高中英语日常生活类阅读阅读理解

Many people rely on a cup of coffee or two to wake them up in the morning or pick them up during the working day, but now a chemist has come up with a speedy alternative to crafting a cup of coffee.
U.S. biochemist Ben Yu has created Sprayable Energy, which claims to be the world’s first caffeine - based topical energy spray. He said tired workers can spray a `shot` of caffeine onto their skin without experiencing a strong buzz, loading up on unnecessary calories or being stuck with a nasty aftertaste like they might get from drinking energy drinks or coffee.
The patent-pending caffeine spray is an odorless liquid that is absorbed through the skin and distributed through the body over a number of hours to deliver a caffeine hit that apparently lasts longer than guzzling a cup of coffee.
Each small aluminum bottle of Sprayable Energy contains around 160 sprays - the equivalent amount of caffeine to 40 cups of coffee and the creators say it is a much cheaper way of getting a caffeine fix than popping to a café. The only active ingredient in the spray is caffeine, which can naturally enter the human body through the skin by passing through cell membranes（细胞膜） as it is very similar to nicotine in structure. Each spritz of Sprayable Energy contains around a quarter of the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee, but apparently has the same effect as a full cup.
The website said: `The reason for this is our product not being ingested, isn’t almost entirely metabolized（新陈代谢） by the liver before entering your system and becoming available to your body.Thus, a smaller amount of caffeine can have just the same effect as a very large amount of caffeine ingested through an energy drink or cup of coffee. The website recommends that users apply the spray in places where they normally spritz perfume, such as the neck or wrists, but warns users not to exceed 20 sprays a day.
It claims that after spraying the product on the skin, users will feel awake and focused without being over-stimulated, which is common with coffee and energy drinks.
What can we learn about Sprayable Energy from the passage? _______.

A．A bottle of Sprayable Energyis cheaper than 40 cups of coffee.

B．Sprayable Energy lets users not worry about taking in unnecessary calories.

C．Sprayable Energy can be used at least 20 sprays a day

D．The caffeine spray is a colorless liquid that is absorbed through the skin.

What can conclude from the passage ?
A, Sprayable Energy can be taken by mouth.
B. Before Sprayable Energy is absorbed by body, the liver entirely metabolizes it
C. Sprayable Energy has not already gone into mass production
D. each spritz of Sprayable Energy has the same effect as a full cup of coffee
You will probably read this passage in the column of___________.

A．Food	B．Health
C．Entertainment	D．Energy.

What’s the best title of this passage?

A．Sprayable Energy----cheaper but more effective

B．Sprayable Energy----now or never

C．Sprayable Energy----a latest energy spray

D．Sprayable Energy----a new kind of coffee

Men have long been puzzled by the amount women pack, when they go on holiday. They despair when they watch their beloved spend much money on extra baggage charge. Nearly half of these women admitted to lying about the weight of their case to their partner before leaving for the airport, in fear of being made to unload some unnecessary items.
But it’s a fact that women pack more than they need. On average, a woman needs around 57 items in suitcase for a two-week holiday, yet most women pack nearer to 150 items, ranging from skirts, tops, underwear and high heels. In addition, women pack more sun cream, make-up and hair appliances than they were likely to need. They all take up space in the suitcase, only a third of them will see the light of day once at the holiday place.
79 percent of women admitted to taking extra items with them, with the reason for this being “just in case”. Women plan their holiday wardrobe(衣橱) months in advance. Packing enough clothes and other items to last a month is not enough for some women. They’d take a chance to shop for new items while holidaying abroad. So they’ll return with even more luggage in their cases.
Professor Karen Pine said: “Women are tempted to take familiar items with them on holiday, often everything except the kitchen sink. Some people find traveling stressful, particularly when they’re unsure about the home comforts available at their holiday place. They over-pack to help cope with those feelings of stress and reduce the uncertainty.”
This will come as no surprise to some men, who are used to trying to squeeze their partner’s luggage into the boot of the car with their own, smaller case. On the other hand, men pack very lightly, with only an average of 40 items for a two-week holiday.
Women pack too much on holiday because_________.

