People often think that having a million dollars would make all their dreams come true. There are TV game shows that give contestants the chance to become millionaires. When asked the question "What would you do with a million dollars?", most people tend to give similar answers: “Quit my job.”, "Buy my dream house," or “Go traveling.” Twenty years ago, it was possible to realize these dreams. However, things are not so easy today.
In many developed countries, the cost of living is higher than ever. Over the last twenty years, for example, housing prices in many of the world's cities have soared. In the U. S., luxury homes in the state of Arizona sold for about $ 800, 000 in 1995. These same homes now cost more than $ 1.5 million. Now, because more people live in the area, the cost of property has risen.
Apartments in many city centers are also more expensive now than in the past. Today, people want to be closer to their workplace, and many are now moving back into the city center. As a result, living in or near this area costs more than ever. Apartments in London's Mayfair district or in Manhattan in New York City often sell for over a million dollars.
Inflation is another important reason for the rise in the cost of living. Over the last 150 years, as prices have gone up, the value of money has gone down, so we now need more money to buy things. In 1850, for example, $50,000 had as much buying power as $1 million dollars does today. Of course, people now earn more money than they did 150 years ago, but they also spend more on necessities such as food, medicine, and housing.
In order to live well after you stop working, you should begin saving for retirement early. Experts suggest that after you retire, you will need 75 percent to 80 percent of your salary to live on every month. This calculation assumes that you have no mortgage on a house to continue paying, or any other major expenses.
Due to increased demand for housing, higher inflation, and longer life expectancy, a million may not be enough to live on. To be able to retire early, travel the world, and build your dream home, you may have to appear on that game show and win more than once!
46. What is the main cause of high housing price?
A. People generally make more money today.
B. There are more luxury homes than apartments.
C. There is less housing available there for sale or rent.
D. People would rather live in the suburbs than in the city.
47. The word "inflation" in the 4th paragraph refers to _____
A. the amount of money required for life's necessities
B. a continuing increase in prices over time
C. a bank loan for a house or piece of land
D. things that one must pay for regularly
48. If you make $ 4,000 per month, you will need _______ per month after you retire.
A. $2,250~$2,400        B. $ 3,000~$ 3,200
C. $3,500~$3,750        D. $2,550~ $ 2,700
49. What does the underlined sentence mean in the last paragraph?
A. You will be so lucky that you can win another million dollars.
B. Don't expect too much for just a million dollars that cannot change your life completely.
C. A million dollars is too little to travel around the world.
D. To win another million dollars is the only way to make you live better after retirement.
50. The passage mainly tells us _______.
A. what a million dollars can buy
B. higher housing prices have become a social problem to deal with
C. how much money you will need in order to live well after retirement
D. we should not neglect the fact that money may not be as that much as before

小題1:C
小題2:B
小題3:B
小題4:B
小題5:D
         
練習(xí)冊系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空

通讀短文,掌握其大意,然后選擇能填入相應(yīng)空白處的最佳答案。

During the past hundred years, the railway, the car, the radio, the cinema and now the TV, have produced very  1  changes in the amusement (娛樂活動) with which people pass their  2  time.
A hundred years  3 , people were in the habit of making their own amusements. When a group of people  4  together, they talked, played cards or other games, read aloud to each other, or went out riding, shooting or walking. Most people could sing a little or play  5, so at a party the guests amused each other. Above all, conversation was an art. Amusing conversation could  6  people happy for hours.
As for games,  7  football and tennis, people were also in the habit of playing them themselves. Most of them did not play very well,  8  they amused themselves and their friends. Nowadays we are amused  9  professional (專業(yè)的) singers or players.  10  listen to your friends singing when you can hear the great singers of the world over the radio or on TV? What about playing football with players who  11  very good at it when you can see some of the best players playing an important match? You may just sit comfortably  12  and watch the game without the trouble of going outside.
The art of conversation and the habit of playing and singing are dying. People are becoming more and more lookers and listeners, and  13  doers and talkers. This change does more  14  to people than good. It is better to do something not very well oneself than  15  to sit and watch others doing it.
小題1:
A.greatB.muchC.wellD.big
小題2:
A.busyB.freeC.workD.day
小題3:
A.laterB.before C.a(chǎn)goD.passed
小題4:
A.cameB.gotC.workedD.put
小題5:
A.basketballB.the basketballC.pianoD.the piano
小題6:
A.keepB.madeC.bringD.let
小題7:
A.for exampleB.such asC.likeD.for
小題8:
A.a(chǎn)ndB.forC.butD.so
小題9:
A.ofB.onC.inD.by
小題10:
A.Why notB.Why don’tC.How aboutD.What about
小題11:
A.isB.a(chǎn)reC.is notD.a(chǎn)re not
小題12:
A.a(chǎn)t a cinemaB.a(chǎn)t schoolC.a(chǎn)t homeD.in a park
小題13:
A.muchB.littleC.moreD.less
小題14:
A.harmB.harmfulC.badD.badly
小題15:
A.sometimesB.a(chǎn)lwaysC.usuallyD.never

