Movie makers at one time worried that they might be put out of business by television. Recently, however, more and more people have been going to the movies. This may be partly because the economic situation in America has worsened. When at the movies, people forget their troubles, as they get involved in the story on the screen. Also, directors have recently been producing pictures that large numbers of people want to see.
Americans in the millions are returning to their love affair with the movies. Motion picture industry experts see two main factors responsible for this: an increased need by Americans to escape from economic worries and a large number of new movies with broad audience appeal.
Movie makers admit that their rising popularity is partly the result of poor economic conditions, which traditionally bring an increase in theater attendance. “When people are fearful about the future, they look for escape,” comments Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America. “In a shaded theater, with a 65-foot screen, you lose yourself for two and a half hours and people find this beneficial.”What did movie makers worry about before?
| A．That people preferred watching TV to seeing films. |
| B．That movies couldn’t be a business any more. |
| C．That their movies might be played on television. |
| D．That no one would go to the cinema. |
Why are so many people going to see movies now?
| A．Because people now have much more money. |
| B．Because people wanted to escape from real life. |
| C．Because people have troubles. |
| D．Because watching movies is now much cheaper than watching TV. |
What does the underlined word “worsened” mean in the first paragraph?
| A．become attractive | B．become amazing |
| C．become bad | D．become popular |
The main topic of American movies is about .
| A．economy | B．love | C．tradition | D．not mentioned |
German study suggests that people who were too optimistic about their future actually faced greater risk of disability or death within 10 years than those pessimists who expected their future to be worse.
The paper，published this March in Psychology and Aging，examined health and welfare surveys from roughly 40,000 Germans between ages 18 and 96.The surveys were conducted every year from 1993 to 2003.
Survey respondents (受访者) were asked to estimate their present and future life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10，among other questions.
The researchers found that young adults (age 18 to 39) routinely overestimated their future life satisfaction，while middleaged adults (age 40 to 64) more accurately predicted how they would feel in the future.Adults of 65 and older，however，were far more likely to underestimate their future life satisfaction.Not only did they feel more satisfied than they thought they would，the older pessimists seemed to suffer a lower ratio (比率) of disability and death for the study period.
“We observed that being too optimistic in predicting a better future than actually observed was associated with a greater risk of disability and a greater risk of death within the following decade，”wrote Frieder R．Lang，a professor at the University of ErlangenNuremberg.
Lang and his colleagues believed that people who were pessimistic about their future may be more careful about their actions than people who expected a rosy future.
“Seeing a dark future may encourage positive evaluations of the actual self and may contribute to taking improved precautions (预防措施)，”the authors wrote.
Surprisingly，compared with those in poor health or who had low incomes，respondents who enjoyed good health or income were associated with expecting a greater decline.Also，the researchers said that higher income was related to a greater risk of disability.
The authors of the study noted that there were limitations to their conclusions.Illness，medical treatment and personal loss could also have driven health outcomes.
However，the researchers said a pattern was clear.“We found that from early to late adulthood，individuals adapt their expectations of future life satisfaction from optimistic，to accurate，to pessimistic，”the authors concluded.According to the study，who made the most accurate prediction of their future life satisfaction?
| A．Optimistic adults. |
| B．Middleaged adults. |
| C．Adults in poor health. |
| D．Adults of lower income. |
Pessimism may be positive in some way because it causes people________.
| A．to fully enjoy their present life |
| B．to estimate their contribution accurately |
| C．to take measures against potential risks |
| D．to value health more highly than wealth |
How do people of higher income see their future?
| A．They will earn less money. |
| B．They will become pessimistic. |
| C．They will suffer mental illness. |
| D．They will have less time to enjoy life. |
What is the clear conclusion of the study?
| A．Pessimism guarantees chances of survival. |
| B．Good financial condition leads to good health. |
| C．Medical treatment determines health outcomes. |
| D．Expectations of future life satisfaction decline with age. |
Some years ago，writing in my diary used to be a usual activity.I would return from school and spend the expected half hour recording the day’s events，feelings，and impressions in my little blue diary.I did not really need to express my emotions by way of words，but I gained a certain satisfaction from seeing my experiences forever recorded on paper.After all，isn’t accumulating memories a way of preserving the past?