A．they want to show off their items

B．they prefer a more comfortable holiday

C．they are afraid they’ll need them during the holiday

D．they would like to clean their clothes wardrobe very much

How does a man feel about his wife packing too much?

A．Opposed	B．Supportive
C．Positive	D．Surprised

What do Dr Pine’s words imply?

A．Going on holiday will cost a lot.

B．Women don’t prefer to go on a holiday.

C．It’s understandable that women over-pack in a sense.

D．People tend to feel tired and stressed on holiday.

Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A．All the items women take during their holiday are not of great use to them.

B．Women often tell their partners what they are going to take in advance.

C．Women will still buy new items when going abroad beacause what they take is not enough.

D．Men are indifferent towards their wife’s strange behaviours.

Real Estate Accountant
Growing Real Estate Company located in New York City is currently seeking a qualified individual to assist the Controller.
The ideal candidate should have college credits and 2+ years experience in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger and tenant interface. Prior Real Estate experience is a must.
All resumes submitted MUST be e-mailed in Word format DIRECTLY to Trandon @trandon.com. Please include current salary requirements.
Bookkeeper
We are currently seeking an experienced Bookkeeper at our Newtown Square, PA office.  The part-time, flexible, hourly position requires a conscientious, detail-oriented and organized individual who can work in a fast paced team environment and maintain a high degree of accuracy.. Excellent multi-tasking abilities, excellent math, written and verbal communication skills as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office and good interpersonal skills are required. Salary is based on experience.  No benefits provided. Experience is preferred.
All resumes submitted MUST be e-mailed to [e-mail]
Senior Sales Representative
We are currently seeking self-motivated, results oriented sales professionals eager to join our growing sales team. This position provides for ample growth opportunity.
The candidate should have demonstrated ability to negotiate and influence decision makers and bale to independently solve roadblocks and problems and develop creative sales solutions. 5 years sales experience (experience selling services will be considered a plus) is a must and college degree is preferred. You are also encouraged to be creative and take chances and work in a supportive team environment
Send resume via email to [e-mail]
Data Analyst Specialist-NSH000201
The mission of our Data Analyst Specialist is to participate in the ongoing process to improve the data collection and reporting mechanisms necessary to facilitate patient care. In this role, you will be responsible for providing patient records, evaluating departmental performance and performing strategic planning.
Associates Degree in Business, Computer Science or Health related field is required.  Bachelor's Degree is preferred. You are supposed to have minimum of three (3) years administrative experience (related experience will be considered a plus)with demonstrated ability in computer applications and current knowledge of related hardware, software and applications.
Please note: North Shore-LIJ is a smoke-free environment.
Send your resume via email to NS@.northshore.com
What do these advertisements have in common?

A．All the candidates should have experience.

B．All demand computer skills.

C．All require college degrees.

D．All are applied online.

Mary is a mother of 2 children, but she wants to earn some extra money. She must cook 3 meals for her children. Which job do you think she is most suitable for?

A．Real Estate Accountant.	B．Bookkeeper.
C．Senior Sales Representative.	D．Data Analyst Specialist.

John is seeking for a job where he can improve himself; he should send his email to _____.

[e-mail]	[e-mail]
[e-mail]	[e-mail]

A student is learning to speak British English.He wonders：Can I communicate with Americans？Can they understand me？Learners of English often ask：What are the differences between British and American English？How important are these differences?
Certainly，there are some differences between British and American English.There are a few differences in grammar.For example，speakers of British English say“in hospital”and“Have you a pen？”；Americans say “in the hospital”and“Do you have a pen？”．Pronunciation is sometimes different.Americans usually sound “r”s in words like“bird”and“hurt”．Speakers of British English do not sound “r” in these words.There are differences between British and American English in spelling and vocabulary.For example，“colour”and“honour”are British；“color”and“honor”are American.
These differences in grammar，pronunciation，spelling and vocabulary are not important，however.For the most part，British and American English are the same language.
According to this passage，a student who is learning to speak American English might be afraid that ______.

A．British people cannot understand him

B．American people cannot understand him

C．the grammar is too hard for him

D．the spelling is too hard for him

American English and British English are different in ________.

