Stepping into a pool of water is common enough, but who could ever imagine stepping into a pool of fish? In February of 1974, Bill Tapp, an Australian farmer, saw a rain of fish that covered his farm. How surprised he must have been when he heard many fish hitting against his roof!
What caused this strange occurrence? This is a question that had long puzzled people who study fish. The answer turned out to be a combination of wind and storm.
When it is spring in the northern part of the world, it is fall in Australia. Throughout the autumn season, terrible storms arise and rains flood the land. The strong winds sweep over Australia like huge vacuum cleaners, collecting seaweed, pieces of wood, and even schools of fish. Strong winds may carry these bits of nature for many miles before dropping them on fields, houses, and astonished people.
Although they seem unusual, fish-falls occur quite frequently in Australia. When Bill Tapp was asked to describe the scene of fish, he remarked, “They look like millions of dead birds falling down.” His statement is not surprising. The wonders of the natural world are as common as rain. Nature, with its infinite wonders, can create waterfalls that flow upward and fish that fall out of the sky.
56. What is this passage about?
A. A sad story. B. A rain of fish.
C. Australia’s northern part. D. The damage done by floods.
57. Fish-falls occur in Australia_________ .
A. quite often B. on large farms
C. only in winter D. when the air is calm
58. It is a known fact that ________.
A. one should watch where one steps
B. Bill Tapp is a scientist who studies farming
C. the natural world can never create waterfalls that fall upward
D. the seasons in the southern part are different from those in the northern part
59. The word “infinite” is closest in meaning to _________.
A. easy B. difficult C. countless D. dangerous
London Summer School in Classics
Dates
The London Summer School in Classics 2008 will be held at King’s College London. It will run from 8th July until 17th July. Applications close on 2nd June, 2008.
For an application form, please download either the 2-page PDF or the word format document from the foot of the page.
If you have any problems downloading the application form or any questions, please contact: London Summer School in Classics, King’s College London.
Tel: 020 7848 2299
Fax: 020 7848 2545
Organization
The school is organized by the colleges of the University of London. The summer school offers eight days of intensive teaching in Greek and Latin. There are four language classes each day as well as lectures and a debate, between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. The course is not residential (提供住宿的), and there is no teaching during the weekend of 12th to 13th July.
The fee is £85.00. Travel grants (旅行补助金) are available as a contribution to your travel costs, but may not cover all your expenses. The travel grants are arranged during the summer school.
Teaching is generally in groups of 12-15 people and it, as far as possible, comprises (包含) of students of roughly the same level of experience. The style of teaching is friendly, but demanding: a lot of work is expected from students during the school, but they usually find the whole experience both stimulating and valuable. Some classes concentrate chiefly on reading, while others offer a mixture of grammar and translation practice. Our tutors include some of the most experienced and talented teachers of Classics in the London area and beyond.
The Summer School in Classics caters for a wide range of interests and for both school & university students as well as those who wish to learn Greek or Latin, or to revive their knowledge of the languages. Our principal concern is to provide a thorough program of language learning in a lively university environment.
62. To join in the school, you have to apply before ________.
A. 8th July, 2008 B. 2nd June, 2008
C. 17th July, 2008 D. 13th July, 2008
63. As a student of the school, you are probably asked to _______.
A. do a lot of reading in Greek and Latin
B. learn the grammar of Greek and Latin only
C. do some translation work only
D. speak Greek and Latin with experienced teachers
64. What is the London Summer School in Classics most concerned about?
A. Providing a stimulating experience for students.
B. Promoting students to develop a wide range of interests.
C. Teaching students languages in a lively environment.
D. Improving students’ level of debating in the argument.
65. Which is one of the teaching ways of the school?
A. Student groups consist of the same level students strictly.
B. Students needn’t do any work in the class.
C. Students learn Greek and Latin by listening to teachers all day.
D. Students are generally divided into groups of 12-15.
I HEAR America beeping(嘟嘟响).
Beep,says my cellophane when it gets a text message.
Beep,says my microwave oven when my sandwich is warmed up.
Sometimes I long for a natural sound:a bird singing,dog barking,children laughing, anything to drown out the maddening beeps that have become the soundtrack(配乐)to modern life.
My cellophane? It isn’t enough that its ring tone offerings seem to stretch from “annoymg” toextremely “annoying”. It also has to beep whenever someone texts messages me.
The microwave? A bell rings when it's finished heating my food.But is that enough? No.If I don’t rush to it right away, it starts beeping,like an impatient child tugging(用力拉) at my sleeve(袖子).
The smoke detector(探测器) is the worst offender.When its batteries are in need of replacement,it 1ets out a series of chirps.The things that don’t beep buzz(嗡嗡响).And for some reason,beeping and buzzing is beneath them,they clear their throats and perform a symphony. Like my TV, each time I turn it on, it performs an aria(咏叹调):La di da di dum.Salutions! Here I am! Same thing when I turn it off: La di da di dum.Good bye, kind sir! Until the next time
But at 1east I know where each of these sounds is coming from.That isn’t always the case.For weeks, my wife and I were awoken in the night by a beeping.There,in the stillness, we went through the possible suspects.Could we have a text message? Could it be any of the devices(装置)able to make a sound? Curling iron, rice cooker, smoke detector, TV set,clock radio...
The only way to tell was to chase the sound down ,but no sooner would we pull on our bathrobes than the beeping would stop. We didn’t hear it every night but often enough that we would climb into bed wondering whether our sleep would be interrupted by that maddening sound,that beep.
