Part A

The homeless make up a growing percentage of America’s population. __1_ homelessness has reached such proportions that local government can’t possibly __2__. To help homeless people __3__ independence, the federal government must support job training programs, __4__ the minimum wage, and fund more low-cost housing. __5__ everyone agrees on the numbers of Americans who are homeless. Estimates __6__ anywhere from 600,000 to 3 million. __7__ the figure may vary, analysts do agree on another matter: that the number of the homeless is __8__, one of the federal government’s studies __9__ that the number of the homeless will reach nearly 19 million by the end of this decade.

Finding ways to __10__ this growing homeless population has become increasingly difficult. __11__ when homeless individuals manage to find a __12__ that will give them three meals a day and a place to sleep at night, a good number still spend the bulk of each day __13__ the street. Part of the problem is that many homeless adults are addicted to alcohol or drugs. And a significant number of the homeless have serious mental disorders. Many others, __14__ not addicted or mentally ill, simply lack the everyday __15__ skills need to turn their lives __16__. Boston Globe reporter Chris Reidy notes that the situation will improve only when there are __17__ programs that address the many needs of the homeless. __18__ Edward Blotkowsk, director of community service at Bentley College in Massachusetts, __19__ it, “There has to be __20__ of programs. What’s need is a package deal.”

1. [A] Indeed [B] Likewise [C] Therefore [D] Furthermore

2. [A] stand [B] cope [C] approve [D] retain

3. [A] in [B] for [C] with [D] toward

4. [A] raise [B] add [C] take [D] keep

5. [A] Generally [B] Almost [C] Hardly [D] Not

6. [A] cover [B]change [C]range [D]differ

7. [A]now that [B]although [C]provided [D]Except that

8. [A]inflating [B]expanding [C]increasing [D]extending

9. [A]predicts [B]displays [C]proves [D]discovers

10. [A]assist [B]track [C]sustain [D]dismiss

11. [A]Hence [B]But [C]Even [D]Only

12. [A]lodging [B]shelter [C]dwelling [D]house

13. [A]searching [B]strolling [C]crowding [D]wandering

14. [A]when [B]once [C]while [D]whereas

15. [A]life [B]existence [C]survival [D]maintenance

16. [A]around [B]over [C]on [D]up

17. [A]complex [B]comprehensive [C]complementary [D]compensating

18. [A]So [B]Since [C]As [D]Thus

19. [A]puts [B]interprets [C]assumes [D]makes

20. [A]supervision [B]manipulation [C]regulation [D]coordination

Text 1

In spite of “endless talk of difference,” American society is an amazing machine for homogenizing people. There is “the democratizing uniformity of dress and discourse, and the casualness and absence of consumption” launched by the 19th--century department stores that offered “vast arrays of goods in an elegant atmosphere. Instead of intimate shops catering to a knowledgeable elite.” these were stores “anyone could enter, regardless of class or background. This turned shopping into a public and democratic act.” The mass media, advertising and sports are other forces for homogenization.