A．spelling	B．pronunciation
C．grammar	D．all of the above

What is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A．Whether there are differences between British English and American English.

B．Whether British English and American English are one language or two.

C．How the differences between British English and American English came about.

D．How important the differences are.

A qualified doctor who rarely practiced but instead devoted his life to writing. He once said: “Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my lover.” Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, was a great playwright and one of the masters of the modern short story.
When Chekhov entered the Moscow University Medical School in 1879, he started to publish hundreds of comic short stories to support his family. After he graduated, he wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper.
As a writer he was extremely fast, often producing a short story in an hour or less. Chekhov’s medical and science experience can be seen through the indifference (冷漠) many of his characters show to tragic events. In 1892, he became a full time writer and published some of his most memorable stories.
Chekhov often wrote about the sufferings of life in small town Russia. Tragic events control his characters who are filled with feelings of hopelessness and despair.
It is often said that nothing happens in Chekhov’s stories and plays. He made up for this with his exciting technique for developing drama within his characters. Chekhov’s work combined the calm attitude of a scientist and doctor with the sensitivity(敏感) of an artist.
Some of Chekhov's works were translated into Chinese as early as the 1940s. One of his famous stories, The Man in a Shell, about a school teacher’s extraordinarily orderly life, was selected as a text for Chinese senior students.
Which of the following is the right order of the events?
a. became a doctor
b. became a full time writer
c. started to publish comic short stories
d. wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper.
e. entered the Moscow University Medical School

A．e→c→b→a→d	B．e→c→a→d→b
C．d→a→b→c→e	D．a→e→d→c→b

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov ________.

A．was a competent doctor	B．had a lawful lover
C．used to be a lawyer	D．as an illegal writer

In 1880, Chekhov ________.

A．became a full-time writer

B．published his most memorable stories

C．studied medicine in Moscow University

D．practiced medicine in his hometown

Which of the following adjectives can’t be used to describe Chekhov?

A．Sensitive.	B．Cool.
C．Quick-minded.	D．Warm-hearted.

The young boy was sitting on the ground in the refugee(难民)camp playing with an empty tin．Other children were standing around watching him with envious eyes．
Envy?  Of an empty tin?
This tin was indeed no worthless piece of trash—it was a splendid truck，complete with wheels and grille(铁栅) and floor．The vehicle even had remote control，a frayed piece of string from the“engine”to the hand of the owner．
The tin had lost all its original markings．But its first load had probably been sardines(沙丁鱼)．Later the tin had been left with other rubbish behind the refugee camp clinic，and the boy had found it on one of his daily expeditions into the“big world”．
For thousands of refugee children，a tin 1ike this rates high on their list of wants．It can be used for many purposes，as jewellery，as a toy，for drinking or as a medicine box．
Many refugee children would consider it the happiest day of their lives if they received a handful of marbles(弹珠) as a present．
They dream of gifts which children in developed countries take for granted．Maybe a book to read．or a pencil and an exercise book of their very own．
Their imagination can create toys，but it cannot create books．Someone else must provide them．A more costly and valuable gift they cannot imagine．
How do you think the youn eel when he gets something to read?

A．depressed	B．frustrated
C．excited	D．frightened

Other children envied the young boy because the boy             ．

A．had something to play with	B．got some sardines to eat
C．received a handful of marbles	D．had a real truck toy

What is implied in the last paragraph of the text?

A．The society should donate(捐)some toys for the refugee children

B．The refugee children are more imaginative rather than creative

C．The refugee children are more creative rather than imaginative

D．The society should offer the refugee children things for study

Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．An Enviable Toy Present	B． Sardine Tin—A Precious Toy
C．A Splendid Truck Toy	D．A Poor Refugee Cam

