Do you know about a series of books that say they are “for dummies”? These American self-help books have been translated into more than thirty-nine languages including Chinese，Arabic，Russian，French，German，Greek and Spanish．
“Dummy”is a word for a stupid person．The dummies books are not really for stupid people．
They are designed to show people how to do something they may never have tried before，like painting a house or learning a language．The books all say in a funny way that they are for dummies，such as World History for Dummies，Rabbits for Dummies，Chinese Cooking for Dummies，and Wedding Planning for Dummies．The first such book，DOS for Dummies，was published in 1991．It helped people learn how to use the DOS operating system for computes．Since then，more than one hundred fifty million dummies books have been sold．
The dummies．com website explains the idea behind the books．It says that they show that people can be taught to do anything．First they can make fun of ideas that are difficult to understand．Then they show how the information can be interesting and easy．The publishers（出版商）say that the books do not provide more information than necessary．They give readers just enough information to do what they want．They say that the dummies books give the best and easiest way to do something．And the books use simple and easy language．
There are more than one thousand different dummies books．A report in New York Times says that the top-selling dummies books are those that explain technology and personal finance（财经）．
The publishers say that the best-selling dummies books are those providing information many people need—like information about diseases，education and cooking．People interested in opera，car repair and wine can also find dummies books to help them．And there are even more dummies books to come．The publishers say that they publish about two hundred new dummies books every year．
71．Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A．Self-Help Books B．The Easiest，the Best
C．Books for Dummies D．New Ideas Behind the Books
72．According to the dummies．com website，with the help of dummies books people can_____．
A．simplify some personal things B．do anything they want
C．become expert in any field D．learn any foreign language
73．The dummies books have been popular because__________．
A．they provide just what is needed and are easy to understand
B．they provide much information on the related subject
C．people can learn to do anything with just one copy
D．people can save lots of money through self-teaching
74．According to New York Time，we know the books selling best are the ones on________．
A．cooking and world history B．opera and car repairing
C．diseases and education D．technology and personal finance
75．What can we learn from the passage?
A．The first dummies book was on Chinese cooking．
B．The dummies books will continue to be popular．
C．Fifty million different dummies books have been published．
D．The simple language was intended for child readers．
Certainly people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you’ve known them half your life. These people have something in common. And once we know what it is, we can try to do it ourselves.
How is it done? Here are several skills (技巧) that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they will help you put people at ease, and make friends with them quickly.
First of all, good talkers ask questions. Almost anyone, no matter how shy they are, will answer a question. One well-known businessman says. “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did this morning. It’s a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters sometimes to really personal questions. And how they answer will let you know how far you can go.
Second, once good talkers have asked questions they listen for the answer. This point seems clear, but it isn’t. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively (专心地).
Real listening means certain things. First it means not to change the subject of conversation (对话). If someone sticks to (坚持) one topic (话题), you can take it as a fact that he’ll be really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones (语调) of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject.
Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion (场合) of parting. If you’re saying goodbye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.” If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they’ve known you half their life.
64. You’ll like to stay with certain people because ________.
A. they know how to get along with others
B. you can often get much help from them
C. they are always glad to do anything for you
D. they will never get you into trouble
65. Asking questions might be quite a good way ________.
A. for you to make more and more new friends
B. to begin your business talks
C. to get the conversation going well
D. for you to make a deep and lasting impression (印象) on others
66. After having asked somebody a question, it’ll be polite of you to ________.
A. make clear what kink of person he is
B. listen to his answer attentively
C. wait quietly and patiently for his answer
D. talk with others
67. Generally speaking, good talkers are persons who ________.
A. are good at making any topic interesting
B. never talk too much or too little
C. always speak in a gentle way
D. know how and when they should change the topic of the talk
Read a whole book in English? Me?
Yes, you. Believe it or not, that may be easier than you think. Not all classics are too difficult or complicated. So you’re not limited to the simplified versions. And the easier books are not all for children.
Books in their original versions may send you to the dictionary. And you might not understand everything you read. But reading one from cover to cover will give you a real sense of accomplishment（成就）. The key is to find the right books. Let’s take a look at these.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)
Stepping into an old wardrobe, four English schoolchildren find themselves in the magical world of Narnia. On this delightful land, they find friends among the many talking creatures. The children soon discover, however, that Narnia is ruled by the White Witch. Edmund, one of the children, falls under her power. Who can free Narnia? Only Aslan, the great and noble lion. He alone knows the Deeper Magic. But the children themselves must help fight the battle against the White Witch and those who serve her.
The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)
Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman, hasn’t caught any fish in more than 80 days. Sailing far out from land, the old man hooks an enormous fish. That begins an agonizing three day battle. First he struggles against the great fish. Then he must fight off the sharks that circle the little boat and threaten to eat his fish. Exhausted and bleeding, the old man arrives back at shore. But his fish, his beautiful fish . . .
Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for this superb story of strength and courage, of victory and regret.
A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine Lingle)
Meg’s father, a U.S. government scientist, has been missing for many months. He had been experimenting with time travel when he mysteriously disappeared.
Now Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin will try to rescue him. But first they must outwit the forces of evil they encounter（遇到） on their journey through time and space. Can they find Meg’s father before it’s too late?
This novel is more than just a science fiction adventure. It’s an exploration of the nature of our universe.
The Pearl (John Steinbeck)
One day Kino, a poor Mexican pearl diver, finds a magnificent pearl. With it he dreams of buying a better life, new clothes and schooling for his son. Instead, it brings only evil. His wife pleads with him to get rid of it. "No," says Kino. "I will have my chance. I am a man." But when he kills a man who is trying to steal the pearl, Kino and his wife must run for their lives.This tale of dreams, justice and the power of greed is told simply and beautifully.
The Long Winter (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
It’s winter, 1880—1881, on America’s northern prairies. Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls and their four girls stay near the kitchen stove to keep warm. Heavy snowstorms cut them off even from neighbors. With the trains stopped, no supplies can reach the town. Food and fuel are running out. Day after day the girls must grind wheat for bread and twist hay to burn. At times they nearly lose the battle to keep their spirits up.
This story provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of early American settlers.
63. In the passage, the author intends to _______.
A. recommend a few simplified versions of classics
B. recommend a few original versions of classics
C. tell us how to read an English book from beginning to end
D. tell us how to find proper English books to read
64. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch is probably _____.
A. an evil woman with magic power B. a friendly woman with magic power
C. a delightful talking creature D. a powerful lion
65. The underlined word "outwit" in the passage probably means ______.
A. get rid of B. take advantage of
C. beat by being cleverer D. make the most of
66. Which book deals with history?
A. The Pearl. B. The Old Man and the Sea.
C. A Wrinkle in Time. D. The Long Winter.
67. A Wrinkle in Time is different from other books mentioned in the passage in that _____.
A. it is not a science fiction B. it tells a true story
C. it provides some scientific knowledge D. it tells the battle between justice and evil
You are standing under the most famous neon lights in the centre of London, waiting to cross the road. Suddenly the traffic stops. You hear the distant sounds of cheering, clapping and shouting. Then, like a multi-colored （多彩的）train, 2, 000 people with wheels（轮子） on their feet zoom past you. You have just witnessed the London Skate, a twice weekly roller-skate event that attracts people in their hundreds and thousands London. Skate is a completely free tour of the streets of London -the only condition is that you go along on roller-skates. It lasts between two and three hours and by the end of it you have skated between 10 and 12 miles. The skate snakes sound the streets of London along several different routes. Many of the routes pass by tourist attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Marshals (交通协调员) go ahead of the group, stopping the traffic so that people can skate as safely as possible. Everyone is welcome to take part and people from the age of 4 to 63 years old join the fun. "I love it very much, it is amazing. It feels just like a carnival (狂欢节)，" said Celeste Beverage regular skater.
Roller-skating is really taking off across Europe and America. It is a very good way to keep fit and can be practised anywhere there is a smooth surface. Many big cities in Western Europe and
in the US now have a regular group skating event. The biggest skates take place in Paris and Munich（慕尼黑） and tens of thousands of fans show up on warm evenings. "Roller-skating is taking over the world," said Julian Grenoble, a 25-year-old ski shop employee from London. Grenoble went to the Paris-Roller (Paris skate) regularly until he moved to Britain.
"It's so exciting to skate in Paris. Everyone skates so fast and puts in their best efforts!" he said. The Paris Roller is well known because of the huge attendance, the presence of marshals and the police protection. Paris is a great city for roller-skating because of its long wide streets and smooth surfaces. Roller-skating is also becoming more popular in China among young people and children. Skating fans' favorite places to practise in China are big squares.
5. We can infer from the passage that London Skate Event ________.
A. is probably supported by the city government
B. attracts a great many tourists from all over the world
C. usually causes a lot of traffic problems
D. draws people of all ages into the sport
6. The underlined phrase "taking off " in the passage means________ .
A. rising from the ground B. becoming popular
C. setting out D. getting exciting
7. Paris is regarded as one of the most suitable places for roller-skating because ________.
A. a large number of roller players attend it B. the police protect the roller skaters
C. the streets are safe, wide and smooth D. the event usually takes place on warm evenings
8. This article mainly talks about________ .
A. places and streets for roller-skating B. roller-skating in big cities
C. London Skate Event D. roller skaters in different countries
III 、阅读理解
London Thursday July 26 (Reuters)---Ian Johnstone missed his girlfriend so much that he flew back to Britain from Australia to propose to her(向……求婚). The problem is that she flew in the opposite direction.
