Only about half of this year’s high school graduates have the reading skills they need to succeed in college, and even fewer are prepared for college-level science and math courses, according to a yearly report from ACT, which produces one of the nation’s leading college admissions tests.
The report, based on scores of the 2005 high school graduates who took the exam, some 1.2 million students in all, also found that fewer than one in four met the college-readiness benchmarks①in all four subjects tested: reading comprehension, English, math and science.
ACT sets its college-readiness benchmarks — including the reading comprehension benchmark, which is new this year—by correlating②earlier students’ ACT scores with grades they actually received as college freshmen. Based on that data, the benchmarks indicate the skill level at which a student has a 70 percent likelihood③ of earning a C or better, and a 50 percent chance of earning a B or better.
Among those who took the 2005 test, only 51 percent achieved the benchmark in reading, 26 percent in science, and 41 percent in math; the figure for English was 68 percent. Results from the new optional ACT writing test, which was not widely taken this year, were not included in the report.
About 40 percent of the nation’s 2005 high school graduates took the ACT, and the average overall score was unchanged from the year before. Minority students make up 27 percent of all ACT test takers. Besides, there are also other worrying trends in the ACT report as well, including a continuing decline in the percentage of students planning to major in engineering, computer science and education.
Notes:
① benchmark  n. 基準
② correlate  v. 聯(lián)系
③ likelihood  n. 可能性
1. The report from ACT mainly tells readers the problem that ______.
A. few minority students graduates took ACT
B. many who intend to go to college are not ready
C. the college-readiness benchmarks is high this year
D. the tests for some subjects are too difficult
2. According to the benchmarks in 2005, about how many students will not earn C?
A. 30 percent.      B. 70 percent.      C. 50 percent.       D. 26 percent.
3. Which of the following pictures can correctly show the numbers of the students who achieve the benchmark in different subjects?
A.        B.
C.      D.
4. Which of the followings can be found in the report from ACT in 2005?
A. The report about the writing test is very objective.
B. More boy students are not good at science and math.
C. The percentage of students majoring science declined.
D. The average score of 2005 ACT participants changed greatly.
BADC
1. B 本篇文章主要是說美國的高中生的畢業(yè)生所參加的ACT考試成績不理想，上大學的分數(shù)低，B說的就是該意思。
2. A 由文章第三段最后一句可知。
3. D 由文章的第四段可知。
4. C 由文章的最后一段可知。
練習冊系列答案
相關(guān)習題

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

A peer is a person who is about the same age as you. Peers affect your life, whether you know it or not, just by spending time with you.
Peers can have a good effect on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in solar system. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone's reading it.
However, sometimes peers affect each other in another way. For example, one kid in school might try to get another to cut class with him, your soccer friend might try to persuade you to be mean to another player and never pass him the ball, or a kid in the neighborhood might want you to shoplift with him.?
Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group.Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that “everyone's doing it ” may influence some kids to leave their better judgments, or their common senses behind.
　　Peer pressure can be extremely strong and hard to get rid of. Experiments have shown how peer pressure can influence someone to change mind from what she knows for sure is a correct answer to the incorrect answer—just because everyone else gives the incorrect answer!That holds true for people of any age in peer pressure situations.
It can be hard to walk away from peer pressure, but it can be done. Pay attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. Inner strength and self-confidence can help you stand firm, walk away, and resist doing something when you know better.
小題1:What is the main idea of the passage?
A．Peers have a good effect.
B．Children give in to peer pressure.?
C．Peer pressure is hard to stop.
D．Peer pressure.?
小題2:The underlined word “shoplift” probably means to_______.?
A．do shoppingB．carry goods for shops?
C．steal in the shopD．take the lift upstairs in the shop?
小題3:The writer will NOT agree that_______.?
A．only children change their correct answers to incorrect ones because of peer pressure?
B．peers have an effect on each other?
C．peer pressure can be got rid of ?
D．peers will believe in themselves if there are other peers who agree with them?
小題4:The writer intends to _______ by writing the passage.?
A．warn peers to separate from each other?
B．tell peers to follow others?
C．show it is hard to walk away from peer pressure?
D．persuade peers to do what they think is the right thing??