Charlie Boswell has always been a great hero. He has inspired thousands of people to rise above circumstances and live out true meaning of life.
He was blinded during World War II while rescuing his friend from a tank that was under fire. He was a great athlete before the accident. In order to prove his talent and determination, he decided to try a brand new sport, a sport he never imagined playing, even with his eyesight – golf! Through determination and a deep love for the game he became the National Blind Golf Champion! He won that honor 13 times.
One of his heroes was the great golfer Ben Hogan, so it truly was an honor for Charlie to win the Ben Hogan Award in 1958.
Upon meeting Ben Hogan, Charlie was respectful and stated that he had one wish and it was to have one round of golf with the great Ben Hogan. Mr. Hogan agreed that playing a round together would be an honor for him as well, as he had heard about all of Charlie’s accomplishments and truly admired his skills.
“Would you like to play for money, Mr. Hogan?” asked out Charlie.
“I can’t play you for money, it wouldn’t be fair!” said Mr. Hogan.
“Aw, come on Mr. Hogan…$ 1,000 per hole!”
“I can’t, what would people think of me, taking advantage of you and your circumstance?” replied the sighted golfer.
“Chicken, Mr. Hogan?”
“Okay,” replied the embarrassed Hogan, “but I am going to play my best!”
“I wouldn’t expect anything else,” said the confident Boswell.
“Now that you’re on. Mr. Boswell, you name the time and the place!”
The very self – assured Boswell responded, “10 o’clock … tonight!”
Why didn’t Mr. Hogan want to play Charlie for money?

A．He was worried he would lose the match.

B．He thought it was unfair for Charlie.

C．He didn’t care about money.

D．He preferred chicken to money.

According to the text, what does the underlined word “self - assured” probably mean?

A．ignorant

B．selfless

C．confident

D．sincere

It can be inferred from the text that_____.

A．Mr. Hogan was not good at playing golf.

B．Charlie did well in other sports before playing golf.

C．Mr. Hogan didn’t try his best to play.

D．Charlie Boswell was born blind.

What would be the result of the match?

A．Charlie won.	B．Hogan won.
C．Neither of them won.	D．Not mentioned.

Which of the following can best describe Charlie?

A．Competitive and generous.

B．Energetic and reliable.

C．Careful and considerate.

D．Confident and smart.

Texting pedestrians aren' t just an annoyance to their fellow walkers, but something dangerous to themselves.
"I was checking emails while walking to work this morning," said Wolbert van den Hoorn. "But it has a serious influence on the safety of people who type or read text while walking. "
Anecdotes back him up. A tourist from Taiwan walked off a port near Melbourne last month while checking Facebook-bringing an abrupt, and icy end to a penguin-watching visit. Another shopper in the U.S. was too addicted to his mobile phone to notice the fountain ahead, walking straight into it.
And as mobile-phone use has grown-to about 77% of the world's population, the study says-so has the number of phone-related accidents. The number of U. S. emergency-room visits linked to phone use on the move doubled to as many as l,500 between 2005 and 2010, an Ohio State University study recently showed.
Authorities world-wide have taken note. Signs on Hong Kong's subway system advise passengers in three languages to keep their eyes off their phones. Police and transport authorities have also warned the danger in Singapore, where the Straits Times newspaper ranked it as "No.2 Bad Habit", due to the rising number of road deaths.
Some U.S. states, including New York and Arkansas, are even considering bans on this act.
The Australian study used 26 volunteers, a third of whom admitted having hit objects while texting. They were fitted with different equipment in different parts of their body, and asked to walk 8.5 meters three times-once without a phone, once while reading a text and once while writing a text-while eight cameras captured the action.
Volunteers using the phone walked slower and with shorter steps (and slowest of all when typing), and, more seriously, they locked their arms and elbows in-like "robots", in the researchers' words. That forced their heads to move more, throwing them off balance.
"In a pedestrian environment, inability to maintain a straight path would be likely to increase potential for hits, falls and traffic accidents," said Mr. van den Hoorn. "The best thing to do is to step aside and stop, or keep off the phone."
Which of the following about "Texting pedestrians" is WRONG?

A．People who type while walking.

B．People who phone while walking.

C．People who text while walking.

D．People who read text message while walking.

The writer uses the two examples in Paragraph 3 to show

A．the advantages of mobile phones

B．the use of mobile phones in water

C．the use of mobile phones in a wrong way

D．the popularity of mobile phones

What is New York and Arkansas' attitude to texting pedestrians?

