If you are hungry, what will you do? Grab a piece of your favorite meal and stay quiet after that? Just like stomach, even your mind will be hungry. But it never lets you know, because you keep it busy thinking about your dream lover, favorite star and many such absurd things. So it silently begins to hide your needs and never lets itself grow. When mind loses its freedom to grow, creativity gets its full stop. This might be the reason why we all sometimes think “What happens next?”, “Why can’t I think?”, “Why am I always given the difficult problems?” Well, this is the after-effect of using our brain for thinking of not-so-worthy things.
Hunger of the mind can be actually satisfied through extensive reading. But why is it reading but not watching TV? Because reading has been the most educational tool used by us right from the childhood. Just like that to develop other aspects of our life, we have to turn to reading for help. You have a number of books in the world which will answer all your “how-to” questions. Once you read a book, you just don’t run your eyes through the lines, but your mind decodes (译解) it and explains it to you. The interesting part of the book is stored in your mind as a seed. Now this seed is unknowingly used by you in your future to develop new ideas. The same seed, if used many times, can help you link and relate a lot of things, which you would never thought of in your wildest dreams! This is nothing but creativity. The more books you read, the wider your mind will become. Also this improves your oratorical (speech-making) skills to a large extent and also makes a significant contribution to your vocabulary. When you start speaking English or any other language fluently with your friends or other people, you never seem to run out of the right words at the right time.
Actually, I had a problem in speaking English fluently, but as I read, I could improve significantly. So guys, do join me and give food for your thoughts by reading, reading and more reading. Now what are you waiting for? Go, grab a book and let me know!
49. What’s the best title of the passage?
A. Hunger of the mind B. Stomach and Mind
C. Feed your Mind by reading D. Reading or Watching TV
50. You don’t know your mind is in hunger because _____.
A. you are not hungry
B. you keep it thinking of silly things
C. your creativity gets a full stop
D. you always meet with difficult problems
51. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as the advantage of reading?
A. Reading can make your dream come true.
B. Reading can contribute to your vocabulary.
C. Reading can improve your spoken ability.
D. Reading can make people creative.
52. The purpose of the author in writing this passage is to _______.
A. comment and blame B. introduce and describe
C. explain and persuade D. advise and inform
I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries. A PhD student with not a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date.
We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile –warm and reassuring –and I returned her gift by smiling back.
“Must be a special lady, whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.
“Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out.
“It’s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one’.” Jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.”
“Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said.” “My husband used to bring me flowers every week –even when times were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible days; he was very romantic and – of course – I miss him since he’s passed away.”
I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said, “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a very special lady.” I handed her the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.
It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just purchased. “You have a wonderful evening,” I said. I left her with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers.
I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her –that was the night that I won her heart.
Why was the writer in a hurry that day?
A.He had to pick up some groceries. |
B.He had to go back to school soon. |
C.He was delayed by an elderly lady. |
D.He was to meet his girlfriend. |
What does the underlined se “her gift”(Paragraph 2) refer to?
A.Her smile. | B.Her words. |
C.Her flowers. | D.her politeness. |
Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady?
A.She told him a nice story. |
B.She gave him encouragement. |
C.She allowed him to pay first. |
D.She liked flowers very much. |
What is the message conveyed in the story?
A.Flowers are important for a date. |
B.Love and kindness are rewarding. |
C.Small talk is helpful. |
D.Elderly people deserve respecting. |
IV. 阅读理解:(第一节15小题,每小题2分;第二节5小题,每小题2分;满分40分)
Stress ---- learning to relax
During the course of our growing, sometimes everything seems to go wrong at once. Maybe you have got behind with school work, quarreled with a friend, lost something you really liked and you're in trouble at home too. As more things happen we get more stressed, which means we get too tired and can't think properly, which means more things go wrong!
What happens when you feel stressed?
When you get worried or stressed out about something it affects your body in a number of ways.
○ Your heart beats faster.
○ Muscles tense.
○ Your stomach feels tight or you feel sick.
○ Your breathing gets faster.
○ You sweat more.
○ It is hard to get to sleep, or you wake up feeling like you didn't really sleep because you still feel tired.
What can you do if you feel stressed?----Relaxation
There are different things you can do to relax.
