“A lot of learning comes through play,” says Mardy McGarry, 52, who has been a special education teacher for 28 years. But her students were too often left out. She had seen the wood chips and sand of traditional playgrounds stop wheelchairs dead in their tracks. When she wanted to build a playground for children with special needs,she knew it wouldn’t take long to develop interest in it around the small fishing village. But she never expected that 2,800 peo
ple — a third of the town—would all be willing to make a great effort to bring her vision to life.
McGarry started doing some research into play equipment and contacting design companies and she also found a piece of land available. When the city council(市议会) agreed to set aside an area for a playground, she also asked physical and professional therapists(治疗专家) for their investment. And she turned to her friend, Sue, for help. “Neither of us is good at maths, which is why $450,000 didn’t sound like a lot of money,” McGarry says of the initial estimate.
Her Kiwanis Club came through with $7,000,and that’s when the grassroots movement really got started. One woman gave $25,000 and had her company match it. Soon, smaller businesses were joining in. There was a silent effort to collect money. The local Pieper Family Foundation offered to donate half of the remaining $170,000. All McGarry needed was 500 volunteers to work six 12-hour days.
On September 16, 2008, the first day of construction, they came. Two women heard about the project on the way to work and took the day off to help. A couple in their 80s operated their tractors. Ten-year-olds cleared up the mess. “None of them was paid. It was truly an amazing week,” says McGarry. Only three building managers were paid. Volunteers with “building experience” became coordinators(协调人); those who could operate power tools formed a separate group. One team served meals donated from local restaurants and churches, and another organized activities for the children of volunteers.
Today, Possibility Playground is one of the most popular destinations in Ozaukee County. All children, including the ones with special needs, play shoulder to shoulder. “Some playgrounds have special equipment in a different section. Here, you see all the kids in the same playground, all having fun.”
It’s exactly what McGarry imagined. “People used to ask, ‘Why do you want to build a playground just for children with disabilities?” She says, “It’s only when you build a playground for children with disabilities that you build one for all children.” It didn’t occur to Mardy McGarry that __________.
| A.her plan would soon draw the interest of people in the small village |
| B.so many people would volunteer to help her realize her dream |
| C.she would meet with so many difficulties in raising funds |
D.the playground would be the most popular destination in O zaukee County |
We can learn from the fourth paragraph that __________.
| A.the playground was finished in September 2008 |
| B.everything was well prepared, apart from the volunteers |
| C.everyone worked unpaid, except for three building managers |
| D.the playground is so popular that it is overcrowded all the time |
It can be inferred from the text that __________.
| A.Mardy McGarry is a famous architect in the small town |
| B.Sue was forced to join in the project because of her son |
| C.people always ignore the real needs of disabled children |
| D.Mardy McGarry’s vision has been successfully accomplished at last |
What would be the best title for this text?
| A.Mardy McGarry: A Woman with Great Determination. |
| B.Cooperation: The Greatest Power in Overcoming Any Difficulty. |
| C.Show Real Concern for Poor Disabled Children. |
| D.Make it Matter to Build a Playground for Disabled Children. |
阅读下面短文,掌握其大意,然后从36~55各题所给的四个选项
(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选
项。
I took home a briefcase full of troubles . As I sat down on that hot and damp 36 , there seemed to be no 37 to the problems hanging around in my brain . So I picked up a book , settled into a comfortable chair and 38 my own special therapy (疗法): 39 reading .
I 40 three or four hours on two short chapters of Personal History by Vincent Sheean—tasting each paragraph , staying over a sentence , a phrase , or even a single word , building a detailed mental picture of the scene . No longer was I in Sydney , Australia , on a sticky hot night . Enjoying every word , I 41 foreign journalist Vincent Sheean on a tour to China and anot
her to Russia . I was 42 in the author’s world . And when finally I put it down , my mind was totally 43 .
Next morning , four words from the book—“take the long 44 ” were still in my mind . At my desk , I had a long-view look at my 45 . Once more , super-slow-reading had giv
en me not only 46 but perspective (视角), and helped me in my everyday affairs .
I discovered its 47 years ago . Before that , if I had been really interested in a book , I would48 from page to page , 49 to know what came next . Now , I decided , I had to become a miser (守财奴)with 50 and stretch every sentence like a poor man spending his last dollar .
