高中英语阅读理解

Japanese scientists have taken the first photographs of one of the most mysterious creatures in the deep ocean — the giant squid^①.
Until now the only information about the behavior of the creatures which measure up to 18 meters (59 feet) in length has been based on dead or dying squid washed up on shore or captured^②in commercial fishing nets.
But Tsunemi Kubodera, of the National Science Museum, and Kyoichi Mori of the Ogasawara Whale Watching Association, both in Tokyo have captured the first images of Architeuthis attacking bait^③900 meters below the surface in the cold, dark waters of the North Pacific. “We show the first wild images of a giant squid in its natural environment,” they said in a report in the journal Proceedings B of the Royal Society.
Little is known about the creatures because it has been so difficult to locate and study them alive. Large ships and specialist equipment, which is costly, are needed to study deep sea environments.
The Japanese scientists found the squid by following sperm whales, the most effective hunters of giant squid, as they gathered to feed between September and December in the deep waters off the coast of the Ogasawara Islands in the North Pacific. They used a remote long-line camera and depth logging system to capture the giant squid in the ocean depths.
The most dramatic character of giant squids is the pair of extremely long tentacles^④, distinct from the eight shorter arms. The long tentacles make up to two-thirds of the length of the dead specimens^⑤to date. The giant squid appear to be a much more active meat-eating animals than researchers had thought.
Notes:
① squid  n. 鱿鱼
② capture  vt. 捕获
①    bait  n. 鱼饵
②    tentacle  n. 触角，触须
③    specimen  n. 标本，样本
The passage mainly tells us that ________.

A．Scientists captured a giant squid alive

B．Scientists captured a giant squid on camera

C．giant squids are special meat-eating animals

D．giant squids mainly live in the deep sea

According to the passage, we can infer that the word “Architeuthis” should refer to ________.

A．a scientist

B．the sperm whale

C．a big ship

D．the giant squid

Which of the following about giant squids is TRUE?

A．They like living the cold and deep waters.

B．They mainly feed on the dead fish.

C．They like playing, using their tentacles.

D．They have only eight arms around the mouth.

According to the passage, the scientists located the giant squid ________.

A．through a remote long-line camera

B．by using depth logging system

C．by following sperm whales

D．by using the bait to attract them

A typical① Chinese Internet user is a young male who prefers instant messaging to e-mail, seldom makes online purchases② and favors news, music and games sites. According to a study, about two-thirds of survey participants③ use the Internet for news — often entertainment-related — or for online games. About half download music and movies.
They also tend to prefer instant messaging to e-mail, and they are depending on the Internet more frequently than before to communicate with others who have the same professions, hobbies and political interests. Online purchases still remain unpopular in China. Three-quarters of users surveyed have never bought anything over the Internet, and only 10 percent make purchases even once a month. Among those who do buy online, most pay for entertainment while others buy phone cards, or computer hardware or software.
“Many people don’t trust the quality of goods bought online,” Guo said Wednesday. “If they buy it in a store and don’t like it, they can easily bring it back.”
The survey was done in five major cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Changsha. Results do not necessarily project countrywide because Internet use in rural areas is lower than in cities. Guo describes the typical netizen④ in the five cities surveyed as young, male, richer and more highly educated. Males make up two-thirds of the Internet community, and more than 80 percent of users are under 24. Among people ages 25 to 29, 60 percent to 80 percent go online.
China has more than 100 million people online, second in the world to the United States.
Notes:
① typical  adj. 典型的
② purchase   n. / v.  购买
③ participant  n. 参与者
④ netizen  n. 网民
Choose the best answers according to the above:
A typical Chinese Internet user will be the one who _________.

A．likes to send e-mails	B．likes to buy goods online
C．likes to pay for entertainment	D．likes the games sites

Online purchases still remain unpopular in China mainly because _________.

A．it is more difficult for sales returns

B．people haven’t computers

C．people can’t have a look at the goods

D．goods bought online are of low quality

Which of the following words fails to describe the typical netizens in the five cities?

A．well educated

B．richer

C．female

D．young

According to the text, which of the following shows the right relation between online people and their ages?