A．Considering forbidding their acts.

B．Ranking it as "No.l Bad Habit".

C．Setting up signs to warn them.

D．Equipping them with advanced machines.

Why are texting pedestrians likely to hit or fall according to the passage?

A．They walk too fast.

B．They lock their arms and elbows.

C．They are out of balance.

D．They walk with longer steps.

What is the best title for the passage?

A．Text message or e-mail only?

B．Ways to avoid falls

C．Mobile phones for entertainment

D．Safety or text message?

A woman renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a. . . "
"Of course I have a job," said Emily. "I'm a mother."
"We don't list in mother' as an occupation...  in housewife' covers it," said the recorder.
One day I found myself in the same situation. The clerk was obviously a career woman, confident and possessed of a high sounding title. "What is your occupation?" she asked.
The words simply came out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations. "
The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in mid-air.
I repeated the title slowly, and then I stared with wonder as my statement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in this field?"
Coolly, without any trace of panic in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't), in the lab and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother disagrees?) , and I often work 14 hours a day  (24 is more like it) .  But the job is more challenging than most careers and rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money. "
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and showed me out.
As I drove into our driveway, feeling happier by my attractive and exciting new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants-aged 13, 7 and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (a 6-month-old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt proud! I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and essential to mankind than "just another mother".
Motherhood... What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.
What can we infer from the conversation between the woman and the recorder at the beginning of the passage?

A．The woman felt ashamed to admit what her job was.

B．The recorder was impatient and rude.

C．Motherhood was not recognized and respected as a job by society.

D．The author was upset about the situation that mothers faced.

How did the female clerk feel at first when the author told her occupation?

A．Puzzled.	B．Curious.
C．Upset.	D．Frightened.

How did the author feel when describing her job to the clerk?

A．Angry.	B．Calm.
C．Unconfident.	D．Annoyed.

Why did the woman clerk show more respect for the author?

A．Because the author cared little about rewards.

B．Because she admired the author's research work in the lab.

C．Because the author did something she had little knowledge of.

D．Because she thought the author did admirable work.

What is the author's purpose of writing the passage?

A．To show that motherhood is a worthy career and deserves respect.

B．To show how you describe your job affects your feelings toward it.

C．To show that the author had a grander job than Emily.

D．To show that being a mother is hard and boring work.

It doesn’t look like the heart of a green revolution. The huge chimneys stick up above the line of pine trees and don’t make for the most scenic view as you wander around the clear blue waters of the nearby lake.
But it is this power plant that has helped the small Swedish city of Vaxjo become arguably the greenest place in Europe. On closer observation, the only thing emerging from the chimneys is the faintest mists of steam. And inside it smells more like a sauna(桑拿) than a furnace(炉子). That’s because it is not oil fuelling the plant, but woodchip and other wood waste from the area’s sawmills. And as well as generating electricity, it also supplies 90 per cent of this southern Swedish town with heating and hot water.
The gases produced as the wood burns are changed into liquid form, and are purified before they reach the chimney. And instead of wasting this liquid, the power plant pumps it around town. Some runs out of the town’s public taps; the rest is directed through pipes that run through individual heaters, warming homes and offices.
The pile of wood chippings in the yard towers above head height and takes almost five minutes to walk around. That’s enough to keep Vaxjo warm on the snowiest day in winter, or supply it with hot water for a fortnight in summer, and it’s good way of using the paper industry’s waste. As well as the centuries-- old Swedish policy of planting a new tree for every one felled, the ashes swept out of the furnace each day find their way back to the forest as fertilizer(肥料).
It was this green plant that netted Vaxjo the European Union’s award for sustainable(可持续的)development, making it the greenest city on the continent.
However, it is not just the citizen’s consciences and moral histories to which the town’s current day authorities are appealing. They know how to talk to their wallets too. Oil-generated electricity costs about 16,000 kronor a year(￡1,170) per person, while the new power plant’s electricity comes in at two thirds of the price.
They’ve been planning for over ten years to become a “Fossil Fuel Free City”. But according to Anders Franzen, the head of planning and development department at the city council: “The battle in the energy sector has been won, yes, but the next battleground is transport.”
What’s the main reason for “inside it smells more like a sauna than a furnace”?

