nickname is a shortened form of a person's name. A nickname also can be a descriptive name for a person, place or thing. Many American cities have nicknames. These can help establish an identity, spread pride among citizens and build unity.
A few years ago, some marketing and advertising experts were asked to name the best nickname for an American city. The winner was the nation's largest city, New York. The top nickname was The Big Apple.
You might wonder how New York got this nickname. In the early nineteen seventies, the city had many problems. The number of visitors was falling. So a campaign was launched to give the city a new image. The head of the New York Conventions and Visitors Bureau decided to call the city, The Big Apple.
There are several explanations for where this name came from. Language expert Barry Popik studied the question and wrote about it on his Web site. He says John Fitz Gerald, a writer for a New York newspaper, used the name The Big Apple to mean New York in the nineteen twenties. Mister Fitz Gerald wrote about horse races. He heard the name used by men who worked at a racetrack in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mister Fitz Gerald wrote: "The Big Apple. The dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There's only one Big Apple. That's New York."
In horse racing, the expression meant "the big time," the place where large amounts of money could be won. The Big Apple became the name of a night club in the Harlem area of New York City in nineteen thirty-four. It also was the name of a popular dance and a hit song in the nineteen thirties.
But it is not the only nickname for America's largest city. Barry Popik's web site lists almost one hundred nicknames that describe New York. The best known are The Capital of the World. Empire City. Gotham. The City So Nice They Named it Twice. And, The City That Never Sleeps. You can hear about the city in the song, "New York, New York," by Frank Sinatra. Why do many American cities have nicknames?（回答词数不超过15个）
What did John Fitz Gerald write about for the New York newspaper?（回答词数不超过5个）
Besides “The Big Apple”, how many best known nicknames that describe New York are listed according to Barry Popik's web site?（回答词数不超过2个）
C
Being considered a leader in our society is indeed of high praise. Leadership means power, commands, respect and, most important, encourages achievement. Unlike vitamin C, leadership skills can’t be easily swallowed down. They must be carefully cultivated.
Different from popular belief, most good leaders are made, not born. They learn their skills in their everyday lives. But which do they develop？How do they (and how can you) get others to follow?
Always give credit. Many leaders note that the most efficient way to get a good performance from others is to treat them like heroes. Giving public credit to someone who has earned it is the best leadership technique in the world. It is also an act of generosity (慷慨) that’s never forgotten.
Giving credit is more effective than even the most constructive criticism (批评), which often hurts rather than helps. Kenneth Blanchard, the author of The One-Minute Manager, agrees. “Catch people doing something right!” he says. Then tell everyone about it.
Take informed risks. “The best leaders know that taking a risk is not a thoughtless exercise,” says management adviser Marilyn Machlowitz. “Sky divers don’t go up in an airplane without checking the parachutes (降落伞) beforehand.”
Because the idea of risk also carries with it the possibility of failure, many of us usually wait for others to take charge. But if you want to be a leader, you must learn to fail and not die a thousand deaths. Pick yourself up and start all over again.
Encourage enthusiasm (热情). “When people understand the important of work, they lend their mental strengths,” says Lee Ducat. But when they get excited about the work, all their energy gets poured into the job. That’s a great force! Is this the best way to create excitement? Be enthusiastic yourself. You will be followed by everyone.
64．The underlined word “cultivated” (in paragraph1) roughly means ________.
A．encouraged B．compared C．examined D．developed
65．The part “always give credit” tells us that a leader should _______.
A．give helpful criticism B．regard others as real heroes
C．praise people for their good performances D．praise everyone
66．To be a good leader, you should _______.
A．not be afraid of any risks B．think twice before taking risks
C．try to avoid any possible failures D．know what a thoughtless exercise is
67．Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A．Leadership is of skills and techniques B．Leadership is very important
C．Not many can be leaders D．How to be a leader
B
A new study has found no evidence that sunscreen, commonly used to reduce the risk of skin cancer, actually increases the risk.