Exercise is great and it can help you sleep if you are doing some as part of your day. If you're not sure what to do, look up 'Exercise' on this site for some ideas.
Exercise to move about (dancing, running, jumping, walking and bike riding) is very good, but if you are not an active person then here are some ideas for you.
Exercise to do if you are a couch potato(电视迷) or a computer freak(电脑迷) or a bookworm .
While you are sitting you can still exercise.
Look at the diagrams.
61. What will happen when things go wrong?
A. Falling behind in study. B. Making friends with others.
C. Picking up some money D. Feeling well
62. Where can we find this passage?
A. In a newspaper. B. In a magazine.
C. In a textbook. D. At a website.
63. The underlined word “bookworm” in the third line from the bottom probably means_______.
A. an insect that eats books B. someone who likes reading very much
C. a worm that likes books D. a person who often does sports outside
For travellers who want to experience some of the history and mystery of the ancient world, here is a list of cool destinations for your next holiday.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat (meaning “capital monastery”) was a temple in the ancient Khmer capital city of Angkor. It is Cambodia’s best-known tourist attraction and is famed for its beautiful architecture and reliefs. You’ll need at least three days to fully discover the delights of this magnificent site.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu was built high in the Andes Mountains of South America by the Inca in the 15th century. Although well preserved its exact purpose is unknown. It is famous throughout the world not only for its incredible design but also for the natural beauty that surrounds it. Give yourself a week to explore this magnificent site.
Stonehenge, England
The entire Stonehenge site was constructed over thousands of years. But why and how it was built remains a mystery. As the weather can be pretty bleak in winter and the crowds huge in summer, we suggest autumn should be the best time to visit these monster rocks.
Pompeii, Italy
When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., Pompeii was buried under many layers of ash, preserving the city exactly as it was when the volcano erupted. Because so many objects were preserved, scientists and visitors are able to better understand daily life in the ancient Roman Empire.
Why may people want to visit Machu Picchu?
A.To climb the Andes Mountains. | B.To discover how it was built. |
C.To explore both history and nature. | D.To learn to speak Spanish. |
When is the best time to visit Stonehenge according to the passage?
A.Summer. | B.Spring. | C.Winter. | D.Autumn. |
Which location offers the most direct view into daily life in the ancient world?
A.Pompeii. | B.Stonehenge. | C.Ankor Wat. | D.Machu Picchu. |
Where would you probably read such an article?
A.In a travel magazine. | B.In a scientific journal. |
C.In a history textbook. | D.In an adventure novel. |
IV阅读理解 32%
If you are a 30-plus plain Jane, or if you are not a local fresh graduate, get ready for the embarrassment(尴尬) in the job market. And you are just one of the millions to face discrimination(歧视).
About 85 percent of the 3,424 people covered by a survey in 10 big cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, said discrimination in work and employment(就业) did exist. Also, the survey results given on Friday showed that 58 percent thought the problem to be severe(严重).
Appearance, height and gender are the most discriminative categories(范畴), the Beijing Morning Post reported.
Some requirements could be funny. The newspaper said Beijing citizen Zhang Meng, who had more than 10 years’ driving experience, failed to get a job because his possible employers considered his name to be “unlucky”.
“Meng”, they said, literally(字面上)means “rush” in Chinese, which made him more accident prone(倾向)than others.
Employers discriminate against people from certain regions or areas, such as Central China’s Henan Province, because of the bad impression they have about them. Beijing citizens, too, have their share of bad luck because they are generally considered lazy.
Cai Dingjian, a professor from China University of Political Science and Law, who headed the survey, said such requirements, which are not connected with the job itself, violate(侵犯)people’s equal right to look for a career. “It violates basic human rights,” he said to the newspaper.
Cai said governments should pay attention to such discriminations because they exist not only in companies, but are also practiced by them. One example is that civil servants(公务员) are usually required to have a pleasant personality.
Director of the labour law committee under the All China Lawyers Association
Jiang Junlu said the lack of related laws was at the root of all discriminations.