I had started with the practical object of making my book last . But by the end of the second week I began to realize 51 I was getting from super-slow-reading itself . Sometimes just a particular phrase52 my attention , sometimes a sentence . I would read it slowly, analyze it , read it again—perhaps changing down into an even 53 speed—and then sit for 20 minutes thinking about it before moving on . I was like a pianist 54 a piece of music , phrase by phrase , practicing it , trying to discover and55 exactly what the composer(作曲家) was trying to convey.
A.day B.morning C.afternoon D.evening
A.solutions B.doubt C.wonder D.courses
A.tried on B.applied C.practiced D.managed
A.fast B.super fast C.super slow D.slow
A.spent B.wasted C.cost D.took
A.united B.attended C.attracted D.joined
A.found B.lost C.persuaded D.accepted
A.broken B.discouraged C.refreshed D.awakened
A.view B.care C.walk D.distance
A.therapy B.problems D.work
A.difficulty B.success C.achievement D.pleasure
A.use B.disadvantage C.value
A.look B.read C.analyze D.digest
A.worried B.eager C.glad D.anxious
A.books B.troubles C.words D.music
A.how well B.how long C.how many D.how much
A.caught B.missed C.escaped
A.faster B.higher C.lower D.slower
A.playing B.studying C.writing D.singing
A.realize B.recognize C.repay D.understand
“It was all his own idea, ” says Pat Peters, the 38-year-old wife of Palo Alto, California high school football coach Bob Peters, 39. Bob had just drawn up a “motherhood contract” --a document stating that for 70 days th
is summer he would take over the care and feeding of the couple’s four children, plus all household chores. Although he didn’t even know how to make coffee when he signed, he was quite confident.(He thought the experience would make a nice book.)
After 40 of the 70 days, he was ready to give up. “I was beaten down, pletely humbled(挫败的),” admits Peters. Three weeks later he spoke to the local press, stating, “Not only is motherhood a difficult task, not only is it never-ending, it is an impossible job for any normal human being.”
Bob and Pat were high school sweethearts. After they were married in 1960, she worked as a secretary to help put him through university. Since then Bob has been the football and wrestling coach at Palo Alto’s Cubberley High while Pat raised the kids. Then two years ago Pat went back to work
as a secretary at Cubberley. “I had been around children so much,” she sighs, “I couldn’t talk to a grown-up.” She continued to run the household, however----until Bob signed the contract, therefore, she decided to relax and enjoy it.
Although Peters had consulted(咨询) with his school’s home economics teachers and the head of the cafeteria, his meals were sometimes a disaster. “I tried to slip the butter I’d forgotten under the eggs after they were frying, ” he says. For the last three weeks, the family ate out a lot—sometimes having Macdonald’s hamburgers for lunch and dinner.
As for housekeeping, a home economics teacher had told Bob that a room always looks clean if the bed is made. “
I found an easier way-I shut the doors, ” he says. Soon the kids were wearing the same clothes for a week. “I made them wear their shirts inside out, and when we went to pick up Pat at work they turned them right side out so they would look clean.”
Now that Bob has publicly admitted he was wrong, he is routinely sharing the child-raising
and household tasks with Pat. The tentative(暂时的) title of his book about the summer is taken from something he shouted at the kids one day. The couple signed the contract because _______.
| A.Pat plained a lot about her doing the housework all by herself |
| B.Bob loved taking care of children and wanted his wife to have a good rest |
| C.they agreed that husband and wife should share household tasks |
| D.Bob thought it easy to take care of the family and wanted the experience for a book |
It was agreed that if Bob failed to keep to the contract, he would have to _______.
| A.pay a certain amount of money |
| B.admit publicly he was wrong about motherhood |
| C.say sorry to his wife |
| D.do all the housework for years |
What can we learn about Pat Peters?
| A.She was hard-working and selfless. |
| B.She was pretty and kind-hearted. |
| C.She was tired of the child-raising and household tasks. |
| D.She did not love Bob any longer. |
Which of the following can best end the news story?
| A.“Wait till your mother gets home!” |
| B.“My experience of being a mother.” |
| C.“I’m proud of you all, my dear!” |
| D.“Motherhood: an impossible job for anyone.” |
Britain’s oldest man made his first visit to London yesterday at the age of 101. Mr John Evans had never found the time or money to make the trip from his home in Forest – fach, near Swansea. But, when British Rail offered him an all – expense – paid birthday treat to the capital he just could not refuse.
He arrived at Paddington Station and smartly turned out in his best suit, favorite Panama hat and a red rose in his buttonhole. “It’s very exciting. There’s no doubt about it,” he said.
