Passage 1
Measles(麻疹),which once killed 450 children each year and disabled even more,was nearly wiped out in the United States 14 years ago by the universal use of the MMR vaccine(疫苗).But the disease is making a comeback,caused by a growing anti-vaccine movement and misinformation that is spreading quickly.Already this year,115 measles cases have been reported in the USA,compared with 189 for all of last year.
The numbers might sound small,but they are the leading edge of a dangerous trend.When vaccination rates are very high,as they still are in the nation as a whole,everyone is protected.This is called “herd immunity”,which protects the people who get hurt easily,including those who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons,babies too young to get vaccinated and people on whom the vaccine doesn’t work.
But herd immunity works only when nearly the whole herd joins in.When some refuse vaccination and seek a free ride,immunity breaks down and everyone is in even bigger danger.
That’s exactly what is happening in small neighborhoods around the country from Orange County,California,where 22 measles cases were reported this month,to Brooklyn,N.Y.,where a 17-year-old caused an outbreak last year.
The resistance to vaccine has continued for decades,and it is driven by a real but very small risk.Those who refuse to take that risk selfishly make others suffer.
Making things worse are state laws that make it too easy to opt out(决定不参加) of what are supposed to be required vaccines for all children entering kindergarten.Seventeen states allow parents to get an exemption(豁免),sometimes just by signing a paper saying they personally object to a vaccine.
Now,several states are moving to tighten laws by adding new regulations for opting out.But no one does enough to limit exemptions.
Parents ought to be able to opt out only for limited medical or religious reasons.But personal opinions?Not good enough.Everyone enjoys the life-saving benefits vaccines provide,but they’ll exist only as long as everyone shares in the risks.
1.The first two paragraphs suggest that .
A.a small number of measles cases can start a dangerous trend
B.the outbreak of measles attracts the public attention
C.anti-vaccine movement has its medical reasons
D.information about measles spreads quickly
2.Herd immunity works well when .
A.exemptions are allowed
B.several vaccines are used together
C.the whole neighborhood is involved in
D.new regulations are added to the state laws
3.What is the main reason for the comeback of measles?
A.The overuse of vaccine.
B.The lack of medical care.
C.The features of measles itself.
D.The vaccine opt-outs of some people.
4.What is the purpose of the passage?
A.To introduce the idea of exemption.
B.To discuss methods to cure measles.
C.To stress the importance of vaccination.
D.To appeal for equal rights in medical treatment.
Passage 2
FLORENCE,Italy — Svetlana Cojochru feels hurt.The Moldovan has lived here seven years as a caregiver to Italian kids and the elderly,but in order to stay she’s had to prove her language skills by taking a test which requires her to write a postcard to an imaginary friend and answer a fictional job ad.
Italy is the latest Western European country trying to control a growing immigrant(移民) population by demanding language skills in exchange for work permits,or in some cases,citizenship.
Some immigrant advocates worry that as hard financial times make it more difficult for natives to keep jobs,such measures will become more a vehicle for intolerance than integration(融合).Others say it’s only natural that newcomers learn the language of their host nation,seeing it as a condition to ensure they can contribute to society.
Other European countries laid down a similar requirement for immigrants,and some terms are even tougher.The governments argue that this will help foreigners better join the society and promote understanding across cultures.
Italy,which has a much weaker tradition of immigration,has witnessed a sharp increase in immigration in recent years.In 1990,immigrants numbered some 1.14 million out of Italy’s then 56.7 million people,or about 2 percent.At the start of this year,foreigners living in Italy amounted to 4.56 million of a total population of 60.6 million,or 7.5 percent,with immigrants’ children accounting for an ever larger percentage of births in Italy.
Cojochru,the Moldovan caregiver,hoped obtaining permanent residence(居住权) would help her bring her two children to Italy;they live with her sister in Moldova,where salaries are among the lowest in Europe.She was skeptical that the language requirement would encourage integration.
Italians always “see me as a foreigner,” an outsider,even though she’s stayed in the country for years and can speak the local language fluently,she said.
1.Why does Cojochru have to take a language test?
A.To continue to stay in Italy.
B.To teach her children Italian.
C.To find a better job in Italy.
D.To better mix with the Italians.
2.Some people worry that the new language requirement may .
A.reduce Italy’s population quickly
B.cause conflicts among people
C.lead to financial difficulties
D.put pressure on schools
3.What do we know about Cojochru?
A.She lives with her sister now in Italy.
B.She enjoys learning the Italian language.
C.She speaks Italian well enough for her job.
D.She wishes to go back to her home country.
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