A．	B．
C．	D．

In the past ten years, America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) has grown increasingly dependent on the rest of the world to supply players.
When Michael Jordan and Larry Bird won gold in Barcelona in 1992, the Americans were praised for teaching the world how to play basketball. This season, however, 20 percent of NBA rosters^① will be filled by non-Americans. NBA commissioner David Stem happily embraces the trend. On a visit to Paris in October, Stern outlined his vision for the future, which is likely to see Europe hosting NBA games by 2010.
The NBA is now planning to take China by storm.
“Our experience in China has been that it is going to be explosive in its growth,” said Stern. The strategy^② in China is television. “We’ve made 14 deals in China with local and national networks on cable and satellite.” The success of Chinese centre Yao Ming has paved the way for the NBA marketing blitz in China. The NBA, which is broadcasted in more than 200 countries in 42 languages, will put that to the test in October 2004 when the Houston Rockets play two pre-season games against the Sacramento Kings in Beijing and Shanghai. The NBA knows that it needs a global market to compensate for tough times on home soil.
“It doesn’t matter where the players come from, all the NBA teams now know that they have to scout^③ internationally,” said Terry Lyons, the NBA’s vice-president of international public relations. “It has increased the level of competition here.” As Frenchman Tony Parker and Argentine Emanuel Ginobili showed in winning championship rings with the San Antonio Spurs last season, many people can earn the respect of their American peers. Others, such as the Houston Rockets’ Chinese centre Yao Ming — number one draft pick in 2002 —and the Detroit Pistons’ 18-year-old Serb Darko Milicic —number two overall in this year’s draft —are icons^④in-waiting. It is the ultimate^⑤ revolution — the rest of the world teaching the US how to play basketball.
Notes:
①    roster  n. 花名册
②    strategy  n. 战略，策略
③    scout  vt. 寻找，觅得
④    icon  n. 偶像
⑤    ultimate  adj. 最后的，根本的
Choose the best answers according to the above:
According to the report,       ___.

A．Michael Jordan is still playing a very important role in NBA

B．the part played by the foreign players in NBA will be great

C．Yao Ming is to play two pre-season games in NBA

D．European countries will host the 2004 NBA games

The underlined phrase “take China by storm” has the meaning of       ___.

A．NBA intends to make China its “marketing center”

B．NBA is planning to set up some training centers in China

C．there’ll be a big storm when NBA comes to China to play against the Sacramento Kings

D．the NBA’s live basket games will be broadcasted on all the TVs in China

. What seems to be the biggest change that is happening to NBA?
A. NBA is expecting more foreign players to join the league.
B. China’s rapid development in sports affects NBA.
C. Yao Ming has taken the place of Michael Jordan.
D. The NBA will stop teaching the world how to play basketball.
When the writer talked of “home soil”, he was referring to        __.

A．farms in the States	B．native Americans
C．the NBA training center	D．the USA

Which of the following can be used as the best title for the passage?

A．The Non-American Basketball Players	B．NBA Is Coming to China
C．The Foreign Ties That Bind the NBA	D．NBA Is Making Big Progress

CALCUTTA, India Mar 24, 2006 (AP) — One of the world’s oldest creatures, a giant tortoise believed to have been about 250 years old, has died in the Calcutta zoo where it spent more than half its long life.
Addwaita, which means “the one and only” in the local Bengali language, was one of four Aldabra tortoises brought to India by British sailors in the 18th century. Zoo officials say he was a gift for Lord Robert Clive of the East India Company, who was instrumental in establishing British colonial^① rule in India, before he returned to England in 1767. Long after the other three tortoises died, Addwaita continued to thrive^②, living in Clive’s garden before being moved to the zoo in 1875.
“According to records in the zoo, the age of the giant tortoise, Addwaita, who died on Wednesday, would be about 250 years,” said zoo director Subir Chowdhury. That would have made him much older than the world’s oldest documented^③ living animal: Harriet, a 176-year-old Galapagos tortoise who lives at the Australia Zoo north of Brisbane, according to the zoo’s Web site. She was taken from the island of Isla Santa Cruz by Charles Darwin in the 19th century.
Aldabra tortoises come from the Aldabra atoll^④in the Seychelle islands in the Indian Ocean, and often live to more than 100 years of age. Males can weigh up to 550 pounds. Addwaita, the zoo’s biggest attraction, had been unwell for the last few days, said local Forest Minister Jogesh Burman.
“We were keeping a watch on him. When the zoo keepers went to his enclosure on Wednesday they found him dead,” Burman said.
Notes:
①    colonial  adj. 殖民的
②    thrive  v. 茁壮成长
③    documented  adj. 备有证明文件的
④    atoll  n. 环礁
Choose the best answers according to the above:
According to the passage, Addwaita ________.

