Part I Reading Comprehension (40 points)

　　Directions: There are 4 passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or incomplete sentences. For each of them there are 4 choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet. (2x20)

　　Passage 1

　　Since ancient times, frugality has been one of the traditional virtues among Chinese people. Following this traditional way of life, more young people in China are now looking to frugal, low-lost life styles in order to spend less and save more.

　　They are beginning to realize and reject the pitfalls of consumerism, believing that simplicity can bring happiness and satisfaction.

　　Economic and employment pressures, as well as changing attitudes toward material life, are also resulting in more young people turning their backs on extravagance and waste.

　　Frugality is being practiced in a number of ways. Some young people choose discounts and low priced goods, while others are replacing well-known brands with those that are cost-effective. Some are cautious when buying nonessential items, while others say they save all they can in order to make important purchases.

　　He Jiazheng, 22, a college student, said he spends about 10 yuan on each meal and no more than 100 yuan on each item of clothing.

　　He, who is studying economics, said his pursuit of frugality stems from the idea of “realizing maximum happiness through minimum expenditure”.

　　The student added, “As luxury food and brand-name clothing cannot increase my happiness, why not satisfy myself by spending less for the same amount of happiness?”

　　1. According to the passage, what lifestyles are more young people expecting to live?

　　A. Plain needy lifestyles. B. Rich high-cost lifestyles.

　　C. Simple low-cost lifestyles. D. Extravagant pleasant lifestyles.

　　2. What does the underlined word “they” (P2, L1) refer to?

　　A. More young people in China.

　　B. More young people in every country.

　　C. More young people in any other countries.

　　D. More young people in many other countries.

　　3. Which is not the reason for more young people expecting a frugal life?

　　A. Rich and wealthy life.

　　B. Economic pressure.

　　C. Employment pressures.

　　D. Changing attitudes toward material life.

　　4. How many ways of frugality are there being practised in the passage?

　　A. 2 B. 3

　　C. 4 D. 5

　　5. What is the passage mainly about?

　　A. More young people are in pursuit of happiness and satisfaction.

　　B. More young people never buy luxury food and brand-name clothing.

　　C. More young people have changed their attitudes toward consumerism.

　　D. Frugal, low-cost lifestyles only attract a growing number of foreign followers.

　　Passage 2

　　His desire to put what he learned into practice increased after the university established a Luban Workshop in Ethiopia in 2021. The workshop was part of the professional training programs offered by China’s vocational education colleges with the aim of sharing expertise.

　　To date, Chinese colleges have established 11 Luban Workshops in African countries, offering a wide range of professional training and help for the younger generation in these nations to build up their professional skills.

　　Some African nations have already benefited from the vocational education cooperation programs.

　　Liu Bin, president of the Alliance for the Development of Luban Workshops, said a crucial factor behind the flourishing vocational training programs is that they seek to meet surging demand for improved local labor forces as Chinese businesses and products go global.

　　In Djibouti, the first 24 students trained by a Luban Workshop in fields such as railway operations and rail engineering technology have become interns for the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway.

　　A total of 27 Luban Workshops have been established in 25 countries, most of them in the developing world. The programs provide training in vocational skills tailored to meet the demands of host countries.

　　Most of the workshops are located at vocational colleges in host countries, and they are usually established through partnerships between such colleges in China and their local counterparts. The Chinese institutions share their equipment, teaching methods and materials, and provide training for teachers.

　　That workshop, the first of its kind launched by China in Africa, is expected to help train talent, which is in short supply, to ensure the maintenance and operations of the railway, a flagship project built by Chinese construction companies within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

　　Handiso Sclamu Yisihak, an Ethiopian researcher at the Luban Workshop International Development Research Center at Tianjin University of Technology and Education, said a key factor behind the popularity of the workshops in Africa is that they cater to the needs to improve skills and promote industrialization in Africa.

　　6. Up to now, how many Luban workshops have been set up in African countries?

　　A. 11 B. 24

　　C. 25 D. 27

　　7. About Luban workshops, what is the purpose of the drive by China?

　　A. To promote international cooperation on high education.

　　B. To promote cross-institution cooperation on high education.

　　C. To promote international cooperation on vocational education.

　　D. To promote cross-institution cooperation on vocational education.

　　8. According to the passage, which help is not offered by the Chinese colleges?

　　A. Sharing equipment.

　　B. Providing financial supports.

　　C. Providing training for teachers.

　　D. Sharing teaching methods and materials.

　　9. Why did China start the first Luban workshop in Africa?

　　A. To help maintain and operate the railway.

　　B. To help train talent, which is in short supply.

　　C. To help train students, which are in short supply.

　　D. To help train senior engineers,which are in short supply.

　　10. What is the passage trying to tell us?

　　A. Luban workshops are specially made programs provided by China.

　　B. Luban workshops have offered degrees to students in Thailand.

　　C. Luban workshops have trained first 24 students in Djibouti.

　　D. Luban workshops have been beneficial to Africa vocational education.

公共英语.docx