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

More and more often we heard of people talking about Karaoke(卡拉OK)。 But what on earth it is about, still remains a question for many people. Karaoke is a sort of acoustic equipment which was invented in Japan around the middle of the 1970's. It means "a band without people" in Japanese. In fact, it is just a music tape without words. This equipment first appeared in some public houses and snack bars, and mainly for the customers to enjoy themselves. Most of the music in Karaoke was popular music. Therefore, at times, when anyone felt like it, he might sing songs to the accompaniment of the music that came from the equipment. Shortly after its invention, Karaoke was spread to the whole world. It was introduced to China and was welcomed by many people. Although you are not a good singer, or even sometimes you may sing out of tune, you can always enjoy yourself by singing Karaoke.
小題1:In this passage "band" means "group of persons ________."
A.who play games on the sports ground
B.who play music together
C.living in the same neighborhood
D.doing things together under a leader and with a common purpose
小題2:Karaoke is just a ______.
A.cassette tape with only music
B.cassette tape recorder
C.band from Japan
D.voice recording equipment
小題3:People went to public houses and snack bars ______when Karaoke appeared.
A.to have a good time
B.to have something to drink
C.to get something to eat
D.to buy the equipment
小題4:Karaoke was spread to the whole world ________.
A.a(chǎn)s soon as it was invented
B.long before
C.not long after it was invented
D.before long
小題5: The main idea of this passage is ______.
A.a(chǎn)ll persons like to play Karaoke
B.to introduce Karaoke to the people
C.Karaoke is a wonderful equipment
D.Karaoke is used everywhere including snack bars

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Modern zoos are different from those built fifty years ago. Those zoos were places where people could go to see animals from many parts of the world. The animals lived in cages with iron bars. Although the zoo keepers took good care of them, many of the animals did not feel comfortable, and they often felt ill.
In modern zoos, people can see animals in more natural conditions. The animals are given more freedom in nature. Even the appearance of zoos has changed. Trees and grass grow in cages, and water flows through the places the animal live in.  there are few bars; instead, there is often a deep ditch, filled with water, which surrounds a space where several sorts of animals live together as they world naturally. In an American zoo, the visitor can walk through a huge special cage that is filled with trees, some small animals and many birds, and large enough for birds to live naturally. In a zoo in New York, with the us of special night, people can observe certain animals that are active only at night, when most zoos are closed. Some zoos have special places for visitors to watch animals that live in the desert or under water.
Modern zoos not only show animals to visitors, but also keep and save rare animals. For this reason, fifty years from now, the grandchildren of today’s visitors will still be able to enjoy watching these animals
小題1:It seems that ______ is something most important for animals.
A  eating good food                B. living in cages
C. living with other animals           D. living in natural conditions
小題2:In modern zoos __________.
A.different kinds of animals are kept separately.
B.Animals are no longer taken good care of.
C.Animals have more freedom
D.visitors can walk where they live
小題3:In modern zoos ___________ feel comfortable.
A.the animals, the zoos keepersB.the visitors, not the animals
C.neither visitors nor animalsD.both visitors and the animals
小題4:In some zoos people can ____________.
A.walk through huge special cages to watch all sots of animals
B.see animals which live in special conditions
C.during the day observe animals that are active at night.
D.Watch all rare animals that may ot be seen in the future
小題5:The main idea of the passage is that __________.
A.zoos are now places where animals can live naturally
B.zoos are places where people can see animals from all over the world
C.there should be old and modern zoos alike
D.rare animals may soon die out