A．It is surrounded by pine trees.

B．It produces lots of hot water.

C．It is fuelled by woodchip and wood waste .

D．It sends out the smoke from the chimneys.

It can be concluded from the passage that the power plant          .

A．promotes tree planting

B．makes full use of waste

C．relies heavily on paper industry

D．mainly supplies hot water and heating

What impresses the town’s current-- day authorities most?

A．The citizens’ consciences.

B．The town’s moral histories.

C．The lower cost of electricity

D．The award for sustainable development

What Anders Franzen said in the last paragraph indicates that           .

A．they will continue their effort in green plan

B．they have great difficulty in transport

C．they have no room for further development

D．they are perfectly content with the achievement

I no longer run for the mail the way I used to. I remember, prior to the e-mail age, the sense of heightened expectation as the hour of mail delivery approached, wondering what slender(微薄的), handwritten treasures would appear in my box. I once received a letter from a long-lost friend and swelled with such joy that I ran the mail carrier down and shook his hand, as if he had done a heroic deed in conveying the missive to me.
I first learned to love the mail as a young boy. The first thing I ever received that was personally addressed to me was from my friend Duane. We had been the closest of 9-year-old boys. Then he moved away, to Massachusetts. The parting was difficult, but boys didn’t cry.
Within the week, however, there was a letter in my mailbox. It was from Duane, and it read, “I’m OK, but I miss you.” That first conveyance to me of a written word from a great distance had all the significance of the first Morse code message: “What hath God wrought.” It was at that moment that I became a letter writer, quickly discovering that the more letters I wrote, the more I received.
I wrote letters through elementary school, high school, college, and beyond. It got to the point where I could comfortably expect to receive a letter a day. The daily mail delivery was for me, like a beacon at sea – something toward which my thoughts began to move upon waking. What quickened my blood, of course, was the element of surprise: From whom would the letter be today? And what would the news be?
And then, seemingly in the blink of an eye, the earth shifted. E-mail had arrived. Despite being fascinated by the new technology, I promised myself that I would never stop writing letters by hand. However, I had no control over the habits of others, and slowly, inexorably(不可阻拦地), and then with quickened pace, the letters disappeared from my mailbox, having been replaced with electronic “messages” , a totally different beast —in contrast to letters, all e-mails look alike.
The author used to run for the mail mainly because         .

A．he took great interest in mail delivery

B．he was looking forward to receiving letters

C．he tried to keep mail delivery from approaching

D．he wanted to thank the mailman for his heroic deed

What made the author become a letter writer?

A．A letter from a long –lost friend.

B．The desire to receive more letters.

C．The joy of reading the first letter from Duane.

D．The influence of the first Morse code message.

By writing the underlined sentence in Para. 4, the author tells us that the daily mail delivery        .

A．meant a lot to him

B．wasted much of his time

C．quickened his thoughts

D．divided his attention

What’s the author’s opinion about e-mails?

A．They completely changed the world.

B．They brought about new technology.

C．They affected human relationship.

D．They lost the unique features of letters.

An estimated eight million people in Britain enjoy walking in the Peak District every year. But what many who enjoy outdoor hobbies don’t know is that their “right to walk” was won by men who sacrificed their own freedom to gain access to the countryside for all.
In 1932 wealthy landowners had private use of large areas of uplands for hunting. Walkers were kept out by guards, until a group of 400 people from Manchester and Yorkshire, led by Benny Rothman, engaged on a mass trespass（侵入）. The campaigner was put into prison with four other men.
The event is supported by many with starting a movement that paved the way for the establishment of national parks. Mr Rothman died in 2002 but he is now being honoured for his contribution with the revealing of a blue plaque(匾额) on his former home in Crofton Avenue, Timperley, Greater Manchester.
Retired professor, Harry, who followed in his father’s footsteps by specialising in environmental issues, says: “He was a very optimistic man and he made the best of it when he went to prison. It did’'t put him off campaigning, he went on campaigning on environmental issues most of his life." Mr Rothman did live to see the Countryside Rights of Way Act passed by Parliament in 2000, ensuring the freedom of the countryside for future generations.
Roly Smith, a friend of Mr Rothman and an author of walking guidebooks, said: “It is because of them that we have got what we have today.”
Councillor Jonathan Coupe, of Trafford Council, said: “The honour of having a blue plaque attributed(归因于) to you means you have really made an impression on society.”
“Mr Rothman contributed to the changing of history and it is because of him that we are able to enjoy the local countryside as often and freely as we can today.”
What do we know about people in Britain according to Para. 1?

