B
Today we’ll talk about reading．When we read a text，our eyes move across a page in short，quick movements．We recognize words usually when our eyes still fixate(停留，凝视)．Each time they fixate，we see a group of words．This is known as the recognition span or the visual span(视幅)．The length of time for which the eyes stop varies from person to person．It also varies within any parson according to his purpose in reading and his familiarity with the text．In addition，it can be affected by such factors as lighting and tiredness.
Unfortunately，in the past，many reading improvement courses have concentrated too much on how our eyes move across the page．As a result of this misleading emphasis(强调)on the purely visual aspects of reading，many exercises have been designed to train the eyes to see more words at one fixation．For example，in some exercises，words are flashed on to a screen for a tenth of a second．One of the exercises has required students to fix their eyes on some central point，taking in the words on either side．Such word patterns are often formed in the shape of pyramids(金字塔)，so the reader takes in more and more words at each successive（连续的）fixation．All these exercises are very clever，but it' s one thing to improve a person’s ability to see words and quite another thing to improve his ability to read a text efficiently.Reading requires the ability to understand the relationship between words．Consequently，for these reasons，many experts have now begun to question the usefulness of eye training，especially since any approach which trains a person to read isolated(孤立的)words and phrases would seem unlikely to help him in reading a continuous text．The time of the recognition span can be affected by the following factors except ______________.
| A．1ighting and tiredness |
| B．the length of a group of words |
| C．one’s purpose in reading |
| D．one’s familiarity with the text |
The author may believe that reading ______________.
| A．requires a reader to take in more words at each fixation |
| B．requires a reader to see words more quickly |
| C．demands a deeply-participating mind |
| D．demands more eyes than mind |
What does the author mean by the underlined sentence in the second paragraph?
| A．The ability to see words is not needed for an efficient reading． |
| B．The reading exercises mentioned are useless for reading. |
| C．The reading exercises mentioned can’t help improve reading. |
| D．The reading exercises mentioned have done a great job so far. |
Which of the following is NOT true? _______________．
| A．The visual span is a word or a group of words we see each time |
| B．Many experts began to question the efficiency of eye training |
| C．The emphasis on the purely visual aspects is misleading |
| D．The eye training will help readers in reading a continuous text |
The tune of the author in writing this text is _________________．
| A．critical | B．neutral |
| C．supportive | D．optimistic |
In Britain and other countries, young people sometimes lake a " gap year " ，a year off between high school and college. This idea never gained a big following in America. Recent news reports have suggested that interest may be growing, though there are no official numbers.
Charles Deacon, the dean of admissions at Georgetown University in Washington, D. C. ，estimates that in the current first-year class of1，600 students, only about 25 decided to take a year off. He says this number has not changed much over the years.
Mr. Deacon says the most common reason for taking a “gap year “is to have a chance to travel. But he says international students may take a “gap year “to meet requirements at home for military duty.
Some high school graduates see a year off as a chance to recover after twelve years of required education, but it can also give students a chance to explore their interests. Students hoping to be doctors, for example, could learn about the profession by volunteering in a hospital.
Many colleges and universities support gap-year projects by permitting students to delay their admission. Experts say students can grow emotionally and intellectually as they work at something they enjoy.
The Harvard admissions office has an essay on its website called “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation “. It praises the idea of taking time off to step back, think and enjoy gaining life experiences outside the pressure of studies. It also notes that students are sometimes admitted to Harvard or other colleges in part because they did something unusual with that time.
Of course, a “gap year “is not for everyone. Students might miss their friends who go on directly to college. And parents might worry that their children will decide not to go to college once they take time off. Another concern is money. A year off, away from home, can be costly.