Until yesterday he had never been far from home, except for one trip to Aberdeen. “But I’ve been on the seas to that faraway land called Ilfracombe 21 miles from home,” he joked.
Mr Evans, who spent 60 years working as a miner in South Wales, almost made the journey to London once before, at the turn of the century. “There was a trip to the White City but it was ten shillings return from Swansea – too much I thought. All my money went to the family then,” he said.
During the next two days Mr Evans will be taken on a short tour of London to see the sights. Top of his list is a visit to the House of Parliament organized by his MP, Mr Gareth Wardell.
The only arrangement he does not care for is the wheelchair provided for him if he gets tired. “I don’t like the chair – people will think I am getting old,” he said. His secret for a long and healthy life has been well publicized – no wine, no tobacco and no anger.
Before setting off from Swansea with his 76 – year – old son, Amwell, he said jokingly, “I’m glad to see they’ve given me a return ticket.”The very rea
son that Mr. Evans didn’t go to see the world is that .
| A.he had already been on the seas to Ilfracombe |
| B.he was too busy to go too far away from home |
| C.he couldn’t afford both the time and the money |
| D.he believed “East or west, home is the best” |
Mr Evans didn’t like the wheelchair simply because .
| A.he was not used to traveling in it |
| B.the wheelchair was of poor quality and not easy to operate |
| C.he actually preferred walking to sitting in it at home |
| D.he thought he was still young enough to manage the trip |
Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
| A.Mr Evans had to work hard to raise his family when young. |
| B.The trip to London excited Mr Evans very much. |
| C.Mr Evans could not really enjoy the trip because of his age. |
| D.Humor was one of Mr Evans’ characters. |
The probable explanation to Mr Evans’ long life lies in .
| A.his good living habits | B.his hard working for the family |
| C.his sticking to his hometown | D.his living conditions near the Swansea |
It was getting dark and snow was coming down. Joe was driving home. He’d been unemployed since the factory closed. Most of his friends had left, but he stayed on. After all, he was born here.
Suddenly he saw a lady standing on the side of the road and pulled up. She was worried. No one had stopped to help her. Was he going to hurt her? He looked poor and hungry. Joe knew how she felt and said, “My name is Joe and I’m here to help you.” All she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Joe changed the tire, but he got dirty and his hands were hurt. She wanted to pay Joe and said any amount would have been all right. Joe never thought twice about the money and there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed.
Later the lady went in a dingy-looking restaurant to grab a bite to eat. The cash register was like the telephone of an out-of-work actor----it didn’t ring much. The waitress, who was nearly eight months pregnant, brought a clean towel to her with a sweet smile. The old lady remembered Joe. After the waitress brought the change from a 100-dollar bill, she found the lady gone and something written on a piece of paper, “Someone once helped me out----the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, don’t let the chain of love end with you.”
That night the waitress gave her sleeping husband a soft kiss and whispered, “Everything’s going to be all right. I love you, Joe.”What do we know about Joe from this passage?
| A.On his way home after work, he helped an old lady. |
| B.He had worked in a factory in his hometown before. |
| C.He would move away to fulfill his dream soon. |
| D.Though he was poor, he didn’t care about money at all. |
The saying “she wanted to pay Joe and said any amount would have been all right” in Paragraph 2 suggests that _____.
| A.the old lady was very grateful to Joe’s timely aid |
| B.the old lady was much worried to be hurt by Joe |
| C.the old lady wanted to show off her fortune to Joe |
| D.the old lady’s car was very difficult to repair for Joe |
Which of the following is TRUE according to Paragraph 3?
| A.The restaurant was not only light but also clean. |
| B.The old lady did have a big meal in the small restaurant. |
| C.The waitress was more than eight months pregnant. |
| D.The old lady left the remaining money to the waitress. |
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A.Acts of luck | B.A warm-hearted man |
| C.The chain of love | D.A generous lady |
I didn’t realize how short I was until I started school. There, a few kids picked on(欺负)me, calling me names. Then I knew. After that, I began to hate the first day of school each year. I didn’t know who was new and would stare at me as I struggled to climb the school bus stairs. Some of the kids would point and say, “Look at that kid. Look at her.”
As time went on, I just tried to smile and accept the fact that I was going to be noticed my whole life. I was determined to make my uniqueness an advantage rather than a disadvantage. My friends became increasingly protective. They’d help me up the bus steps. If people were cruel, they would take them aside and correct them.
