阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Michael, a typical American, stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal in order to connect with the office. After work, he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder, or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn’t talk to any other human beings, and he doesn’t see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his life style is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from contact with our fellow human beings.
The world of business is one area in which technology is isolating us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants could do their jobs at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they’re dealing with. In addition, the way employees are paid will change. Workers’ salaries will be automatically paid into their
bank accounts, making paper checks unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their check. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts. Another area that technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living rooms. After work, Michael likes to ________.
| A．listen to music at the concert hall |
| B．watch a movie in his living room |
| C．run a program on his computer in his office |
| D．play baseball with his workmates |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
| A．Clerks will be able to work at home. |
| B．One can play baseball on the computer. |
| C．One can listen to music without disturbing others. |
| D．One can borrow books from libraries at home. |
The sentence “Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible” means ________.
| A．Michael is a person full of imagination and he can make his dreams come true |
| B．Michael is not a real person but the lifestyle does exist |
| C．Michael has ambitions but he can’t make his dreams come true |
| D．Michael is a person full of imagination and his lifestyle is common nowadays |
What will the author most probably discuss after the last paragraph?
| A．Games and sports. | B．Personal banking. |
| C．Music and films. | D．International business. |
Considering Australia' s size and the fact that early settlements were far apart, Australian society is remarkably homogeneous ( 同种的). Its citizens are fundamentally prosperous and the way of life in the major cities and towns is much the same however many miles divide them. It takes a sharp ear to identify regional accents.
However, there is some difference in lifestyle between city settlers and the country people. Almost 90 percent of the population lives in the fast-paced cities along the coast and has little more than a passing familiarity with the desert. The major cities preserve images of colonial heritage, but the overall impression is modem, with new buildings reflecting the country' s youth. In contrast, the rural communities tend to be slow-moving and conservative. For many years, Australia was said to have "ridden on the sheep' s back" , a reference to wool being the country' s main money earner. However, it is no longer dominant ( 主宰的) . Much of Australia' s relatively sound economy is now achieved from natural coal and wheat, and by being the largest diamond producer in the world. Newer industries such as tourism and wine making are also increasingly important. Australians are generally friendly and relaxed, with a modest sense of humor.
Yet, contrary to widespread belief, very few Australians have true prisoner origins. Within only one generation of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, Australia had become a nation of immigrants. Originally coming almost entirely from the British Isles, today one in three Australians comes from elsewhere. Australia' s liberal postwar immigration policies led to a flowing of survivors from war-torn Europe, most notably Greeks, Italians, Poles and Germans.
The emphasis has shifted in recent years and today the majority of new immigrants are from Southeast Asia. Today Australia is a "mixture of nations" and although some racism exists, it has generally been a successful experiment and the country is reasonably proud to have one of the most harmonious multicultural communities in the world. What does the writer mean by saying "has little more than a passing familiarity with the desert" in the second paragraph?
| A．The major population has a close relationship with the desert. |
| B．The fast-paced cities are just located by the desert. |
| C．The major population knows little about the desert. |
| D．The major population is familiar with the people living in the desert. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．The pace of life in the city is different from that in the country. |
| B．One third of people living in Australia come from Europe. |
| C．The Australian economy is dependent on sheep exports. |
| D．Most Australians have ancestors who were prisoners. |
What used to be Australia' s main money earner?
| A．Wheat. | B．Wool. | C．Tourism. | D．Diamond. |
We can infer from the passage that ____.
| A．nothing about Australia' s colonial part in modem cities can be seen by visitors |
| B．tourism and wine making resulted in fast development in rural communities only |
| C．immigrants from Europe have brought racial problems |
| D．Australia' s recent immigration policy encourages immigrants from Southeast Asia |
There was once a lonely girl who longed so much for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving songbirds. She took them home and put them in a small cage, caring them with love. Luckily, the birds grew strong little by little. Every morning they greeted her with a wonderful song. The girl felt great love for the birds.
One day the girl left the door to the cage open accidentally. The larger and stronger of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl was so frightened that he would fly away. So as he flew close, she grasped him wildly. Her heart felt glad at her success in capturing him. Suddenly, she felt the bird go weak, so she opened her hand and stared in horror at the dead bird. It was her desperate love that had killed him.