A．was sent to India as a gift by British government

B．was sent to India by British sailors in 1767

C．lived together with three other Aldabra tortoises in India

D．belonged to Lord Robert Clive for some time

By now, the oldest animal in the world is about at ________.

A．176 years old

B．100 years old

C．250 years old

D．200 years old

In the last few days before Addwaita died, he ________.

A．had been sent to hospital for treatment

B．had been playing with travelers

C．had been found not better than before

D．had stayed in his enclosure for days

What would be the best title for the passage?

A．An Old Aldabra Tortoise Died in India

B．A Remarkable Life: Tortoise Dies at 250

C．A Special Kind of Tortoise — Addwaita

D．The Oldest Animal Aldabra Tortoise Died

NASA is moving ahead with plans to put a long-armed lander on Mars’ icy north pole to search for clues^①for water and possible signs of life.
The $386 million Phoenix Mars is planned to touch down in the Martian arctic in 2008. The stationary probe will use its robotic arm to dig into the icy land and pick up soil samples^②to analyze. In 2002, the Mars Odyssey orbiter spotted evidence of ice-rich soil near the arctic surface.
Scientists hope the Phoenix mission will find clues to the geologic history of water on the Red Planet and determine whether microbes^③existed in the ice.
Phoenix will be the first mission of the Mars Scout program, a renewed, low-cost effort to study the Red Planet. “The Phoenix mission explores new territory in the northern plains of Mars analogous to the permafrost regions on Earth,” Peter Smith said.
True to its name, Phoenix rose from the ashes of previous^④missions. The lander for Phoenix was built to fly as part of the 2001 Mars Surveyor program. But the program broke down after the well-known disappearance of the Mars Polar Lander in 1999. The Polar Lander lost contact during a landing attempt near the planet’s south pole after its rocket engine shut off prematurely, causing the spacecraft to fall about 130 feet to almost certain destruction.
The Phoenix probe had been in storage at a Lockheed Martin clean room in Denver before it was reused for its present mission. It will carry science instruments that were designed for the Mars Surveyor program including an improved panoramic camera and a trench-digging robotic arm. Phoenix will lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in August 2007 and land on the planet nine months later.
Notes:
①    clue  n. 线索
②    sample  n. 标本，样品
③    microbe  n. 微生物
④    previous  adj. 先前的
The passage mainly tells readers that _________.

A．clues of water will be found in Phoenix

B．Phoenix will be sent to find clues of water on Mars

C．August 2007 will see Phoenix lift off

D．the Mars Scout program will be carried out

The underlined word “prematurely” (paragraph 5) means _________.

A．on time

B．behind the time

C．out of work

D．ahead of time

According to the passage, we know Phoenix will land on Mars _________.

A．in May 2008	B．in August 2007
C．in August 2008	D．in September 2008

According to the passage, the name “Phoenix” is after the meaning of _________.

A．rebirth

B．death

C．energy

D．hope

After Phoenix lands on Mars, we can infer it will firstly _________.

A．find soil samples and send them to the earth

B．look for the icy land to dig for the soil samples

C．take photos and send them to the earth

D．find the remains of the Mars Polar Lander

Zinedine Zidane, who dreams of leading France to its second World Cup title in a row next month, has always preferred to express himself with a football rather than with words.
Last Wednesday Zidane scored the decisive goal when Real Madrid of Spain won the Champions League final against Germany’s Leverkusen 2－1.
He became one of the world’s most expensive players when he joined Real Madrid from Italy’s Juventus for US $ 66 million. And he has been a national hero since he scored twice in the 3－0 defeat of Brazil in the 1998 World Cup Final.
But despite his success, Zidane has always kept his feet on the ground. He leads a quiet family life, there is hardly any gossip^① about him and he avoids putting his wife and two children in the spotlight^②.
“Just because I’m a public figure it doesn’t mean I have to express myself on everything. I don’t like to discuss some personal matters publicly.” he said.
Even as a child playing football in the slum area of Marseille, France, where he was raised by his Algerian parents, Zidane was shy.
He loved football even as a little kid. “I realized football is a wonderful mixture of a sharp mind and hard training rather than just talking,”he said.
Even when the match awards were just chocolate and bread, Zidane found that football made his poor childhood rich.
Before he was 10 years old, it was obvious that he could become a great footballer. He was offered his first professional contract^③when he was just 20. Now, at the age of 29, he has already picked up two World Player of the year awards.
This quiet striker has not yet spoken of his hopes for the coming World Cup. But his fans across the world will be eagerly watching him to see what he’ll do this time.
Notes:
①    gossip  n. 流言蜚语
②    spotlight  n. 聚光灯
③    contract  n. 合同
What did Zidane learn from his childhood football experience? He learned that _______.

