第一篇
Once the king of India fell ill and sent for his doctor. The doctor came, examined him and said, “You will be well again in a few days if you take bull’s milk.” The king was very surprised, for he had never heard of a bull that gave milk. “How is it possible?” he asked. “Order Gulbo, the scholar, to get it for you. He can do anything.” The doctor was an enemy to Gulbo, and thought this would be a way of making him suffer. When the king told Gulbo what the doctor had said and ordered him to get bull’s milk, Gulbo immediately understood what the doctor was trying to do.
When he got home he sat thinking how to get out of the difficulties. His daughter, seeing him worried, asked what was the matter. On hearing what the king had asked for, she said, “Don’t worry, father, I’ll help you.”
The next day she took some old clothes, went to the bank of the river near the palace, and chose a place below the king’s bedroom window. In the middle of the night, when everyone was in bed, she started to do her washing. She made so much noise that the king could not sleep. The king got very angry and set a guard to find out what was the matter. The soldier found the girl, and led her to the king. “Why do you wash your clothes here at night?” asked the king.
The girl pretended to be afraid and said, “I had to wash clothes at night. This afternoon my father had a baby. I was busy all day because of that. Then I found there were no clean clothes for the baby, so I had to come and wash them now.” “What!” cried the king, “Are you trying to make a fool of me? Who ever heard of a man having a baby?” “Well, if the king himself orders someone to get bull’s milk for him, why can’t a man have a baby?”
The king smiled and said, “You must be Gulbo’s daughter. Go and tell your father that he may keep the bull’s milk for his baby.” 1. According to the doctor in the story, the king’s illness can be cured by ______.
A. making Gulbo suffer B. drinking bull’s milk C. seeing another doctor D. feeding him with cow’s milk 2. The doctor told the king to ask Gulbo to find bull’s milk because he ______. A. admired Gulbo greatly B. hated Gulbo very much
C. thought Gulbo was a scholar D. tried to make Gulbo another doctor 3. How did Gulbo feel after getting the king’s order?
A. He was upset. B. He was excited. C. He was surprised. D. He was disappointed. 4. Why did Gulbo’s daughter wash clothes below the king’s bedroom window at night? A. Because she was forced to do it. B. Because she often washed clothes there. C. Because she enjoyed washing clothes there. D. Because she wanted the king to notice her.
5. From the dialogue between the king and the girl, we know that after hearing the girl’s story, the king ______.
A. wanted to see the baby B. became angry with her C. thought the girl was a fool D. understood the girl’s meaning (key: BBADD) 第二篇
People all over the world today are beginning to hear and learn more and more about the problem of pollution. Pollution is caused either by man’s release of completely new and often artificial (人造的) substances into the environment, or by releasing greatly increased amounts of a natural substance (物质)，such as oil from oil tankers into the sea.
Whatever its underlying reasons, there is no doubt that much of the pollution caused could be controlled if only companies, individuals and governments would make more efforts. In the home there is an obvious need to control litter and waste. Food comes wrapped up three of four times in packages that all have to be disposed of; drinks are increasingly sold in bottles or tins which can’t be reused. This not only causes a litter problem, but also is a great waste of resources, in terms of glass, metal and paper. Advertising has helped this process by persuading many of us not only to buy things we neither want nor need, but also to throw away much of what we do buy. Pollution and waste combine to be a problem everyone can help to solve by cutting out unnecessary buying, excess use and careless disposal (处理) of the products we use in our daily lives. 1. The main cause of pollution is __________.
A. the release of artificial or natural substances into the environment B. the production of new industrial goods C. increased amounts of a natural substance D. our ever-increasing population
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2. Much of the pollution could be controlled if only __________.
A. people would pay more attention to the problem B. governments would take effective measures C. all sides concerned would make more efforts D. farmers would use less artificial fertilizers 3. Food packages, bottles and tins for drinks can cause __________.
A. air and water pollution B. both a litter problem and a waster of resources C. to pay for the service D. to produce the receipt
4. Which of the following can not help solving the problem of pollution? A. Cutting out unnecessary buying. B. Eating.
C. Reduce excess use. D. Carefully dispose our daily products. 5. What does the underlined word “litter” mean in paragraph 2?
A. not many B. serious problem C. bits of waste things D. industrial pollution (key: ACBBC) 第三篇
Thousands of years ago, in the middle of an ocean, miles from the nearest island, an undersea volcano broke out. The hot liquid piled higher and higher and spread wider and wider. In this way, an island rose up in the sea.
As time went on, hot sun and cool rains made the rock split and break to pieces. Sea waves dashed against the rock. In this way, soil and sand came into being.
Nothing lived on the naked soil. And then the wind and birds brought plant seeds, spiders and other little creatures there. Only plants could grow first. Only they, in sunlight, could produce food from the minerals of the soil, water and air. While many animals landed on the island, they could find no food. A spider spun its web in vain, because there were no insects for its web to catch. Insects couldn’t stay until there were plants for them to eat. So plants had to be the pioneer life on this new island. 1. The passage centers on __________.
A. how an undersea volcano broke out B. how an island rose up in the sea
C. how soil was formed on a new island D. how life began on a volcano-produced island 2. According to the passage, the island got its first soil from __________.
A. sea waves B. the sand brought by the wind C. its own rock D. cool rains 3.The word “naked” (in para. 3) could be replaced by which of the following? A. hidden B. new C. mysterious D. bare 4.The order of coming into being on the island is __________.
