阅读理解。
In many countries the standard of living enjoyed by their people has increased rapidly in recent years.
Sadly, not everyone in these countries is so fortunate and many people in rich countries are homeless.
The reasons for homelessness are various, but poverty (贫穷) is undoubtedly one of the main causes.
The homeless people may have become jobless and then been unable to pay their rent and so no longer
have a roof over their heads. Often, the fact that unemployed people get help from the government prevents
this from happening, but not always.
Some homeless people are mentally ill and have no one to look after them. Some are young people who,
for one reason or another, have left home and have nowhere to live. Many of them have had a serious
disagreement with their parents and have left home, choosing to go to a city and live on the streets. Sometimes
they have taken such action because they have been unable to get on with a step-parent.
Many homeless people get into the habit of begging to get enough money to stay alive, but many of the
general public refuse to give anything to beggars. Often they are moved on by the police, being accused (指
控), whether rightly or wrongly, of forceful begging. There are many who disrespect homeless people.
Some cynics (愤世嫉俗的人) declare that homeless people choose to live the life which they lead. But
who would willingly choose to live in z shop doorway, under a bridge or in a cardboard box?
1. According to the text, what causes some people to be homeless?
A. Lack of money.
B. The increased standard of living.
C. No government help.
D. Agreement with their parents.
2. It can be inferred from the text that _____.
A. the homeless are willing to live under a bridge or in a cardboard box
B. you will not find homeless people in countries with a high standard of living
C. the mentally ill live on the stress because they want the company of other homeless people
D. the unemployed who receive help may still be among the homeless
3. In paragraph 2, "a roof over their needs" most probably means _____.
A. a cap
B. a car
C. a home
D. a covering
4. The author thinks that the homeless people are _____.
A. pitiful
B. troublesome
C. respectable
D. admirable
