John Smith，an office worker，lives in Washington．He inherited (继承) a million dollars when he was 23，but he wasn’t happy at all．When his college friends were looking for their jobs，he didn’t have to．Jack decided to living a simple life like everyone else．He gave $l0,000 of his money to a charity (慈善机构) to help poor children live a better life．Today he is 36．He still wears cheap shoes and clothes and drives a small car only，but he is very happy．
Up to now John has helped some children from poor countries all over the world，by sending them each $200 a month．The money was used for the children’s study, food, medicine and clothing．John receives a report each year on the children’s progress．They can write to each other, but usually the children do not speak English．
When John first heard about these children，he wanted to help them．“It was nothing special,” he said．“Until I went to these countries and met the children I was helping，I didn’t know anything about their life．” Once John went to meet a little girl in Africa．He said that the meeting was very exciting．“When I met her．I felt very ,very happy．"he said．“And I saw that the money was used for a good cause．It brought me happiness．I want to do everything I can to go on helping those children.”John didn’t need to look for a job ___________.
| A．before he went to college | B．after he went to Africa |
| C．because he got a lot of money | D．before he received a report |
John has sent them each $200 a month to help some poor children _______．
| A．near Washington | B．in European countries |
| C．only in Africa | D．throughout the world |
John learned about the children’s progress by ________.
| A．visiting them each year | B．getting a report every year |
| C．staying with them | D．talking to them in English |
The underlined words “for a good cause ”means“________” in Chinese．
| A．施舍 | B．行善 | C．优惠 | D．赏赐 |
What’s the main idea of the story?
| A．Help others，and you will feel happy． |
| B．It’s necessary to write letters to poor children． |
| C．Live a simple life，and you can give others help． |
| D．It’s the most important to help the children in Africa |
Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the websites you’ve visited. Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.
In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girlfriend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen—the 21st century equivalent (相等物) of being caught naked.
Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it’s important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times. But few boundaries remain. The digital bread pieces you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.
The key question is: Does that matter?
For many Americans, the answer apparently is “no.”
When opinion polls (民意测验) ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found a serious depression about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”
But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny part of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths (收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessanfro Acquisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon (优惠券).
But privacy does matter—at least sometimes. It’s like health: when you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?
| A．Friends should open their hearts to each other. |
| B．Friends should always be faithful to each other. |
| C．There should be a distance even between friends. |
| D．There should be fewer disagreements between friends. |
Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret”?
| A．Modern society has finally developed into an open society. |
| B．People leave traces around when using modern technology. |
| C．There are always people who are curious about others’ affairs. |
| D．Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities. |
What do most Americans do about privacy protection?
| A．They change behaviors that might disclose their identity. |
| B．They use various loyalty cards for business deals. |
| C．They rely more and more on electronic devices. |
| D．They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it. |
According to the passage, privacy is like health because __________.
| A．people will make every effort to keep it |
| B．its importance is rarely understood |
| C．it is something that can easily be lost |
| D．people don’t cherish it until they lose it |
I made a promise to myself on the way down to the vacation beach cottage. For two weeks I would try to be a loving husband and father. Totally loving. No ifs, ands or buts.
The idea had come to me as I listened to a talk on my car radio. The speaker was quoting a passage from the Bible about husbands being thoughtful of their wives. Then he went on to say, “Love is an act of will. A person can choose to love.” To myself, I had to admit that I had been a selfish husband. Well, for two weeks that would change.
And it did. Right from the moment I kissed Evelyn at the door and said, “That new yellow sweater looks great on you.”“Oh, Tom, you noticed,” she said, surprised and pleased. Maybe a little puzzled. After the long drive, I wanted to sit and read. Evelyn suggested a walk on the beach. I started to refuse, but then I thought, “Evelyn’s been alone here with the kids all week and now she wants to be alone with me.” We walked on the beach while the children flew their kites.
So it went. Two weeks of not calling the Wall Street firm where I am a director; a visit to the shell museum though I usually hate museums. Relaxed and happy, that’s how the whole vacation passed. I made a new pledge to keep on remembering to choose love.
There was one thing that went wrong with my experiment, however. Evelyn and I still laugh about it today. On the last night at our cottage, preparing for bed, Evelyn stared at me with the saddest expression.
“What’s the matter?” I asked her.
“Tom,” she said in a voice filled with distress, “do you know something I don’t?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…that medical checkup I had several weeks ago…our doctor…did he tell you something about me？Tom, you’ve been so good to me…am I dying?” It took a moment for it all to sink in. Then I burst out la
ughing.
“No, honey,” I said, wrapping her in my arms. “You’re not dying; I’m just starting to live.”From the story we may infer that Tom drove to the beach cottage __________.
| A．with his family | B．with Evelyn |
| C．all by himself | D．with his children |
During the two weeks on the beach, Tom showed more love to his wife because __________.
| A．she looked lovely in her new clothes |
| B．he could afford time to care for her |
| C．he was willing to be a good husband |
| D．she was seriously ill |
The author says, “There was one thing that went wrong with my experiment.” What was the one thing that went wrong?
| A．He praised her sweater, which puzzled her. |
| B．She insisted on visiting a museum, which he hated. |
| C．He knew something about her illness but didn’t tell her. |
| D．He was so good to her that she thought she would be dying. |
By saying “I’m just starting to live,” Tom means that __________.
| A．he is just beginning to understand the real meaning of life |
| B．he is just beginning to enjoy life as a loving husband |
| C．he lived an unhappy life before and is now starting to change |
| D．he is beginning to regret what he did to his wife before |
Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, led the international team that did the study. Professor Worm says species have recently been disappearing from oceans at increasing speed. At this rate, he says, all seafood species could collapse by 2048 and seafood supplies from the world’s ocean could be almost gone by then.