A．he could become a great footballer

B．he could become rich if he became a footballer

C．football is a mixture of a sharp mind and hard training but not just talking

D．football is a favorite sport in the future

According to the article, what are Zidane’s main characteristics?

A．He is a shy but successful man.

B．He loves his wife and children.

C．He doesn’t like to speak in public.

D．He is a quiet, down-to-earth person of few words.

When the writer says “Zidane has always kept his feet on the ground”, he means that _______.

A．Zidane spends more time standing than sitting most days

B．Zidane is a down-to-earth person

C．Zidane has spent most of his time training on the pitch

D．Zidane likes standing when he succeeds

The sentence “Zidane found that football made his poor childhood rich” means ________.

A．football made Zidane’s poor family wealthy when he was a child

B．Zidane knew that football could bring him fame and wealth even when he was a child

C．football brought happiness to Zidane when he was a child in a poor family

D．Zidane knew that if he wanted 10 be rich he must play football from childhood

An epic^① love story, set against the sweeping landscapes of Wyoming and Texas, that tells the story of two young men — a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy — who meet in the summer of 1963 while driving cattle on a mountain range. They unexpectedly develop a lifelong connection, one whose complications^②, joys and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love.

Production Status: Released Genres: Drama, Romance and Western Running Time: 2 hrs. 14 min. Release Date: December 9th, 2005 (NY/LA/SF) MPAA Rating: R for sexuality, language and some violence. Production Co.: Focus Features, River Road Entertainment Studios: Universal Pictures Filming Locations: Calgary, Canada Produced in: United States Cast and Credits Starring: Linda Cardellini, Kate Mara, Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams Directed by: Ang Lee  Produced by: Michael Costigan, Michael Hausman, Larry McMurtry  Actors Linda Cardellini  Cassie Cartwright Jake Gyllenhaal  Jack Twist Heath Ledger  Ennis Del Mar Michelle Williams  Alma Anne Hathaway  Lureen Randy Quaid  Joe Aguirre

Writers Larry McMurtry  Screenplay (Adaptation) Diana Ossana  Screenplay (Adaptation) E. Annie Proulx  Source Material (from short story: “Brokeback Mountain”) Diana Ossana  Screenwriter Show times (on Jan. 25) Embarcadero 1 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA, 94111 12:00, 12:30, 2:00, 3:00, 3:30, 5:30, 6:30, 7:00, 8:30, 9:30, 10:00 BAM Rose Cinemas 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11217 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 Pacific’s The Grove Stadium 14 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90036 1:25 Loews Dupont Circle 5 1350 19th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20036 (2:00), (3:00), (5:00), 6:00, 8:00, 9:00

Notes:
①    epic  adj. 英雄的
②    complication  n. 复杂化
According to the passage, Brokeback Mountain is mainly about ______.

A．language study

B．love

C．violence

D．funny story

The film Brokeback Mountain is mainly from short story by ______.

A．Ang Lee

B．Michelle Williams

C．Diana Ossana

D．E. Annie Proulx

According to the passage, the natural sights in Brokeback Mountain was filmed in ______.

A．America

B．Canada

C．China

D．Mexico

If you live in New York on Jan. 25, you’d better enjoy the film in ______.