46. Zhang Meng failed to get a job because __________.
A. he had made more mistakes than others
B. he lacked driving experience
C. he was considered to have an unlucky name
D. he couldn’t find a pleasant employer
47. What is people’s response to discrimination in job market?
A. They think it is unfair but necessary due to the large population of China.
B. It does exist in certain regions, but is not so serious.
C. Something must be done to stop it by governments.
D. It is a local problem and isn’t worth much concern.
48. What can be an effective way to fight against discrimination according to the passage?
A. To fine companies which practice discrimination.
B. To make laws related to discrimination.
C. To stop more people moving into cities.
D. To train people those who are poor in skills.
49. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Discrimination not only exists in companies, but also in governments.
B. Employers nowadays concern more about appearance, height and gender.
C. People in Beijing will never worry about experiencing discrimination.
D. Requirements connected with the job itself should have been put in the first place.
Three Japanese tourists taking a holiday in Australia got stuck when their GPS told them they could drive from the mainland to an island, failing to mention the 15 kilometres of water and mud in between.
As they drove their hired car from Moreton Bay in Queensland to nearby North Stradbroke Island, they started to notice the firm gravel(沙石)surface they were driving on giving way to the renowned bay mud.However, being confident that their GPS would direct them to a road soon, they decided to plough on, managing to travel around 500 metres before their Hyundai Getz(现代汽车)was up to its axles tires in mud.To make matters worse, the tide started to come in and soon forced them to seek help and abandon the vehicle.Just four hours later the car was trapped in two metres of water —— to the great amusement of onlookers on the shore and passengers on passing boats and ferries.
Yuzu Noda, 21, said she was listening to the GPS and “it told us we could drive down there.It kept saying it would navigate us to a road.But we got stuck…there’s lots of mud.” She and her travel companions Tomonari Saeki, 22, and Keita Osada, 21, instead had to give up their plans for a day trip to the island and headed back to the Gold Coast of a lift from the RACQ tow truck(吊车)driver who was called to the trapped car.No such luck for the hired car though – after assessing the situation, no attempt was made to recover it.The students from Tokyo, who are due to return home tomorrow, said the experience would not put them off returning to Australia for another visit.“We want to come back to Australia again.Everyone is very nice, even today.” Ms Yuzu said.
Remaining excited, Mr. Tomonari joked that the car may have got stuck because it was built in Korea.“Maybe if it was Japanese it would be okay,” he said.He added, “It has rained every day on our six day holiday.Hopefully next time we come back it will be sunny.” The car was covered by insurance, but the tourists will have to pay up to about $1500 in extra charges.
The three Japanese tourists got stuck because ______.
A.there was no way to the island |
B.their GPS was broken during their journey |
C.their GPS had given the wrong information |
D.their car was made in Korea instead of Japan |
They didn’t abandon their car until ______.
A.there came the tide |
B.they got stuck in the mud |
C.some onlookers went to save them |
D.they managed to travel around 500 metres |
How did these Japanese students get back?
A.They had to walk back to their living place. |
B.They had to repair their GPS and drove back. |
C.They had to take a lift from the tow truck driver. |
D.They had to turn to passengers on passing boats and ferries. |
According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A.The car was left where it was trapped. |
B.The passengers saved these students in the end. |
C.Mr. Tomonari got very frustrated after the journey. |
D.The car was covered by insurance so they didn’t have to pay any money. |
During the twentieth century, cars, electric lights, space travel and amazing advances in medicine changed people’s lives. So what might this new century bring? There are hundreds of predictions flying around — let’s have a light-hearted look at some of them.
In a recent UK survey, teenagers were asked to make predictions about the year 2020. One of the most common predictions was that school uniforms won’t be around. They also predicted that both girls and boys will wear make-up more often, and more than 75% of men will wear skirts regularly. My dad is 65 next Saturday — I think I’ll buy him a skirt as a birthday present and tell him he’ll soon be in fashion!
Other predictions involve changing roles of men and women. By 2017, some people say that single men of working age will form more than 10% of all families. It is also predicted that washing powder advertisements will include more men because more of them will do housework. I’ll tell that to my husband when he gets home and see how keen he is to wash the dishes!
Many predictions are about crime and safety problems. Some people think that crime will improve and the world will become a more peaceful place. Others believe that crime is going to worsen and that people will stay at home becoming completely dependent on the Internet for shopping and work. It is also predicted that you will need an electronic card to get into parks as parents demand safe play areas for their children. This is old news for me --- our local government is going to introduce one this summer.
