Few buildings on earth can compete with the legendary beauty of the Taj Mahal. Towering over the ancient Indian city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is the grandest monument (纪念碑) to love ever created.
The lovers in this story are the 17th century Indian emperor Shah Jehan and h
is wife Mumtaz Mahal. She took a leading role in advising him, which is something unusual for a woman to do for a husband who’s an emperor. Over the course of their nineteen-year marriage she gave birth to 14 children. But in 1631 while trying to deliver their fifteenth — she tragically died. He was heartbroken when she died. And after her death, he decided to build the world’s greatest monument ever built, for love.
He ordered the royal architects to design the most beautiful building the world had known and decided to name it after his beloved, Mumtaz Mahal. He called on twenty thousand workers and sent many more people to all corners of his country in search of valuable metals and jewels. And after seventeen years of hard work, Shah Jehan’s monument was completed a
nd his beloved empress was moved to her final resting place.
Everything had gone according to plan, but Shah Jehan’s luck was about to change ... In 1658, just four years after the completion of the Taj Mahal, he was thrown out of power. Unfortunately, his son, Aran Azibe imprisoned him, his own father. And he spent the last seven years of his life in prison. And he was allowed to look at the Taj Mahal through a window. His life was in ruins, but
when he died his last wish was promised. He was buried beside his beloved wife in the Taj Mahal.
6
8 . The Taj Mahal was built for ______.
A. Mumtaz B. Shah C. Mumtaz or Shah D. Mumtaz and Shah
69. The Taj Mahal was completed in ______.
A. 1658 B. 1662 C. 1654 D. 1665
70 . What was unusual for Mumtaz Mahal according to the passage?
A. She gave birth to 14 children for her husband.
B. She gave important advice to her husband.
C. She asked her son to imprison his father
D. She planned to build the world’s greatest monument.
71. Which of the following is TRUE about Shah Jehan?
A. He was killed by his own son.
B. He lost his power as a result of the Taj Mahal.
C. He put his own son into prison.
D. He hoped to be buried together with his wife.
John Steinbeck once said, “All American believe they are born fishermen. For a man to admit to a distaste in fishing would be like speaking publicly against mother-love or hating moonlight”.
I can’t say I’m the biggest John Steinbeck fan. Actually, the only thing I can ever remember reading by him was “The Pearl” when I was in middle school, but I couldn’t agree more with the man when it comes to fishing. When I am on a boat in the middle of the lay Lake, fishing off the shores of the Florida Keys for tarpon or catching rainbow trout in the Shoshone River of Wyoming. Fishing is my life.
According to the American Sports Fishing Association, the fishing industry brings in more than $ 116 billion per year from fishermen across the country.
Though a beautiful picture to imagine, fishing is much more than that. Fishing is a way of life from many people and a way to escape everyday stress. Being a fisherman makes me a member of a wonderful group of people extending to all walks of life. Even President Bush can be found fishing on his farm in Texas with his good friend Roland Martin when the jobs gets too stressful.
I can remember fishing with my grandfather when I was 5 years old on his boat at Lake Michel. Although I didn’t understand what I was doing, I did know that my grandfather was happy and that made me happy. Since then I’ve spent the past 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama.
After days of practice, before and after work, I slowly developed an understanding of fishing. My boss, Ric Horst, took me back to the Shoshone, and I managed to bring in a 19-inch cutthroat trout. Fishing with Ric was a life-changing experience for me. He not only showed me how to fish correctly, but also told me how fishing could be a way to escape your problems.
Since then, prime-time season seems to take forever to arrive.
Now, with the ending of February and beginning of March is sight, the excitement of heading out to Lake Tus caloosa or Lake Lurleen before classes and catching something has finally returned.What John Steinbeck said in the first paragraph implies that ______
| A．American are believed to be the offspring of fishermen. |
| B．it is unthinkable for an American to admit his dislike of fishing. |
| C．all American are expert at fishing. |
| D．those who dislike fishing would not love their mother. |
The writer came to understand the real meaning of fishing ______.
| A．when he was reading “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck |
| B．when he went fishing with his grandfather at Lake Mitchell |
| C．after he had spent 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama |
| D．after he went fishing with his boss, Ric Horst on the Shoshone |
According to the author, ______.