What I lacked in height, I made up for in personality----my ability to laugh, even at myself. For example, one time I was reaching into the washing machine at my parents’ house to grab the wet clothes. I fell all the way in and yell for Mother, who was sitting nearby reading the paper. Watching feet flying everywhere, she laughed quietly and said, “I should leave you in there.” I laughed with her.
I’m 47 now, and the stares have not decreased as I’ve grown older. People ask my friends if I live in a dollhouse. They look in disbelief when they see me get out of my car on the driver’s side. During those times, I try to keep a good attitude. When people are rude, I remind myself, “Look what else I have----a great family, nice friends…”What is the main idea of the second and third paragraphs?
| A.How the writer changed her disadvantage to advantage. |
| B.The writer’s friends and mother loved her deeply. |
| C.The writer had many friends helping her. |
| D.The writer had the ability to laugh. |
By saying “the stares have not decreased” in the last paragraph, the author suggests that____.
| A.she is able to live a happy life like a normal person |
| B.she isn’t afraid of being noticed by others any more |
| C.some people still don’t treat her as a normal person |
| D.more and more people treat her with respect now |
How is the author feeling now about her situation?
| A.Quite optimistic. |
| B.Very satisfied. |
| C.Deeply upset. |
| D.Rather anxious. |
We can infer that the author believes that_________.
| A.society should help the disabled as much as possible |
| B.only your parents and friends can help you |
| C.what people say about you is none of your business |
| D.all people should be treated with respect |
I found out one time that doing a favor for someone could get you into a lot of trouble.
I was in the eighth grade at the time, and we were having a final test. During the test, the girl sitting next to me whispered something, but I didn’t understand. So I leaned over her way and found out that she was trying to ask me if I had an extra pen. She showed me that hers was out of ink and would not write. I happened to have an extra one, so I took it out of
my pocket and put it on her desk.
Later, after the test papers had been turned in, the teacher asked me to stay in the room when all the other students were dismissed. As soon as we were alone she began to talk to me about what it meant to grow up; she talked about how important it was to stand on your own two feet and be responsible for your own acts. For a long time, she talked about honesty and emphasized the fact that when people do something dishonest, they are really cheating themselves. She made me promise that I would think seriously about all the things she had said, and then she told me I could leave. I walked out of the room wondering why she had chosen to talk to me about all those things.
Later on, I found out that she thought I had cheated on the test. When she saw me lean over to talk to the girl next to me, it looked as if I was copying answers from the girl’s test paper. I tried to explain about the pen, but all she could say was it seemed very very strange to her that I hadn’t talked of anything about the pen the day she talked to me right after the test. Even if I tried to explain that I was just doing the girl a favor by letting her use my pen, I am sure she continued to believe that I had cheated on the test.The story took place(发生) exactly ____________ .
| A.in the teacher’s office | B.in an exam room |
| C.in the school | D.in the language lab |
The girl wanted to borrow a pen, because ____________ .
| A.she had not brought a pen with her |
| B.she had lost her own on her way to school |
| C.there was something wrong with her own |
| D.her own had been taken away by someone |
The teacher saw all this, so she asked the boy ____________ .
| A.to go on writing his paper |
| B.to stop whispering |
| C.to leave the room immediately |
| D.to stay behind after the exam |
The thing(s) emphasized in her talk was(were) ____________ .
| A.honesty | B.sense of duty | C.seriousness | D.all of the above |
The boy knew everything ____________ .
| A.the moment he was asked to stay behind |
| B.when the teacher started talking about honesty |
| C.only some time later |
| D.when he was walking out of the room |
阅读下列材料,从所给的六个选项(A、B、C、D、E和F)中,选出符合各小题要求的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。选项中有一项是多余选项。(共5小题;每小题2分,满分10分)
The following people are expressing their thoughts (81--85) to show their concern for food, environment and so on.After
that are pieces of related information (A--F) .Now decide which piece of information would be most suitable for the thought and idea mentioned in questions (81—85) and mark your answer letter (A---F) on your answer sheet.There is one extra paragraph which you do not need to use.
______How I was struck by the clear water and fresh air in my childhood! But everything has changed, that is, the clear water and fresh air are nowhere to be found again as they were.Above all, a great deal of waste hardly rots away.
______More and more people are beginning to have a good knowledge of the importance of a safer and cleaner environment, which in turn forces the business to be cleaned up.