A．Loews Dupont Circle 5	B．Pacific’s The Grove Stadium 14
C．Embarcadero	D．BAM Rose Cinemas

Having finished her homework, Ma Li wants some music for relaxation^①. As usual, she starts her computer and goes to Baidu.com to download music files. But this time she is surprised when an announcement about protecting songs’ copyright bursts onto the screen. The age of free music and movie downloads may have come to an end as Web companies like Baidu are accused of pirating copyright. Lawsuits^② have been filed against four websites offering free downloads. In September 2005, a Beijing court ordered Baidu to pay recording company Shanghai Push compensation for their losses. Baidu was also told to block the links to the pirated music on the website. This caused a heated discussion on Interact file sharing.
“Baidu’s defeat in the lawsuit shows it is not right to get copyrighted songs without paying. Downloaders may face lawsuits or fines,” said an official.
Like many teens, Huang Ruoru, an 18-year-old girl from Puning in Guangdong Province, doesn’t think that getting music from websites is wrong. She always shares her favourite songs downloaded from Baidu with her friends. When told about the lawsuit, she began to feel a little guilty about obtaining others’ work without paying.
However, other teenagers have different ideas. Wang Yafei, a Senior 2 girl from Jinan, Shandong Province pointed out that file sharing is a good way to promote pop singers. “If I download a song and really like it, I will buy the CD,” she said. “So what the recording companies really should concentrate on is improving their music, rather than pursuing^③ file-sharers.”
Notes:
①    relaxation  n. 娱乐
②    lawsuit  n. 诉讼
③    pursue  vt. 追赶，追击
Choose the best answers according to the above:
Which of the following best describes the passage?

A．Music on the Internet is of better quality.	B．Downloading material can be illegal.
C．It’s good to get free music on the Internet.	D．Baidu is a popular web company.

The four web companies were put to court because _________.

A．they got copyrighted songs without paying

B．they downloaded copyrighted music for people

C．they make copyrighted files for free downloads

D．they offer free music on line

How do some of the teenagers feel while downloading free music after the lawsuit?

A．A bit guilty.

B．A little sad.

C．Extremely angry.

D．Awfully sorry.

What’s the advantage of tile sharing for recording companies?

A．Getting more money from web companies.

B．Enabling people to download favorite songs.

C．Helping to improve the music.

D．Making pop singers more popular.

It can be inferred from the text that _________.

A．Web companies are still ignoring the copyright laws.

B．Teenagers haven’t got money to buy CDs.

C．Teenagers are probably still downloading free music.

D．Teenagers prefer CDs with copyright to pirated music.

This year some twenty-three hundred teenagers（young people aged from 13 —19）from all over the world will spend about ten months in U. S. homes. They will attend U.S. schools, meet U.S. teenagers, and form impressions of the real America. At the same time, about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world.
Here is a two-way student exchange in action. Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George’s family. In turn, George’s son Mike spent a year in Fred’s home in America.
Fred, a lively young man, knew little German when he arrived, but after two months’ study, the language began to come to him. The school was completely different from what he had expected — much harder. Students rose respectfully^① when the teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no outside activities.
Family life, too, was different. The father’s word was law, and all activities were around the family rather than the individual. Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car.
“Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it.”
At the same time, in America, Mike, a friendly German boy, was also forming his idea. “I suppose I should criticize^② American schools,” he says. “It is far too easy by our level. But I have to say that I like it very much. In Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many outside activities. I think that maybe your schools are better in training for citizens. There ought to be some middle ground between the two.”
Notes:
①    respectfully  adv. 尊敬地，谦恭地
②    criticize  vt. 批评，责备
Choose the best answers according to the above:
This year       __ teenagers will take part in the exchange programme between America and other countries.

A．twenty-three hundred	B．thirteen hundred
C．over three thousand	D．less than two thousand

The whole exchange programme is mainly to        __.

A．help teenagers in other countries know the real America

B．send students in America to travel in Germany

C．let students learn something about other countries

D．have teenagers learn new languages

What is particular in America schools is that        __.

A．there is some middle ground between the two teaching buildings.

B．there are a lot of outside activities

C．students usually take fourteen subjects in all

D．students go outside to enjoy themselves in a car

After experiencing the American school life, Mike thought        __.