She noticed the other bird moving back and forth on the edge of the cage. She could feel his strong desire—needing to fly into the clear, blue sky. Unwillingly, she lifted him from the cage and threw him softly into the air. The lucky bird circled once, twice, three times.
The girl watched delightedly at the bird. Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss. What she wanted to see was that the bird could fly happily. Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder. It sang the sweetest tune that she had ever heard.
Remember, the fastest way to lose love is to hold on it too tight; the best way to keep love is to give it wings!After the girl found the two birds, she ____.
| A．became frightened at once |
| B．began to treat them badly |
| C．greeted them happily |
| D．fed them and raised them |
Why did the girl grasp the stronger bird wildly?
| A．Because the girl disliked the bird any longer |
| B．Because the bird wanted to fly alone. |
| C．Because the girl loved the bird deeply. |
| D．Because the bird intended to find some food. |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．Catch what you can catch on your way to success. |
| B．Going too far is as bad as not going far enough. |
| C．East or west, home is best. |
| D．A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. |
Maybe ten-year-old Elizabeth put it best when she said to her father. "But. Dad. you can't be healthy if you're dead."
Dad. in a hurry to get home before dark so he could go for a run. had forgotten to wear his safety belt-a mistake 75% of the US population make every day The big question is why.
There have been many myths about safety belts ever since her first appearance in cars some forty years ago. The following are three of the most common.
Myth Number One: It's best to be "thrown clear" of a serious accident.
Truth: Sorry, but any accident serious enough to "throw you clear" is also going to be serious enough to give you a very bad landing. And chances are you'll have traveled through a windshield(挡风玻璃)or door to do it. Studies show that chances of dying after a car accident are twenty-five times greater in cases where people are "thrown clear."
Myth Number Two: Safety belts "trap" people in cars that are burning or sinking in water.
Truth: Sorry again. but studies show that people knocked unconscious(昏迷) due to not wearing safety belts have a greater chance of dying in these accidents People wearing safety belts are usually protected to the point of having a clear head to free themselves from such dangerous situations. not to be trapped in them.
Myth Number Three Safety belts aren't needed at speeds of less than 30 miles per hour Truth: when two cars traveling at 30 mph hit each other. an unbelted driver would meet the windshield with a force equal to diving headfirst into the ground from a height of 10 meters.why did Elizabeth say to her father. "But. Dad. you can't be healthy if you're dead" ?
| A．He was driving at great speed. |
| B．He was running across the street. |
| C．He didn't have his safety belt on. |
| D．He didn't take his medicine on time. |
The reason Father was in a hurry to get home was That he＿＿＿＿＿．
| A．wasn't feeling, very well |
| B．hated to drive in the dark |
| C．wanted to take some exercise |
| D．didn't want to be caught by the police |
According to the text. to be "thrown clear" of a serious accident is very dangerous
because you ＿＿＿＿＿．
A. may be knocked down by other cars
B may get seriously hurt being thrown out of the car
C. may find it impossible to get away from the seat
D. may get caught in the car doorSome people prefer to drive without wearing a safety belt because they believe＿＿＿.
| A．the belt prevents them from escaping in an accident |
| B．they will be unable to think clearly in an accident |
| C．they will be caught when help comes |
| D．cars catch fire easily |
what is the advice given in the text ?
| A．Never drive faster than 30 mile an hour. |
| B．Try your best to save yourself in a car accident. |
| C．Never forget to wear the safety belt while driving. |
| D．Drive slowly while you're not wearing a safety belt. |
Tom Brennan was working in a Philadelphia office building when he noticed a black bag. The bag contained a book.
This chance discovery ended a 12-day search by the Library Company of Philadelphia for a historical treasure-a 120-page diary kept 190 years age by Deborah Logan, "a woman who knew everybody in her day, "James Green ,the librarian told the magazine American Libraries.
Most of the diary is a record of big events in Philadelphia ,It also includes a description of British soldiers burning Washington .D. C in the war of 1812.She describes President James Madison on horseback as "perfectly shaking with fear" during the troubled days. George Wash- ington, she writes, mistook her for the wife of a French man. and praised her excellent English ．
The adventure of the lost book began September 4 when Cory Luxmoore arrived from Eng- land to deliver the diary of his ancestor(祖先）to the Library Company, which he and his wife considered to be the best home for the diary.