Technology is predicted to play an even more important role in our lives in the future. Some parents might have cameras at home so they can keep an eye on their children while they are out. Quick, kids, turn off the TV and do your homework!
Here’s another prediction. Researchers have concluded that cultural activity may add years to your life. The cinema, theatre and concerts may give us a longer life because they encourage strong feelings. Well, we’re watching Bridget Jones’ Diary this Friday night. Will that help us live longer?
Let’s finish up with my favourite prediction. In the future, elderly people are going to make up a larger proportion of the world’s population than ever before. In Britain, an estimated 100,000 people now in their thirties may live to be 100. And that includes me! I’ll have a big, big party, I promise!
The writer’s father ________ .
A.has just turned sixty-five |
B.wears skirts |
C.is very fashionable |
D.is about to turn sixty-five |
Why might more men do housework in the future?
A.Washing powder advertisements suggest it. |
B.Men won’t want to work in offices any more. |
C.Traditional roles of men and women will change. |
D.Women will refuse to wash the dishes. |
According to the passage, people might ________ , if crime worsens.
A.need electronic cards to get into their homes |
B.stay at home and depend on the Internet |
C.help to make the world a more peaceful place |
D.work harder and make more money |
Which of the following is NOT true?
A.It’s likely that the writer is to live to be 100. |
B.The writer promises that she is going to hold a big, big party soon. |
C.Without an electronic card, you can’t get into a park freely in the future. |
D.The writer holds a positive attitude towards the changes in the new century. |
From the passage, we may infer that the writer is probably ____ .
A.a professional news reporter. |
B.a young and attractive sales girl. |
C.a middle-aged British housewife. |
D.a responsible government official. |
The film stars out as a normal day at a typical American high school. Friends chat in the dining room and boys play football. But there's big surprise when the movie ends with two students going crazy in the school-shooting and killing people.
This is Elephant. It stars real school kids. American director Gus Van Sant had no ready-made lines. The student actors made up their own dialogue, with Van Sant asking them to base their characters on their own lives.
Although it may not sound very high quality, the film won the Palme d'Or (金棕奖) for Best Film and the award for Best Director at the Cannes film festival.
The film is based on the shootings at a high school in the US, where two boys killed 13 people and then themselves in 1999.
The title of the movie refers to the old expression about a problem that's as hard to ignore as an elephant in the house.
The film takes a close look at a few hours in the lives of the victims and the killers. It shows how high school is a different experience for everyone---fun and friendly, or hard and lonely.
In many ways, the two boys, who carry out the shooting, act like ordinary kids. They joke around with one boy's mother as she serves them cakes and play the piano.
But there're hints of the anger they feel inside. One of the boys is bullied (欺负) at school. The other plays violent video games. But Van Sant isn't blaming their killings on either bullying or violent games. In fact, the film doesn't offer any reason for why school violence happens.
"I didn't want to explain anything. It's up to the audience to draw its own conclusions," said the 51-year-old director.
The lines of the film were ________.
A.given by the director |
B.created by student actors |
C.thought out by the director during the acting |
D.carefully designed by professional people |
The film doesn't tell why school shootings happen________.
A.so as to leave room for the audience to think and judge |
B.because life itself is the problem maker |
C.because the mental problems of students are hard to explain |
D.but there are some hints of the reasons |
The film is named Elephant because ________.
A.an elephant is always gentle and never causes trouble |
B.an elephant is a symbol of big problems in American schools |
C.elephant is used to suggest that the school crime is a big problem |
D.the two boys liked elephants when alive |
What’s the passage mainly about?
A.It shows American school life. |
B.It introduces the film Elephant. |
C.It tells people to be careful while in peace. |
D.It reports a school killing in a US school. |
As you grow older,you’ll be faced with some challenging decisions--like whether to cut class or try cigarettes.Making decisions on your own is hard enough,but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder.People who are your age,like your classmates,are called peers.When they try to influence how you act,to get you to do something,it’s called peer pressure.
Peers can have a positive influence on each other.Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system.Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book,and now everyone’s reading it.These are examples of how peers positively influence each other.
Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways.For example,a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them; your soccer friend might try to convince you to be mean to another player and never pass him the ball.
It is tough to be the only one who says “no” to peer pressure,but you can do it.Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do.
You’ve probably had a parent or teacher advising you to “choose your friends wisely.” Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this.If you choose friends who don’t cut class,smoke cigarettes,or lie to their parents,then you probably won’t do these things either,even if other kids do.
If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to handle,talk to someone you trust.Don’t feel guilty if you’ve made a mistake or two.
For whom is the passage most probably written?
A.Students |
B.Parents |
C.Teachers |
D.Doctors |
In the last three paragraphs,the author mainly_____.
A.explains why friendship is so important |
B.gives advice on how to deal with peer pressure |
C.discusses how peers influence us |
D.shows how to make more good friends |
Which of following may help handle peer pressure?
A.Spending more time with classmates. |
B.Taking up more relaxing hobbies. |
C.Choosing friends with no bad habits. |
D.Helping others who are in trouble. |
What is the topic of the passage?
A.Friendship |
B.Making decisions |
C.Self-confidence |
D.Peer pressure |
阅读下列短文,选出最佳选项。 Three-year-old Teddy Lasry was sleeping in his cowboy outfit (套装) yesterday at his family’s Fifth Ave.apartment when he shot up in bed screaming.A 3-foot-long black-and-white snake twisted around his left arm and had just bitten his little finger.
“The babysitter (a person taking care of children while their parents are away for a short time) was frightened to death,” said Teddy’s father, David Lasry, who, along with his wife, Evelyn, was at work when the snake appeared about 4:00 pm.
The horrified babysitter called 911 and the building’s doorman.The doorman and two cable TV workers helped take the snake off the boy’s arm and put it in a garbage bag.Police rushed Teddy to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where he spent two hours attached to a heart monitor as a precaution in case the snake was poisonous.It wasn’t.Experts at the snakebite treatment center at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, where policemen took the snake, found out it was a non-poisonous California king snake.
But how did it end up in Teddy’s bed?
A little detective work determined that the snake had escaped two weeks ago from its cage in the apartment of a doctor whose family lives four floors below the Lasrys.The apologetic owner said his son’s pet snake likely traveled up the water pipes and into his neighbor’s apartment.“It’s a very gentle, very harmless snake,” he said.“It’s handled by our family all the time.”
David Lasry believed the pet was simply hungry after two weeks of wandering.Evelyn said her son seems to have overcome his fright by thinking of himself as a hero cowboy as he rode in the back of the police car to the hospital.
“I told Teddy he’s a pretty snake, a nice pet snake who got out of his cage,” Evelyn said.“But he asked, ‘Why did he bite my finger, Mamma?’ And I said, ‘Because he saw that you are a big boy, Teddy, in your cowboy outfit and he got scared.’”
What did the babysitter do after Teddy was bitten by a snake?
A.She ran out of the apartment. |
B.She called the TV company. |
C.She made an emergency call. |
D.She took the snake off Teddy’s arm. |
We can learn from the passage that the snake _______.
A.was poisonous |
B.was kept in a cage by its owner |
C.was deserted by its owner |
D.escaped to the apartment |
From the passage, we know _______.
A.Teddy needed a heart machine to stay alive for two hours |
B.Teddy was awake when the snake arrived |
C.Teddy’s mother was at home when the snake turned up |
D.the snake was used to being touched |
Teddy probably believed he was attacked because _______.
A.his parents weren’t at home |
B.he was asleep the snake |
C.was scared of him |
D.the snake was hungry |
B
Populations and Land (1987) |
||||
|
Area in |
Percent |
Population |
Percent |
|
Square miles |
Cultivated |
In millions |
forested |
United States |
3615104 |
20 |
243.8 |
28 |
Canada |
3851792 |
5 |
25.9 |
33 |
United Kingdom |
94525 |
29 |
56.8 |
9 |
Australia |
2967896 |
6 |
16.2 |
14 |
India |
1269340 |
51 |
800.3 |
21 |
China |
3705390 |
11 |
1062.0 |
14 |
Which two countries are the closest to each other in area?