A. soil, plants and animals B. soil, little creatures and plants C. soil, birds and plants D. soil, human beings and animals 5. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE ?
A. Spiders were the first life that could live on the island. B. The island is far away from any piece of land. C. Insects could not live on the island without plants. D. Plants were brought to the island by human being. (key: DCDAC) 第四篇
In the last 500 years, nothing about people – not their clothes, ideas, or languages – has changed as much as what they eat. The original chocolate drink was made from the seeds of the cocoa tree by South American Indians. The Spanish introduced it to the rest of the world during the 1500’s. And although it was very expensive, it quickly became fashionable. In London shops where chocolate drinks were served became important meeting places. Some still exist today.
The potato is also from the New World. Around 1600, the Spanish brought it from Peru to Europe, where it soon was widely grown. Ireland became so dependent on it that thousands of Irish people starved when the crop failed during the“Potato Famine”of 1845-6, and thousands more were forced to emigrate to America.
There are many other foods that have traveled from South America to the Old World. But some others went in the opposite direction. Brazil is now the World’s largest grower of coffee, and coffee is an important crop in Colombia and other South American countries. But it is native to Ethiopia. It was first made into a drink by Arabs during the 1400’s.
According to an Arabic legend, coffee was discovered when a goatherd name Kaldi noticed that his goats were attracted to the red
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berries on a coffee bush. He tried one and experienced the “wide-awake” feeling that one-third of the world’s population now starts the day with.
1. According to the passage, which of the following has changed the most in the last 500 years? A. Food C. Potato B. Chocolate D. Coffee 2. “Some” in “Some still exist today” means _________.
A. some cocoa trees C. some shops B. some chocolate drinks D. some South American Indians 3. Thousands of Irish people starved during the “Potato Famine” because _________. A. they were so dependent on the potato that they refused to eat anything else B. they were forced to emigrate to America
C. the weather conditions in Ireland were not suitable for growing the potato D. the potato harvest was bad
4. Coffee originally came from_________.
A. Brazil B. Colombia C. Ethiopia D. Arabia 5. The Arabic legend is used to prove that _________.
A. coffee was first discovered by Kaldi B. coffee was first discovered by Kaldi’s goats C. coffee was first discovered in south American countries
D. coffee drinks were first made by Arabs (key: ACDCD) 第五篇
Crime Prevention Initiatives
The chances that you will be a victim of violent crime are low. But you can avoid risk in the following ways. AT HOME
· You should make sure your house or flat is secure. Always lock the door from the inside at night, but you must keep the key nearby, so that you can use it to get out quickly if there is a fire.
· You must never give keys to workmen as they can easily make copies.
· If you wake up and hear a burglar, stay quietly in bed. Pretend you are asleep. If you feel more confident, switch on the light and make a lot of noise; even if you are on your own you should call out loudly to an imaginary companion, so that the burglar thinks you are not alone and runs away. You should have a phone or a mobile in your bedroom to alert the police immediately.
· If you come home and think you see signs of a break-in, you shouldn’t go in, the burglar may be inside. You should go to a neighbour and call the police. ON THE STREET At night:
· Always walk facing the traffic, so that a car cannot pull up behind you. · You mustn’t go through parks or woods.
· If you think someone is following you, cross the road one or two times. If he or she continues to follow you, go to a pub or other public place.
· Always carry your bag close to you, but carry your house keys in your pocket so that you can open the door quickly. If someone attacks you - remember your safety is more important than your property. 1. This passage mainly focuses on ________.
A. how to avoid the crimes both at home and in the street B. where to stay if you want to be safe C. what you should do at home if there is a burglary D. how to avoid the crime at night in the street 2. If you want to guarantee you are secure at home, you should _________. A. always lock the door and put the key in a secret place far away from the door B. never leave the keys to workmen since they can easily make copies
C. keep silent all the time even if you are on your own when a burglar steals into your house D. go in immediately when you suspect (怀疑) someone is breaking into your house 3. Based on the passage, if you notice someone following you, it’s better for you to _________.
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A. shout loudly B. go to public places C. stop, turn around and look at him D. run quickly 4. Why should you have a telephone in the bedroom? A. Because we might use it to alert the burglary.
B. Because it’s convenient for us to talk to our friends while lying on bed. C. Because it’s convenient for us to report to the police in case there is a burglary. D. Because it we might use it to make a phone call at midnight. 5. From the passage, we can infer that we might be victims if _________.
A. we cannot part with the money when being attacked B. we always walk facing the traffic C. we don’t walk in the empty street D. we carry too much cash (key:ABBCA) 第六篇
An Extraordinary Change of Direction
Molly Wilson had been a dancer and a mother for many years when she decided to sail round the world to raise money for charity. As a child she had trained as a ballet dancer, but at 15 she had grown too tall for classical ballet, so she became a member of a pop dance team.
She got married, and after she had children she retired from show business to bring them up. They grew up, and when they were 18 they left home.
She says, “When I decided to do the round-the-world race, my husband thought I was bored because the children had left home. He was also worried because I had never sailed before. I was not bored, but I had met some people who told me about the race. They had taken part in it, but they had only done one section, say, from New Zealand to Australia. I wanted to do the whole ten-month journey.”