Holly Bull's job is to specialize in helping students plan their “gap year “. She notes that several books have been written about this subject. She says these books, along with media attention and the availability of information on the Internet, have increased interest in the idea of a year off, and she points out that many gap-year programs cost far less than a year of college. What is the passage mainly about?
| A．More and more American students are choosing to lake a year off. |
| B．If you want to go to an American university, take a “gap year “first. |
| C．It is likely that taking a “gap year " is becoming popular in America. |
| D．Americans hold different opinions towards students' taking a gap year. |
How many reasons for students, taking a “gap year " are mentioned in the passage?
| A．2. | B．3. | C．4. | D．5. |
The essay “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation “suggests that _________.
| A．every student must take a “gap year “before applying for a famous university |
| B．some famous universities encourage students to gain more life experiences |
| C．taking a “gap year “can make students free from life learning |
| D．the stress of studies does harm to the students' health |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．Books and media have contributed to the students, interest in school learning. |
| B．Charles Deacon doesn't support the idea of the students' taking a “gap year, “. |
| C．Parents who are concerned about their children's future might disagree with the program. |
| D．Experts agree taking a year off will benefit the students emotionally and physically. |
It happened to me recently. I was telling someone how much I had enjoyed reading Barack Obama's Dreams From My Father and how it had changed my views of our President. A friend I was talking to agreed with me that it was, in his words, " a brilliantly (精彩地）written book " . However, he then went on to talk about Mr. Obama in a way which suggested he had no idea of his background at all. I sensed that I was talking to a book liar.
And it seems that my friend is not the only one. Approximately two thirds of people have lied about reading a book which they haven't. In the World Book Day's " Report on Guilty Secrets " ，Dreams From My Father is at number 9. The report lists ten books, and various authors, which people have lied about reading, and as I'm not one to lie too often ( I'd hate to be caught out)，I'll admit here and now that I haven't read the entire top ten. But I am pleased to say that, unlike 42 percent of people, I have read the book at number one, George Orwell's 1984. I think it's really brilliant.
The World Book Day report also has some other interesting in-formation in it. It says that many people lie about having read Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoevsky (I haven't read him, but haven't lied about it either) and Herman Melville.
Asked why they lied, the most common reason was to “impress “someone they were speaking to. This could be tricky if the conversation became more in-depth!
But when asked which authors they actually enjoy, people named J. K. Rowling, John Grisham, Sophie Kinsella ( ah, the big sellers, in other words). Forty-two percent of people asked admitted they turned to the back of the book to read the end before finishing the story ( Til come clean ： I do this and am astonished that 58 per-cent said they had never done so). How did the author find his friend a book liar?
| A．By judging his manner of speaking. |
| B．By looking into his background. |
| C．By mentioning a famous name. |
| D．By discussing the book itself. |
Which of the following is a “guilty secret “according to the World Book Day report?
| A．Charles Dickens is very low on the top-ten list. |
| B．42% of people pretended to have read 1984. |
| C．The author admitted having read 9 books. |
| D．Dreams From My Father is hardly read. |
By lying about reading, a person hopes to _________.
| A．control the conversation | B．appear knowledgeable |
| C．learn about the book | D．make more friends |
What is the author's attitude to 58% of readers?
| A．Favorable. | B．Uncaring. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Friendly. |
In 1901，H. G. Wells, an English writer, wrote a book describing a trip to the moon. When the explorers(探险者）land on the moon, they discovered that the moon was full of underground cities. They expressed their surprise to the " moon people " they met. In turn, the " moon people " expressed their surprise. " Why, “they asked, " are you traveling to outer space when you don't even use your inner space?"
H. G. Wells could only imagine traveling to the moon. In1969，human beings really did land on the moon. People today know that there are no underground cities on the moon. However, the question that the “moon people “asked is still an interesting one. A growing number of scientists are seriously thinking about it.
Underground systems are already in place. Many cities have underground car parks. In some cities, such as Tokyo, Seoul and Montreal, there are large underground shopping areas. The " Chunnel " ，a tunnel(随道）connecting England and France, is now complete.
But what about underground cities? Japan's Taisei Corporation is designing a network of underground systems, called “Alice Cities “. The designer imagined using surface space for public parks and using underground space for flats, offices, shopping, and so on. A solar dome(太阳能穹顶）would cover the whole city.