Green told American Libraries he had the diary in his possession" about five minutes" when Luxmoore took it back because he had promised to show it to one other person. On returning to his hotel after showing the precious book to Green, Luxmoore was shocked to realise that he had left it in the taxi.
Without any delay, Green began calling every taxi company in the city, with no luck," I've felt sick since then," Luxmoore told reporters.
According to Green. no one has yet learned how the diary came to the office building .
Tom Brennan received a reward(奖励)of 1,000,Philadelphia gained another treasure for its histo- ry, and Luxmoore told reporters, "It's wonderful news. I'm on high".This article mainly tells about the story of ＿＿＿＿＿
| A．a lost diary | B．Deborah Logan |
| C．Cory Luxmoore | D．the Library Company |
From the text,we learn that the diary is now owned by＿＿＿＿＿
| A．Tom Brennan |
| B．an unknown person |
| C．a Philadelphia magazine |
| D．the Library Company of Philadelphia |
Philadelphia is thought to be the best home for the diary because＿＿＿＿＿.
| A．it was written in Philadelphia |
| B．it tells stories about Philadelphia |
| C．people in the city are interested in old things |
| D．the British and the Americans once fought in Philadelphia |
Which of the following shows the right order of what happened to the diary?
a-Tom Brennan found the book in an office building.
b-The book was shown to James Green.
c-Cory Luxmoore arrived from England.
d-The book was left behind in a taxi.
| A．a. b. c. d | B．c. b. d. a |
| C．a. c. d. b | D．c. a. b. d |
What did Cory Luxmoore mean when he said "I'm on high"?
| A．I'm rich | B．I'm famous |
| C．I'm excited | D．I'm lucky. |
The easy way out isn't always easiest. I learned that lesson when I decided to treat Doug, my husband of one month, to a special meal. I glanced through my cookbook and chose a menu which included homemade bread. Knowing the bread would take time, I started on it as soon as Doug left for work. As I was not experienced in cooking, I thought if a dozen was good, two dozen would be better, so I doubled everything. As Dong loved oranges, I also opened a can of orange and poured it all into the bowl. Soon there was a sticky dough (面团) covered with ugly yellowish marks. realizing I had been defeated, I put the dough in the rubbish bin outside so I wouldn't have to face Doug laughing at my work, I went on preparing the rest of the meal, and, when Doug got home , we sat down to Cornish chicken with rice . He tried to enjoy the meal but seemed disturbed. Twice he got up and went outside, saying he thought he heard a noise. The third time he left, I went to the windows to see what he was doing. Looking out, I saw Doug standing about three feet from the rubbish bin, holding the lid up with a stick and looking into the container. When I came out of the house, he dropped the stick and explained that there was something alive in out rubbish bin . Picking up the stick again, he held the lid up enough for me to see. I felt cold. But I stepped closer and looked harder. Without doubt it was my work. The hot sun had caused the dough to double in size and the fermenting yeast (酵母)made the surface shake and sigh as though it were breathing. I had to admit what the 'living thing 'was and why it was there. I don't know who was more embarrassed(尴尬)by the whole thing Doug or me. The writer's purpose in writing this story is ___________
| A．to tell an interesting experience |
| B．to show the easiest way out of a difficulty |
| C．to describe the trouble facing a newly married woman |
| D．to explain the difficulty of learning to cook from books |
Why did the woman's attempt at making the bread turn out to be unsuccessful?
| A．The canned orange had gone bad. |
| B．She didn't use the right kind of flour. |
| C．The cookbook was hard to understand. |
| D．She did not follow the directions closely. |
Why did the woman put the dough in the rubbish bin?
| A．She didn't see the use of keeping it |
| B．She meant to joke with her husband. |
| C．She didn't want her husband to see it. |
| D．She hoped it would soon dry in the son. |
What made the dough in the rubbish bin?
| A．The rising and falling movement. |
| B．The strange-looking marks. |
| C．Its shape. |
| D．Its size. |
When Doug went out the third time , the woman looked out of the window because she was ______________.
| A．surprised at his being interested in the bin |
| B．afraid that he would discover her secret |
| C．unhappy that he didn't enjoy the meal |
| D．curious to know what disturbed him |
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