Other studies have also warned about the dangers of overfishing and the effects on ocean environments. But not everyone thinks the oceans are likely to be empty in fifty years. Some scientists said parts of the world do have problems, but others are doing a good job of protecting fish populations. Government officials in several countries with large fishing industries also questioned the research.
The study appeared earlier this month in Science magazine.
The researchers say damage to oceans affects not only fish populations but also the productivity of ecosystems. These complex systems help control water quality. The scientists say the loss of different kinds of sea life appeared to increase the risk of fish kills and beach closures from harmful algae growth.
The scientists examined the results of thirty-two experiments and observed forty-eight protected areas. They also looked at records of catches worldwide. They studied records from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for nineteen fifty to two thousand three. And they examined archeological information and other historical records for twelve coastal areas. That research reached back over a thousand years.
Boris Worm says the findings were, in his words, "beyond anything we suspected." But he also said the situation is not too late to correct. He said that with good fisheries management, some species could completely recover in three to ten years. Which of the following isn’t the damage to the ocean?
| A．The species of fish in the ocean are reducing. |
| B．Sea water is polluted. |
| C．Sea water quality is improved. |
| D．Less productivity of ecosystem. |
The conclusion of the research led by Boris Worm is _________.
| A．unbearable | B．unbelievable |
| C．doubtful | D．Convincing |
The research led by Boris Worm _________.
| A．was conducted by scientists from Canada |
| B．referred to information of many countries |
| C．lasted from 1950 to 2003 |
| D．referred to records dating back to over 1,000 years ago. |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．It’s too late to take action to improve the situation. |
| B．Some species will recover with efforts. |
| C．Boris Worm hopes that people take the warning serious. |
| D．Boris Worm shows great concern about ecosystem. |
As the United States nears the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 3,000 people, President Obama announced Sunday night that the al Qaeda（基地组织） leader and mastermind of that horrific day, Osama bin Laden, has been killed.
CNN reports that a senior government official confirmed that bin Laden was shot by a small team of U.S. soldiers while in a mansion with family members outside Islamabad（伊斯兰堡）. His body is now in American custody（拘押） and is being handled according to Islamic customs. Three other adult men were killed in the firefight, including a son of bin Laden's, who was a senior member of the terrorist organization.
"Justice has been done," the president announced, saying that the operation he ordered after receiving intelligence information is "the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda."
The immediate reactions ranged from cautious to ecstatic. Crowds cheered outside the White House. But officials said a "worldwide caution" would be set for Americans in case of al Qaeda retaliation（报复）.
Will bin Laden's death be the justice Americans have sought for nearly a decade?
Gordon Felt, president of Families of Flight 93, said it does bring comfort.
"This is important news for us, and for the world. It cannot ease our pain, or bring back our loved ones. It does bring a measure of comfort that the mastermind of the September 11th tragedy and the face of global terror can no longer spread his evil," Felt said.
President Obama says this victory does not close the book.
"His death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain cautious," he noted.The underlined word “ecstatic” most probably means _________.
| A．scared | B．extremely happy and excited |
| C．doubtful | D．amazed |
The author mentions all of the items listed below EXCEPT_________.
| A．Four people were killed in the firefight. |
| B．Families of the victims in the 9/11 attacks celebrated together. |
| C．President Obama thought highly of the Anti-Terrorist Military Action |
| D．Obama thought that al Qaeda will continue attack against the United States. |
It can be inferred from the text _________.
| A．The 9/11 attacks happened on September 11, 2001. |
| B．Osama bin Laden has three sons. |
| C．Some soldiers were injured in the firefight. |
| D．More than 3000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks. |
From the last paragraph we can learn that _________.
| A．Osama bin Laden’s death will put an end to terrorism. |
| B．President Obama doesn’t think bin Laden's death is a victory. |
| C．The United States will make efforts to defeat the al-Qaeda |
| D．The al Qaeda has a new leader now. |
Even if he is not the most liked comedian in China today, his popularity certainly has risen the fastest within the last two months.
He's "Little Shenyang", who came into national fame overnight after his appearance on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. With his funny cross-dressing, unique northeastern accent and superb imitative(模仿的) skills, Little Shenyang has obvious talent to support his rise to fame.
Hundreds of video clips of his shows have been posted on YouTube and other online video sites, and his performance fees reportedly grew 50-fold in just a few weeks. He has, at the same time, become one of the most controversial of entertainers.
Many have doubted his artistic potential, pointing out that his shows were repetitive and lacked creativity, a key to continued comedic success. Others belittle (轻视) the style of humor, saying it's too crude and appeals only to less-educated people. His defenders were just as up in arms. Many media commentators and bloggers said that his quick rise to star proved the broad appeal of his art form. He became a national champion not because of his "northeastern hick(乡巴佬)" humor, they argued, but because he represented something new on TV, something with a grassroots feel that appealed to millions of ordinary people.
Now, does Little Shenyang really deserve his star status? Some people belittle Little Shenyang’s humor because _________.
| A．He represents something with a grassroots feel. |
| B．The style of humor lacked creativity. |
| C．He speaks with a northeast accent. |
| D．He became famous overnight. |
What’s the secret of Little Shenyang’s success?
| A．His funny cross-dressing. |
| B．His unique accent |
| C．His super imitative skills |
| D．All of the above |
From the passage, we can infer that _________.
| A．Little Shenyang is the most popular comedian in China. |
| B．Few people like Little Shenyang’s performance. |
| C．Little Shenyang earns a lot of money now. |
| D．The author thinks little of Little Shenyang. |
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