In fact, a recent study in the US found that information technology accounted for 5% to 8% of college budgets, up from an estimated 2% to 3% in the mid-1980s. （)

A recent study in the United States reports that the family life, education and health of America's children are generally improving, though child poverty has risen for the first time in a decade, according to the government's broadest measure of children's well-being.

The report shows that the teenage birth rate is down, young people are less likely to be involved in violent crimes and the death rate for this group has declined.

Experts say that teenagers who give birth are less likely to finish high school or to graduate from college than other girls of their age. Also, infants born to teenage mothers are more likely to be of low birth weight, which increases their chances of blindness, deafness, mental retardation, mental illness and cerebral palsy.

The study shows that young people were less likely to be victimized in a serious violent crime -- murder, rape, robbery or aggravated assault -- or to commit one. In 2002, there were 11 serious violent crimes per 1,000 people aged 12 to 17, compared with 15 per 1,000 youths in 2001.

Child mortality declined, too. In 2000, there were 18 deaths for every 100,000 children aged 5 to 14; a year later, there were 17 deaths for every 100,000 children in this age group. The infant mortality rate slightly increased. Seven of every 1,000 infants died before their first birthday in 2002, compared with a record low of 6.8 per. 1,000 in 2001.

Still, children are more likely to be overweight than they were before and child poverty has inched up after several years of decline.

The number of overweight children increased to 16 percent between 1999 and 2000, compared with from 11 percent in the early 1990s and 6 percent in the late 1970s.

That development "jeopardizes our children's future, making them vulnerable to chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension previously associated more with adults than with children," said Edward J. Sondik, director of the Center for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics.

The report said Mexican-American boys were at the highest risk, with 27 percent overweight followed by non-Hispanic girls at 23 percent.

The child obesity issue is a major cause for concern, a health expert said to reporters.

"This is a trend that's been at work since 1980 ... and as a trend, it shows no sign of reversing," the expert said.

Child poverty also grew, reaching 11. 6 million in 2002, compared with 11. 2 million a year earlier. Children living with single females continued to experience a higher poverty rate in 2002 than their counterparts in married-couple families -- 40 percent compared with 9 percent.

In 2002, 73 million children under 18 lived in the United States and made up 25 percent of the population.

Multivitamins urged for all pregnant women

A recent study in Tanzania found that when．pregnant women took．vitamins every day，fewer babies were born too small．Babies that weigh less than two and one—half kilograms at birth have 8 greater risk of dying．Those that survive are more likely to experience problems with their development．And experts say that as adults they have a higher risk of diseases including heart disease and diabetes．The World Health Organizationl estimates that every year twenty million babies are born with low birth weight．Nine out of ten of them are born in developing countries．

The new study took place in Dar cs Salaam．4，200 pregnant women received multivitamins．The pills contained all of the vitamins in the B group along with2 vitamins C and E．They also contained several times more iron and folate than the levels advised for women in developed nations．Pregnant women especially in poor countries may．find it diffi．cult to get enough vitamins and minerals from the foods in their diet．

The scientists compared the findings with results from a group of 4，000 women who did not receive the vitamins．A report by the scientists，from the United States and Tanzania，appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine．3 Wafaie Fawzi of the Harvard University School of Public Health4 led the study．None of the women：in the studv had H．I.V．5，the virus that causes AIDS．6 The scientists reported earlier that daily multivitamins were a low-cost way to reduce fetal deaths in pregnant women infected with7 H．I．V．The earlier work in Tanzania also found improvement in the mothers in their number of blood cells known as lymphocytes．Lymphocytes increase the body’s immunity against infeetion．

The new study in pregnant women who were not infected with the AIDS virus：found that multivitamins reduced the risk of low birth weight．Just under eight．percent：of the babies born to women who took the multivitamins weighed less than 2，500 grams．The rate was almost nine and one—half percent in the group of women who received a placebo，an inactive pill，instead of the vitamins．But the vitamins did not do much to reduce the rates of babies being born too early or dying while still a fetus．Still．the．researchers say multivitamins should be considered for all pregnant women lin developing countries．

词汇：

multivitamin n．多种维生素制剂Tanzania n．坦桑尼亚(非洲)

diabetes n．糖尿病，多尿症Dar es Salaam n．达累斯萨拉姆(坦桑尼亚首都)

folate n．叶酸盐 fetal adj．泰的，胎儿的

lymphocyte n．淋巴细胞 immunity n．免疫力；免疫性

placebo n．安慰剂；安慰剂治疗 inactive adj．无作用的

fetus n．胎，胎儿

注释：

1．World Health Organization(WHO)：世界卫生组织

2．Nong with：与…一起

3．New England Journal of Medicine：新英格兰医药杂志。New England是美国东北六州(Maine，Vermont，New Hampshire，Massachusetts，Rhode Island和Connecticut)的总称。

4．Harvard University School of Public Health：哈佛大学公共卫生学院

5．HIV(human immunodeficiency virus)：人免疫缺陷病毒

6．AIDS(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)：获得性免疫缺陷综合征，艾滋病

7．(be)infected with：感染上…

练习：

第 31 题 How many babies are born with low birth weiight in the developed countries every year according to WHO?