______Organic products are getting more and more popular among people, but we should know the fact that organic products might also have something to do with pesticides.
______I’m very much fond of growing some vegetables of my own in my small garden, for many vegetables on sale in markets are actually becoming more and more dangerous as a result of widespread pesticides.
______Nowadays it is very convenient for consumers to find and buy green food in supermarkets as they are clearly marked.
| A."Organic produce is always better, "Gold said."The food is free of pesticides(农药) ,and you are generally supporting family farms instead of large farms.And more often than not it is locally grown and seasonal, so it is more tasty." Gold is one of a growing number of shoppers buying into the organic trend, and supermarkets across Britain are counting on more like him as they grow their organic food business. |
| B.Market research shows that Gold and others who buy organic food can generally give clear reasons for their preferences - but their knowledge of organic food is far from complete.For example, small amounts of pesticides can be used on organic products.And about three quarters of organic food in Britain is not local but imported to meet growing demand."The demand for organic food is increasing by about one third every year, so it is a very fast-growing market, "said Sue Flock, a specialist in this line of business. |
| C.Many cities around the world today are heavily polluted.Careless methods of production and lack of consumer demand for environment-friendly products have contributed to the pollution problem.One result is that millions of tons of glass, paper, plastic, and metal containers are produced, and these are difficult to get rid of. |
| D.However, today, more and more consumers are choosing "green" and demanding that the products they buy should be safe for the environment.Before they buy a product, they ask questions like these: "Will this shampoo damage the environment?" "Can this metal container be reused or can it only be used once?" |
E.Only a few years ago, it was impossible to find green products in supermarkets, but now there are hundreds.Some supermarket products carry labels(标签) to show that the product is green.Some companies have made the manufacturing(制造) of clean and safe products their main selling point and emphasize it in their advertising.
F.The concern for a safer and cleaner environment is making companies rethink how they do business.No longer will the public accept the old attitude of "Buy it, use it, throw it away, and forget it." The public pressure is on, and gradually business is cleaning up its act.
Jamaican sprinter (短跑选手) Usain Bolt plans to send a message to rival Tyson Gay by breaking the world 100m record in the London Grand Prix on Friday.
Bolt, who won gold in the 100m,200m and 4*100m relay in reord times at the Beijing Olympics last year, is determined to use the Crystal Palace event to crush the morale (士气) of his main rival for gold at next month’s World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
The 22-year-old is slowly returning to peak form after posting 19.59 sec for the 200m in Lausanne earlier this month and clocking a time of 9.79 sec over 100m in cold, rainy conditions in Paris on Friday.
Despite Bolt’s impressive times, Gay still believes he has the beating of the Jamaican. But Bolt insists there is no one in the sport who scares him and he will prove the point in south London this weekend.
Although Bolt believes he is only running at 85 percent at the moment while he recovers from injuries suffered in a recent car crash in Jamaica, he sees no reason why he can’t break his world record 100m time of 9.69 seconds.
However he won’t get the chance to take on Gay in the 100m in London as the American is only running in the 200m, which Bolt is not competing in, so he will have to settle for underlining his own ability.
“You never know what is possible. I will give my best either way. My friends are saying I’m bringing the rain wherever I go but we will see on Friday.”
While Bolt would love to make a big impact in London, he knows the main event is the World Championships.
“The London Grand Prix will show me where I’m at and what I need to do. After, we can analyse what I need to do ahead of the World Championships.”According to the passage, Bolt competed and will compete in the following event. Which of them is arranged in time order?
a. Lausanne athletics gold league matches
b. Beijing Olympic Games
c. Paris athletics gold league matches
d. World Athletic championships
e. London grand Prix
| A.b-c-a-e-d | B.b-c-a-d-e | C.b-a-c-e-d | D.b-a-c-d-e |
What does the underlined phase “take on” mean in paragraph 6?
| A.employ | B.compete against | C.accept | D.develop |
Which of the following is true?
| A.Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke the world 100m record in the London Grand Prix on Friday. |
| B.Bolt will not compete in the 200m in London because of Gay’s impressive times. |
| C.Bolt won 3 gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games at the age of 22. |
| D.Bolt suffered a car crash in London recently. |
What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?
| A.Bolt is expecting the London Grand Prix. |
| B.Bolt thinks the world Championships is more important. |
| C.Bolt made a big difference in the London Grand Prix. |
| D.Bolt is not confident in his success in the London Grand Prix. |
Barcelona December 22,2007.