| A．people can get to know VIPs when fishing |
| B．people can smooth away all the troubles by fishing |
| C．fishing is a way of communication |
| D．fishing is a way of life for most American people |
What is the purpose of the writing?
| A．To describe the writer’s experience and understanding of fishing. |
| B．To explain the reason why so many Americans like fishing. |
| C．To make others understand the industry of fishing. |
| D．To express his opinions about fishing in different time of the year. |
Is it possible to persuade mankind to live without war? War is an ancient custom which has existed for at least six thousand years. It was always evil and usually foolish, but in the past the human race managed to live with it. Modern skill has changed this. Either man will stop war, or war will stop man. For the present, it is nuclear weapons that cause the greatest danger, but bacteriological( 细菌的 ) or chemical weapons may, before long, offer an even greater threat. If we succeeded in stopping war, there would be no danger for us. To do this, we need to persuade mankind to look upon international questions in a new way, not by contests of force, in which the victory goes to the side which is most skillful in massacre (大屠杀 ),but by arbitration (仲裁）in accordance with agreed principles of law. It is not easy to change old mental habits, but this is what must be attempted.
There are those who say that the adoption of this or that ideology (意识形态)would prevent war. I believe this to be a complete error. All ideologies are based upon beliefs without proof which are, at best, doubtful, and at worst, totally false. Those people who believe them are willing to go to war in support of them.
The movement of world opinion during the past two years has changed very largely such as we can welcome. It has become a common belief that nuclear war must be avoided. Of course, very difficult problems remain in the international world, but the spirit in which they are being approached is a better one than it was some years ago. It has begun to be thought, even by the powerful men who decide whether we shall live or die, that agreements should be reached even if both sides do not find these agreements wholly satisfactory. It has begun to be understood that the important conflict (冲突) nowadays is not between East and West, but between Man and the Hbomb.From the first paragraph we can know that ____.
| A．we may face greater threat from weapons |
| B．bacteriological or chemical weapons are less dangerous than nuclear weapons |
| C．man’s idea of victory has changed |
| D．dangerous weapons are forbidden in modern society |
According to the author,______.
| A．it is impossible to live without war |
| B．the difference between East and West will lead to war |
| C．war must be stopped if man wants to survive |
| D．war will be stopped by modern skill |
The author believes that the only way to stop war is to____.
| A．stop nuclear weapons |
| B．settle international issues through agreements |
| C．destroy bacteriological and chemical weapons |
| D．let the stronger side take over the world |
The last paragraph suggests that______.
| A．nuclear war will definitely not take place |
| B．real agreements have been now reached |
| C．world opinion is still divided on nuclear war |
| D．man is beginning to realize that nuclear war is his greatest enemy |
Which of the following words can best describe the author’s feeling in writing this passage?
| A．Disappointed. | B．Doubtful. | C．Worried. | D．Hopeful. |
The storage of classified (分类的) research at all 24 labs run by the US Department of Energy was shut down this week after officials decided that the security (安全) problems recently found at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico might also exist elsewhere.
Several computer disks went missing at Los Alamos earlier this month, forcing Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to stop all work at the lab until the problems are found out. As of 26 July, two missing disks had still not been found, and 15 employees had been suspended in connection with the disappearance.
Now all energy labs will stop doing classified research that involves(需要) removable storage devices --- such as computer disks --- until all the devices are given explanation for and new procedures are in place for monitoring their handling by laboratory employees.
"While we have no evidence that the problems being investigated are present elsewhere, we have a responsibility to take all necessary action to prevent such problems, "Abraham said on 23 July.
The shut-down isn't quite as dramatic（惊人的）as it sounds, experts say. Only two labs will be seriously affected: Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. Together with Los Alamos, these two labs conduct the most part of the country's nuclear weapon programmes. At Livermore, 876 employees will be suspended during the storage of some 12,000 items of classified removable material.
At other labs, far fewer people will be affected. "The impact (影响) should be the smallest," says Martha Krebs, former director of the energy department's science office.
