user: In the next five years, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs are projected to grow twice as quickly as jobs in all other fields according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics. While all jobs are expected to grow by 10.4 percent, STEM jobs are expected to increase by 21.4 percent. By this measure, future STEM jobs represent a huge opportunity to today's students. But, in fact, of the 3.8 million ninth graders in the U.S., only 233,000 end up choosing a STEM degree in college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This means only 6 percent of ninth graders will become STEM graduates. And of these graduates, women will be even more underrepresented in most STEM fields. These are alarming statistics. How do we get more young boys and girls to be interested in STEM-related fields? It isn't an easy task. Schools do not always adequately prepare students for these severe subjects, and college programs are designed to get rid of those who are less persistent. Nationally, only 41 percent of initial STEM majors who begin a degree in STEM-related fields complete their degree in less than six years. In addition, social pressures continue to cast a shadow over girls who might otherwise consider the STEM fields. A couple of years ago, I met amazing parents, both of whom had a background in engineering and hoped their 10-year-old daughter would follow in their footsteps. They encouraged her to take an after-school science / robotics program. When she got there, she found she was outnumbered 6:1 by boys in the class. As the only girl, she came home crying much of the time because she was teased and told that geeky girls are not welcome in the boys' club. Ironically, by the time young boys are entering college programs in STEM fields, many complain about the lack of girls. Starting at an early age, even as young as kindergarten, we need to encourage and help the next generation leaders to consider taking up science, computing, math and technology. We also need to realize that for young... A large number of STEM students stop their studies when   _  . A) they get bored with the subjects B) they can't stick to their hard studies C) they feel they have learnt adequately D) they can easily find jobs in other fields
B


(Question)
Good afternoon,and welcome to England. We hope that your visit here will be a pleasant one. Today,I would like to draw your attention to a few of our laws. The first one is about drinking. Now,you may  not buy alcohol   in this country if you are under 18 years of age,nor may your friends buy it for you. Secondly,noise. Enjoy yourselves by all means,but please don't make unnecessary noise,particularly at night. We ask you to respect other people who may wish to be quiet. Thirdly,crossing the road. Be careful!The traffic moves on the left side of the road in this country. Use pedestrian crossings   and do not take any chances when crossing the road. My next point is about litter (throwing away waste material in a public place).It is an offence   to drop litter in the street. When you have something to throw away,please put it in your pocket and take it home,or put it in a litter bin. Finally,as regards something,it is against the law to buy cigarettes or tobacco   if you are under 16 years of age. I'd like to finish by saying that if you require any sort of help or assistance,you should _ your local police station,who will be pleased to help you. Now,are there any questions? Who do you think is most likely to make the speech? A) A policeman B) A worker at a hotel. C) A lawyer D) An air hostess  .
(Answer)
A


Ques: During a recent phone interview with a mom who had just moved to Colorado, the conversation turned to disaster planning." I am standing here looking out of the window at the smoke from wildfires," she told me, "and have absolutely no idea what we will do if the wind shifts our way." Fortunately, the fire was put out, saving her home. Making a disaster plan isn't something anyone does for fun. But being caught without one in a time of need is worse. Emergency management officials say too few families have a disaster plan ,even in areas that have been hit hard by hurricanes or flooding. I have prepared food, water, flashlights, candles, a battery-powered radio and firewood since our family was hit years ago by a hurricane that blocked off streets and knocked out our power for more than a week. Still we lack the medications, emergency contacts, and emergency-meeting and pet-care plans we should also have .Officials in my state of Oregon have warned us that one of us is really ready for the major disaster which is very likely to hit here---- a big earthquake. Working parents need to coordinate their disaster plans with their children's schools or child-care centers. Many parents in the 2003 New York blackout weren't able to get home to their children because public traffic was stopped and lights were out. After that, many parents made detailed plans with child-care providers about where to meet in emergencies, an whom to contact if unable to reach each other. Good emergency planning and training helped teachers at a child-care center in the World Trade Center successfully move children to a safe place during the 2001 terrorist attacks. Do you have an emergency plan for your home? If not, you know what to do. We can infer that the 2003 New York blackout   _  . A) was not serious enough to attract parents' attention B) showed how careful the teachers had always been C) made parents realize the importance of having a disaster plan D) helped parents know the importance of teachers to their children
Ans: C


The U.S. government may issue stronger regulations  about the use of tobacco.  Many governments and private buildings have "No Smoking" regulations. In airplanes, on trains and at cinemas, Golf courses are seriously thinking of keeping out smokers, so are schools, shopping malls and even football fields.  So where do people go to fill their lungs with nicotine? The government is working on it.  One suggestion is that the government set aside a piece of land somewhere in the United States where smokers could go when they want a cigarette. Yellow Stone Park has been in the list, but many people don't agree because they fear that second-hand smoking would make the bears there sick.  The Mojave Desert in California is also being studied, and so are Las Vegas Casinos .  The smokers were not too nervous about the government idea.  They say they are not going to California just to light up. They have a right to smoke at home. To make life more pleasure for those who find it hard to give up smoking, the government is seriously thinking of getting somewhere for the smokers.   The tobacco companies are fighting the idea like mad. They say nobody has proved that cigarettes are bad for you. They say as a matter of fact, the doctors have proved that a cigarette saved a person's life after that person was shot.  Other places under consideration are: the cold areas in Alaska, the Rocky Mountain in Colorado and the Whitewater River in Arkansas. Smokers in the U.S.   _   to light a cigarette now. A) find nowhere B) are not so free C) have no rights D) have to travel a long way


assistant: B