He and Amy Dolby could even have met each other when they sat in the same airport waiting-room in Singapore at the same time to wait for connecting flights（航班）.
Dolby, heartbroken when she arrived at Johnstine’s Sydney apartment to find he had flown to London, told the times: “It was as though someone was playing a cruel joke on us. He is the most romantic（浪漫的） person I have ever known. I think our problem is that we are both quite impulsive(冲动的)people. We are always trying to surprise each other.”
After an 11,000-mile flight across the globe, she was greeted by Johnstone’s astonished flat mate asking what she was doing there.
“The terrible truth dawned （明朗）when I found that Ian’s suitcase and most of his clothing were missing. I sat on the end of his bed and cried my eyes out. And that really made me angry,” she said.
Johnstone, a 27-year-old bricklayer, had taken a year off to travel around Australia. But he was missing Dolby, a 26-year-old secretary, so much he got a job on a Sydney building site（建筑工地）and started saving for surprise.
He then flew home to Britain and went to her apartment armed with an engagement ring（订婚戒指）, champagne（香濱酒） and flowers.
“I really missed Amy and I had been thinking about her all the time. I thought she was winding me up when she phoned me from Australia,” he said.
Johnstone then asked Dolby to marry him on the phone. “I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry but I accepted,” she said.
Dolby was given a short tour of Sydney by Johnstone’s friends and Johnstone had to stay in Britain for two weeks because he could not change his ticket.
1. It can be learned from the text that_______.
A. Dolby was heartbroken when she heard Johnstone refused to see her.
B. Johnstone worked in Sydney and went to Britain on business
C. Dolby was greeted by Johnstone’s flat mate at the airport
D. Johnstone failed to see Dolby in her apartment in Britain
2. According to the text, it seemed that_______.
A. Dolby wanted to go sightseeing in Sydney alone
B. Johnstone and Dolby could have seen each other in Singapore
C. Dolby stayed longer in Sydney than Johnstone stayed in Britain
D. the young lovestruck couple had both intended to propose to each other
3. When Johnstone asked her to marry him on the phone, Dolby felt_______.
A. nervous and shy B. cheerful and angry
C. excited and shocked D. confused and sad
4. Which of the following shows the right order of what happened in the text?
a. Johnstone flew back to Britain to propose to his girlfriend, Amy Dolby.
b. Johnstone started working at a Sydney building site.
c. Johnstone went to Amy’s apartment in Britain with an engagement ring.
d. Johnstone proposed to Dolby over the phone.
e. They were waiting for their connecting flight in the airport lounge in Singapore.
f. Dolby called Johnstone from Australia.
A. b-a-d-e-c-f B. c-a b-e-f-d C. b-a-e-c-f-d D. b-a-f-e-c-d
I am a writer. I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the power of language—the way it can evoke（唤起） an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth. Language is the tool of my trade. And I use them all—all the Englishes I grew up with.
Born into a Chinese family that had recently arrived in California, I’ve been giving more thought to the kind of English my mother speaks. Like others, I have described it to people as “broken” English. But feel embarrassed to say that. It has always bothered me that I can think of no way to describe it other than “broken”, as if it were damaged and needed to be fixed, as if it lacked a certain wholeness. I’ve heard other terms used, “limited English,” for example. But they seem just as bad, as if everything is limited, including people’s perceptions（认识）of the limited English speaker.
I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother’s “limited” English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is ,because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect. And I had plenty of evidence to support me: the fact that people in department stores, at banks, and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her.
I started writing fiction in 1985. And for reasons I won’t get into today, I began to write stories using all the Englishes I grew up with: the English she used with me, which for lack of a better term might be described as “broken”, and what I imagine to be her translation of her Chinese, her internal（内在的） language, and for that I sought to preserve the essence（本质）, but neither an English nor a Chinese structure: I wanted to catch what language ability tests can never show; her intention, her feelings, the rhythms of her speech and the nature of her thoughts.By
saying “Language is the tool of my trade”, the author means that ______.
| A．she uses English in foreign trade | B．she is fascinated by languages |
| C．she is a writer by profession | D．she works as a translator |
The author used to think of her mother’s English as ______.
| A．impolite | B．amusing | C．imperfect | D．practical |
Which of the following is TRUE according to Paragraph 3?
| A．Americans do not understand broken English. |
| B．The author’s mother was not respected sometimes. |
| C．The author’ mother had positive influence on her. |
| D．Broken English always reflects imperfect thoughts. |
What is the passage mainly about?
A. The limitation of the author’s perception of her mother.
B. The changes of the author’s attitude to her mother’s English.
C. The author’s misunderstanding of “limited” English.
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