A．a better education should include something good from both American and Germany

B．German schools trained students to be better citizens

C．American schools were not as good as German schools

D．the easy life in the American school was more helpful to students

Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad has been retired. But he didn’t go quietly. In his final speech, he blamed the Jewish people for the problems between Israel and the Palestinians.
“The Jews have taken land of the Muslims,” he said. “What if part of America was given to the Jews as Israel? Would the Americans let it happen? Of course not.”
His words angered many western governments, but Mahathir doesn’t care. “I like to speak my mind,” the 77-year-old explained. “Sometimes people don’t like it. But that is what leadership is all about.”
Loved by some and disliked by others, his 22 years in power have seen great changes in Malaysia. He has taken it from being one of Asia’s poorest countries to the world’s 18th largest trading nation. It is also a peaceful country with native Malaysians living alongside minority groups. Chinese make up a quarter of the population, while a further 7.4 percent are of Indian origin. Teenage girls wearing Muslim^① headscarves happily walk around large stores as ethnic Chinese play mah-jong^② in nearby cafes.
But Mahathir has made enemies at home and abroad and some people will be glad he has gone. The US was unhappy when he often blamed it for globalization. Meanwhile, critics say that he has limited the freedom of the Malaysian people in order to stay in control of the country. Despite this, he is a hero to leaders in Southeast Asia as well as those in the Islamic^③ world. “He marked out the path to success for developing nations in the region to follow,” said Thai President Thaksin Shinawatra.
Now he just wants to enjoy his retirement and insists that he will not take on a special role in government. “I’m a nobody,” he said. But many Malaysians do not agree with this.
Notes:
①    Muslim  adj. 穆斯林的
②    mah-jong  n. 麻将
③    Islamic  adj. 伊斯兰教的
Choose the best answers according to the above:
What does Mahathir probably mean by saying “But that is what leadership is all about.”?

A．The Jews have taken land of the Muslines by strong power of their leadership.

B．America should give part of its land to Israel though its leadership is powerful.

C．Leadership has the obligation to speak up what you think is right or wrong.

D．As a leader of a country, you have the right to teach those in other countries what to do and how.

Which is NOT true about the following?

A．Malaysia was no longer poor after Mahathir came into power.

B．Malaysia is a country with natives and other minorities like Jews living alongside peacefully.

C．Malaysia developed a lot within Mahathir’s power but freedom of Malaysians was limited.

D．Mahathir’s role in the world is both a hero to leaders in Southeast Asia but also a possible enemy of some countries.

The best title of this passage would be _________.

A．A Religion Enthusiast	B．Mahathir’s Political Policy
C．Mahathir Is Malaysia	D．Hero of the World

There are good Santas and there are bad Santas. The good Santas all realize one thing: In the mind of a child, Santa Claus is perfect.
That’s difficult. And so they come from around the world to attend the Charles W. Howard School in Midland, Mich. The school offers a three-day, 40-hour course for Santas hoping to be excellent. There’s a real range to what Santas earn, from big bucks for large events to no pay for charities^①. One thing for them all is a pure love for children.
A former Macy’s Santa named Charles Howard founded the Michigan school in 1937. “Many people will think if you have a suit and you’re a Santa,” said Tom Valent, the school’s current dean. “It’s more than that.” So with a pet reindeer^②, his properly named wife Holly and a workshop full of wonder.
The school teaches everything from breathing techniques for carol singing to the beard maintenance. There are lessons in child psychology, sign language and even media training for talk-show appearances and call-in shows. Santas also need to make sure they know all the names of the reindeer. What’s harder to deal with, however, is children who ask for Christmas gifts like bringing daddy home or making mommy happy again.
After spending time in the classroom, Weir went to the mall to test his training. However, at one point, his hat fell off, and he was unsure how to react. “You’re the real Santa,” Valent said. “Pick that hat up, slip it back on, keep smiling and do your job. You’ve got to stay on top of your game. Even the last one at night, when you’re tired, you’ve got to remember: This one’s forever, so do a good job.”
Notes:
①    charity  n. 慈善，慈善团体
②    reindeer  n. 驯鹿
According to the passage, good Santas should be the ones that ________.

A．can offer the children some gifts	B．help adults look after their children
C．have ability to make children happy	D．should be perfect in the mind of children

The underlined words “big bucks” should refer to ________.

A．lots of money

B．many gifts

C．loves for children

D．gifts from children

The Michigan school was founded by Charles Howard with the purpose to ________.

A．train the pet reindeer for the Santas	B．earned money from its students
C．train perfect Santas for the world	D．show the world’s concern to the poor

According to Weir’s performance, we can conclude that ________.