Spain’s “El Gordo,” the word’s biggest lottery (彩票), gave out 2.2 billion euros (欧元) (1.6 billion pounds) in Christmas prizes on Saturday.
El Gordo, Spanish for "The Fat One", is designed so that as many people as possible across Spain get a festive windfall. The top prize this year was 3 million euros -- going to the series of tickets with the mag
ic number 06381.
Because the tickets are sold in a series of 10, only those who paid 200 euros for the whole strip get the full prize.
The bi
ggest
share of winning tickets was bought by people in the town of Nava, in the north-western Asturias region.
The draw lasts three-and-a-half hours and is carried live on national television with children from the San Ildefonso school, a former orphanage in Madrid, in turn chanting the winning numbers and the amount won.
Lotteries have two centuries of history in Spain. The country spent 2.87 billion euros on the lottery -- 5.7 percent more than last year. Seventy percent is paid out in prizes. Most of the rest goes in costs. Eight out of ten Spaniards bought tickets for the lottery, spending on average 64 euros. Spaniards often choose lottery numbers matching significant dates although there was no particular favourite in 2
007. In 2006, one of the most sought-after series was 22105, the date on which Fernando Alonso became Formula 1 world champion for the second year running.The underlined word “windfall” in par
agraph two probably means .
| A.fat gift | B.unexpected fortune |
| C.big feast | D.wind and snow |
Who is likely to win the full prize in El Gordo?
A.People who paid 200 euros for the wole group of seri es. |
| B.People who bough tickets with the magic number 06381. |
| C.People who lived in a town in the northwestern Asturias. |
| D.People who chose lottery numbers matching Alonso’s date. |
According to the text, children from the San Ildefonso School in Madrid will .
| A.host the draw of lottery live on TV |
| B.offer a show of three – and – a – half hours |
| C.perform with the lottery draw as Christmas celebration |
| D.help make some declarations for the draw as invited guests |
What can we learn about the history of lotteries in Spain?
| A.Most of the money people spent on lotteries goes in the cost. |
| B.The majority of Spaniards have the experience of buying lotteries. |
| C.Lottery numbers matching significant dates help people win every year. |
| D.As the biggest in the world, Spanish lotteries have a history of two centuries. |
Calvin Coolidge (1872 – 1933) was the thirtieth president of the United States. He looked down on a person as being unworthy of respect who was too fond of talking about the details of others people’s actions and private lives because he had no time for small talks. The following two incidents clearly show how Collidge treasured silence.
When he was vice president, Coolidge had plenty of opportunities to participate (参加) in Washington’s social life, especially the many dinner parties. As be ignored the art of conversation, he couldn’t exactly make himself dear to his hostesses. One lady felt she could solve this problem. She placed him next to Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of the former President Roosevelt. Mrs. Longworth, a very brilliant conversationalist (谈话者), began to talk in her usual charming manner, but all attempts to a wake the interest on the part of the vice president were unproductive. Finally, being shamed into anger, she said, “I’m sure that going to as many dinners as you do, you must get terribly bored.”
Without lifting his eyes from his plate, Coolidge said not very clearly, “Well, a man has to eat somewhere.”
Later, when he was president and once again at a dinner party, Collidge was seated next to an ou
tstanding society woman, one of those busybodies, who seemed to take delight in trying to change the lives of everyone they met. “Oh, Mr. President,” she spoke with too much enthusiasm, “you are always so quiet. I made a bet (打赌) today that I could get more than two words out of you.”President Collidge considered those people as being unworthy of respect .
| A.who liked to talk about the affairs of others |
| B.who never talked about anything serious |
| C.who often spoke insincerely |
| D.who talked much but did little |
The hostesses thought Collidge was unfriendly because in her eyes.
| A.he treated women coldly and rudely |
| B.he paid no attention to conversational skills |
| C.he was too serious to please any women |
| D.he was pretty easy and quick to get angry |
Mrs. Longworth got shamed and angry because .
| A.the vice president took part in too many dinner parties |
| B.the vice president didn’t lift his eyes from his plate |
| C.the vice president didn’t speak exactly and clearly |
| D.the vice president didn’t react to all her efforts |
The underlined sentence “Well, a man has to eat somewhere” probably means .