When I was thirteen years old，I went on a long journey on foot in a great valley，wellequipped with pens，a diary，and a camera.During the trip，I was busy recording every incident，name and place I came across.I felt proud to be spending my time productively，dutifully preserving for future generations a detailed description of my travels.On my last night there，I wandered out of my tent，diary in hand.The sky was clear and lit by the glare of the moon，and the walls of the valley looked threatening behind their screen of shadows.I automatically took out my pen...
At that point，I understood that nothing I wrote could ever match or replace the few seconds I allowed myself to experience the dramatic beauty of the valley.All I remembered of the previous few days were the dull characterizations I had set down in my diary.
Now，I only write in my diary when I need to write down a special thought or feeling.I still love to record ideas and quotations that strike me in books，or observations that are particularly meaningful.I take pictures，but not very often－only of objects I find really beautiful.I’m no longer blindly satisfied with having something to remember when I grow old.I realize that life will simply pass me by if I stay behind the camera，busy preserving the present so as to live it in the future.
I don’t want to wake up one day and have nothing but a pile of pictures and notes.Maybe I won’t have as many exact representations of people and places；maybe I’ll forget certain facts，but at least the experiences will always remain inside me.I don’t live to make memories－I just live，and the memories form themselves.Before the age of thirteen，the author regarded keeping a diary as a way of________.
| A．observing her school routine |
| B．expressing her satisfaction |
| C．impressing her classmates |
| D．preserving her history |
What caused a change in the author’s understanding of keeping a diary?
| A．A dull night on the journey. |
| B．The beauty of the great valley. |
| C．A striking quotation from a book. |
| D．Her concerns for future generations. |
What does the author put in her diary now?
| A．Notes and beautiful pictures. |
| B．Special thoughts and feelings. |
| C．Detailed accounts of daily activities. |
| D．Descriptions of unforgettable events. |
The author comes to realize that to live a meaningful life is________.
| A．to experience it |
| B．to live the present in the future |
| C．to make memories |
| D．to give accurate representations of it |
Planning a visit to the UK? Here we help with ways to cut your costs.
AVOID BIG EVENTS Big sporting events，concerts and exhibitions can increase the cost of accommodation and make it harder to find a room.A standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on the final Friday of the Brighton Comedy Festival (19 Oct.) cost￡169.15 at Booking.com.A week later，the same room cost￡118.15.
If you can be flexible and want to know dates to avoid－or you’re looking for a big event to pass your time－check out sites such as Whatsonwhen.com，which allow you to search for events in the UK by city，date and category.
STAY AWAY FROM THE STATION If traveling to your destination by train，you may want to find a good base close to the station，but you could end up paying more for the sake of convenience at the start of your holiday.
Don’t be too choosy about the part of town you stay in.Booking two months in advance，the cheapest room at Travelodge’s Central Euston hotel in London for Saturday 22 September was￡95.95.A room just a tube journey away at its Covent Garden hotel was￡75.75.And at Farringdon，a double room cost just￡62.95.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF Really central hotels in cities such as London，Edinburgh and Cardiff can cost a fortune，especially at weekends and during big events.As an alternative consider checking into a selfcatering flat with its own kitchen.Often these flats are hidden away on the top floors of city centre buildings.A great example is the historic O’Neill Flat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile，available for￡420 for five days in late September，with room for four adults.
GET ON A BIKE London’s ‘Boris bikes’ have attracted the most attention，but other cities also have similar programmes that let you rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace，saving you on public transport or car parking costs.
