Until the 1980s, the American homeless population prised (组成) mainly 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（负担过重的）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 counted 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 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 facilities (设施).D．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 counted 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 are entitled（有权利的） to free education【小题5】 The passage mainly deals with .A．the legal problems of the homeless childrenB．the educational problems of homeless childrenC．the social status of older malesD．estimates on the homeless populationC
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(答案→)C
解析：文章主要讲的是无家可归的孩子的教育问题。
【小题1】推理判断题，根据第一段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（负担过重的）urban school administrators and teachers可知，在教育设施方面还存在很大的缺口
【小题3】推理判断题，根据第二段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,可知，无家可归的孩子是无家可归的学龄儿童的2倍
【小题4】事实细节题，根据第三段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，由于很多孩子被父母丢弃而无法统计
【小题5】推理判断题，根据The educational provisions of the McKinney Act are based on the belief that all homeless children have the right to a free, appropriate education可知，这一现象已经收到关注