Generally, people think traditional cultures are the ones in which boys are preferred. Research seems to support this belief However, according to a survey conducted in 2000, people in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Portugal, and the Caribbean prefer to have daughters. The researchers said that parents in these societies do not have the same economic situation that exists in other countries, so they do not need to have a son to help make money. Instead, families in these countries want daughters for emotional reasons. Many mothers think they will have a better relationship with a daughter than a son, for example. In addition, they think daughters will take better care of them when they are old.
In Japan, a similar trend has emerged. This might come as a surprise to some, because only one generation ago, the Japanese favoured sons. In 1982, over half of Japanese· couples surveyed would want a boy if they could have only one child. A survey done in 1997, on the other hand, found that 75 percent wanted a girl!
Some Japanese couples say they want to have daughters because they think daughters are cuter and easier to raise. Japanese couples also worry about being taken care of when they are old. If they have to live with their children when they are very old, many Japanese parents would want to live with a daughter. "A son's wife would be like a stranger and harder to ask for help," one Japanese mother said.
Critics warn that preference for a daughter is just as bad as preference for a son. "Instead of valuing children for the social roles they are expected to fill, parents must learn to value children as inpiduals," critics say. When that is the case, parents will be equally pleased with a son or daughter.
Questions:
51. The reasons that parents prefer to have sons are to continue ______________________ , to help earn I
money for the family, and to support the parents in their old age. I
52. Japan's preference for daughters now is quite ______________ because not long ago the
preference was for sons.
53. In some developing countries, parents value boys more than girls mainly for ___________________________
54. In India, parents receive __________ w hen their sons get married. I
55. Critics maintain that children should be treated by their parents as _______________________ Section C (10 marks)
In this section, there is one passage followed by five questions. Read the passage carefully, and then answer each of the questions in a maximum of 10words. Remember to write the answers on the answer sheet.
Questions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.
At least 600,000 jobs could disappear in the UK this year, according to a report by a personnel managers' professional body. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development says even those who escape redundancy will face pay freezes. It says that while total unemployment will not hit three million, the time between New Year and Easter will be the worst for job losses since 1991.
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E.
were 1.86 million people out of work in
the UK in October, 2008. This figure
was the highest since 1997, taking the
overall unemployment rate to 6 percent.
David Frost of the British Chamber of
Commerce says, "It is the worst year.
Companies are in survival mode."
The CIPD, which represents
managers and personnel staff, issued its
gloomy forecast a day after children's
retailer Adams joined a growing list of well-known chains applying for bankruptcy protection. Chief economist John Philpott said, "In the face of some scepticism, the CIPD warned that 2008 would be the UK's worst year for jobs in a decade. It was, but in retrospect it will be seen as merely the slow -motion prelude to what will be the worst year for jobs in almost two decades. The CIPD's annual barometer forecast is that the UK economy will shed at least 600,000 jobs in 2009. Overall, the 18 -month period from the start of the recession in mid - 2008 until the end of 2009 will witness the loss of around three quarters of a million jobs, equivalent to the total net rise in employment in the preceding three years." Mr Philpott said job losses were likely to continue into 2010, taking the final toll to about one million.
The CIPD also surveyed 2,600 workers and found that more than one in four did not expect a pay rise next year, while others feared wage cuts.
The institute's reward adviser, Charles Cotton, said, "Employees are realistic about their pay prospects. Against this backdrop, employers will need to work hard to find new ways to motivate their employees to perform."
"Financial incentives and targeted investment in training and development could be effective ways to do this," he added.
"More than ever, this is a time where organisations need to engage m an open and straightforward communication with their staff, clearly explaining the reasons for any difficult measures that will affect them," he said. "This will help preserve staff loyalty and engagement even during times when unpopular decisions need to be made."
Questions:
56.A ccording to the passage, which year will be the worst for job losses in the UK?
57.W hat kind of organisation is the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development?
58.W hat are many British companies now struggling for?
59.W hat does the CIPD advise British employers to do under the present circumstances?
60.W hy does Charles Cotton suggest that employers communicate with their staff straight-
forwardly?
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F.
Section D (10 marks)
In this section, there is one passage followed by a summary. Read the passage carefully, and then complete the summary below by choosing a maximum of three words from the passage to fill in each of the blanks. Remember to write the answers on the answer sheet.
Questions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.
Everyone knows about pollution in the environment. Water, air, and land are all polluted. This means that pollution is everywhere. Now,
scientists are looking inside our bodies to
find out about internal pollution.
In 2003, the Environmental
Working Group studied nine people to
measure the chemicals in their bodies.
These nine people had an average of 53
cancer -causing chemicals m their bodies.
They also had an average of 62
c hemicals that can damage the brain, an
d P
55 that can harm babies in pregnant
women. Even though a lot of chemicals were found in human bodies, the chemicals were found in small amounts. The amounts were small enough that they were probably not hurting the people. However, scientists are worried because most of these chemicals were created by humans. Most of these chemicals did not exist 75 years ago. This proves that we have not only polluted the world - we have polluted our own bodies!
How does this pollution get into our bodies? We come into contact with many chemicals every day. For example, everyone uses soap, skin lotion, and shampoo. However, few people know that these products contain harmful chemicals, some of which may cause memory loss. Chemicals known as DEA (diethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine) may seep into the skin and stop us from absorbing a helpful nutrient called "choline". Choline is a nutrient that plays a crucial role in the memory cell making process in the developing brain. Some people worry that every time we wash our hair, we are decreasing our memories.
Everyone knows they should brush their teeth regularly, but recent research has shown that some toothpastes can cause cancer. Fluoride is a key ingredient in many toothpastes. However, studies show that fluoride does not really protect our teeth. In fact, fluoride has been connected with bone cancer and other diseases. While we are trying to save our smiles, we could be damaging our health.
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