Among the smaller cities with their own programmes are Newcastle (casual members pay around￡1.50 for two hours) and Cardiff (free for up to 30 minutes，or￡5 per day)．The Brighton Comedy Festival is mentioned mainly to show big events may________.
| A．help travelers pass time |
| B．attract lots of travelers to the UK |
| C．allow travelers to make flexible plans |
| D．cause travelers to pay more for accommodation |
“Farringdon”in Paragraph 5 is most probably________.
| A．a hotel away from the train station |
| B．the tube line to Covent Garden |
| C．an ideal holiday destination |
| D．the name of a travel agency |
The passage shows that the O’Neill Flat________.
| A．lies on the ground floor |
| B．is located in central London |
| C．provides cooking facilities for tourists |
| D．costs over￡100 on average per day in late September |
Cardiff’s program allows a free bike for a maximum period of________.
| A．half an hour |
| B．one hour |
| C．one hour and a half |
| D．two hours |
The main purpose of the passage is________.
| A．to tell visitors how to book in advance |
| B．to supply visitors with hotel information |
| C．to show visitors the importance of selfhelp |
| D．to offer visitors some moneysaving tips |
China is a land of bicycles.At least it was back in 1992 when I traveled the country.Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle.Millions of them，all black.Cars were rare.Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year，I’ve found the opposite is true.There are millions of cars.However，people still use their bicycles to get around.For many，it’s the easiest and cheapest way to travel today.Bicycles also come in different colors－silver，green，red，blue，yellow，whatever you want.
It’s fun watching people biking.They rush quickly through crossroads，move skillfully through traffic，and ride even on sidewalks(人行道)．Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can’t provide.
Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture，I decided to buy a bicycle.Great weather accompanied my great buy.I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started home.
My first ride home was orderly (守秩序的)．To be safe，I stayed with a“pack”of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times.I didn’t want to get hit.So I took the ride carefully.
Crossing the streets was the biggest problem.It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States.The streets here were wide，so crossing took time，skill and a little bit of luck.
I finally made it home.The feeling on the bicycle was amazing.The air hitting my face and going through my hair was wonderful.I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people.Biking made me feel alive.According to the author，why are bicycles still popular in China today?
| A．Because they are traditional and safe. |
| B．Because they are convenient and inexpensive. |
| C．Because they are colorful and available. |
| D．Because they are fast and environment friendly. |
The author decided to buy a bicycle because he intended ________.
| A．to ride it for fun |
| B．to use it for transport |
| C．to experience local culture |
| D．to improve his riding skills |
How did the author feel about his street crossing?
| A．It was boring. | B．It was difficult. |
| C．It was lively. | D．It was wonderful. |
Which of the following best describes the author’s biking experience?
| A．The author enjoyed showing off his biking skills. |
| B．The author was annoyed by the air while riding. |
| C．The author was praised by the other bikers. |
| D．The author took great pleasure in biking. |
 |
|
 Guest ServicesFront Gate Guest Services can help you with anything from finding out what time your favourite show starts to purchasing tickets.The Guest Services location inside Front Gate also serves as a message centre，lost children’s area and lost and found.Canada’s Wonderland does not offer personalized public paging(传呼)． |
 Food&Drink OptionsShops are located throughout Canada’s Wonderland.Picnic baskets and coolers are welcome at the shelter located outside Wonderland on the north side of our Front Gate.Outside food and drinks are not allowed in the Park.Bottled water may be brought into the Park. |
 ATMsATMs are located just inside the Park beside Stroller，Locker and Wheelchair Rentals at the Front Gate，as well as KidZville(beside Guest Services)，Splash Works(two locations)，and outside Thunder Run. |
 Pet CareA pet care facility is located outside our Front Gate on the south side for a daily fee.Water and airconditioned shelters are provided.Guests are asked to provide food and exercise. |
 First AidIf you need medical assistance，tell any park employee who will call First Aid and have them come to your location. |
 Stroller，Locker and Wheelchair RentalsStroller，locker and wheelchair rentals are available inside the Park at the Front Gate，beside Thrills Are Wonderland. |
 Smoking PolicySmoking is not permitted while riding or standing in line for rides or in any of the children’s areas or the Water Park.Smoking is permitted in designated(指定的)areas only. |
Failure to observe all Park rules could result in being driven out of the Park without refund. |
The leaflet is to inform visitors of the Park’s________.
| A．advanced management |
| B．thrill performances |
| C．entertainment facilities |
| D．thoughtful services |
A visitor to the Park can________.
| A．rent a stroller outside Front Gate |
| B．ask for first aid by Thunder Run |
| C．smoke in the Water Park |
| D．leave his pet at KidZville |
粤公网安备 44130202000953号