《考研英语阅读理解100篇 基础版》第2章　社会文化类 Unit 16

On climbing-frames in the smarter neighbourhoods of Los Angeles，white kids occasionally shout to each other in Spanish．They learn their first words from Mexican nannies who are often working illegally，just like the maids who scrub floors and the gardeners who cut their lawns，which helps to explain why fixing America's broken immigration system is proving so difficult．Californians，no less than the residents of other states，find illegal immigration distasteful．Yet they depend on immigrants for even such intimate tasks as bringing up their children. 
This week the Senate was trying again to reconcile these contradictory impulses．It seemed close to the promise of legalisation for the nation's roughly 12m illegals，some 2.5m of them in California alone．But their cases will not be considered until the border is deemed to have been made more secure and the current stockpile of legal immigrants is cleared—something that will take at least eight years. Worse，from the immigrants’ point of view，they will probably have to leave the country and then petition to return，in what is known as“touch-back”. 
If it becomes law，the Senate bill will transform America's immigration system．Following the lead of Canada，Australia，New Zealand and Britain，America would adopt a points system that will give priority to the sort of young，employable immigrants who are most likely to contribute to the economy．Family ties，essential in deciding immigration claims since the 1960s，would become less important. 
Immigrant advocates have become more militant．Last year huge，mostly orderly crowds gathered on the streets of Los Angeles，Chicago and other cities to protest against a bill，passed by the House of Representatives，that would have criminalised illegal immigrants．Many carried American flags．Rallies earlier this month，by contrast，were dominated by professional protesters．In Los Angeles a small and occasionally angry crowd clashed with police．Protesters have called for another rally next month in Hollywood. 
Although the pressure for reform appears overwhelming，it is not clear that a deal can be done this year．Compromise may prove more elusive in the House of Representatives．Because of the way that congressional districts are drawn，many politicians represent constituencies with large numbers of ethnic minorities or hardly any at all. 
Nor is it clear that the Senate plan would bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows．Those who have American children（up to 40% of those in California）will be reluctant to“touch-back”．Much will also depend on how many visas are made available to unskilled workers．If there are too few，the supply of immigrant labour will surely continue to meet the demand for it，regardless of what the law says. 
注（1）：本文选自Economist； 
注（2）：本文习题命题模仿对象为2002年真题Text 4。 
1．From the first paragraph we learn that _______. 
A) Californians seldom hire illegal foreign workers unless they get work permits 
B) Californian citizens’ attitude towards immigrant workers remains ambivalent 
C) it is difficult for immigrants to find a job in California due to the hostility from the locals 
D) parents hire Mexican nannies for their kids so that they can learn Spanish at an early age 
2．Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the text? 
A) There is a possibility that illegal immigrants in America can finally receive legal status. 
B) The American immigration policy will be modified to emphasize different factors，other than family bond，of immigration decision. 
C) The problem of illegal immigrants will be solved in the near future. 
D) Family connection has been an important factor in the immigration to U．S，and will continue to be. 
3．According to the text，_______ will be most likely to be allowed to immigrate to America. 
A) those Mexican workers 
B) those with college education 
C) those who marry American citizens 
D) those who are hardworking 
4．Which of the following best defines the word“militant” （Line 1，Paragraph 4）? 
A) violent 
B) carrying guns 
C) loving wars 
D) frequent 
5．What does the last sentence of the last paragraph mean? 
A) If there are not enough visas，a lot of people have to“touch-back”. 
B) If there are enough visas，every currently illegal immigrant will be legalized. 
C) Illegal immigrants who have American children are more easily to receive visas. 
D) If there are not enough visas，there will still be a lot of illegal immigrants.