A.The US and Canada | B.The US and China |
C.China and Canada | D.India and China |
_____ has the highest population density(密度), and _____ has the second highest.
A.China, India | B.India, China |
C.India, the US | D.China, the US |
Which two countries have the closest percentage of cultivated land?
A.The US and the United Kingdom. |
B.The US and China |
C.Australia and Canada. |
D.Australia and China |
There are _____ countries whose cultivated land percentage is larger than the forest percentage.
A.2 | B.3 | C.4 | D.5 |
For those who make journeys across the world, the speed of travel today has turned the countries into a series of villages. Distances between them appear no greater to a modern traveler than those which once faced men as they walked from village to village. Jet plane fly people from one end of the earth to the other, allowing them a freedom of movement undreamt of a hundred years ago.
Yet some people wonder if the revolution in travel has gone too far. A price has been paid, they say, for the conquest (征服) of time and distance. Travel is something to be enjoyed, not endured . The boat offers leisure and time enough to appreciate the ever-changing sights and sounds of a journey. A journey by train also has a special charm about it. Lakes and forests and wild, open plains sweeping past your carriage window create a grand view in which time and distance mean nothing. On board a plane, however, there is just the blank blue of the sky filling the narrow window of the airplane. The soft lighting, in-flight films and gentle music make up the only world you know, and the hours progress slowly.
Then there is the time spent being “processed” at a modern airport. People are conveyed like robots along walkways; baggage is weighed, tickets produced, examined and produced yet again before the passengers move again to another waiting area. Journeys by rail and sea take longer, yes, but the hours devoted to being “processed” at departure and arrival in airports are luckily absent. No wonder, then, that the modern high-speed trains are winning back passengers from the airlines.
Man, however, is now a world traveler and can not turn his back on the airplane. The working lives of too many people depend upon it; whole new industries have been built around its design and operation. The holiday maker, too, with limited time to spend, patiently endures the busy airports and limited space of the flight to gain those extra hours and even days, relaxing in the sun. Speed controls people’s lives; time saved, in work or play, is the important thing—or so we are told. Perhaps those first horsemen, riding free across the wild, open plains, were enjoying a better world than the one we know today. They could travel at will, and the clock was not their master.
What does the writer try to express in Paragraph1?
A.Travel by plane has speeded up the growth of villages. |
B.The speed of modern travel has made distances relatively short. |
C.The freedom of movement has helped people realize their dreams. |
D.Man has been fond of travelling rather than staying in one place. |
How does the writer support the underlined statement in Paragraph2?
A.By giving instructions. |
B.By analyzing cause and effect. |
C.By following the order of time. |
D.By giving examples. |
According to Paragraph 3, passengers are turning back to modern high-speed trains because______.
A.they pay less for the tickets |
B.they feel safer during the travel |
C.they can enjoy higher speed of travel |
D.they don’t have to be “processed” |
What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Air travel benefits people and industries. |
B.Train Travel has some advantages over air travel. |
C.Great changes have taken place in modern travel. |
D.The high speed of air travel is gained at a cost. |
When I was a child, I often dreamed of the time when I could leave home and escape to the city. We lived on a farm and, in the winter especially, we were quite cut off from the outside world. As soon as I left school, I packed my bags and moved to the capital. However, I soon discovered that city life has its problems too.
One big disadvantage is money---it costs so much to go out, not to mention basics like food and housing. Another disadvantage is pollution. I suffer from asthma(哮喘), and at times the air is so bad that I am afraid to go outside. Then there is the problem of travelling round. Although I have a car, I seldom use it because of the traffic jams. One choice is to go by bicycle, but that can be quite dangerous.
Of course there are advantages. First, there is so much to do in the city, whatever your tastes in culture or entertainment. Besides, there are wonderful jobs and greater chances of moving to a more important job or position. Finally, if you like shopping, the variety of goods is very surprising---and, what is more, shops are often only a short walk away.
Is life better then, in the city? Perhaps it is, when you are in your teens(十几岁) or twenties. However, as you get older, and especially if you have small children, the peace of the countryside may seem preferable. I certainly hope to move back there soon.
What was the writer always thinking about when he was a child?
A.Staying on the farm |
B.Moving to the countryside |
C.Leaving home for the city |
D.Running away from the school |
Which of the following is true about the writer?