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

A recent study conducted by the Pine Street Foundation showed that a dog’s nose may have the ability to detect cancer. A dog’s nose, which was the “medical device” used as part of the research, is believed to be among the world’s most powerful olfactory(嗅覺的) sensors. The study was conducted with 169 subjects 55 of which had been diagnosed as having lung cancer, 31 have breast cancer and 83 control subjects——people without cancer. During the study, five professionally trained scent dogs were used to distinguish between the breath samples of cancer patients and those who were healthy. With an average of 90% accuracy, the research was deemed a success.
The Pine Street Foundation conducted its research on the belief that cancer cells give off a different type of metabolic(新陳代謝) waste product than normal cells. According to the study, the difference is so great that it can be detected by a dog’s sense of smell, including both early and late stages of the disease.
In the conclusion of the study the Pine Street Foundation said that even ordinary dogs may be trained to identify the presence of cancer with only a breath sample. The organization also said that dogs can recognize the disease with astonishing amount accuracy and, finally, that the dog’s detection was not hindered(妨礙) by the presence of age, smoking or stage of cancer.
The Pine Street Foundation plans to continue their research and is currently seeking funding to launch new studies.
小題1:If we want to add several different detecting examples to the passage, we should write them
__________.
A．between paragraph 1 and paragraph 2B．between paragraph 2 and paragraph 3
C．between paragraph 3 and paragraph 4D．before paragraph 1 or after paragraph 4
小題2:The best title for this passage might be ______.
A．Dogs may smell cancerB．Why dogs can smell cancer
C．A Study on dogs’ special abilityD．A study on breast cancer
小題3:Dogs can smell cancer because ____________.
A．they can detect faster than manB．their sense of smell is very sensitive
C．dogs metabolize the food slowlyD．patients give off bad smell
小題4:People can know from the passage _________.
A．a(chǎn)ll dogs can be used to smell cancer
B．it’s not easy to find out cancer in the early stage
C．most of the research experiments are successful
D．dogs detect cancer by breathing and feeling

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Just five one-hundredths of an inch thick and light golden in color, the Lay's potato chip seems an unlikely weapon for global control. But its maker, Frito-Lay doesn't think so. "Potato chips are a snack food for the world , "said Salman Amin, the company's head of global marketing. Amin believes there is no corner of the world that can resist the attractions of a Frito-Lay potato chip.
Frito-Lay is the biggest snack maker in America owned by Pepsico and accounts for over half of the parent company's $ 3 billion profits every year. But the U.S. snack food market is largely saturated(飽和),and to grow, the company has to look overseas.
Its strategy rests on two beliefs: first, a global product offers economies of scale(規(guī)模) with which local brands cannot compete. And second, consumers in the 21st century are drawn to "global" as a concept. "Global" does not mean products that are consciously regarded as American, but ones that consumers--especially young people--see as part of a modern, innovative(創(chuàng)新的) world in which people are linked across cultures by shared beliefs and tastes. Potato chips are an American invention, but most Chinese, for example, do not know that Frito-Lay is an American company. Instead, Riskey, the company's research and development head, would hope they associate the brand with the new world of global communications and business.
With brand concept a key factor, Riskey ordered a redesign of the Frito-Lay logo(標識). The logo, along with the company's long-held marketing image of its chips, would help make the company's global development very easy.
The managers admit that they try to change national eating habits to a food created in America, but they don't think that means economic imperialism (霸主).  "We're making products in those countries, we're adapting them to the tastes of those countries, building businesses and employing people and changing lives , "said Steve Reinemund, Pepsico's chief manager.
小題1:Amin's belief is that _________.
A．people all over the world enjoy eating their potato chips
B．the light golden color increases the attraction of their potato chips
C．they must find new ways to promote sales in their country
D．potato chips can hardly control the world market
小題2:What do we learn about Frito-Lay from Paragraph 2?
A．It gives half of its profits to its parent company every year.
B．It needs to turn to the world market for development.
C．Its products used to be popular among overseas consumers.
D．Its development has caused fierce competition in the snack market.
小題3:One of the concepts on which Frito-Lay bases its development strategy is that __________.
A．consumers worldwide today are attracted by global brands
B．products suiting Chinese consumers' needs bring more profits
C．local brands cannot compete successfully with American brands
D．products identified as American will have promising market value
小題4:Why did Riskey have the Frito-Lay logo redesigned?
A．To suit changing tastes of young consumers.
B．To compete with other American chip producers.
C．To change the company's long-held marketing image.
D．To promote the company's strategy of globalization.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Animals can move from place to place, but plants cannot. When an animal is under attack, it can run away or fight back.. Plants certainly cannot run away, and they lack teeth and claws. But plants can defend themselves by using both physical and chemical means.
Some plants have their own ways to keep animals away. For example, the leaves of the holly plant have sharp spines (刺) that discourage grass-eating animals. Holly leaves on lower branches have more spines than leaves on upper branches. This is because the lower leaves are easier for most animals to reach.
Some plants, such as the oak tree, have thick and hard leaves that are difficult for animals to eat. Some grasses may contain a sandy material; eating such grasses wears down the animal's teeth.
Many plants also have chemical defenses. Some plants produce chemicals that taste bitter or cause an unpleasant reaction. Some plants may fight against an attack by increasing the production of these chemicals. When a caterpillar (毛蟲) bites a tobacco leaf, the leaf produces a chemical messenger. This messenger sends to the roots the information to produce more nicotine. The higher levels of nicotine discourage the caterpillar.
Many plants depend on both physical and chemical defenses. A certain plant in China, for
instance, has prickly (多刺的) leaves, and each prickle contains poisonous venom (毒液) A single experience with this kind of plant will teach an animal to stay away from it in the future.
小題1:The holly plant has more spines on the lower leaves because most animals________.
A．a(chǎn)re not tall enoughB．like the lower leaves only
C．a(chǎn)re not clever enoughD．can get the lower leaves easily
小題2:To defend themselves, oak trees use________.
A．chemical meansB．physical means
C．bitter chemicalsD．sandy materials
小題3:How does tobacco protect itself against an attack from a caterpillar?
A．Its leaves fight against the attack by physical means.
B．Its roots send a messenger to discourage the caterpillar.
C．Its roots increase the production of nicotine when it is attacked.
D．Its leaves produce poisonous sand to drive the caterpillar away.
小題4:What would be the best title for this passage?
A．Plants and AnimalsB．How Plants Defend Themselves
C．Attacks and DefensesD．How Animals Eat Plant Leaves

