I was stopped at a red light only a mile or so from my goal of my brother’s house. We were planning to drive down together to North Carolina to be with my father who was badly ill.
As I waited at the stop light experiencing this forced slowdown, I noticed Sharper’s Florist over to the left. It was the same place where I had experienced many things— floods of memories went through my mind as the light seemed a blessing. I noticed the wine store straight ahead where my father and I had been many times before, picking out the beer of the week. We both liked German beer.
The light finally became green and I made my left turn and drove through the poor section of our hometown. I remembered how each thanksgiving my family would be together. I also remembered how my father would take some time out of each thanksgiving to make sure there was no one hungry in the neighborhoods surrounding where we lived. I can remember as a young boy going with him to deliver some food. I was scared. I had never been into this part of town this deeply before.
My father seemed unfazed (不受困扰的) by this and went about his business. The people we went to seemed to know him and gratefully accepted what he came to offer. My father seemed able to give away the food in a way that honored those he was giving to. This was not an arrogant act. He would stop at each place and talk a little, which I can remember totally pissing me off (使…厌烦). I wanted to get the hell out of there. My father wanted to be sure everyone had food. If there were people he found who didn’t have food, he would take the time to go back and get more. That’s the kind of man he was.When the father was ill, he _______.
| A．lived in North Carolina |
| B．gave away food to the poor |
| C．came to help the poor in his hometown |
| D．stayed at the home of the author’s brother |
The author mentions the wine store to tell us _______.
| A．the same taste as his father |
| B．the life in his childhood |
| C．the experience with his father |
| D．the birthplace of his father |
The author was afraid of giving away food to the poor probably because _______.
| A．his father didn’t stay with him then |
| B．his father didn’t take good care of him |
| C．he was unfamiliar with the surroundings |
| D．he had never met with so many poor people |
The underlined word “arrogant” in the last paragraph probably means _______.
| A．angry | B．proud | C．careless | D．wild |
Have you ever heard the saying “All roads lead to Rome”? At one time, this was pretty much true. During the Roman Empire, lots of roads were built in order to move armies, send messages by courier (信使), and make trade easier. This construction work went on for five centuries! If all the roads built during the Roman Empire were put together end to end, they would circle the equator twice.
The network of Roman roads was begun in 312 BC. It was demanded that the roads be built strong so that they would not fall down. Roman soldiers, supervised (监督) by engineers, laid down the roads in a special pattern of layers. The first layer was made of sand. Next, the builders added rocks and rubble. On top of these materials came gravel. On this solid foundation, the road builders placed paving stones.
Also, Roman roads were cambered. This means that they were built higher in the middle than on the edges, allowing rainwater to run off, which prevented flooding. We use the same technique in building roads today. The Romans also laid out roads over hills when necessary, setting them down in a zigzag pattern to make the road rise gradually.
All Roman roads had milestones (里程碑), placed every thousands paces (a Roman mile). The milestones told when the road was built, who was emperor at the time, the road’s destination, how far the traveler was from the destination, and how many miles had been traveled since the beginning of the road. This information was a great help to travelers.
Because of their excellence in construction, it really is no surprise that many parts of Roman road still exist today. These roadways are one of the most impressive accomplishments of the Roman Empire.What does the underlined sentence in the first paragraph mean?
| A．The Roman Empire was very powerful. |
| B．Lots of roads were built during the Roman Empire. |
| C．The roads built during the Roman Empire were very long. |
| D．The roads built during the Roman Empire were very convenient. |
Which of the following correctly shows the structure of the Roman roads?
| A．Paving stones Gravel Rocks & rubble Sand |
| B．Gravel Rocks & rubble Sand |
| C．Sand Rocks & rubble Gravel Paving stones |
| D．Sand |
Rocks & rubble
GravelWhat information can you find on the milestones?
| A．The builders of the road. |
| B．The materials used in building roads. |
| C．The distance from one city. |
| D．The time spent in building roads. |
The passage mainly ______.
| A．explains the saying “All roads lead to Rome” |
| B．praises ancient Romans for their great achievements |
| C．shows how great the Roman Empire was |
| D．introduces the construction of the Roman roads |
New Zealand fishermen caught what may prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid (巨大的鱿鱼).