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Children at a school in Italy have today begun an experiment to replace all their books with personal computers. The pupils involved will each be given a special laptop that contains their entire courses.
Until today, the Don Milani di Rivoli elementary school in central Turin was like any other. Children turned up, got out their books and pens and began the process of learning. But now, in what's being described as a unique experiment, 60 fifth-grade pupils and a number of third-graders, will start using computers only.
The mini-laptops, which run Windows software, all have a full curriculum programmed into them. The pupils will use the computers to do all their reading and writing. Security systems within the laptops mean the children's access to the Internet is strictly controlled. The machines weigh less than a kilogram, can be dropped from a height of 1.5 metres and are waterproof.
Instead of spending 700 dollars a year on books, the laptops, built by the Italian company Olidata, cost less than 400 dollars. One of the teachers involved in the scheme says that, for the first time, schools will be able to verify in a scientific way how a computer alone can improve the learning process. The experiment, which has the backing of parents, is due to last a year.
In other countries, such a programme is also being carried out. Venezuela is ordering one million low cost laptops for its school children. The machines will be based on the Intel Classmate laptop that has been designed for school children. Many see the deal as a blow for the One Laptop Per Child organization that has also been introducing its child- friendly machine to developing nations.
小題1: Which of the following is TRUE about the mini-laptop?
A.It is heavy for pupils to carry. B.It can't be damaged by water.
C.It is one and a half meters high.D.It is easily broken or damaged.
小題2: The pupils use the laptop to ____ in class.
A.learn their lessons as an aid
B.have a course named computer studies
C.surf the Internet mainly to find information
D.do what they used to do with books and pens
小題3: How much money can a pupil save by using the mini-laptop to replace all the books in a year?
A.Less than 400 dollars.B.More than 400 dollars.
C.More than 300 dollars. D.Less than 300 dollars.
小題4:Which of the following about the experiment is TRUE?
A.It has been carried out for over one year.
B.It has already turned out to be a success.
C.The pupils' parents are against it in fact.
D.The pupils' parents are supportive to it.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

People who travel a lot fly with BA because they know they will get what they want and what they need. First of all, they want to go safely, and they also want to go quickly, across the country, across the sea, or right across the world — and they know BA will take them where they want to go, when they want to go. BA flies all the newest and fastest planes, to more towns and cities, in more countries of the world, than any other airline.
Do you want to go to Paris, Washington, or Beijing? BA will take you there, at all time of the day and night, right through the week. BA flies not only to the big cities, we also fly three or four times a week to towns and cities in the very heart of Asia, Africa and South America.
People who travel a lot fly with BA, because they know that they will leave on time, and arrive on time. They know the food they will receive and the films they will watch will be of the very best.
BA should be considered second to none. When you fly, fly with BA.
小題1:The writer thinks that the most important thing for the passengers is ________.
A.to fly freelyB.that the planes arrive on time
C.to fly at a fast speedD.to travel safely
小題2:BA flies to many big cities of the world ________.
A.every dayB.every three days
C.twice a weekD.every other week
小題3:The underlined sentence of the text means ________.
A.BA is the second bestB.BA is the best of all
C.BA has a long way to goD.BA is growing larger and larger
小題4: If you fly with BA, ________.
A.you’ll be the happiest one in the world
B.you’ll receive the best service
C.you’ll enjoy delicious meals that other airlines don’t have
D.you can travel to any place you like

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


Haikou: A shark was killed after being dragged to shore at Yalong Berth beach in Sanya, South China’s Hainan Province, on Sunday afternoon.
It was the first time a shark had been caught in the beach area, a popular tourist site in Hainan.
Local fishermen said they caught the 3-meter-long, l-ton shark by chance When they were fishing in sea water 1,000 metres deep near the beach.
Police temporarily(暫時)protected the shark while oceanographers decided whether it was a species belonging to State protection.
Fishermen later killed and sold the shark after oceanographers confirmed that it was a whale shark and therefore not under State protection.
The shark was believed to have drifted into the area from the deep sea due to strong waves caused last week by Typhoon Imbudo. It had no open injuries but experts said they believed it suffered from internal(內(nèi)部的)bleeding.
Local police officer Fu Chenggeng said beachgoers should not feel threatened by sharks because the fish never attack human beings on their own initiative. Fu said he had never heard of any shark attacks at the Sanya beach since he first started work there eight years ago.
However, police said they will improve the security system to safeguard tourists’ safety on the beach.
1.A possible title of the article should be      .
A.Tourists in Danger              B.Killing Whale Shark
C.Shark Caught in Beach Area      D.Whale Shark in Danger
2.From the article it can be learned      .
A.the shark was caught because of obvious injuries 
B.the number of the whale shark may be small
C.typhoon Imbudo may have brought the shark to the area
D.it’s not unusual to see a shark on the beach
3.The underlined word “confirmed” probably means      .
A.said      B.believed       C.thought        D.made sure