A．They value freedom.

B．They have wide interests.

C．They are fond of hiking.

D．They tend to live in the countryside.

A blue plaque was revealed on Mr. Rothman’s former home         .

A．to support his campaign

B．to honor his contribution

C．to remind people of the past

D．to celebrate the establishment of national parks

Besides “optimistic”, which of the following best describes Mr. Rothman?

A．Cautious	B．Determined
C．Considerate	D．Ambitious

From the last three paragraphs we learn that Mr. Rothman        .

A．has served as a councilor

B．has made achievements in different fields

C．has been highly thought of for his contributions

D．has devoted his life to environment protection

As we grow old, we realize that we have so little time to read and there are so many great books that we’ve yet to get around to. Yet re-readers are everywhere around us. For certain fans, re-reading The Lord of the Rings is a conventional practice annually. One friend told me that Jane Austen’s Emma can still surprise him, despite his having read it over 50 times.
New sudden clear understandings can be gained from the process of re-reading. Journalist Rebacca Mead, a long-time Englishwoman in New York, first came across George Eliot’s Middlemarch at 17. Since then, she has read it again every five years. With each re-reading, it has opened up further; in each chapter of her life, it has resonated (引起共鸣) differently. Mead evidenced the large number of ways in which really good books not only stand the test of repeat reads, but also offer fresh gifts each time we crack their spines. These kinds of books grow with us.
Scientists have also recognized the mental health benefits of re-reading. Research conducted with readers in the US found that on our first reading, we are concerned with the “what” and the “why”. Second time round, we’re able to better appreciate the emotions that the plot continues to express. As researcher Cristel Russell of the American University explained, returning to a book “brings new or renewed appreciation of both the great book and its readers.”
It’s true that we often find former selves on the pages of old books (if we’re fond of making notes on the pages). These texts can carry us back to a time and place, and remind us of the kind of person that we were then. We’re changed not only by lived experience but also by read experience – by the books that we’ve discovered since last reading the one in our hand.
More so than the movie director or the musician, the writer calls upon our imaginations, using words to lead us to picture this declaration of love or that unfaithfulness in life. A book is a joint project between writers and readers, and we must pour so much of ourselves into reading that our own life story can become connected with the story in the book.
Perhaps what’s really strange is that we don’t re-read more often. After all, we watch our favorite films again and we wouldn’t think of listening to an album only once. We treasure messy old paintings as objects, yet of all art forms, literature alone is a largely one-time delight. A book, of course, takes up more time, but as Mead confirms, the rewards make it adequately worthwhile.
The two books are mentioned in Paragraph 1 mainly to __________.

A．attract the attention of readers

B．introduce the topic of the passage

C．provide some background information

D．show the similarity between re-readers

The underlined expression “crack their spines” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.

A．recite them	B．re-read them
C．recall them	D．retell them

It can be learned from the passage that __________.

A．reading benefits people both mentally and physically

B．readers mainly focus on feelings on their first reading

C．we know ourselves better through re-reading experience

D．writers inspire the same imaginations as film directors do

The purpose of the passage is to __________.