A．20，000，000．

B．18，000，000．

C．2，000，000．

D．38，000，1000．

Multivitamins urged for all pregnant women

A recent study in Tanzania found that when pregnant women took vitamins every day，fewer babies were born too small．Babies that weigh less than two and one-half kilograms at birth have a greater risk of dying．Those that survive are more likely to experience problems with their development．And experts say that as adults they have a higher risk of diseases including heart disease and diabetes．The World Health Organization1 estimates that every year twenty million babies are born with low birth weight．Nine out of ten of them are born in developing countries．

The new study took place in Dar es Salaam．4．200 pregnant women received multivitamins．The pills contained all of the vitamins in the B group along with vitamins C and E．They also contained several times more iron and folate than the levels advised for women in developed nations．Pregnant women especially in poor countries may find it difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals from the foods in their diet．

The scientists compared the findings with results from a group of4，000 women who did not receive the vitamins．A report by the scientists，from the United States and Tanzania，appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine．Wafaie Fawzi of the Harvard University School of Public Heahlth4 led the study．None of the women in the study had H．I．V．,the virus that causes AIDS．The scientists reported earlier that daily multivitamins were a low-cost way to reduce fetal deaths in pregnant women infected with7 H．I．V．The earlier work in Tanzania also found improvement in the mothers in their number of blood cells known as lymphocytes．Lymphocytes increase the body’s immunity against infection．

The new study in pregnant women who were not infected with the AIDS virus found that multivitamins reduced the risk of low birth weight．Just under eight percent of the babies born to women who took the multivitamins weighed less than2，500 grams．The rate was almost nine and one-half percent in the group of women who received a placebo，an inactive pill，instead of the vitamins．But the vitarains did not do much to reduce the rates of babies being born too early or dying while still a fetus．

Still，the researchers say muhivitamins should be considered for all pregnant women in developing conntries．

第 31 题 How many babies are born with low birth weight in the developed countries every year according to WHO?

A．20，000，000．

B．18，000，000．

C．2，000，000．

D．38，000，000．

Multivitamins Urged for All Pregnant Women A recent study in Tanzania found that when pregnant women took vitamins every day, fewer babies were born too small. Babies that weigh less than two and one-half kilograms at birth have a greater risk of dying. Those that survive are more likely to experience problems with their development. And experts say that as adults they have a higher risk of diseases including heart disease and diabetes. The World Health Organization1 estimates that every year twenty million babies are born with low birth weight. Nine out of ten of them are born in developing countries.

The new study took place in Dares Salaam. 4, 200 pregnant women received multivitamins. The pills contained all of the vitamins in the B group along with2 vitamins C and E. They also contained several times more iron and folate than the levels advised for women in developed nations. Pregnant women especially in poor countries may find it difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals from the foods in their diet.

The scientists compared the findings with results from a group of 4,000 women who did not receive the vitamins. A report by the scientists, from the United States and Tanzania, appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. 3 Wafaie Fawzi of the Harvard University School of Public Health4 led the study. None of the women in the study had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The scientists reported earlier that daily multivitamins were a low-cost way to reduce fetal deaths in pregnant women infected with5 HIV. The earlier work in Tanzania also found improvement in the mothers in their number of blood cells known as lymphocytes. Lymphocytes increase the body’s immunity against infection.

The new study in pregnant women who were not infected with the AIDS virus found that multivitamins reduced the risk of low birth weight. Just under eight percent of the babies born to women who took the multivitamins weighed less than 2,500 grams. The rate was almost nine and one-half percent in the group of women who received a placebo, an inactive pill, instead of the vitamins. But the vitamins did not do much to reduce the rates of babies being born too early or dying while still a fetus. Still, the researchers say multivitamins should be considered for all pregnant women in developing countries.

