阅读理解。

     Recent America's Promise Alliance carried out research on national high school graduation rates. It is a

private (私人的) group helping children receive services they need to succeed. On Tuesday it held a meeting

and made its new report known, saying only about half of all students in the main schools of America's largest

cities finish high school. The report also noted higher rates (比率) of graduation-more than 70%-in the areas

around the cities.

     Researchers carried out this study in the nation's fifty largest cities. They used a new system of

measurement called the cumulative promotion index (累计增长指数) to find graduation rates. That is because

different areas use different methods to find graduation rates. Meanwhile, many methods do not give a true

picture of the number of students who finish high school.

     Colin Powell was chairman of this private group when it was formed in 1997. He attended the meeting

Tuesday where the report was made. He said studies have shown that the United States must do more to

educate the leadets and work force of the future. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings also spoke. She

said the government will ask states to use the same method when reporting graduation rates.

     Colin Powell also announced (宣布) the start of a nationwide activity to improve graduation rates. It is to

include many meetings to be held in every state over the next two years. The meetings will bring together

government leaders,business owners, students, parents and education officials. They will develop plans to

increase the number of Americans who finish high school.

1. America's Promise Alliance carried out its work mainly to help _____. [ ]

A. governmentleades

B. business owners

C. education officials

D. students

2. The cumulative promotion index was used to find graduation rates because _____. [ ]

A. different areas didn't use the same system and got unbelievable results

B. it was newer than the old systems

C. it could collect the information of fifty largest cities faster

D. America's Promise Alliance didn't believe other methods

3. What is the finding of America's Promise Alliance about the graduation rates? [ ]

A. More than 70% students in the nation's fifty largest cities finish high school.

B. Different areas should use the same method when reporting graduation rates.

C. America has done more to educate the leaders and work force of the future.

D. Rates of graduation areas around the cities are higher than those in the cities.

4. The last paragraph is mainly about _____. [ ]

A. why the Promise Alliance will hold meetings in every state

B. how to improve graduation rates in every state

C. who should attend the meetings held in every state

D. what plans should be made to improve graduation rates

5. What do we know about America's Promise Alliance? [ ]

A. It was organized by the American govemment in 1997.

B. General Colin Powell formed it and was the chairman of it.

C. It started an activity in America to improve graduation rates.

D. It was controlled by the American government.