Passage Four
Most cities and/or states in the U. S. collect a sales tax on almost everything you buy.
You must ask when you move into a new community how much the local sales tax is, and
what items are and are not taxable. Both taxable items and the amount of tax vary
considerably from place, from one of two percent in some places up to eight or ten in others.
The New York City sales tax, for examples, is currently 8%, so if you buy a pair of $ 40
shoes you will actually have to pay $ 43.20. This makes paying and getting correct change
much more difficult (not to mention making everything more expensive).
Another thing that makes money changes more complicated is tipping. The Chinese
people have happily put an end to tipping, but Westerners are still plagued(遭受折磨) with
this indignity. Waiters and waitresses, cab drivers, hotel bellboys, barbers and hairdressers
and all sorts of other people must be tipped. Their employers give them low wages because
it is expected that you, the customer, will make up the difference. If you don't, the service
person can't earn a living. Tipping also varies from place to place, generally in the area of
15% of your bill (before taxes), but again you should ask local residents whom to tip and
how much.
There is another kind of tipping as well. You are generally expected to give something
(either cash or a bottle of whisky) to the mailman at Christmas time. You should discuss this
also with neighbors and friends.
56. The main idea of this passage is _________.
A. shopping and tipping B. sales and shopping
C. sales taxes and tipping D. sales taxes and people
57. According to the passage, if you buy a pair of $ 50 shoes in the New York City, you
pay extra _________as sales tax.
A. $4.5 B. $4 C. $5 D. $5.5
58. Usually, cab drivers _________.
A. get high wages from the employer
B. get great benefits from the employer
C. get low wages from the employer
D. get prize from the employer
59. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
A. The Chinese people have to pay tips in western countries.
B. The westerners don't have to pay high tips in their own country.
C. Barbers, hotel bellboys and all sorts of other people can earn a living if they are
not tipped.
D. Tipping varies from place to place, generally in the area of 20% of your bill.
60. Usually, taxable items and the amount of tax_________.
A. have no difference from place to place in the U. S.
B. are over 15% in the U. S.
C. have been put an end in the U. S.
D. vary from place to place in the U. S.
Part Ⅲ Cloze (20 points)
Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there
are four choices marked A, B,C and D. You should choose the ONE that best fits
into the passage and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet.
Most Americans don’t like to get advice from members of their family. When they
need advice, they don't usually 61 people they know. 62 , many Americans write
letters to newspapers and magazines which give advice 63 many different subjects,
including family problem, sex, the use 64 the language, health, cooking, childcare,
clothes, and how to buy a house or a car.
65 newspapers regularly print letters 66 readers with problems. Along
67 the letters there are answers written 68 people who are supposed to know how to
69 such problems. Some of these writers are doctors; 70 are lawyers or educators.
But two of the most famous writers of advice 71 women without special training 72
this kind of work. One of them answers letters 73 to “Dear Abby”. The other is
addressed 74 “Dear Ann Landers”. Experience is their preparation for 75
advice.
There is one writer who has not lived long 76 to have much experience. She is a
girl named Angel Cavaliere, who started writing 77 for newspaper readers 78 the
age of ten. Her advice to young readers now 79 regularly in the Philadelphia Bulletin in
a column 80 DEAR ANGEL.
61. A. talk B. ask C. tell D. speak
62. A. Because B. Instead C. When D. As
63. A. for B. in C. on D. with
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