Until the 1980s, the American homeless population is mainly made up of older males. Today,

Until the 1980s, the American homeless population is mainly made up of older males. Today, homelessness strikes much younger part of society. In fact, a 25-city survey by the U. S. Conference of Mayors in 1987 found that families with children make up the fastest growing part of the homeless population. Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems — both legal and educational — for already overburdened urban school administrators and teachers.
Estimates of the number of homeless Americans range from 350,000 to three million. Likewise, estimates of the number of homeless school children vary radically. A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis. But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.
One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes. The Elementary School Center in New York City estimates that there are 1.5 million of them, many of whom are not treated as children because they do not stay in family shelters and tend to live by themselves on the streets.
Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions（规定） of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.
【小题1】It is implied in the first paragraph that .A．the writer himself is homeless, even in his eightiesB．many older homeless residents are going on strike in 25 citiesC．there is a serious shortage of academic facilitiesD．homeless children are denied the opportunity of receiving free education【小题2】The National Coalition for the homeless believes that the number of homeless children is .A．350,000B．1,500,000C．440,000D．110,000【小题3】One part of the homeless population is difficult to estimate. The reason might well be .A．the homeless children are too young to be treated as childrenB．the homeless population is growing rapidlyC．the homeless children usually stay outside schoolD．some homeless children are deserted by their families【小题4】The McKinney Act is mentioned in this passage in order to show that .A．the educational problems of homeless children are being recognizedB．the estimates on homeless children are hard to determineC．the address of grade-school children should be locatedD．all homeless people should have free educationC

(答案→)C 解析：本文讲述的是美国社会中无家可归的人的数量越来越多，尤其是无家可归的儿童的数量也在变大，但是美国社会已经意识到这个问题了，并采取了一定的措施。【小题1】C 推理题。根据文章第一段最后3行Many homeless children gather in inner cities; this transient(变化无常的) and frequently frightened student population creates additional problems — both legal and educational — for already overburdened urban school administrators and teachers.可知现在的学校管理和老师已经严重超出负担了，但是仍然有很多学生不能入学。说明在美国社会中像学校这样的专业机构还是很紧缺地。故C正确。【小题2】C 计算题。根据文章第二段最后3行A U.S. Department of Education report, based on state estimates, states that there are 220,000 homeless school-age children, about a third of whom do not attend school on a regular basis. But the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are at least two times as many homeless children, and that less than half of them attend school regularly.可知A U.S. Department of Education报告有220,000学龄儿童辍学，但是The National Coalition却认为实际数字是两倍多，应该是440,000，故C正确。【小题3】D 细节题。根据文章第3段1,2行One part of the homeless population that is particularly difficult to count consists of the “throwaway” youths who have been cast of their homes.可知困难在于那些在父母亲抛弃的在大街上生存的孩子。故D正确。【小题4】A 推理题。根据文章最后一段 Federal law, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, includes a section that addresses the educational needs of homeless children. The educational provisions（规定） of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education.可知无家可归的孩子的教育问题已经引起了人们的注意，也已经采取了措施。故A正确。

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