Passage One

　　Expecting a baby?

　　HEALTHY BABY: Manitoba’s Prenatal(怀孕) Benefit and Community Support Programs

　　It’s what’s inside that counts

　　When you’re pregnant, it’s important that you eat well to help you and your growing baby. That’s why if you live in Manitoba and your net family income is less that $ 32,000 a year, the Manitoba government offers you a monthly cheque during your pregnancy to help you buy healthy foods and prepare for your baby’s arrival.

　　How to apply

　　Pick up an application form from medical offices, Healthy Baby community programs or by calling the number below. The application form must include a medical note indicating your baby’s due date, so see your health care provider early.

　　More support for you and your baby

　　Through Healthy Child Manitoba, Healthy Baby also offers community programs which help you to learn more about nutrition, health and parenting a baby.

　　For more information, please call:

　　945-1301( in Winnipeg )

　　1-888-848-0140( at no cost )

　　945-1305 TDD( Telephone Device for the Deaf)

　　1. What program is this passage about?

　　A. Baby food.                      B. Low-income families.

　　C. Women’s health.                  D. Birth and growth of healthy babies.

　　2. Who can enjoy the benefits of the program?

　　A. Pregnant women of high risk.        B. pregnant women of first child.

　　C. pregnant women in good health.      D. Pregnant women with low income.

　　3. The most important information to be filled in the application forms is ______.

　　A. the pregnant woman’s name            B. when the baby is due to arrive

　　C. the pregnant woman’s medical history    D. in which hospital the baby is to be delivered

　　4. Healthy Baby will also provide more help in all aspects but ______.

　　A. baby education       B. baby nutrition        C. baby parenting      D. baby health

　　5. For further information, the deaf can ______.

　　A. call 945-1305TDD                   B. dial 1-888-848-0140

　　C. visit their health care provider          D. send email to a medical office

　　Passage Two

　　In the past, people who graduated from college felt proud of their academic achievements and confident that their degree would help them to find a good job.

　　However, in the past four years the job market has changed dramatically. This year’s college graduates are facing one of the worst job markets. For example, Ryan Stewart, a graduate of san Jose State University, got a degree in religious studies, but he has not gotten any job offers. He points out that many people already working are getting laid off and don’t have jobs, so it’s even harder for new college graduates to find jobs.

　　Four years ago, the future looked bright for his class of 2006. There were many high-tech (“dotcom”) job opportunities, graduates received many job offers, and they were able to get jobs with high salaries and benefits such as health insurance and paid vacations. However, “Times have changed. It’s a new market.” according to an officer of the university.

　　The officer says students who do find jobs started preparing two years ago. They worked during summer vacations, they have had several short-time jobs, and they majored in fields that are still paying well, such as accounting or nursing.

　　Even teaching is not a secure profession now. Ryan Stewart wanted to be a teacher, but instead he will probably go back to school in order to become a college teacher. He thinks college teaching could be a good career even in a bad economy.

　　In conclusion, these days a college degree does not automatically lead to a good job with a high salary. Some students can only hope that the value of their degree will increase in the future.

　　1. What did a college degree mean to people in the past?

　　A. It was a proof of their professional skills.

　　B. It would guarantee their quick promotion.

　　C. It built up their confidence in the job market.

　　D. It would help them to start an academic career.

　　2. Ryan Stewart has not got any job offer because_______.