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

The city of Rome has passed a new law to prevent cruelty to animals. All goldfish bowls are no longer allowed and dog owners must walk their dogs.
This comes after a national law was passed to give prison sentences to people who desert cats or dogs.
“The civilization of a city can be measured by this,” said Monica Cirinna, the councilor (議員)behind the new law.
“It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who in exchange for a little love fill our existence with their attention,” she told a Rome newspaper.
The newspaper reported that round bowls don’t give enough oxygen for fish and may make them go blind.
“Rome has tried to protect fish more than anywhere else in the world. It stands out for recognizing that fish are interesting animals who deserve our respect and compassion every bit as much as dogs and cats and other animals,” said Karin Robertson, a director of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Last year a law was passed in Italy that gives people who desert pets big fines and prison sentences. Since then local governments have added their own animal protection rules.
The northern city of Turin passed a law in April to give pet owners fines of up to $598 if they do not walk their dogs three times a day.
The new law in Rome also says that owners mustn’t leave their dogs in hot cars or cut their dogs’ tails to make them look lovelier. The law also gives legal recognition to the “cat ladies” who feed homeless cats. The cats live all over the city from ancient ruins to modern office car parks.
小題1:The new law passed in Rome will ________.
A．help improve fishing environment
B．guarantee better conditions for goldfish
C．stop people from catching goldfish
D．discourage keeping goldfish at home
小題2:People in Rome believe that the civilization of a city can be judged by its ________.
A．exchanges with other cities
B．protection for ancient ruins
C．a(chǎn)wareness of animal protection
D．recognition of animal lovers
小題3:The underlined word “compassion” in Paragraph 6 is the closest in meaning to ________.
A．pityB．praiseC．supportD．popularity
小題4:People may break the law in Turin if they ________.
A．keep their dogs or cats in cars
B．feed homeless animals in car parks
C．raise their cats near ancient ruins
D．shut their dogs home all day long

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

From the earlier time it was well ___1___to the Peruvians that when a cut ___2____made in the thick skin of a ___3____tree, a white liquid like milk came ___4___. From this fluid (流動的) a sticky ___5_____of rubber might be made. This rubber is ___6____and wax-like when warm so that it is ___7_____to give any form.
The Peruvians ___8____the discovery that it is very good for ___9____out water. Then in the early ___10____of the century they made overshoes to ___11___their feet dry. Then a certain Mr Mackintosh ___12_____coats of cloth which were ___13____with rubber. Today Mackintosh raincoats are still ___14_____after him.
But these first rubber shoes ___15______raincoats were unpleasantly soft and sticky in ___16___. They were also stiff and very ___17____in winter. They were like wax(蠟) although they ___18____a bit stronger.
But the rubber ___19___use today has been improved. It is ___20____sticky but soft and elastic(彈性的) and strong enough for any season.
1. A. talked               B. heard           C. seen               D. known
2. A. has                B. was             C. may               D. will
3. A. rubber              B. apple           C. orange                  D. oak
4. A. from                B. through         C. out                D. up
5. A. raincoat            B. shoes           C. border             D. mass
6. A. hard                     B. fast              C. stubborn            D. soft
7. A. important            B. impossible       C. possible             D. uncertain
8. A. made                B. found          C. wrote             D. neglected
9. A. finding             B. keeping         C. making             D. pouring
10. A. kind               B. part             C. sort                D. halves
11. A. clean              B. clear           C. keep              D. prevent
12. A. made              B. found          C. appeared           D. gave
13. A. full                B. like             C. lined              D. applied
14. A. looked            B. named         C. made             D. searched
15. A. or               B. and              C. with               D. but
16. A. today              B. summer              C. winter             D. rain
17. A. soft                B. sticky          C. elastic             D. cold
18. A. felt                     B. made           C. needed                  D. produced
19. A. Mr Mackintosh      B. the Peruvians       C. we                 D. is
20. A. also                B. always         C. neither                  D. not