A．call on different understandings of old books

B．focus on the mental health benefits of reading

C．bring awareness to the significance of re-reading

D．introduce the effective ways of re-reading old books

As you move around your home, take a good look at the things you have. It is likely that your living room will have a television set and a video, and your kitchen a washing machine and a microwave oven. Your bedroom drawers will be filled with almost three times as many clothes as yon need. You almost certainly own a car and possibly a home computer, holiday abroad at least once a year and eat out at least once a week.
Now, perhaps, more than ever before, people are wondering what life is all about, and what it is for. Seeking material success is beginning to trouble large numbers of people around the world. They feel that the long-hours work culture to make more money to buy more things is eating up their lives, leaving them very little time or energy for family or pastimes. Many are turning to other ways of living and downshifting is one of them.
Six percent of workers in Britain took the decision to downshift last year. One couple who downshifted is Daniel and Liz. They used to work in central London. He was a newspaper reporter and she used to work for an international bank. They would go to work by train every day from their large house in the suburbs, leaving their two children with a nanny. Most evenings Daniel wouldn't get home until eight or nine o'clock and nearly twice a month he would have to fly to New York for meetings. They both earned a large amount of money but began to feel that life was passing them by.
Nowadays, they run a farm in the mountains of Wales. "I always wanted to have a farm hen," says Daniel, "and we took almost a year to make the decision to downshift. It's taken some getting used to, but it's been worth it. We have to think twice now about spending money on car repairs and we no longer have any holidays. However, I think it's made us stronger as a family, and the children are a lot happier.
Liz, however, is not quite sure. "I used to enjoy my job, even though it was hard work and long hours. I'm not really a country girl, but I suppose I'm gradually getting used to looking after the animals. One thing I do like, though, is being able to see more of my children. My advice for other people wanting to do the same is not to think about it too much or you might not do it at all."
What do the first two paragraphs tell us?

A．People seldom work long hours to make money.

B．People hardly buy more things than necessary.

C．People are sure everything they own is in the right place.

D．People realize there is more to life than just making money.

When Daniel was a reporter he _________________.

A．lived in central London	B．disliked his job
C．missed his children	D．was well paid

People who downshifts probably means the ones _________.

A．repairing their car by themselves

B．spending money carefully

C．moving out to the countryside to live a simpler and better life

D．living in a big house in the suburbs and dining out once a week.

According to the last paragraph, Liz thinks the downshifting__________.

A．disapproving	B．comfortable
C．acceptable	D．Discouraging

Cleverness is a gift while kindness is a choice. Gifts are easy---they’re given after all. Choice can be hard.
I got the idea to start Amazon 16 years ago. I came across the fact that the Internet usage was growing at 2300 percent per year. I’d never seen or heard of anything that grew that fast, and the idea of building an online bookstore with millions of titles was very exciting to me, I had just turned 30 years old , and I’d been married for a year, I told my wife MacKenzie that I wanted to quit my job and go to do this crazy thing that probably wouldn’t work since most start-ups don’t , and I wasn’t sure what to expect, MacKenzie told me I should go for it. As a young boy, I’d been a garage inventor, I’d always wanted to be an inventor, and she wanted me to follow my passion.
I was working at a financial firm in New York City with a bunch of very smart people, and I had a brilliant boss that I much admired. I went to my boss and told him I wanted to start a company selling books on the Internet. He took me on a long walk in Central Park, listened carefully to me, and finally said, “That sounds like a really good idea, but it would be an even better idea for someone who didn’t already have a good job.” That logic made some sense to me, and he convinced me to think about it for 48 hours before making a final decision. Seen in that light, it really was a difficult choice, but ultimately, I decided I had to give it a shot. I didn’t think I’d regret trying and failing. And I suspected I would always be haunted by a decision to not try at all.
After much consideration, I took the less safe path to follow my passion, and I’m proud of that choice, For all of us, in the end, we are our choice.
What inspired the author with the idea of building an online bookstore?

A．His dream if being an inventor.

B．The support of his wife.

C．The greatly increasing usage of the Internet.

D．Millions of exciting titles.

Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined sentence?

A．The idea of not trying would keep coming to his mind and disturb him.

B．He would be very excited if he tried it out.

C．He would be always having a doubt if he didn’t try.

D．The decision to not try the online bookstore would terrify him.

We can know from the passage that ______.

A．the boss thought the idea was suitable for the author

B．the author wanted someone else to try the idea

C．the author might not regret if he failed the idea

D．the author might go back to his boss if he failed

Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．Cleverness and Kindness	B．The Starting of Amzon
C．Following My Passion	D．We Are What We Choose