Before Molly left she did a lot of training, but it hadn’t prepared her for the worst weather which they experienced. She tells one story. “One night the sea was very rough and it was very cold. I had gone downstairs when a huge wave smashed into the boat and injured two men on the deck. One of the men couldn’t move because he had broken his leg. They were taken to hospital by helicopter. That was the worst time.”
By the end of October last year, she had raised more than £50,000 for charity.
She says, “Sometimes I ask myself, what did I do? How did I do it? But then I think, it’s the same as being a dancer. Before I left on the trip, I had trained hard. I had got very fit and had prepared myself completely. Then on the trip I was simply a good team member.”
1. What does the word “extraordinary” mean in the title?
A. very ordinary B. very unusual and surprising C. not special D. extreme
2. The sentence “…my husband thought I was bored …” in Para. 4 meant that my husband thought I felt_________. A. dissatisfied because I had nothing better to do at home
B. annoyed because I had to wait long for my children to come back home
C. happy because I could do something I was interested in instead of taking care of children D. sad because all the children left me when they grew up
3. The word “section” in Para. 4 most probably means here _________.
A. group of people B. part of the training C. part of the route of sail D. part of the job
4. Which of the following is nearest (closest) in meaning to “rough” in the sentence “One night the sea was very rough …” in Para. 5?
A. not exact B. difficult C. not smooth because of huge waves D. pleasant 5. The last paragraph suggests that _________.
A. the qualities she needed for the trip were the same as those for a dancer
B. many years of dancing had already prepared her for the sail completely, so she needn’t do anything before the journey C. she should be kind to other team members during the trip D. she should not forget dancing during the trip (key: BACCA) 第七篇
There have been changes in all sorts of different areas of British society. In recent years in the UK we have had a very large increase
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in the number of couples who get divorced.
After 1969 and the Divorce Law Reform Act we had a very rapid increase in the number of divorces. The rate increased steadily and in recent years has increased much more rapidly. But there are also quite a lot of people who do actually get married. At present the marriage rate in the UK is about 70 per cent, which has gone down since the number of people who marry has gone down quite a lot in the last 20 years, but more significantly in the last 10 years. Quite high proportions of people now live together without marrying, and, for example, 40 per cent of children born in the UK are born to couples who aren't married or are born to lone parents. There are quite a large number of lone parent families, 90 per cent of these are headed by a woman rather than a man.
The average family size now in the UK is 1.8 children per couple, which means that there's been quite a decline in the birth rate in the UK along with other European countries. 1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. The declining divorce rate in the UK. B. The declining marriage rate in the UK. C. The increasing divorce rate in the UK. D. Trends in marriage and divorce in the UK. 2. During the last ten years, __________.
A. the marriage rate has gone down more rapidly in the UK B. the marriage rate has gone up a lot in the UK C. 40% of children were born to unwed couples in the UK D. 40% of children were born to single parents in the UK 3. According to the passage, the cohabitation rate in the UK tends to __________. A. decline B. soar (急剧上升) C. stay stable D. not mentioned in the passage 4. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. The highest divorce rate was around 1969. B. The marriage rate has gone down in recent years. C. The marriage rate is currently 70 percent. D. 90 percent of lone parent families are headed by women. 5. The last paragraph tells us __________.
A. the birth rate in the UK is increasing at the moment B. at present any family in the UK is 2 children at most C. the birth rate in other European countries keeps increasing D. the birth rate in the UK is decreasing rapidly now (key:CABAD) 第八篇
Some people think they have an answer to the troubles of automobile crowding and dirty air in large cities. Their answer is the bicycle, or “bike”.
In a great many cities, hundreds of people ride bicycles to work every day. In New York City, some bike riders have even formed a group called Bike for a Better City. They claim that if more people rode bicycles to work there would be fewer automobiles in the downtown section of the city and therefore less dirty air from car engines.
For several years this group has been trying to get the city government to help bike riders. For example, they want the city to draw bicycle lanes on some of the main streets, because when bike riders have to use the same lanes as cars, there are accidents. Bike for a Better City feels that if there were special lanes more people would use bikes.
But no bicycle lanes have been drawn. Not everyone thinks it is a good idea - they say it will slow traffic. Some store owners on the main streets say that if there is less traffic, they will have less business. And most people live too far from downtown to travel by bike.
The city government has not yet decided what to do. It wants to keep everyone happy. Only on weekends, Central Park is closed to cars, and the roads may be used by bicycles only. But Bike for a Better City says that this is not enough and keeps fighting to get bicycle lanes downtown.
1. According to the passage, bicycles ____________.
A. are more convenient than cars B. are safer traffic tools than cars
C. are ridden by most people in the U.S D. are the solution to some city problems 2. The idea of special bicycle lanes is most favored by ____________.
A. the city government B. some bike riders C. people living far from downtown D. some store owners 3. “Bicycle lanes” in the third paragraph probably means ____________. A. narrow passages between buildings for bicycles B. roads full of bicycles
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C. special parts of the road for bicycle riders only D. roads for bicycles only 4. Which of the following is not true according to the passage? A. Bike for a Better City members ride bicycles to work.
B. Sometimes accidents may occur when cars and bikes are on the same lanes. C. The Central Park is closed to cars on weekends.
D. In New York City, many people use bikes as they have special lanes. 5. The best title for this passage is ____________.
