Cities with high levels of homeownership—in the range of 75%, like Detroit and St. Louis—had on average considerably lower levels of economic activity and much lower wages and incomes. Far too many people in financial problems are trapped in homes they can’t sell, unable to move on to new centers of opportunity.
The cities and regions with the lowest levels of homeownership—in the range of 55% to 60% like Los Angeles and New York—had healthier economies and higher incomes. They also had higher levels of happiness and well-being.
I was shocked to read these interesting points that Richard Florida made in his recent article. Let me try to understand. The people in Detroit and St. Louis are less happy than the people in New York, and Los Angeles. And, the reason is because of homeownership rates?
First, to compare them to New York City (the economic capital of the world), Los Angeles (the entertainment capital of the world) seems unfair. Most people in almost any other city in the world might be less happy!
Next, let’s try a different way of determining whether renters are happier than homeowners. Why don’t we ask them? Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey 2010 reported:
75% of current renters believe owning a home makes more sense.
67% plan to buy a home at some point in the future.
When they asked current renters for the major reason to buy a house, these were their answers (they could pick several answers):
78% said it was a good place to raise children.
75% said because they would feel safe.
70% said because you have control of your own space.
If you believe renters are happier, you would also have to believe the majority enjoy living in a less safe environment, which wouldn’t be a good place to raise children and would be a place where they have less control of their space.
小題1:Which of the following is a fact?
A．People in Los Angeles earn high incomes because of its low homeownership rate.
B．New York’s low homeownership rate increases people’s happiness levels.
C．Detroit’s high level of homeownership causes its economic problems.
D．St. Louis has a higher level of homeownership than Los Angeles.
小題2:In his article, Richard Florida tried to express that _________.
A．people in Los Angeles are happier than those in St. Louis
B．renting a house is better than owning a house
C．Detroit’s economy is healthier than New York’s economy
D．New York and Los Angeles are happiest cities
小題3:The writer believes that New York City and Los Angeles _________.
A．pay employees highest wages in America
B．benefit from low levels of homeownership
C．a(chǎn)re leading cities across the globe
D．a(chǎn)re best American cities to live in
小題4:From Fannie Mae’s survey report, we can know that _________.
A．paying rent makes more sense
B．most homeowners plan to sell their houses
C．most renters prefer to become homeowners
D．parents need to buy a house for their children

小題1:D
小題2:B
小題3:C
小題4:C

試題分析：文章先是引用Richard Florida 文章里面的話，說明租房子的人比擁有房子的人快樂，但是作者通過Fannie Mae的報告對其進行反駁，說明人們還是愿意自己擁有房子的。
小題1:細節(jié)題：從第一段的句子：Cities with high levels of homeownership—in the range of 75%, like Detroit and St. Louis 和第二段的句子：The cities and regions with the lowest levels of homeownership—in the range of 55% to 60% like Los Angeles 可知在圣路易斯比洛杉磯私房屋主多，選D
小題2:推理題：從第三段的句子：The people in Detroit and St. Louis are less happy than the people in New York, and Los Angeles. And, the reason is because of homeownership rates? 可知Richard Florida 在他的文章中想表達的是租房子的人比擁有房子的人更快樂，選B
小題3:細節(jié)題：從第四段的句子：First, to compare them to New York City (the economic capital of the world), Los Angeles (the entertainment capital of the world) seems unfair. Most people in almost any other city in the world might be less happy!可知作者認為紐約和洛杉磯是兩個主要的城市，選C。
小題4:細節(jié)題：從第五段下面的調(diào)查結(jié)果：75% of current renters believe owning a home makes more sense. 67% plan to buy a home at some point in the future.可知大部分租房子的人還是愿意自己擁有房子的，選C。
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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

When several people look at the same person, it is not unusual for each of them to see different things; when you are alone observing one behavior or a person at two different times, you may see different things. The followings are but some of the factors that lead to these varying perceptions(感知,認識):
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A．our hearing and visual abilities
B．cultural background and personal experiences
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B．one pays more attention to his/her advantages
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A．the information received runs against your desire
B．facts can be twisted or totally ignored
C．importance of the contradictory information can be overrated (估計過高)
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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

I have nothing to say about whether or not “A Day Without Immigrants(移民)” had a positive or negative effect on the question of how the federal government should deal with the huge population of undocumented illegal immigrants in this country. I'll leave that question to others.
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“A Day Without Losing Your Temper.” A higher degree of difficulty here, and I know that from personal experience. When something goes wrong at home or on the job, there may be brief satisfaction in yelling or kicking the furniture, but bursting into anger usually has nothing to do with the approach to the heart of the matter.
“A Day Without Having All The Answers.” I would like to get a break from hearing anyone speak the phrase, “Here’s what you’re doing wrong.” Right now the US is packed with citizens who believe they can point out the cause of every single problem in existence and then solve it in a moment. I believe they need to be quiet sometimes and use their ears instead of their voices.
I wonder how would average Americans react to such a national pause? Would it be a day of reaction against anger, or joyful celebrations?
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A．①②③B．①③④C．②③④D．①②④
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B．make customers and sales assistants relaxed
C．let customers enjoy the beautiful music
D．help customers find what they really want
小題3:What kind of music is now often adapted to influence customers in shops?
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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Special Bridges Help Animals Cross the Road
----- Reported by Sheila Carrick
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