词汇：

multivitamin/7mQlti5vaitEmin/adj.多种维生素的 urge/E:dV/v.促进/v.极力主张;强烈要求;敦促 pregnant/5pre^nEnt/adj.怀孕的，妊娠的

Tanzania/7tAnzE5ni:E/n.坦桑尼亚(非洲国家) diabetes/7daiE5bi:ti:z, -ti:s/n.糖尿病，多尿症 Dar es Salaam/5dB:r es sE5lB:m/n.达累斯萨拉姆(坦桑尼亚首都)folate/5fEuleit/n.叶酸盐 mineral/5minErEl/n.矿物质;无机盐adj.矿物质的;无机的 fetal/5fi:tl/adj.胎儿的, 胎的

lymphocyte/5limfEsait/n.淋巴球, 淋巴细胞immunity/i5mju:niti/n..免疫力;免疫性 infection/in5fekFEn/n.传染，感染;传染病 placebo/plE5si:bEu/n.安慰剂;安慰剂治疗 inactive/in5Aktiv/adj.无作用的 pill/pil/n.药丸，丸剂fetus/5fi:tEs/n.胎，胎儿

第36题：How many babies are born with low birth weight in the developed countries every year according to WHO?

A 20,000,000.

B 18,000,000.

C 2,000,000.

D 38,000,000.

Multivitamins Urged for All Pregnant Women

A recent study in Tanzania found that when pregnant women took vitamins every day, fewer babies were born too small. Babies that weigh less than two and one-half kilograms at birth have a greater risk of dying. Those that survive are more likely to experience problems with their development. And experts say that as adults they have a higher risk of diseases including heart disease and diabetes. The World Health Organization estimates that every year twenty million babies are born with low birth weight. Nine out of ten of them are born in developing countries.

The new study took place in Dar es Salaam. 4,200 pregnant women received multivitamins. The pills contained all of the vitamins in the B group along with vitamins C and E. They also contained several times more iron and folate than the levels advised for women in developed nations. Pregnant women especially in poor countries may find it difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals from the foods in their diet.

The scientists compared the findings with results from a group of 4,000 women who did not receive the vitamins. A report by the scientists, from the United States and Tanzania, appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. Wafaie Fawzi of the Harvard University School of Public Health4 led the study. None of the women in the study had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The scientists reported earlier that daily multivitamins were a low-cost way to reduce fetal deaths in pregnant women infected with5 HIV. The earlier work in Tanzania also found improvement in the mothers in their number of blood cells known as lymphocytes. Lymphocytes increase the body's immunity against infection.

The new study in pregnant women who were not infected with the AIDS virus found that multivitamins reduced the risk of low birth weight. Just under eight percent of the babies born to women who took the multivitamins weighed less than 2,500 grams. The rate was almost nine and one-half percent in the group of women who received a placebo, an inactive pill, instead of the vitamins. But the vitamins did not do much to reduce the rates of babies being born too early or dying while still a fetus. Still, the researchers say multivitamins should be considered for all pregnant women in developing countries.

How many babies are born with low birth weight in the developed countries every year according to WHO?

A．20,000,000.

B．18,000,000.

C．2,000,000.

D．38,000,000.

A recent global survey of 2 000 high-net-worth individuals found that 60% were not planning on a traditional retirement. Among US participants, 75% expected to continue working in some capacity even after stepping away from full-time jobs. "Many of these people made their wealth by doing something theyre passionate(有激情的)about," says Daniel Egan, head of behavioral finance for Barclays Wealth Americas. "Given the choice, they prefer to continue working." Barclays calls these people "nevertirees."

Unlike many Americans compelled into early retirement by company restrictions, the average nevertiree often has no one forcing his hand. If 106-year-old investor Irving Kahn, head of his own family firm, wants to keep coming to work every day, whos going to stop him? Seventy-eight-year-old Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs job security is guaranteed in the Constitution.

It may seem that these elderly people are trying to cheat death. In fact, they are. And its working, Howard Friedman, a professor at UC Riverside, found in his research that those who work hardest and are successful in their careers often live the longest lives. "People are generally being given bad advice to slow down, take it easy, stop worrying, and retire to Florida," he says. He described one study participant, still working at the age of 100, who was recently disappointed to see his son retire. "

Were beginning to see a change in how people view retirement," says George Leeson, co-director of the Institute of Population Ageing at Oxford. Where once retirement was seen as a brief reward after a long struggle through some miserable job, it is now akin(近似)to being cast aside. What Leeson terms "the Warren Buffett effect" is becoming more broadly appealing as individuals come to "view retirement as not simply being linked to economic productivity hut also about contribution."

Observers are split on whether this is a wholly good thing. On the one hand, companies and financial firms can benefit from the wisdom of a resilient(坚韧的)chief. On the other, the new generation can find it more difficult to advance—an argument that typically holds little sway to a nevertiree.

What do we learn about the so-called "nevertirees"?

A．They are passionate about making a fortune,

B．They have no choice but to continue working.