A.He is very old now. |
B.He is in good health. |
C.He prefers driving a car. |
D.He lives in the city now. |
In the passage, the writer tries to _______.
A.express his opinions about way of life |
B.describe his life in the countryside |
C.show an interest in the outside world |
D.persuade the reader to live in the city |
How is the passage mainly developed?
A.By inferring | B.By comparing |
C.By listing examples | D.By giving explanations |
A friend is better than fortune. A friend is worse than poison in some cases.
The two sentences above have opposite meanings and seem to be unreasonable, but they can be explained as follows: the first refers to all good friends who drive us towards good while the second all bad ones who lead us into bad ways.
My ideal friend is of course a good friend whose goodness is shown below — he has no bad habits, such as smoking and drinking. He lives in frugality (节俭). He studies hard so as not to waste his golden time. At home he honors his parents and loves his brothers; at school he respects his teachers and shares the feelings of his classmates. He treats those truly who are true to him. In a word, he has all the good characteristics that I don’t have. I can follow him as a model. With his help I can be free from all difficulties.
Indeed, if I have such a person as my friend, I shall never fear difficulty and I shall never know the existence of the word “failure”.
This passage tells us ____.
A.how to make friends with others |
B.how to help friends |
C.what kind of person the writer’s friend is |
D.what kind of person we should make friends with |
According to the writer, an ideal friend refers to _______.
A.a friend without bad habits |
B.a famous man |
C.a perfect man |
D.a respectable man |
From the passage we can learn that ________.
A.the writer and his ideal friend have a lot to learn from each other |
B.the writer has a lot to learn from his ideal friend |
C.the writer’s ideal friend has a lot to learn from him |
D.the writer has only a little to learn from his ideal friend |
From the second paragraph, we can infer the writer is sure that _______.
A.friendship means a great deal to him |
B.nothing can be done without friends |
C.he who does not smoke or drink must be a good friend |
D.good friends should always help each other |
There seems never to have been a civilization without toys, but when and how they developed is unknown. They probably came about just to give children something to do .
In the ancient world , as is today ,most boys played with some kinds of toys and most girls with another .In societies where social roles are rigidly determined, boys pattern their play after the activities of their fathers and girls are being prepared, even in play , to step into the roles and responsibilities of the adult world .
What is remarkable about the history of toys is not so much how they changed over the centuries but how much they have remained the same . The changes have been mostly in terms of craftsmanship ,mechanics, and technology . It is the universality of toys with regard to their development in all parts of the world and their persistence to the present that is amazing .In Egypt ,America ,China ,Japan and among the Arctic (北极的)people, generally the same kinds of toys appeared. Variations depended on local customs and way of life because toys imitate their surrounding. Nearly every civilization had dolls, little weapons, toy soldiers, tiny animals and vehicles.
Because toys can be generally regarded as a kind of art form, they have not been subject to technological leaps that characterize inventions for adult use .The progress from the wheel to the cart to the automobile is a direct line of ways up. The progress from a rattle (拔浪鼓) used by a baby in 3000BCto one used by an infant today , however , is not characterized by inventiveness. Each rattle is the product of the artistic tastes of the times and subject to the limitations of available materials.
The reason why the toys most boys play with are different from those that girls play with is that .
A.their social roles are rigidly determined |
B.they like challenging activities |
C.most boys would like to follow their fathers’ professions |
D.boys like to play with their fathers while girls with their mothers. |
One aspect of “the universality of toys ”lies in the fact that .
A.the basic characteristics of toys are the same all over the world |
B.technological advances have greatly improved the durability of toys |
C.the exploration of the universe has led to the creation of new kinds of toys |
D.the improvement of craftsmanship in making toys depends on the efforts of universities |
Which of the following is the author’s view on the historical development of toys?
A.Toys are playing an increasingly important role in shaping a child’s character. |
B.The toy industry has witnessed great leaps in technology in recent years. |
C.The craftsmanship in toy-making has remained essentially unchanged. |
D.Toys have remained basically the same all through the centuries. |
Regarded as a kind of art form, toys .
A.reflect the pace of social progress |
B.are not characterized by technological progress |
C.follow a direct line of ascent |
D.also appeal greatly to adults |