A. Traffic Crowding in New York City B. Air Pollution in New York City by Cars
C. Special Lanes for Passengers D. Solution to Traffic Problem in New York (key: DBCDD) 第九篇
I was 15 when I walked into McCarley Bookstore and began to look over the titles of the books on the shelves. The man behind the counter, the owner of the bookstore, asked me if I would like a job. I needed to start saving for college, so I said yes.
I worked after school and during summers for minimum wages and the job helped pay for my freshman year of college. I worked at many other jobs afterwards: I made coffee in the student union during college. I made maps for the U.S Forest Service. But selling books was one of the most satisfying.
One day a woman asked me for books on cancer. She seemed fearful. I showed her everything we had and found other books we could order. She left the shop less worried and I’ve always remembered the pride I felt in having helped her.
Years later, as a television reporter, I heard about a poor child who was born with his fingers of the left hand linked together. His family could not afford the corrective surgery, and the boy lived in shame, hiding his left hand in his pocket.
I persuaded my boss to let me do the story on TV. After my story was broadcast, a doctor and a nurse called, offering to perform the surgery for free.
I visited the boy in the recovery room after the operation. The first thing he did was hold up his repaired hand and say, “Thank you.” I was overjoyed and filled with a strong sense of reward.
At McCarley Bookstore, I always felt I was working for the customers, not just for the store. Today it’s the same. NBC news pays me the salary. But I feel that I work for the viewers, helping them make sense of the world. My working experience in McCarley Bookstore helped me find a good sense of the world, and most importantly, it helped me find a good sense of myself. 1. How did the author get the job in McCarley Bookstore? A. He happened to walk into the shop and got it by chance.
B. He had always wanted to have a job in that bookstore and he succeeded. C. He liked reading books, so tried to get a job there.
D. He did not go to school, so he looked for a job when he was 15.
2. According to the author, selling books was one of the most satisfying job experiences, because ____________. A. he only had to work after school and got good wages B. it helped him understand the world and himself C. it helped him pay for his freshman year of college D. he did not feel that he was working for the store
3. After he helped the fearful lady looking for books on cancer, the author was ____________. A. worried about her B. less worried about her C. unable to forget her D. proud of himself 4. The author decided to help the poor boy by ____________.
A. persuading his boss to do the story on TV B. persuading his boss to let him do the story on TV
C. asking a doctor to perform the operation for free D. visiting the boy in the recovery room after the operation 5. The main reason that the author thinks his present job is the same as the one in the bookstore is ____________. A. it gives him salary B. it makes him feel excited C. it helps people make sense of the world D. it enables him to work (Key: 1. A 2. B 3. D 4. B 5. C) 第十篇
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Paper was invented by the Chinese in the first century AD. Paper was not made in southern Europe until about the year 1100. Scandinavia - which now makes a great deal of the world’s paper - did not begin to make it until 1500. Most paper is made from wood. Paper-making is an important British industry and paper from Britain is sold to many countries such as Australia and South Africa. Some of the wood used in the British paper making industry comes from trees grown in Britain, but wood is also bought from other countries such as Norway. One tree is needed for every four hundred copies of a forty-page newspaper. If half the adults in Britain buy one daily paper, this uses up over a thousand trees a day. All over the world, trees are being cut down faster than they are being planted, so there may be a serious need for paper at the beginning of next century.
When we think of paper, we think of newspaper, books, letters and writing paper. But there are many other uses. Only half of paper is used for books and newspaper, etc. Paper is very good for keeping you warm. Each year, more and more things are made of paper. Now we hear that chairs, tables, and even beds can be made of paper. But the latest in paper making seems to be paper houses. 1. Where was paper invented?
A. In China. B. In southern Europe .C. In Scandinavia. D. In Britain. 2. Scandinavia began to make paper ____________.
A. in 1100 B. in 1400 C. in 1500 D. in the first century 3. Every four hundred copies of a forty-page newspaper will need ____________.
A. half a tree B. one tree C. two trees D. more than one tree 4. All over the world, trees are being cut down ____________ than they are being planted. A. more slowly B. much faster C. much more slowly D. faster 5. The latest things made of paper are ____________.
A. chairs B. tables C. clothes D. houses (Key: 1. A 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. D) 第十一篇
We often use gestures to express our feelings, but the problem is that the gestures can be understood in different ways.
It is true that a smile means the same thing in any language. So does laughter or crying . Fear is another emotion that is shown in much the same way all over the world. In Chinese and in English literature, a phrase like ‘he went pale and began to tremble’ suggests that the man is either very afraid or he has just got a very big shock. However, ‘he opened his eyes wide’ is used to suggest anger in Chinese whereas in English it means surprise. In Chinese, surprise can be described in a phrase like ‘they stretched out their tongues!’ “Stretching out your tongue” in English is an insulting gesture or expresses strong dislike.
Even in the same culture, people differ in their ability to understand and express feelings. Experiments in America have shown that women are usually better than men at recognizing fear, anger, love and happiness on people’s faces. Other studies show that older people usually find it easier to recognize or understand body language than younger people do. 1. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. We can easily understand what people’s gestures mean. B. Words can be better understood by older people. C. Gestures can be understood by most people but words are not. D. It is difficult to tell what people’ gestures really mean sometimes.
2. People’s facial expressions may be misunderstood in different cultures because ____________. A. people of different sexes may understand a gesture differently B. people speaking different languages have different facial expressions C. people of different ages may have different interpretations
D. people from different cultures have different meanings about some facial expressions 3. From the passage, we can conclude that ____________.