C．They love what they do and choose not to retire.

D．They will not retire unless they are compelled to.

A recent history of the Chicago meat-packing industry and its workers examines how the industry grew from its appearance in the 1830's through the early 1890's. Meatpackers, the author argues, had good wages, working conditions, and prospects for advancement within the packinghouses, and did not cooperate with labor agitators since labor relations were so harmonious. Because the history maintains that conditions were above standard for the era, the frequency of labor disputes, especially in the mid-1880's, is not accounted for. The work ignores the fact that the 1880's were crucial years in American labor history, and that the' packinghouse workers' efforts were part of the national movement for labor reform.

In fact, other historical sources for the late nineteenth century record deteriorating housing and high disease and infant mortality rates in the industrial community, due to low wages and unhealthy working conditions. Additional data from the University of Chicago suggest that the packing houses were dangerous places to work. The government investigation commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt which eventually led to the adoption of the 1906 Meat Inspection Act found the packinghouses unsanitary, while social workers observed that most of the workers were poorly paid and overworked. The history may be too optimistic because most of its data date from the 1880's at the latest, and the information provided from that decade is insufficiently analyzed. Conditions actually declined in the 1880's, and continued to decline after the 1880's, due to a reorganization of the packing process and a massive influx of unskilled workers. The deterioration, in worker status, partly a result of the new availability of unskilled and hence cheap labor, is not discussed. Though a detailed account of work in the packing houses is attempted, the author fails to distinguish between the wages and conditions for skilled workers and for those unskilled laborers who comprised the majority of the industry's workers from the 1880's on. While conditions for the former were arguably tolerable due to the strategic importance of skilled workers in the complicated slaughtering, cutting and packing process (though worker complaints about the rate and conditions of work were frequent), pay and conditions for the latter were wretched.

The author's misinterpretation of the origins of the feelings the meat-packers had for their industrial neighborhood may account for the history's faulty generalizations. The pride and contentment the author remarks upon were, arguably, less the products of the industrial world of the packers—the giant yards and the intricate plants—than of the unity and vibrancy of the ethnic cultures that formed a viable community on Chicago's South Side. Indeed, the strength of this community succeeded in generating a social movement that effectively confronted the problems of the industry that provided its livelihood.

The passage is primarily concerned with discussing ______.

A．how historians ought to explain the origins of the conditions in the Chicago meat- packing industry

B．why it is difficult to determine the actual nature of the conditions in the Chicago meat-packing industry

C．why a particular account of the conditions in the Chicago meat-packing industry is inaccurate

D．what ought to be included in any account of the Chicago meat-packers' rote in the national labor movement

听力原文： A recent survey of people out of work analyzed the type of worker who was unemployed. Out of all of those registered as unemployed, the minority were women. The majority of men who were unemployed were found to be in services and engineering. However, the chance of being unemployed was also likely in the construction industry. There was some unemployment in industries such as metal goods and textiles. If somebody was unemployed from mining or chemicals, he could usually find another job. However, an unemployed person from agriculture or construction seldom found a job again. Job chances were generally much better for manual workers than for office workers. Most of the unemployed have been without jobs for more than two months. A number had been unemployed for more than a year. Undoubtedly, the longer a person is out of work, the more likely it is that he will not find another job. In addition, job prospects are definitely worse for older workers.

(19)

A．A survey of unemployment.

B．Job prospects of women.

C．Job chances in cities.

D．Unemployment of men in services and engineering.

No one knows for sure just how old kites are。 In fact， they have been in use for centuries。 25 centuries ago， kites were well-known in China。 These first kites were probably made of wood。 They may even have been covered with silk， because silk were used a lot at that time。 Early kites were built for certain uses。 In ancient China， they will use to carry ropes to cross rivers。 Once across， the ropes were tear down and wooden bridges would hang for them。 Legend tells of one General who flew musical kites over the enemies’ camp。 The enemy fled， believing the sounds to be the warming voices of angels。 By the 15th century， many people flew kites in Europe。 Marco Polo may have brought the kite back from his visit to China。 The kite has been linked to great names and events。 For instance， Benjamin Franklin used kite to prove the lightening electricity。 He flew the kite in the storm。 He did this in order to draw lightening from the clouds。 He tied a metal key and a strip of silk to the kite line。 The silk ribbon would stop the lightening from passing through his body。 Benjamin’s idea was first laughed at。 But later on， it enlightened the invention of the lightening rod。 With such grand history， kite flying is short remain an entertaining and popular sport。

Question 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard。

Question 16： What does the speaker say about kite？

Question 17： What did ancient Chinese use cats to do？

Question 18： Why did BF flied a kite in the storm？