A.Mr. Coolidge didn’t want to talk with Mrs. Longworth a t all |
| B.Mr. Coolidge had really got tired of so many social dinners |
| C.Mr. Coolidge was unhappy with the dinner he was eating that day |
D.M r. Coolidge was really hungry and had to find something to eat |
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or sleep restfully.It is a problem to nearly everyone at some time .A person may be awake for an hour in the middle of the night and then , next morning, feel that he hardly sleep all night Normally, worry about not getting enough sleep is the worst aspect of most insomnia.If insomnia is recurrent, however, it is important to find its causes and try to correct them, with the help of a doctor if necessary.
Any of a large number of simple factors may take it difficult for someone to fall asleep or remain asleep.His matters may be too soft or too hard.If there are too many blankets on a hot night, he may be too warm; if the bedclothes are too light he may feel cold during the night.If it is not dark enough, or too noisy, this may cause difficulty in sleeping.Eating shortly before going to bed also be responsible for insomnia.Stimulating drinks, such as tea or coffee, can also keep people awake.
Inability to fall asleep is sometimes a symptom of emotional or mental disorders.Insomnia may also be caused by pain and, very rarely, it can be a symptom of a physical disease.
The cause of insomnia may be easy to correct.The sufferer should check the mattress, bedclothes and bedroom temperature, and make any necessary changes.An eye mask keeps out the night and ear-plugs shut out sound.He should relax for an hour or two before bedtime, perhaps by reading a book; watching TV, or taking a warm bath.If he wakes during the night he should try turning on the light and reading for a while.Taking warm milk and a biscuit or two may be helpful.Above all, he should try not to worry about sleeplessness when someone is tied enough he nearly always falls asleep.
If necessary, a doctor may prescribe tranquillizers or sleeping pills.Take only the dosage he prescribes; any more is dangerous.
67.According to the writer, insomnia is ______.
A.a rare problem B.a sign of illness
C.a common complaint D.a modern disease
68.Which of the following statements is not the cause of insomnia?
A.too many blankets on a hot night B.drinking juice
C.emotional or mental disorders D.physical pain
69.Insomnia needn’t be taken seriously because_______.
A.people can catch on sleep during the day.
B.many people sleep far too much.
C.it can easily be cured by doctors.
D.it is cured naturally by tiredness.
70.The main cure for insomnia is_____.
A.reading a book at night
B.having sleeping pills
C.watching television before bedtime
D.not to get too anxious about sleeping
I have found that the way I treat insects acts as a reflection of my approach to kindness. Like most kids, I suppose, I mistreated bugs terribly. But many adults continue the rampage against insects, and I have often found that they do this mindlessly.
With the weather getting warmer, more bugs are getting into our houses. We also spend more time in "their house," as we enjoy the great outdoors. We find ourselves reaching for the fly swatter and insecticides(杀虫剂)to get rid of them. But why do we do this? Most insects pose no threat to us, but we kill them anyway.
As a young adult, I found myself questioning my treatment of bugs. It became a moral issue. I remember reading a Native American story about a mother who saw her daughter stomp on a spider. The mom simply asks the child: "Now who'll take care of that spider's children? Who would take care of you if someone killed me?" It became a powerful lesson to the child.
All creatures have a purpose, and our world would be terribly out of balance without insects. If we can treat them with kindness and respect, we can treat any creature that way. The more I learned about the unique behaviors and purposes of insects, the more I appreciated their place in the world. I have literally become someone who "wouldn't hurt a fly."
The more I have practiced, the better I've become at catching flies with my hand and escorting them back outside. I use a small glass with a thin piece of cardboard to catch spiders, ants, and bees, and release them where they'll be happier--outdoors. Sure it takes more work than just squishing them, but I feel more in harmony with nature by being kind to bugs. If we could model that for our kids, perhaps they'd grow up to be kinder adults and help make this a kinder world to live in.
49.According to the author, many adults kill bugs ___________.
A.because they hate bugs B.to stop bugs spread diseases
C.just out of their cruelty D.just for no special reason
50.The author mentions a Native American story in the third paragraph in order to___________.
A.tell readers the importance of protecting insects
B.show its deep influence on the author
C.appeal to readers to look after spiders’ children
D.describe American mother’s kindness to insects
51.Suppose a bug appears in the author’s room, he will probably___________.
A.kill it without hesitation B.catch it and free it outside
C.drive it outside tenderly D.let it be and not disturb it
52.Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?
A.Showing kindness to insects B.My childhood and insects
C.The significance of insets D.Some tips of treating insects
Should we try to contact and make friends with other beings in the universe? Certainly not,says British physicist Stephen Hawking.