A．Weir was short of experience	B．Weir was not fit for the job as a Santa
C．Weir did very badly in the game	D．Weir was not a good student in school

It’s summer movie time again. And heroes are ready to try their strength and magic on the silver screen. Check out our list of four films that look most promising to young audiences.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Release Date: June 4 Story: It’s the summer before Harry Potter’s third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A shadow is hanging over Hogwarts. A dangerous murderer, Sirius Black, has escaped the Wizards’ Prison. And he broke out to fulfill one task to kill Harry Potter.

 

Around the World in 80 Days Release Date: June 16 Story: This version of the classic novel set in 1872 focuses on Passepartout (Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan), a Chinese thief who seeks refuge with a strange London adventurer, Phileas Fogg. Passepartout uses his martial arts skills to defend Fogg from danger as he travels around the world in 80 days to win a bet.

 

Spider-Man 2 Release Date: June 30 Story: Peter Parker is still coming to terms with his dual identity as the crime superhero Spider-Man. He wants to reveal his secret identity to Mary Jane, meanwhile, his Aunt May has fallen on hard times. A new villain^①, Dr Otto Octavius, has appeared to cause more troubles.

 

King Arthur Release Date: July 7, Story: King Arthur is presented as a clever ruler who manages to unite all the knights^② in Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire. Under the guidance of Merlin and the beautiful, brave Guinevere, Arthur will struggle to realize his dreams.

Notes:
①villain  n. 坏人
②knight  n. 骑士，武士
According to the passage, if you want to see a film whose leading actor is Jackie Chan, you will see the film on ______.

A．June 4

B．June 16

C．June 30

D．July 7

In Spider-Man 2, Aunt May’s trouble is caused by ______.

A．Peter Parker

B．Mary Jane

C．Dr Otto Octavius

D．Spider- Man

Which of the following films is set in ancient Britain?

A．Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

B．Around the World in 80 Days

C．Spider-Man 2

D．King Arthur

The storage of classified (分类的) research at all 24 labs run by the US Department of Energy was shut down this week after officials decided that the security (安全) problems recently found at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico might also exist elsewhere.
Several computer disks went missing at Los Alamos earlier this month, forcing Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to stop all work at the lab until the problems are found out. As of 26 July, two missing disks had still not been found, and 15 employees had been suspended in connection with the disappearance.
Now all energy labs will stop doing classified research that involves(需要) removable storage devices --- such as computer disks ---  until all the devices are given explanation for and new procedures are in place for monitoring their handling by laboratory employees.
"While we have no evidence that the problems being investigated are present elsewhere, we have a responsibility to take all necessary action to prevent such problems, "Abraham said on 23 July.
The shut-down isn't quite as dramatic（惊人的）as it sounds, experts say. Only two labs will be seriously affected: Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in  California. Together with Los Alamos, these two labs conduct the most part of the country's nuclear weapon programmes. At Livermore, 876 employees will be suspended during the storage of some 12,000 items of classified removable material.
At other labs, far fewer people will be affected. "The impact (影响) should be the smallest," says Martha Krebs, former director of the energy department's science office.
Why was the storage of classified research at all 24 labs shut down?

A．Because the security problems might be present elsewhere.

B．Because the security problems existed elsewhere.

C．Because two missing computer disks had still not be found.

D．Because officials decided to stop doing such research.

How many labs conduct the country's nuclear weapon programmes according to the text?

A．About 24.

B．Only 2.

C．More than 2.

D．Over 15.

The underlined word "suspended"in the second paragraph probably means "______”.

A．hung from above

B．stopped from holding a position

C．doubted

D．fired

It can be inferred from the text that _____.