In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles (触须) and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again.
On February 21, New Zealand fishermen landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass (黑鲈) in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully pulled the creature into a net and dragged it aboard their ship.
Scientists estimate (估计) that the animal weighs about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid the biggest on record.
First identified in 1925 after two tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters.
The recently captured colossal squid has been frozen to keep it for scientific study. It will be transported to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, in the capital city of Wellington. Experts believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. Scientists hope to learn more about the colossal squid’s diet, behavior and reproductive (繁殖) patterns.
“Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature,” said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment.”Why is it usually difficult for experts to observe the squid?
| A．Because it moves too fast. |
| B．Because it is too large. |
| C．Because it is very dangerous. |
| D．Because it can go down to deep ocean. |
What can be inferred from the passage?
| A．The squid is from a science fiction story. |
| B．The fishermen often meet colossal squids. |
| C．Scientists know much about the colossal squid. |
| D．The fishermen had some difficulty catching the large squid. |
What’s the purpose of catching such a huge squid?
| A．To make it into food. |
| B．To set a world record. |
| C．To do research on it. |
| D．To display it for visitors. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．The biggest squid ever found |
| B．Scientific research on squid |
| C．The lifestyle of the colossal squid |
| D．How the fishermen caught the squid |
Do you want to see the effects of global warming? Then head north. Will Steger is going to take all of us there.
Steger, 64, the first person to make a dogsled trip to the North Pole, is a very famous and admired polar explorer. He’s at home in frozen parts of the world where few humans ever step on. Steger is also a devoted environmentalist who was early to ring the alarm bell on global warming. He saw its effects firsthand in frequent polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica.
Now Steger is about to lead a team of six young adventurers on a 1,400-mile, 60-day-long dogsled trip across Ellesmere Island, in the Canadian Arctic. The sea ice in that region should still be frozen. “We want to take our audience to the front lines of global warming,” says Steger. The team will be uploading videos, stories and photos to the website globalwarming101.com as they march along, allowing armchair adventurers and kids in classrooms to follow their progress day to day. “We can actually bring the audience up there,” Steger says.
Steger’s team will include some already-famous young explorers. Sam Branson, the 22-year-old son of British airline tycoon (大亨) Richard Branson, is an experienced Arctic traveler. Also on the journey will be 27-year-old Norwegian Sigrid Ekran. Last year, Ekran became only the second woman in history to win Rookie (新秀) of the Year for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
What they will see may be very surprising. Even Steger doesn’t know exactly what to expect. Climate change has already reshaped the geography of the Arctic. “Within a decade or less, it’s going to be impossible to reach the North Pole by dog team without flotation (漂浮),” says Steger.
Climate change is happening, but people can change too. Their willingness to change will determine the shape of the Earth’s future.Why is Steger about to organize the adventure to the Arctic?
| A．To collect evidence for his scientific research. |
| B．To develop the young people’s adventurous spirit. |
| C．To let more people enjoy its natural beauty. |
| D．To let people realize the bad effects of global warming. |
How can people learn about the progress of Steger’s journey?
| A．Through radio programs. |
| B．By watching TV. |
| C．On the Internet. |
| D．By reading his journals. |
According to Steger, people can save the earth by _____.
| A．changing their harmful way of life |
| B．learning more about the environment |
| C．willingly giving up their comfortable life |
| D．getting used to the present changes of the earth |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．The Arctic is in danger |
| B．Sledding through the Arctic |
| C．Discoveries of the Arctic |
| D．Consequences of global warming |
HAVE FUN IN SPRING!
Special four-week mini-session
April — May
Acting Classes for Ages 4+ and Teens!