Supporters of underground development say that building down rather than building up is a good way to use the earth's space. The surface, they say, can be used for farms, parks, gardens, and wilderness. H. G. Wells'”"moon people" would agree. Would you? The explorers in H. G. Wells' story were surprised to find that the “moon people " _________.
| A．knew so much about the earth |
| B．understood their language |
| C．lived in so many underground cities |
| D．were ahead of them in space technology |
What does the underlined word “it” (Paragraph 2) refer to?
| A．Discovering the moon's inner space. |
| B．Using the earth's inner space. |
| C．Meeting the “moon people “again. |
| D．Traveling to outer space. |
What sort of underground systems are already here with us?
| A．Offices, shopping areas, power stations. |
| B．Tunnels, car parks, shopping areas. |
| C．Gardens, car parks, power stations. |
| D．Tunnels, gardens, offices. |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．Alice Cities—Cities of the Future |
| B．Space Travel with H. G. Wells |
| C．Enjoy Living Underground |
| D．Build Down, Not Up |
There was a story many years ago of a school teacher— Mrs. Thompson. She told the children on the first day that she loved them all the same. But that was a lie. There in the front row was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. He didn't play well with the other children and he always needed a bath. She did not like him.
Then Mrs. Thompson got to know that Teddy was actually a very good boy before the death of his mother. Mrs. Thompson was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when, like all her other students, Teddy brought her a Christmas present too. It was his mother's perfume (香水）.
Teddy said, “Mrs. Thompson, today you smell just like my Mom used to.” After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she stopped teaching reading, writing and math. Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. The boy's mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he improved. By the end of the sixth grade, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class.
Six years went by before she got a note from Teddy. He wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. He went to college. Mrs. Thompson got two more letters from him with the last one signed “Theodore F. Stoddard, M. D. (医学博士）”.
The story doesn't end there. On his wedding day, Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, “Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. You made me feel important and showed me that I could make a difference. "
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back, “Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you. " In what way did Mrs. Thompson change?
| A．She taught fewer school subjects. |
| B．She became stricter with her students. |
| C．She no longer liked her job as a teacher. |
| D．She cared more about educating students. |
Why did Teddy thank Mrs. Thompson at his wedding?
| A．She had kept in touch with him. |
| B．She had given him encouragement. |
| C．She had sent him Christmas presents. |
| D．She had taught him how to judge people. |
Your relationship with your partner may end due to several reasons. It's a stressful and unpleasant situation. As your loving and caring partner isn't with you, you may feel lonely and helpless. How-ever, keep in mind that it isn't the end of happiness in your life. There are so many interesting things that you can enjoy. You can overcome a breakup (破裂）and take pleasure in life by trying different ways.
Immediately after the breakup, give yourself some time to drain(排除）out your emotions. During this period, you may cry, howl in anger or grieve (悲伤）for the unfair treatment that you received from your partner. Let all painful emotions drain out of you.
Don't frequently recollect the pleasant or sad moments from the past. Avoid looking at the mementos of your former relationship. Don't only blame your partner for what has happened. Try to find out your mistakes. Think about improving yourself, which will be helpful for your future relationships. Engage yourself in your work or in social activities. Get involved in your favorite hobby.
Your family members and friends are the backbone that will support you in your toughest times. You can share your feelings and problems with them in order to get their support. Enjoy picnics and outings with them. Don't often talk about your past.
You need to change your attitude in order to overcome a relationship breakup. You should have a positive approach towards your life. Don't take it as a total failure. Try to change your lifestyle and take another chance. Try to find the person who can bring about positive changes in your life.
Don't get frustrated and disappointed due to a breakup. A cheerful and hopeful future is still waiting for you. This can give you a new chance to enjoy your life. Which of the following is mainly discussed in the passage?
| A．The disadvantages of a breakup. |
| B．The causes of a breakup. |
| C．Tips for overcoming a breakup. |
| D．The ways to build a good relationship. |
According to the passage, a breakup _________
| A．is caused by a stressful and unpleasant situation |
| B．is a new start for you to take pleasure in life |
| C．is not a failure at all |
| D．means a possible end of happiness in life |
In order to overcome your grief caused by a relationship break-up, you should _________.
| A．ask a doctor for help |
| B．keep yourself busy |
| C．only recall past pleasant moments |
| D．share your future plans with your parents |
Which of the following is the wrong way to overcome a relation-ship breakup?
| A．Drain out your painful emotions as soon as possible. |
| B．Seldom discuss your past with your family members. |
| C．Treat your life in a positive and optimistic way. |
| D．Never blame your partner for the breakup. |
The passage is most probably taken from _________.
| A．an advertisement |
| B．a scientific report |
| C．a book about health |
| D．a magazine about lifestyle |
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