A． gestures can be used to express feelings B gestures can be more effectively used than words to express feelings C. words are often more difficult to understand than gestures D. gestures are used as frequently as words to express feelings 4. In the same culture, people ____________.
A. hardly ever fail to understand each other’s ideas and feelings B are equally intelligent even if they have different backgrounds
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C almost all have the same understanding of the same thing D. may have different abilities to understand and express feelings 5. The best title for this passage can be ____________.
A. Gestures B. Feelings C. Gestures and Feelings D. Culture and Understanding (Key: 1. D 2. D 3. A 4. D 5. C) 第十二篇
A funny thing happened on the way to the communication revolution: we stopped talking to each other.
I was walking in the park with a friend recently, and his mobile phone rang, interrupting our conversation. There we were, walking and talking on a beautiful sunny day and – poof! – I was cut off as if I had become absent from the conversation. The park was filled with people talking on their cell phones. They were passing people without looking at them, saying hello, noticing their babies or stopping to pat their dogs. It seems that the limitless electronic voice is preferred to human contact. The telephone used to connect you to the absent. Now it makes people feel absent. Recently I was in a car with three friends. The driver hushed the rest of us because he could not hear the person on the other end of his cell phone. There we were, four friends driving down the highway, unable to talk to each other because of the small thing designed to make communication easier. Why is it that the more connected we get, the more disconnected I feel? Every advance in communications technology is a setback (退步) to the closeness of human interaction. With e-mail and instant message over the Internet, we can now communicate without seeing or talking to one another. With voice mail, you can make entire conversations without ever reaching anyone. If my mom has a question, I just leave the answer on her machine.
As almost every contact between human beings gets automatic, the emotional distance index goes up. Pumping gas at the station? Why say good-morning to the assistant when you can swipe you credit card at the pump and save yourself the bother of human contact? Making a deposit at the bank? Why talk to the clerk who lives in the neighborhood when you can put your card into the ATM?
More and more, I find myself hiding behind e-mail to do a job meant for conversation or being relieved that voice mail picked up because I didn’t really have time to talk. The technology devoted to helping me keep in touch is making me lonelier.
I own a mobile phone, an ATM card, a voice-mail telephone, and an e-mail account. Giving them up isn’t a choice. They are great for what they are intended to do. It’s their unintended results that make me upset. What good is all this gee-whiz technology if there is no one in the room to hear you crying out “Gee whiz”?
1. The author’s experience of walking in a park with a friend recently made him feel _____________. A. unhappy B. funny C. sunny D. wonderful 2. According to the author, human contact in a park means ____________.
A. looking at each other and saying hello when passing B. noticing their babies and stopping to pat their dogs C. talking on the mobile phone and getting connected with the other people D. both A and B
3. According to the author, the more connected we get in communications technology, the ___________ we are. A. more automatic B. easier C. more disconnected D. closer
4. What are the examples the author gives to explain his idea that every advance in communications technology is a setback to the closeness of human interaction?
A. With e-mail and instant message over the Internet, we can now communicate without seeing or talking to one another. B. With voice mail, you can make entire conversations without ever reaching anyone.
C. If his mom has a question, he just leaves the answer on her machine. D. All of the above. 5. What is the unintended result of communication technology, according to the author? A. It makes communication easier and conversation possible everywhere. B. It actually creates a distance between people instead of bringing them together.
C. It makes every contact between human beings automatic and makes people feel connected.
D. It makes human contacts limitless with electronic voices everywhere. (Key: 1. A 2. D 3. C 4. D 5. B) 第十三篇
Who will stage the games?
Preparing for the Olympics Games is a huge undertaking. Just like the athletes, the host city spends years getting ready for the event.
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Before deciding which city will host the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has to examine bids from all over the world. Bidding for the games begins about ten years in advance. Without preparing a very strong bid1, a city will not win the competition to host the games. Beijing was chosen for the 2008 games from five bidders — Osaka, Paris, Toronto and Istanbul.2 Why does it take so long to prepare?
Building the infrastructure costs huge amounts of money. Holding the World Cup in 2002 in Japan and South Korea, for example, meant that ten new stadiums had to be built, as well as many hotels and an improved transport system. In Beijing, after winning the bid the government began major construction projects — the extension of the underground, the improvement of the airport and the building of new motorways3. Each host city must also build an Olympic village for the athletes. By planting trees and creating parks, the city becomes more attractive for tourists. Why do countries want to host the Olympic Games?
Hosting the games has a major effect on the economy and brings international prestige to the country. Thousands and thousands of visitors come to the games and the host cities are permanently improved.
1. Bidding for the Olympic Games usually starts ____________ before the games are really held. A. two years B. eight years C. one year D. ten years 2. Beijing was one of the _______ bidders for the 2008games. A. four B. five C. ten D. three 3. The World Cup 2002 was held in _____________.
A. Japan B. South Korea C. China D. A and B 4. What construction projects did Beijing start after winning the bid?
A. The extension of the underground. B. The improvement of the airport. C. The building of new motorways D. All of the above 5. Why do countries want to host the Olympic Games?