Research from the University of Iowa based their findings on a review of 18 earlier studies that looked at the association between sunscreen use and melanoma (黑素瘤). They said that they found flaws in studies that had reported associations between sunscreen use and higher risk of melanoma.
Most health experts believe that by protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer, which is increasing in incidence (发生率) faster than any other cancer in the United States.
But questions have been raised about sunscreen and whether it may have the opposite effect by allowing people to remain exposed to the sun longer without burning.
The researchers said that among the problems with some earlier studies is that they often failed to take into account that those people most at risk for skin cancer---are more likely to use sunscreen. As a result, it may appear that sunscreen users get cancer more often.
The studies, which generally relied on volunteers to recall their sunscreen use, were also unable to prove how well the products had been applied, said the new study.
60．The underlined word “flaws” in the 2nd paragraph most probably means _________.
A．evidences B．facts C．faults D．failures
61．People with fair skin and freckles ________.
A．seldom use sunscreen B．are more in danger of skin cancer
C．can be free from the harm of the sun D．often expose themselves to the sun
62．We can learn from the passage that _________.
A．sunscreen users get skin cancer more often
B．the volunteers have proved the effect of the sunscreen
C．the new study has based on the experiences of volunteers
D．the number of skin cancer patients is increasing in America
63．Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
A．Sunscreen to Prevent Skin Cancer B．Sunscreen to Increase Skin Cancer
C．Skin Cancer Caused by Sunscreen D．Skin Cancer Caused by Freckles
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分, 满分40分）
A
While all my classmates seem to be crazy about a one-way ticket to Mars (火星), I’d rather say Mars is totally unsuitable for human existence. People won’t have enough food supplies there, and the terrible environment would make it impossible for them to live a long life. Besides, the journey won’t be safe. Can anyone explain to me just why people go to Mars, never to return?
Steve Minear, UK
Here are things you can think of: the desire to explore a foreign and unique environment, the excitement of being the first humans to open up a new world, the expectation of fame and glory…For scientists there is another reason. Their observations and research will probably lead to great scientific achievements
Donal Trollop, Canada
There are too many people on the earth. I think that some time before the end of the century, there will be a human colony on Mars. It will happen when people realize that two-way trips to the red planet Mars are unnecessary. Most of the danger of space flight is in the launches (发射) and landings. Cutting the trip home would therefore reduce the danger of accidents, save a lot of money, and open the way to building an everlasting human settlement in another world.
Enough supplies can be sent on ahead. And every two years more supplies and more people will be sent to the new colony. Mars has all the material for a colony to produce or make everything it needs, and Mars is far more pleasant than the other planets in the outer space.
Paul Davies, USA
56．The main purpose of Steve Minear’s wring is ___________.
A．to report his classmates’ discussion B．to invite an answer to his question
C．to explain the natural state of Mars D．to show his agreement on going to Mars
57．Which of the following best states Donal Trollop’ idea?
A．There is a plan to send humans to Mars.
B．There are many reasons for going to Mars
C．Scientists become famous by doing research on Mars.
D．It is possible to build an Earth-like environment on Mars.
58．Paul Davies points out that _______.
A．humans need only a one-way ticket to Mars
B．two-way trips to Mars will be made safe soon.
C．it is easy to reduce the danger and cost of flights to Mars
D．It is cheap to build an everlasting human settlement on Mars
59．What does Paul Davies think of human existence on Mars?
A．Humans will have to bring all they need from the earth.
B．Humans will find Mars totally unsuitable for living.
C．Humans can produce everything they need.
D．Humans can live longer in the colony on Mars.
E
The Middle East countries and other world powers have been facing major political tensions (紧张) which have made the stability (稳定) of the oil prices very unforeseeable. Each day the prospect (前景) of oil prices has become more and more unclear.
Water fuel has been developed as an alternative (替代) source of fuel which has fast become popular around the world. This exciting technology has various advantages. More than 70 percent of the Earth is covered with water and this fuel source does not produce any harmful pollutants or dangerous emissions either. They in fact also double the mileage of the cars that are powered by them.