“If aliens(creatures from other planets)ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans,’’ said the 68-year-old disabled scientist in a new Discovery documentary (纪实性电视节目) on April 25.
The program pictures an imagined universe where other life forms in huge spaceships hunt for resources after using up all those on their home planets.
“Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads(游牧民),looking to conquer and colonize whatever planets they can reach,”warned Hawking.
On the probability of other life forms existing, he says, “To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly reasonable.”
Hawking’s concerns have frightened some people and been met with disagreement from other researchers.Paul Davies, author of the book Renewing Our Search for Alien Intelligence,thinks Hawking’s reasoning is wrong.
He argues that since Earth is about 4.5 billion years old,if intel1igent life is likely , communities of other beings may have been there for a very long time.
“If resources are the factor, then at least one group of aliens would surely have visited Earth as a destination mil1ions of years ago.
Even if other life forms do come to Earth in the near future, Davies believes comparisons with are wide of the mark(离谱的).
68. What is the article mainly about?
A. Other life forms coming to our planet.
B. Scientific evidence of other life forms.
C. Earth as the only place where human beings can survive.
D. Hawking’s belief that other life forms may exist in the universe.
69. Which of the following ideas is opposed to Hawking’s view?
A. Other life forms exist in the universe.
B. 0ther life forms may be more intelligent than human beings.
C. We should try to contact other 1ife forms from other planets.
D. Other life forms may exist in more than one part of the universe.
70. Paul Davies didn’t agree with Stephen Hawking ,believing that ________.
A. the universe is running out of resources
B. humans are the best creatures in the universe.
C. it is a good idea to avoid meeting with other life forms
D. Davies doesn’t think it proper to compare aliens with Columbus
71. Hawking referred to Christopher Columbus as an example to ____.
A. inspire interest in the universe
B. draw attention to other planets in the universe
C. warn people to watch out for other life forms
D. urge further exploration of the universe~
第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题,每题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
David Beckham had a dream: to be the first English player to appear in four World Cups.
But now it appears that dream is over after a serious injury to his Achilles tendon(跟腱)which means he could be out of action for around six months. With this year's World Cup in South Africa only three months away, sadly Beckham looks set to miss out.
The injury happened while Beckham was playing for AC Milan against AC Chievo in the Italian league. After attempting to kick the ball he collapsed to the ground and hobbled off the pitch before being stretchered(被担架抬走)away.
It is not yet known whether he has completely severed(切断)his Achilles tendon or only torn it. The player has now flown to Finland for assessment and treatment by a knee specialist.
England manager Fabio Capello fears the worst for Beckham's World Cup chances.
"We have to wait for the results of the scan but it looks like he is out of the World Cup," he said in a statement. "I spoke with him after the game on Sunday night to offer my support.
"David is a great professional and has worked very hard to be ready for the World Cup, so missing it will be a big blow."
Beckham's former manager at American club LA Galaxy, Alexei Lalas, echoed(共鸣)Capello's words of support:
"It is a horrible situation for Beckham. I know how much it meant to him to be in the World Cup and how important he was to the England team.
David Beckham is now 34 and some are asking whether this serious injury could mean his whole career is over.
Whatever happens, as one of football's best-known and popular players, Beckham will have no shortage of encouragement from fans around the world.
Some will remember Beckham's miraculous recovery from an Achilles injury in 2006, when he was back on the pitch after only eight weeks.
If he could repeat the same feat,in time for the World Cup it really would be the stuff of fairytales.
So, perhaps all is not lost. Optimists will take heart from Alexei Lalas' words:
"You never want to write off(排除)David Beckham as he has shown us his ability to bounce back(恢复原状)."
56.What is the best title of the passage?
A.Beckham had a dream?
B.Beckham—a great football player!
C.The end for Beckham?
D.World Cup in South Africa!
57.What does the author mean by saying “missing it will be a big blow?”
A.Missing the World Cup will be a big success.
B.Missing Beckham means a great failure.
C.Missing Beckham means an important opportunity for the American club LA Galaxy.
D.Missing the World Cup means a big disappointment for Beckham.
58.We may infer from the passage that____________
A.Beckham will definitely not be able to play football again
B.Beckham was cured by a great knee specialist he found
C.Beckham has his ability to bounce back
D.Beckham is likely to miss the World Cup
59.What do the underlined words “take heart” probably mean?
A.get disappointed B.get help C.get encouraged D.get hurt