Just under 40% of people in the UK and 50% of Americans say that work is the most importan

In a survey conducted by research firm Harris Interactive, 71% of Americans said that spending extra money on travel during the holiday season is worthwhile--so long as it affords them time with family and friends. But just because traveling may be the right thing to do, that doesn't mean it has to be the expensive thing to do. Traveling involves many hidden costs that, once you're aware of them, are easy to spot--and even easier to eliminate.

To start, consider transportation fees. For example, if you're driving, fill up the gas tank before traveling on the highway, where it's much costlier, says Clarky Davis, a personal finance expert. And make sure your car is in good condition by checking your heating vents, keeping up with routine maintenance and ensuring your tires are properly inflated, all of which help the ear achieve favorable fuel economy. Furthermore, not only does a tow car(救援车) cause inconvenience; it also means extra costs.

For those opting to fly, first, be aware of how much it costs to check a bag. Most airlines are charging for every checked bag by weight, but prices vary from carrier to carrier. If you can manage to pack everything into a carry-on, you'll save at least $15. Brooke Ferencsik, a travel expert, suggests considering secondary airports when booking your flight. These airports often are less crowded and frequently offer cheaper tickets.

And when it comes to your actual destination, don't assume that hotels are going to cut back on fees simply because they're desperate to draw customers. "They won't be adding or increasing fees, but they won't be decreasing them either," says Ferencsik. The best defense against extra fees is to read about the hotel's rates online, before you make a reservation. "Be aware of surcharges for everything from housekeeping to groundskeeping to use of the in-room safe," says Ferenesik. Some hotels even install a sensor(传感器) within the mini bar, charging guests for simply touching the items, let alone eating or drinking them.

"From airlines to hotels to rental ears, they've all got hidden fees you need to be aware of," says Ferencsik. "Do your homework and ask questions."

It is found that 71% of Americans regard it as worthwhile to______.

A．spend money on souvenirs while traveling with family and friends

B．accept hidden costs while traveling with family and friends

C．travel with family and friends during the holiday season

D．travel with family and friends so as to please them

Goal of American Education

Education is all enormous and expensive part of American life. Its size is matched by its variety.

Differences in American schools compared with those found in the majority of other countries lie in the fact that education here has long been intended for everyone — not just for a privileged(享有特权的) elite(精英). Schools are expected to meet the needs of every child, regardless of ability, and also the needs of society itself. This means that public schools offer more than academic subjects. It surprises many people when they come here to find high schools offering such courses as typing, sewing, radio repair, computer programming or driver training, along with traditional academic subjects such as mathematics, history, and languages. Students choose their curricula depending on their interests, future goals, and level of ability. The underlying goal of American education is to develop every child to the utmost of his or her own possibilities, and to give each one a sense of civic(公民的)and community consciousness.

Schools have traditionally played an important role in creating national unity and "Americanizing" the millions of immigrants who have poured into this country from many different backgrounds and origins. Schools still play a large role in the community, especially in the small towns.

The approach to teaching may seem unfamiliar to many, not only because it is informal, but also because there is not much emphasis on learning facts. Instead, Americans try to teach their children to think for themselves and to develop their own intellectual and creative abilities. Students spend much time, learning how to use resource materials, libraries, statistics and computers. Americans believe that if children are taught to reason well and to research wei1, they will be able to find whatever facts they need throughout the rest of their lives. Knowing how to solve problems is considered more important than the accumulation (积聚) of facts.

This is America's answer to the searching question that thoughtful parents all over the world are asking themselves in the fast-moving time: "How can one prepare today's child for a tomorrow that one can neither predict nor understand?"

Which of the following best states the goal of American education?

A．To teach every learner some practical skills.

B．To provide every learner with rich knowledge.

C．To give every student the opportunity to fully develop his/her ability.

D．To train every student to be a responsible citizen.

Goal of American Education

Education is an enormous and expensive part of American life. Its size is matched by its variety.

Differences in American schools compared with those found in the majority of other countries lie in the fact that education here has long been intended for everyone — not just for a privileged elite. Schools are expected to meet the needs of every child, regardless of ability, and also the needs of society itself. This means that public schools offer more than academic subjects. It surprises many people when they come here to find high schools offering such courses as typing, sewing, radio repair, computer programming or driver training, along with traditional academic subjects such as mathematics, history, and languages. Students choose their curricula depending on their interests, future goals, and level of ability. The underlying goal of American education is to develop every child to the utmost of his or her own possibilities, and to give each one a sense of civic and community consciousness.