Water fuel technology has been known to be the best additional form of fuel source for petrol (汽油) or other fuel sources. However, any say that this technology can be only an additional source and not a replacement is totally incorrect and misleading. Such ideas have been suggested by those who look down on this technology. On the contrary, this technology has numerous benefits such as it does not produce any harmful emissions which can affect the climatic changes. It further helps to reduce the level of noise produced by the engines.
Various researches reflect that running costs on fuels for automobiles can be easily saved up to 40 percent with the help of water cell technology. This technology can easily work on various cars powered by gas. It can also be used for trucks, vans and other vehicles. The tap water can also be easily used directly and you do not need any special water that is specifically treated to be used for this purpose. You can easily find a lot of details so that you can adapt your car to use the technology.
57. We can learn from the first paragraph that the price of oil ______.
A. is going down at present B. has been rising for a long time
C. is unstable for political reasons D. is decided by powerful countries
58. People holding the opposite idea think that ______.
A. the world climate won’t be influenced by fuel
B. the engines will give out less noise than before
C. petrol can’t be completely replaced by water fuel
D. water fuel can’t act as an additional source for gas
59. We can learn from the text that ______.
A. the Middle East countries are at peace now
B. a new kind of energy has been found recently
C. vehicles using the new technology cost much more
D. the world will be cleaner with the use of the new fuel
60. What is the best title for the text?
A. Water fuel — Lower Cost B. Water fuel — a Safer Choice
C. Water fuel — a Long Way to Go D. Water Fuel — Becoming a Reality Now
D
You’ve probably heard of the butterfly effect that small changes in one place can lead to great damage elsewhere. The Toy Story II, Made-in-China, appearing on the internet, TV screens and front pages of newspapers worldwide since August, was a live show. China’s fame as “the world’s factory” was badly damaged this summer by a small, but powerful magnet (磁铁), and colorful paints on toys.
Mattel, the world’s largest toy company in the US, on August 14 announced the biggest recall (召回) of toys in its history. Among the recalled products were 17.4 million toys that had a design problem. They contained a small, powerful magnet that could harm children if it was swallowed. Another 2.2 million toys were recalled because of impermissible levels of lead (铅) in their paint.
Although the designing problem has nothing to do with where the toys were made, the reports in the western media of the recall started to draw a horrible picture in many American parent’s minds.
The toy recall issue followed shortly after recalls earlier in the year of Chinese-made pet food and toothpaste and left users all over the world worried about buying anything labeled (贴上标签) “Made-in-China”.
The recall of the toys teaches Chinese companies that quality is extremely important. However, many of the complaints by western countries about Chinese goods reflect complicated feeling
s about the growing Chinese economy, culture differences and various political systems.
However, more than 100 US multinational companies from many industries, including Boeing and Microsoft, signed a letter to the US Congress on September 28, to say no to the proposal against China. “Imposing (加强) unfair barriers to trade in the name of product safety is not a solution,” the companies wrote.
Toys are made for children to learn about the reality world and become more mature (成熟), however, the Chinese version of Toy Story helps lots of adults learn about responsibility, importance of quality, understanding, communications, and more.
53. The author mentions the butterfly effect at the beginning of the passage to ______.
A. explain what the butterfly effect is
B. tell the readers what causes the butterfly effect
C. say that the toy effect is similar to the butterfly effect
D. compare the differences between the butterfly effect and the toy effect
54. Which of the following are the reasons mentioned to have caused the recall?
a. The picture on the toys.
b. The designing problem.
c. The colorful paints on toys.
d. The materials toys are made of.
e. The small powerful magnet on toys.
A. abe B. bde C. bce D. acd
55. Boeing and Microsoft signed a letter to the US Congress because ______.
A. the growing Chinese economy makes them afraid
B. the Chinese companies have realized the importance of quality
C. the Toy Story has made some Chinese companies suffer great losses
D. they think it’s unfair to impose barriers in the name of product safety
56. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A. Made in China. B. Butterfly Effect.
C. Western Media. D. Toy Story.
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