Why was the storage of classified research at all 24 labs shut down?
| A．Because the security problems might be present elsewhere. |
| B．Because the security problems existed elsewhere. |
| C．Because two missing computer disks had still not be found. |
| D．Because officials decided to stop doing such research. |
How many labs conduct the country's nuclear weapon programmes according to the text?
| A．About 24. | B．Only 2. | C．More than 2. | D．Over 15. |
The underlined word "suspended"in the second paragraph probably means "______”.
| A．hung from above | B．stopped from holding a position | C．doubted | D．fired |
It can be inferred from the text that _____.
| A．the computer disks must have been stolen by terrorists |
| B．the people living in the United States have little security |
| C．the United States is a country whose security is very bad |
| D．the missing of the computer disks caused great fear among Americans |
It’s summer movie time again. And heroes are ready to try their strength and magic on the silver screen. Check out our list of four films that look most promising to young audiences.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanRelease Date: June 4Story: It’s the summer before Harry Potter’s third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A shadow is hanging over Hogwarts. A dangerous murderer, Sirius Black, has escaped the Wizards’ Prison. And he broke out to fulfill one task to kill Harry Potter. |
Around the World in 80 DaysRelease Date: June 16Story: This version of the classic novel set in 1872 focuses on Passepartout (Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan), a Chinese thief who seeks refuge with a strange London adventurer, Phileas Fogg. Passepartout uses his martial arts skills to defend Fogg from danger as he travels around the world in 80 days to win a bet. |
Spider-Man 2Release Date: June 30Story: Peter Parker is still coming to terms with his dual identity as the crime superhero Spider-Man. He wants to reveal his secret identity to Mary Jane, meanwhile, his Aunt May has fallen on hard times. A new villain①, Dr Otto Octavius, has appeared to cause more troubles. |
King ArthurRelease Date: July 7,Story: King Arthur is presented as a clever ruler who manages to unite all the knights② in Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire. Under the guidance of Merlin and the beautiful, brave Guinevere, Arthur will struggle to realize his dreams. |
Notes:
①villain n. 坏人
②knight n. 骑士，武士According to the passage, if you want to see a film whose leading actor is Jackie Chan, you will see the film on ______.
| A．June 4 | B．June 16 | C．June 30 | D．July 7 |
In Spider-Man 2, Aunt May’s trouble is caused by ______.
| A．Peter Parker | B．Mary Jane | C．Dr Otto Octavius | D．Spider- Man |
Which of the following films is set in ancient Britain?
| A．Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban |
| B．Around the World in 80 Days |
| C．Spider-Man 2 |
| D．King Arthur |
There are good Santas and there are bad Santas. The good Santas all realize one thing: In the mind of a child, Santa Claus is perfect.
That’s difficult. And so they come from around the world to attend the Charles W. Howard School in Midland, Mich. The school offers a three-day, 40-hour course for Santas hoping to be excellent. There’s a real range to what Santas earn, from big bucks for large events to no pay for charities①. One thing for them all is a pure love for children.
A former Macy’s Santa named Charles Howard founded the Michigan school in 1937. “Many people will think if you have a suit and you’re a Santa,” said Tom Valent, the school’s current dean. “It’s more than that.” So with a pet reindeer②, his properly named wife Holly and a workshop full of wonder.
The school teaches everything from breathing techniques for carol singing to the beard maintenance. There are lessons in child psychology, sign language and even media training for talk-show appearances and call-in shows. Santas also need to make sure they know all the names of the reindeer. What’s harder to deal with, however, is children who ask for Christmas gifts like bringing daddy home or making mommy happy again.
After spending time in the classroom, Weir went to the mall to test his training. However, at one point, his hat fell off, and he was unsure how to react. “You’re the real Santa,” Valent said. “Pick that hat up, slip it back on, keep smiling and do your job. You’ve got to stay on top of your game. Even the last one at night, when you’re tired, you’ve got to remember: This one’s forever, so do a good job.”
Notes:
① charity n. 慈善，慈善团体
② reindeer n. 驯鹿According to the passage, good Santas should be the ones that ________.
| A．can offer the children some gifts | B．help adults look after their children |
| C．have ability to make children happy | D．should be perfect in the mind of children |
The underlined words “big bucks” should refer to ________.
| A．lots of money | B．many gifts | C．loves for children | D．gifts from children |
The Michigan school was founded by Charles Howard with the purpose to ________.
| A．train the pet reindeer for the Santas | B．earned money from its students |
| C．train perfect Santas for the world | D．show the world’s concern to the poor |
According to Weir’s performance, we can conclude that ________.
| A．Weir was short of experience | B．Weir was not fit for the job as a Santa |
| C．Weir did very badly in the game | D．Weir was not a good student in school |
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