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


The conflict(爭執(zhí)) over what or how much homework should be comes partly from the fact that people can't seem to agree on the purpose of homework.
What teachers think?
Some teachers think that homework is necessary to reinforce(鞏固)what is learned in school. And so they ask their students to memorize what was discussed in class through homework..
Some teachers think the point of homework is to cover material that the class didn't have time to get to, so their homework is to let students learn additional things.
Other teachers like homework simply because they want students to form work habits and still others believe homework is necessary because it is the best way for parents to learn what their children do in school.
Parents' ideas.
But many parents seem to have different ideas.
Elissa Cohen,who has twins at Lafayette Elementary School, doesn't like the fact that third-grade students in DC elementary schools are asked to write about 25 book summaries a year. “They do the same thing over and over without really getting into alternate(交替) ways of thinking about books and thinking about reading and writing. ”
Experts' opinions.
Some education reformers (改革者), such as Howard Gardner, a Harvard University, professor well-known for his theory on multiple intelligence(智力), think that Cohen is on the right track. But it is often hard to persuade overworked teachers to give much thought to homework tasks.
60. How many opinions do the teachers have on "homework"?
A. 3.            B. 4.          C. 5          D.6
61. According to the experts' opinions,
A. teachers should give necessary work to the students
B. teachers should not work too hard or too long
C. teachers should let the students repeat what they didn't have time to get in class
D. what Cohen's thinking about is correct
62. What's the problem with Elissa Cohen's twins in writing about their book report?
A. They find homework really hard.
B. They simply copy one repeatedly.
C. They aren't given much thinking about what they read.
D. They get different ways of thinking about their work.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


London congestion charging
The charge was introduced on Monday 17 February 2003 to encourage people to leave their cars behind and use public transport when travelling in central London. It was introduced due to the high pollution levels and traffic congestion(擁擠).
The Inner Ring Road forms the congestion zone boundary and includes roads such as Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Park Lane and Edgware Road. Drivers can travel along these roads without paying the charge. Maps of this zone are published in the national press and are available from a range of outlets as well as online.
People who travel regularly between work and home have to pay £5 for each day they wish to travel through or within the charge zone between the hours of 7.00 am and 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday. They have a choice about how they pay the £5. They can pay online, via the Internet, phoning, texting on their mobile phones and over the counter at petrol stations and convenience stores. They also have a choice about how often they pay. They can pay daily, weekly, monthly or annually.
Not everyone has to pay the £5. Among these are residents, emergency services, registered-disabled drivers, taxis and those using alternative energy vehicles. These people/organizations have to apply for exemption (免交), which can be done online.
The London Congestion Charge works by using around 900 cameras at the boundary and within the zone. The cameras read the registration plates and send the information to a computer, which checks whether the owner has paid the charge and, if not, whether the owner has claimed exemption. If drivers have not paid the charge by 10 pm that day (and are not exempt) a penalty notice is sent to his/her home address. The longer that the penalty is not paid, the larger the fine. Persistent offenders have their vehicles removed.
For more information, call 0845 900 1234 or visit Transport for London’s congestion charge website at http://www.cclondon.com/.
1. This text is aimed at _______.
A. businesses            B. students               C. London residents      D. everyone
2. This text offers readers information about _______.
A. the weather forecasts of London
B. the days and times for people to pay the charge
C. the number of drivers who fail to pay the charge each day
D. the names of shops where you can get Congestion Charge maps
3. What can we learn from the text?
A. All people in London have to pay the charge.
B. London residents can pay the charge in different ways.
C. Registered-disabled drivers have to go to an agency to apply for exemption.
D. 900 cameras are used to judge whether the driver has gone through the red light.

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊答案