaurants, and a memorial to the buildings and the people who died in them.
The public reaction to the models was almost completely negative, but that’s where the agreement ended. Some thought the new designs were too big, while others felt they weren’t big enough. Some complained they were too impersonal and didn’t reflect the humanity of the people who had died, while others said they weren’t impressive enough. Some suggested a more modern exterior, while some said it was already too modern and should have a more traditional look. With these ongoing disagreements, it’s likely that the reconstruction will take longer than expected.
1. What is mainly discussed in this passage?
  A. More people agree to rebuild the towers exactly as they had stood before.
  B. Proposed models have been accepted after heated arguments.
  C. New Yorkers are well known for debating daily on various kinds of issues.
  D. The debate on how to design buildings to replace the World Trade Centre is endless.
2. What can we learn about New Yorkers according to this passage?
  A. New Yorkers are very impersonal.
  B. New Yorkers have changed their life style after the September 11 attack.
  C. New Yorkers managed to unite public opinions.
  D. New Yorkers like to argue with each other for everything.
3. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to this passage?
  A. Someone suggested that the new building should have a more traditional look.
  B. People’s reaction to the models was positive.
  C. Someone suggested that the new building should include a memorial.
  D. Some thought the new designs were too big.
4. The reconstruction will take longer time because _______.
  A. designers have not made models
  B. people have not reached an agreement
  C. it is dangerous to construct high buildings in New York
  D. the property owners are afraid that companies will not move in
5. The word “exterior（Para.4）” is closest in meaning to _______.
  A. entrance    B. design     C. appearance     D. materials

( 2 )
A few years ago it was common to speak of a generation gap between young people and their elders. Parents said that children did not respect and listen to them, while children said that their parents did not understand them at all. What had gone wrong? Why had the generation gap suddenly appeared? Actually, the generation gap has been around for a long time. Many people argue that it is built into every part of our society.
One important cause of the generation gap is the opportunity that young people have to choose their own ways of life. In a more traditional society, when children grow up, they are expected to live in the same area as their parents, to marry people that their parents know and like, and often to continue the family jobs. In our society, young people often travel great distances for their education, move out of the family at an early age, marry or live with people whom their parents have never met, and choose jobs different from those of their parents.
In our society, parents often expect their children to do better than they did, to find better jobs, to make more money and to do all the things that they were unable to do. Often, that is another cause of the gap between them. Often, they discover that they have very little in common with each other.
Finally, the speed at which changes take place in our society is the third cause of the gap between the generations. In a traditional culture, senior people are valued for their knowledge, but in our society the knowledge of a lifetime may become out of date. The young and the old seem to live in two very different worlds, separated by different skills and abilities. No doubt, the generation gap will continue in American life for some time to come.
6. The first paragraph tells us that ______.
A. the problem of the generation gap draws much attention from people
B. it is out of date to talk about the generation gap
C. children and parents are trying to understand each other
D. it is very important for people to frequently communicate with each other
7. In a more traditional society, old people_______.
A. have their children respect and listen to them
B. do not care for their children at all
   C. expect their children to rebel against them
   D. do not live together with their children
8. In American society young people________.
A. do not need to find jobs
B. leave home at an early age
C. have better education than their parents
D. marry people younger than them
9. Which of the following is NOT the cause of the generation gap?
A. Young people like to depend more on themselves.
B. Parents do not love their children dearly.
C. American society changes rapidly.
D. Parents expect too much of their children.
10. The main idea of the passage is ________.
A. that the generation gap needs considering
B. when the generation gap is necessary in Ameri