A. Because it has a major effect on the economy. B. Because it brings international prestige to the country. C. Because the host cities are permanently improved. D. All of the above. (Key: 1. D2. B 3. D 4. D 5. D) 第十四篇
We walked in so quietly that the nurse at the desk didn’t even lift her eyes from the book. Mum pointed at a big chair by the door and I knew she wanted me to sit down. While I watched, mouth open in surprise, Mum took off her hat and coat and gave them to me to hold. She walked quietly to the small room by the lift and took out a wet mop. She pushed the mop past the desk and as the nurse looked up, Mum nodded and said, “Very dirty floors.”
“Yes. I’m glad they’ve finally decided to clean them,” the nurse answered. She looked at Mum strangely and said, “But aren’t you working late?”
Mum just pushed harder, each swipe of the mop taking her farther and farther down the hall. I watched until she was out of sight and the nurse had turned back to writing in the big book.
After a long time Mum came back. Her eyes were shining. She quickly put the mop back and took my hand. As we turned to go out of the door, Mum nodded politely to the nurse and said, “Thank you.” Outside, Mum told me, “Kate is fine. No fever.” “You saw her, Mum?”
“Of course. I told her about the hospital rules, and she will not expect us until tomorrow. Dad will stop worrying as well. It’s a fine hospital. But such floors! A mop is no good. You need a brush.”
1. When she took a mop from the small room what Mum really wanted to do was ____________. A. to clean the floor B. to please the nurse C. to see a patient D. to surprise the story-teller 2. When the nurse talked to Mum she thought Mum was a ____________.
A. nurse B. visitor C. patient D. cleaner 3. After reading the story what can we infer about the hospital?
A. It is a children’s hospital. B. It has strict rules about visiting hours.
C. The nurses and doctors there don’t work hard.D. A lot of patients come to this hospital every day.
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4. Why did Mum go to see Kate in the hospital?
A. To give her some message about Dad. B To make sure her room was clean. C. To check that she was still there. D To find out how she was. 5. Which of the following words best describes Mum?
A. Polite. B. Patient. C. Changeable. D. Clever. (Key: 1. C 2. D 3. B 4. D 5. D) 第十五篇
Did you know there are some very special dogs doing good work in our hospital wards? These are PAT 2 (Pets As Therapy) dogs. Doctors and nurses are recognising the benefits of pets more and more — particularly for children, people with mental illnesses and elderly people who are separated from their own pets or have had to give up their pets.
Stroking and playing with a pet is a calming experience and something to look forward to. One hospital reported that a man with a mental illness, who hadn't spoken for years, first stroked and played with a visiting dog and then started talking to it.
Today, around 4,500 dogs and 50 cats and their volunteer owners are at work in the UK bringing comfort and pleasure to over 100,000 people in hospital.
There are many other ‘working dogs’5. There are guard dogs, police dogs, hunting dogs and dogs for the blind. Disabled people benefit greatly. Take the case of Alan Smythe6, who has to visit hospital every month. Some things7 are difficult for him because he is in a wheelchair. But his life has altered dramatically since he got a dog, Tess, from the charity 'Dogs for the Disabled'. ‘She helps me to get dressed, and she brings me my socks and shoes. She fetches the newspaper from the shop, and she passes me the phone when it rings. I feel so much better too. It's like having a really good friend. She comes with me to hospital. Once, she saved my life. I am a diabetic and one day my blood sugar level dropped, and when I was going into a coma she went next door and she alerted my neighbour. He gave me an insulin injection.’
1. Doctors and nurses think pets are particularly helpful for ______________. A) children B) people with mental illnesses
C)old people who can’t live with their pets or have to give up their pets D) all of the above people 2. Today __________ people in hospital get the help of dogs and cats and their owners. A) 4,500 B) 50 C) 100,000 D) 10,000 3. Alan got the dog from ___________.
A) the hospital B) the charity C) a shop D) his friend 4. Which of the following that Tess CAN NOT help Alan do?
A) Get dressed B) bring socks and shoes C) pass the phone when it rings D) buy newspaper from the shop 5. When Alan was going to a coma, Tess went to his _______’s home for help.
A) neighbour B) doctor C) friend D) daughter (Key: 1. D 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. A) 第十六篇
10th August, 2004 Dear Sirs,
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, PMC Company is a major producer of technically advanced machinery and chemicals for industry and agriculture.
With a history dating back to 1884, PMC has grown to become one of the 100 largest industrial companies in the United States, with 2000’s sales in excess（超过） of $2 billion. All over the world, PMC has about 41,600 employees at 129 factories in 32 states, such as New York state, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc. and 15 foreign countries.
We believe PMC to be one of the leaders of the packaging industry both in the U.S. and abroad. Through our own research, development and engineering efforts, we believe we are able to exchange views on and discuss the latest technical aspects of the industry.
PMC’s packaging expertise (专长) is mainly in the following areas: — Packaging and paper box making machinery — Wrapping machines for varying uses Faithfully yours,
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General Manager PMC Co. Ltd.
1. The company wants to sell ____________.
A. industrial products B. agricultural products C. technical services D. machinery and chemicals 2. Where is the Head Office of the company?
A. In New York state. B. In North Carolina. C. In Chicago, Illinois. D. In Pennsylvania. 3. When did the company’s annual sales exceed $2 billion?
A. In the year of 1884. B. In the year of 2000. C. In the year of 2004. D. In the year of 2002. 4. The company thinks ____________.