Schools have traditionally played an important role in creating national unity and "Americanizing" the millions of immigrants who have poured into this country from many different backgrounds and origins. Schools still play a large role in the community, especially in the small towns.

The approach to teaching may seem unfamiliar to many, not only because it is informal, but also because there is not much emphasis on learning facts. Instead, Americans try to teach their children to think for themselves and to develop their own intellectual and creative abilities. Students spend much time, learning how to use resource materials, libraries, statistics and computers. Americans believe that if children are taught to reason well and to research well, they will be able to find whatever facts they need throughout the rest of their lives. Knowing how to solve problems is considered more important than the accumulation of facts.

This is America's answer to the searching question that thoughtful parents all over the world are asking themselves in the fast-moving time: "How can one prepare today's child for a tomorrow that one can neither predict nor understand?"

Which of the following best states the goal of American education?

A．To teach every learner some practical skills.

B．To provide every learner with rich knowledge.

C．To give every student the opportunity to fully develop his/her ability.

D．To train every student to be a responsible citizen.

根据以下材料，回答题

The Truth of American Health Care

Most people would be impressed by the high quality of medicine available to most Americans.

There is a lot of specialization， a great deal of attention to the individual， a vast amount of advanced technical equipment， and intense effort not to make mistakes because of the financial risk which doctors and hospitals must face in the courts if they handle things badly.

But the Americans are in a mess. The problem is the way in which health care is organized and financed. Contrary to public belief， it is not just a free competition system. The private system has been joined a large public system， because private care was simply not looking after the less fortunate and the elderly.

But even with this huge public part of the system， which this year will eat up 84.5 billion dollars——more than 10 percent of the U.S. budget——large numbers of Americans are left out.

These include about half the 11 million unemployed and those who fail to meet the strict limits onincome fixed by a government trying to make savings where it can.

The basic problem， however， is that there is no central control over the health system. There is no limit to what doctors and hospitals charge for their services， other than what the public is able to pay. The number of doctors has shot up and prices have climbed. When faced with toothache， a sick child， or a heart attack， all the unfortunate person concerned can do is pay up.

Two-thirds of the population are covered by medical insurance. Doctors charge as much as they want knowing that the insurance company will pay the bill.

The medical profession has as a result become America"s new big businessmen. The average income of doctors has now reached $100，000 a year. With such vast incomes the tall in the doctor"s surgery is as likely to be about the doctor"s latest financial deal， as about whether the minor operation he is recommending at several thousand dollars is entirely necessary.

The rising cost of medicine in the U.S.A. is among the most worrying problem facing the country.

In 1981 the country"s health cost climbed 15.9 percent——about twice as fast as prices in general.

In the U.S. patients can expect， in medical treatment，__________. 查看材料

A.occasional mistakes by careless doctors

B.a great deal of personal attention

C.low charge by doctors and hospitals

D.stacking nurses and bad services

Most people would be impressed by the high quality of medicine available to most Americans. There is a lot of specialization, a great deal of attention to the individual, a vast amount of advanced technical equipment, and intense effort not to make mistakes because of the financial risk which doctors and hospitals must face in the courts if they handle things badly.

But the Americans are in a mess. The problem is the way in which health care is organized and financed. Contrary to public belief, it is not just a free competition system. To the private system has been joined a large public system, because private care was simply not looking after the less fortunate and the elderly.

But even with this huge public part of the system, which this year will eat up 84.5 billion dollars—more than 10 percent of the U.S. budget—large numbers of Americans are left out. These include about half the 11 million unemployed and those who fail to meet the strict limits on income fixed by a government trying to make savings where it can.

The basic problem, however, is that there is no central control over the health system. There is no limit to what doctors and hospitals charge for their services, other than what the public is able to pay. The number of doctors has shot up and prices have climbed. When faced with toothache, a sick child, or a heart attack, all the unfortunate person concerned can do is pay up.

Two-thirds of the population are covered by medical insurance. Doctors charge as much as they want knowing that the insurance company will pay the bill.

The medical profession has as a result become America's new big businessmen. The average income of doctors has now reached $100,000 a year. With such vast incomes the talk in the doctor's surgery is as likely to be about the doctor's latest financial deal, as about whether the minor operation he is recommending at several thousand dollars is entirely necessary.

The rising cost of medicine in the U.S.A. is among the most worrying problem facing the country. In 1981 the country's health cost climbed 15.9 percent—about twice as fast as prices in general.

In the U.S. patients can expect, in medical treatment, ______.

A．occasional mistakes by careless doctors

B．a great deal of personal attention

C．low charge by doctors and hospitals

D．stacking nurses and bad services