Classes meet once a week for four weeks. All classes are led by highly experienced Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT) artists. Since this is a mini-session, classes will not present a show. Pre-K (Pre-Kindergarten) students will explore stories and characters from the world of books and literature. For students in Act It Up (K-1st && 2nd-3rd) and Acting (4th-6th), the classes will explore characters, expression and creativity through creative dramatics (表演) activities.
Full $80 payment per student is required for enrollment (入学). Classes will be filled first-come-first-served. For questions or to enroll, contact Nancy Schaeffer at 214-978-0110 or nancy@dct.org.
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 April 22-May 13, 2008
Play Days — Pre-K
●Explore the wonderful characters from your favorite books
●Act out the stories you know so well and maybe a few new ones too!
●Take turns being on the stage with your class as you become many fun and creative characters
Act It Up! Grades K-1 & Grades 2-3
Explore the most important aspects of acting:
●Characters: Who are You?
● Imagination: See where it takes you — be creative!
Wednesdays 4:30-6:00 April 23-May 14, 2008
Acting — Grades 4-6
Explore the most important aspects of acting:
● Characterization: Movement and Voice
● Imagination: Listening, Learning and Taking a chance
Auditions and Monologues (试演和独角戏) — Grade 7+
● Work on a monologue that you can use for any audition
●Learn the tricks for how to do your best at your next audition — at school, church or local theater
●Get feedback (反馈) from a professional and make improvements to your auditioning skillsThe ad is about ______.
| A．training classes for students |
| B．the directions for a product |
| C．acting classes for college students |
| D．an introduction to a film |
To attend the special four-week mini-session, you’ll have to ______.
| A．register at DCT |
| B．prove that you can act |
| C．be old enough for each class |
| D．pay $80 once a week |
Which class may offer you a chance to enjoy playing the characters you like?
| A．Auditions and Monologues. | B．Play Days. |
| C．Act It Up! | D．Acting. |
Those who attend Auditions and Monologues ______.
| A．mainly explore the imagination |
| B．have to start their lessons on April 22 |
| C．will often practise using movement and voice |
| D．are mainly taught some skills for their future use |
On Sunday a few of us decided to take advantage of the first sunny day we’d have for ages to take a trip down to the coast to visit the penguins again. Last time I went down there was a couple of months ago and it was a dull cold day. Sunday couldn’t have been more different — clear skies and sunshine made it feel like summer, although it was still -25°C.
Six of us drove to the coast. It was the first time we’d been off the base on our own without our field assistant, so it had a slightly different feeling — more like a few friends going to the seaside than an Antarctic field trip! When we reached Windy Creek, we luckily caught sight of quite a few small flying seabirds, which are seldom seen there.
Once on the sea ice we found that some of the more curious penguins had wandered over from the main group to come and check us out. We’d been told that then they were nursing their chicks (刚孵出的幼雏) and they would be more careful and nervous than last time, but that didn’t seem to be the case. We walked across to the main group which were stretched for a couple of miles along the coast. We sat down for some sandwiches and soon found ourselves surrounded by many curious observers. Without any attackers on land, they were very brave and came within a meter of us to pose (摆姿势) for photos.
Before heading back, we spent a few hours on the sea ice watching the penguins and their chicks, which had grown dramatically (明显地) since our last visit.
It was such a nice day.When did the trip most probably happen?
| A．On a dull Sunday. | B．On a warm Sunday. |
| C．On a summer Sunday. | D．On a winter Sunday. |
It can be inferred from the second paragraph that the six people _____.
| A．felt a little nervous |
| B．felt a little excited |
| C．were left all by themselves on their Antarctic base |
| D．got bored with staying with their field assistant |
What does the writer mean by saying “but that didn’t seem to be the case”?
| A．They were told a lie. |
| B．A wrong decision was made. |
| C．The truth was the opposite. |
| D．They didn’t believe what they were told. |
The six people did the following during the trip EXCEPT _____.
| A．feed the penguins |
| B．take pictures of the penguins |
| C．enjoy watching flying seabirds |
| D．watch the young penguins |
粤公网安备 44130202000953号