A. it is one of the 15 largest companies in the world B. it develops its relationship with China only for its own benefit C. it plays a leading role in the world’s packaging industry D. it should open some new companies abroad 5. The letter is written to ____________.
A. its customers in the States and abroad B. its headquarters
C. its customers abroad D. its employees in the 32 states and 15 foreign countries (Key: 1. D 2. C 3. B 4. C 5. A) 正误判断 第一篇
“Get up, the water is coming.” Yan Xinzhi, director of the neighborhood committee of Chaoyang Street, Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, would knock at the door of every household at midnight to have people collect water; otherwise, the tap water would soon run dry when everyone in the city got up and joined the “water rush” in the morning. Yan, an elderly lady about 60, had served as committee director for more than 20 years; her major work was to rouse her neighbors from their sleep to get water. As time went by, residents could not go to sleep before one o’clock in the morning.
Chaoyang Street was not the only street in Taiyuan that lacked water, and Taiyuan was not the only city in China with water in short supply.
Niu Maosheng, Minister of Water Resources, told China Today that more than 300 cities nationwide lack water; in 108 cities the situation has become critical. The annual deficit of water has reached 6 billion cubic meters, leading to a loss of RMB 200 billion (approximately US $24 billion) in industrial output.
1. As neighborhood committee director, the major part of Yan Xinzhi’s job was to wake up her neighbors at midnight to get water. 2. The passage reveals that all the cities in China suffer from water shortage. 3. The passage is written by a water expert.
4. The lack of water has lead to a loss of US $24 billion in industrial output. 5. Xi’an is another city with water in short supply. (key: T F F T NG ) 第二篇
People who cannot tell all colors apart are said to be color blind. Most color-blind people can see yellow and blues, but confuse reds with greens. It is very rare for a person to be blind to all colors, but they may see everything in shades of black, white, and gray. It is interesting to note that many color-blind people don’t even realize that they are color-blind. They don’t know that the colors they are seeing and naming are not the actual colors that people with normal vision can see. This can be particularly dangerous when a color-blind person confuses the red and green of a traffic light.
Color blindness is thought to be inherited (遗传). And although doctors have thought up tests to determine（测定）color blindness, there is no cure to treatment for it.
1. A color-blind person can tell correctly red and green. 2. Many color-blind people are unaware (没意识到) that they are color-blind.
3. It’s especially dangerous for a color-blind person to cross a street when there are no traffic lights at the cross of the streets. 4. A person who is color-blind is not allowed to drive.
5. Up to now, doctors have found a way to free a person from his color blindness. (key: F T F NG F) 第三篇
Lily is 70 years old and she takes care of her 91-year-old mother. She told us about caring for her mother.
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I wake up early every day, it’s usually about 6.30 am, and wait until I hear Tilly, my mum, moving about. Then I make her a cup of tea. At about half past seven she gets up and we have breakfast together. We normally just have toast, but on Sundays we always have bacon and eggs. After breakfast she reads the newspaper, then she sits by the window and waves to the neighbours as they walk by. She hardly ever goes out but she is very proud of her personal appearance, so she goes to the hairdresser once a month.
She doesn’t like being left on her own for very long, so I always arrange for a neighbour to come and sit with her when I go out. Now and again, my friend and neighbour, Joan, comes to spend the day with her, and I can go and have lunch with another friend, May, who lives in town.
I have a brother, Syd. He comes to stay two or three times a year. He is very good and keeps in touch, but he lives 300 miles away. Once a year, he collects mum and takes her to stay with him in London for a week. She doesn’t really like going because it’s a long journey, but I need the rest.
Sally, the nurse, comes to see mum regularly. My next-door neighbour, Jack, often calls in. In the evening we usually watch TV and we sometimes play cards. Mum is fantastic for her age. But I can never decide to go anywhere spontaneously. I always have to plan it, so I feel a bit trapped. But what is the alternative? An old people’s home? I couldn’t do that to my mother. 1. Lily wakes before her mother.
2. Tilly is satisfied with her hairdresser.
3. Joan sometimes spends the day with Lily's mother. 4. Lily's brother comes to visit every three weeks.
5. Lily and her mother play cards more than they watch TV. (key: T NG T F F) 第四篇
Benjamin Disraeli, the famous nineteenth century prime minister, said, “London is not a city, it is a nation.” Today this is an understatement; London, with its vast range of different ethnic groups, is a world.
Certainly, London is the most culturally diverse city in the world. The city was founded by the Romans and since then new arrivals have constantly added to its character and prosperity.
Within 10 years 40% of Londoners will be from ethnic minority groups, including the growing number of Londoners of mixed ethnic origin, but most of them will have been born in Britain. Children of Caribbean-Chinese marriages will go to school with children of Russian-Irish couples. None of them will be English, but all of them will be Londoners.
Most of Britain's ethnic minority residents live in the capital, speaking over 300 languages. Nearly all of the African population and many of the Caribbean population of Britain live in London (83% and 58% respectively); 39% of the Chinese population of Britain and 36% of the Asian population of Britain live in London. The largest migrant community is from the Irish Republic with 256,000 people, 3.8% of the total population of London.
There are an estimated 330,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in London, with most recent arrivals coming from Eastern Europe, North Africa and Kurdistan.
Young people, in particular, are skilled at dealing with a large number of different and hybrid cultures. They themselves often have several different ethnic identities since their parents and grandparents may come from several different backgrounds, and their friends and partners do also. They are “skilled cross-cultural travellers” without leaving their home-town. 1. London is a nation.