A．the computer disks must have been stolen by terrorists

B．the people living in the United States have little security

C．the United States is a country whose security is very bad

D．the missing of the computer disks caused great fear among Americans

Is it possible to persuade mankind to live without war? War is an ancient custom which has existed for at least six thousand years. It was always evil and usually foolish, but in the past the human race managed to live with it. Modern skill has changed this. Either man will stop war, or war will stop man. For the present, it is nuclear weapons that cause the greatest danger, but bacteriological( 细菌的 ) or chemical weapons may, before long, offer an even greater threat. If we succeeded in stopping war, there would be no danger for us. To do this, we need to persuade mankind to look upon international questions in a new way, not by contests of force, in which the victory goes to the side which is most skillful in massacre (大屠杀 ),but by arbitration (仲裁）in accordance with agreed principles of law. It is not easy to change old mental habits, but this is what must be attempted.
There are those who say that the adoption of this or that ideology (意识形态)would prevent war. I believe this to be a complete error. All ideologies are based upon beliefs without proof which are, at best, doubtful, and at worst, totally false. Those people who believe them are willing to go to war in support of them.
The movement of world opinion during the past two years has changed very largely such as we can welcome. It has become a common belief that nuclear war must be avoided. Of course, very difficult problems remain in the international world, but the spirit in which they are being approached is a better one than it was some years ago. It has begun to be thought, even by the powerful men who decide whether we shall live or die, that agreements should be reached even if both sides do not find these agreements wholly satisfactory. It has begun to be understood that the important conflict (冲突) nowadays is not between East and West, but between Man and the Hbomb.
From the first paragraph we can know that ____.

A．we may face greater threat from weapons

B．bacteriological or chemical weapons are less dangerous than nuclear weapons

C．man’s idea of victory has changed

D．dangerous weapons are forbidden in modern society

According to the author,______.

A．it is impossible to live without war

B．the difference between East and West will lead to war

C．war must be stopped if man wants to survive

D．war will be stopped by modern skill

The author believes that the only way to stop war is to____.

A．stop nuclear weapons

B．settle international issues through agreements

C．destroy bacteriological and chemical weapons

D．let the stronger side take over the world

The last paragraph suggests that______.

A．nuclear war will definitely not take place

B．real agreements have been now reached

C．world opinion is still divided on nuclear war

D．man is beginning to realize that nuclear war is his greatest enemy

Which of the following words can best describe the author’s feeling in writing this passage?

A．Disappointed.

B．Doubtful.

C．Worried.

D．Hopeful.

John Steinbeck once said, “All American believe they are born fishermen. For a man to admit to a distaste in fishing would be like speaking publicly against mother-love or hating moonlight”.
I can’t say I’m the biggest John Steinbeck fan. Actually, the only thing I can ever remember reading by him was “The Pearl” when I was in middle school, but I couldn’t agree more with the man when it comes to fishing. When I am on a boat in the middle of the lay Lake, fishing off the shores of the Florida Keys for tarpon or catching rainbow trout in the Shoshone River of Wyoming. Fishing is my life.
According to the American Sports Fishing Association, the fishing industry brings in more than $ 116 billion per year from fishermen across the country.
Though a beautiful picture to imagine, fishing is much more than that. Fishing is a way of life from many people and a way to escape everyday stress. Being a fisherman makes me a member of a wonderful group of people extending to all walks of life. Even President Bush can be found fishing on his farm in Texas with his good friend Roland Martin when the jobs gets too stressful.
I can remember fishing with my grandfather when I was 5 years old on his boat at Lake Michel. Although I didn’t understand what I was doing, I did know that my grandfather was happy and that made me happy. Since then I’ve spent the past 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama.
After days of practice, before and after work, I slowly developed an understanding of fishing. My boss, Ric Horst, took me back to the Shoshone, and I managed to bring in a 19-inch cutthroat trout. Fishing with Ric was a life-changing experience for me. He not only showed me how to fish correctly, but also told me how fishing could be a way to escape your problems.
Since then, prime-time season seems to take forever to arrive.
Now, with the ending of February and beginning of March is sight, the excitement of heading out to Lake Tus caloosa or Lake Lurleen before classes and catching something has finally returned.
What John Steinbeck said in the first paragraph implies that ______

A．American are believed to be the offspring of fishermen.

B．it is unthinkable for an American to admit his dislike of fishing.

C．all American are expert at fishing.

D．those who dislike fishing would not love their mother.

The writer came to understand the real meaning of fishing ______.

A．when he was reading “The Pearl” by John Steinbeck

B．when he went fishing with his grandfather at Lake Mitchell

C．after he had spent 16 years on the rivers and lakes of Alabama

D．after he went fishing with his boss, Ric Horst on the Shoshone

According to the author, ______.

A．people can get to know VIPs when fishing

B．people can smooth away all the troubles by fishing

C．fishing is a way of communication

D．fishing is a way of life for most American people

What is the purpose of the writing?

A．To describe the writer’s experience and understanding of fishing.

B．To explain the reason why so many Americans like fishing.

C．To make others understand the industry of fishing.

D．To express his opinions about fishing in different time of the year.