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

The majority of astronauts from America have been men. At the start of the space programme there was strong resistance from some people against having women in space. However, some women were very keen to become astronauts and in the end they were successful. In 1978, NASA began the first training programme for women astronauts.
Judy Resnick and Christa McAuliffe were both astronauts and they were both women, but in many other ways they were very different. Both of them were on Flight STS-5L-L. Judy Resnick was born in 1949 and studied engineering at university and went on to obtain a PhD in 1977. She was a member of the first group of women selected for astronaut training in 1978, and in 1984, she became the second woman in space. During that flight, she helped to launch three new satellites and she carried out a programme of research. She was, in many ways, a professional astronaut whose whole life was devoted to space travel.
Christa McAuliffe was born in 1948 and she was an astronaut almost by accident. In 1984, NASA decided to find a teacher who could accompany astronauts into space. They hoped that she would be able to communicate with students from space and encourage every one of them to be interested in space travel. Christa was a secondary teacher in history and social studies. She was a gifted teacher and she was selected from over 11,000 applicants to go on flight STS-51-L. She was also a very good communicator and she immediately established a very good relationship with the news media(radio, television and newspapers）. It was partly because of this that there was a great deal of interest and excitement about the flight. Thousands of students in schools and universities all around the country were looking forward to communicating with Christa in space. Millions of people were watching her flight with great interest. It is partly because of the excitement over McAuliffe's place in the flight that the disaster in 1986 had such an effect on people.
小題1:We can learn from the first two paragraphs that ___________.
A．Judy was against the idea of having women in space at first
B．Judy was the first woman selected for astronaut training
C．Judy helped to launch three new satellites at the age of 35
D．Judy carried out a programme during her second space travel
小題2:Christa McAuliffe was chosen for training because _______.
A．she was popular with the news media
B．she expected to give history lessons in space
C．she was an excellent teacher and communicator
D．she made the students in space very excited
小題3:The reason why there was great interest in Flight STS-51-L is that ________.
A．both Christa and Judy got PhD degrees in the same year
B．a(chǎn) young secondary school teacher was on the flight
C．students were going to learn more about space travel
D．it was the first time for women to travel in space
小題4: What would be the best title for the passage?
A．Two AstronautsB．Flight STS-51-L
C．Travelling in SpaceD．The Training Programme

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Learning English is one of the few things I have been doing consistently over the past 16 years. Like most Chinese students, I started learning English because it was a compulsory (必修的) course in my middle school. More importantly, English was a central subject for the college entrance exam.
At that time , studying English was not a pleasant experience for me . There was no fun in the process of learning . The focus of our English education was getting a good mark in exams . And nobody told me that the real meaning of studying mother language was communication.
When I became a university student , I spent nearly half of my time on English . In fact , more than 90 percent of the job offer ads in Shanghai list “ proficiency (精通) as a main requirement.
How did I improve my English ? People told me that TOEFL was very helpful and useful. As a result, I took a TOEFL training course and studied like mad. After six months’ preparation, I took part in the exam and got a high score . Later on , I had a chance to further my study in Britain . I soon discovered that all of my past English learning had been futile (沒用的) . When I first went shopping in a local supermarket , I really could not understand what the cashier was saying at all.
It was then that I realized I had totally missed the point . Instead of just passing exams , the main function of learning English or any other language is communication . What is more , lanuage does not exist independent of culture. Hence , mechanical memorization helps very little in communication. That’s why I was still unable to freely express myself after learning English for many years . By no means am I talented in any foreign language . I am still learing English . Why ?
First and foremost , my job requires me to use English everyday . Secondly , English helps me to have access to more information . Thirdly , as a bookworm , English gives me a chance to dive into the huge pool of inspiring English books . Last but not least , it is such a great experience to write in another language . Indeed , English has become part of my life .
小題1:How did the writer find English when he was a student?
A．He was interested in it .
B．He studied it because it was compulsory course.
C．He thought it funny to study English.
D．He often recited something when he studied English.
小題2:What is the purpose of studying English according to the writer’s idea ?
A．To get high marks in exams.
B．To prove that Englsih is very important.
C．Studying Eglish well can ehlp you get a good job.
D．To use English for communication with others.
小題3:According to the text , how is my English ?
A．I am good at English.
B．I can speak Englsih like natives.
C．I can master it but I can’t use it correctly.
D．I continued to study Englsih.
小題4:How can we master Englsih well ？
A．We need more mechanical memorization.
B．We should read and recite more books.
C．We should study Englsih as well as its culture and use it more .
D．We can study hard in classrooms and houses and get high marks in exams .

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習冊答案