2. The city of London was founded by the Romans. 3. All African population live in London.
4. 39% of the total population of London are Chinese.
5. Old people are also “skilled cross-cultural travelers”. (key: F T F F NG) 第五篇
My grandfather was a very interesting man. He died when I was 11, but I remember he used to tell me stories about his early life. He told me one about how he used to race dogs. They raced greyhound, a very fast type of dog. My grandfather had a dog that was very fast and usually won the races. The men used to bet on the dogs and try to win money. One day before a race, a friend of my grandfather’s suggested that they bet on a different dog and make my grandfather’s dog lose the race. My grandfather had no job, so this seemed an easy way to make money. On the day of the race, my grandfather and his friend fed the dog lots of cakes so it
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wouldn’t want to run. Then they took it for a long walk so it was tired. They bet on another dog, but when the race was run, my grandfather’s dog won anyway, so they lost all their money and didn’t win anything! 1. The author’s grandfather doesn’t tell stories now. 2. His dog always won when it raced.
3. The author’s grandfather usually won lots of money.
4. The author’s grandfather and his friend fed the dog cakes to make it strong.
5. The author’s grandfather and his friend bet on a dog which didn’t win. (Key: 1. T 2. F 3. NG 4. F 5. T) 第六篇
Benjamin Disraeli, the famous nineteenth century prime minister, said, “London is not a city, - it is a nation.” Today this is an understatement; London, with its vast range of different ethnic groups, is a world.
Certainly, London is the most culturally diverse city in the world. The city was founded by the Romans and since then new arrivals have constantly added to its character and prosperity.
Within 10 years 40% of Londoners will be from ethnic minority groups, including the growing number of Londoners of mixed ethnic origin, but most of them will have been born in Britain.
Children of Caribbean-Chinese marriages will go to school with children of Russian-Irish couples. None of them will be English but all of them will be Londoners.
Most of Britain's ethnic minority residents live in the capital, speaking over 300 languages.
Nearly all of the African population and many of the Caribbean population of Britain live in London (83% and 58% respectively); 39% of the Chinese population of Britain and 36% of the Asian population of Britain live in London.
The largest migrant community is from the Irish Republic with 256,000 people, 3.8% of the total population of London.
There are an estimated 330,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in London, with most recent arrivals coming from Eastern Europe, North Africa and Kurdistan.
Young people, in particular, are skilled at dealing with a large number of different and hybrid cultures.
They themselves often have several different ethnic identities since their parents and grandparents may come from several different backgrounds and their friends and partners do also. They are “skilled cross-cultural travellers” without leaving their home-town. 1．Why does the writer think that Benjamin Disraeli’s statement is an understatement? Because he thinks London is _________.
A. a miniature world thanks to its great cultural diversity B. even larger than some countries in the world C. not a nation at all
2. London is regarded as the most culturally diverse city in the world due to the following facts EXCEPT that _________. A. within 10 years 40% Londoners will be from ethnic minority groups B. many young people are immigrants from different backgrounds
C. London accommodates about 330,000 refugees and asylum seekers from many other countries 3. Ethnic minority groups will make up _________ of the London population in the future. A. 36% B. 40% C. 39%
4. The last paragraph mainly tells us in London _________.
A. young people feel at ease with a large number of diversified cultures B. young people are raised in a multicultural environment C. young people find it hard to adapt themselves to hybrid cultures 5. The passage mainly deals with _________.
A. the advantage of hybrid cultures in London B. the composition of the population in London C. the cultural diversity in London 1. A 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. C 第七篇
The ancient Olympic Games were part of a religious festival in honour of the Greek god Zeus, the father of all Greek gods and goddesses. The festival and games were held in Olympia, a religious sanctuary. The athletes came to Olympia from all parts of the
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Greek world, from as far as Spain in the west and Turkey in the east.
The ancient Olympic Games began in the year 776 BC when Koroibos, a cook from the city of Elis, won a 200-metre-long race. They took place for a period of 617 years until the last games were held in AD 393.
In the ancient games, athletes received prizes worth large amounts of money. In fact the word “ athlete ” is an ancient Greek word, meaning “ one who competes for a prize ”. Although women did not compete in the games, there was a separate festival held at the same time in honour of Hera, wife of Zeus. At this festival unmarried girls competed in foot races.
The marathon was not an event of the ancient Olympic Games. The marathon is a modern event that was first introduced in the Olympic Games in 1896. It was named after a village called Marathon where the Persians were defeated by a small Greek army. The news of the victory was brought to Athens by soldier, who ran the 26 miles from the village of Marathon to the capital. 26 miles was therefore adopted as the distance of the modern marathon race.
The Olympic flag was introduced in 1908 and carries the symbol of five linked rings. Which represent the five continents – Africa, America, Asia, Australasia and Europe. The Olympic flame was first carried in the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. There was no torch relay in the ancient Olympic Games. The first torch relay in the modern Olympic Games was staged in Berlin in 1936. 1. The ancient Greeks held the first Olympic Games in 617 BC. 2. The ancient Greeks held the Olympic Games for 393 years.
3. They did not allow women to compete in the ancient Olympic Games. 4. They first used the Olympic flag in 1908.
5. Both the Olympic Games and the Marathon Race are very popular for old and young people in many countries of the world. 1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. NG
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