Finally,early one morning,my wife found it:in the study,under a desk,a big plastic cube that was plugged into the wall.It was an uninterruptible power supply that we’d inherited(继承)from my wife’s mother.We’d never known it was capable of speech.
I think it just wanted someone to talk to.
14.What does the writer truly mean by saying“I hear America beeping”?
A.American people like devices that beep.
B.Americans are crazy about sending text messages.
C.In modern society people are dependant on technology.
D.The soundtrack to modern life is no longer natural.
15.Why couldn’t the author and his wife find the source of the noise in their house in the beginning?
A.There were too many devices for them to check.
B.They were unwilling to get up at midnight.
C.They had never known that thing could beep too.
D.The noise didn’t come every day.
16.After reading this passage,we can probably tell the author .
A.enjoys being surrounded by beeps B.has a touch of humor in his writing
C.tries to avoid using anything that beeps
D.understands the beeping is designed to be user-friendly
New archaeological discovers suggest that trade between Europe and Asia along the Silk
Road probably began in some form many countries earlier than once thought. The findings, coupled with a widening range of scientific and historical research, could add a fascinating new
page to the epic of the Silk Road.
The latest and most surprising discovery is pieces of silk found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy from about 1000 BC, long before regular traffic on the Silk Road and at least one thousand years before silk was previously thought to be used in Egypt. Other research may extend human activity along this route back even further, perhaps a million years to the migration of human ancestors into eastern Asia.
The official origin of East-West commerce along the road is usually placed in the late 2nd century BC when an agent of the Chinese Emperor Wu-di returned from a dangerous secret mission(使命)across the desert into the remote high country of Central Asia. The agent, Zhang Qian, travelled as far as Afghanistan and brought back knowledge of even more distant lands such as Persia, Syria and a place known as Lijien, perhaps Rome. Historians have called this one of the most important journeys in ancient times. His journey opened the way for what have been thought to be the first indirect contacts between the ancient world’s two superpowers, China and Rome. Chinese silk, first traded to central Asian tribes for war horses and to the Parthians of old Persia in exchange for acrobats and ostrich eggs, was soon finding its way through a network of merchants to the luxury markets of Rome.
But the new discoveries show that Chinese silk was apparently present in the West long before the Han emperor started organized trade over the Silk Road. The research could change thinking about the early history of world trade and provide insights into the mystery of just how and when Europe and the Mediterranean lands first became aware of the glorious culture at the other end of Eurasia.
The word “coupled” in the first paragraph could best be replaced by ______.
A.produced | B.contributed | C.doubled | D.combined |
The silk thread found in the hair of an Egyptian mummy suggests that ______.
A.Egyptians had probably travelled to China to buy silk |
B.trade along the Silk Road began earlier than once thought |
C.historical research often achieves fascinating results |
D.new light can now be thrown on ancient trading practices |
Until recently most historians believed that trade along the Silk Road _______.
A.originated in the 2nd century BC |
B.extended human migration into eastern Asia |
C.began a million years ago |
D.primarily benefited the Egyptians |
Historians have always considered Zhang Qian’s mission important because they believe ______.
A.be brought back knowledge of Rome to the emperor | B.be discovered the Silk Road |
C.be helped establish East-West trade | D.be travelled as far as Afghanistan |
Many people write to newspaper and magazines to express their opinions. Letters to the editor must carry the writer’s full name, address and telephone number, although the information is not necessary for publication. This requirement to provide personal particulars is a clear indication that writers are held responsible for what they say. When a writer wants his voice heard, he needs to claim ownership of his voice. Responsibility is the name of the game.
“People today prefer living together to putting their signatures on a marriage certificate because they refuse to accept responsibility for the relationship,” said social worker Ken Yip, “and this is what is causing a lot of family problems.” When we sign a paper, for example, a business contract or a bank document, the signature is a seal of consent, an agreement to take the matter seriously. Most governments and many organizations will not process written complaints if they do not bear the writer’s signature. The absence of a signature, they explain, tells us that the writer cannot be too serious and therefore does not deserve a reply.
There are people who wish to remain anonymous(匿名的)for various reasons. Multi-billionaire Mr. King donates generously to charity several times a year. He gives simply because he wants to help but not for the publicity his donations may bring, and he does not want his good deeds to make news. In other cases, people insist on anonymity because they are afraid of the consequences of revealing their identity. Crime witnesses may be willing to assist the police, but most are unwilling to give their names when reporting a crime.
Name or no name? The answer is very personal and lies in how much we want to get involved. We all have a name. It is a matter if responsibility to use it when we make a statement, a claim or an accusation. We all want to honour our own name, and it is only by stamping our expression of an opinion with our own name that we honour what we say.
What does the writer mean by saying “Responsibility is the name of the game”?
A.Writers need to provide their personal information in the game. |
B.Publication must bear the writer’s full name, address and phone number. |
C.Writers should be responsible for their names. |
D.Names are required to indicate writers’ responsibility for what they say. |
The second paragraph suggests that a paper without a signature may _______.
A.help to end a relationship | B.not get a reply |
C.be accepted all the same | D.become a family problem |
Some people don’t want their names known because they are ________.
A.hesitant to make a donation | B.unwilling to draw public attention |
C.afraid of an accusation | D.ready for involvement |
The passage is mainly about _______.
A.honour and writers | B.identity and signature |
C.signature and responsibility | D.anonymity and signature |
237 West Palmdale Boulevard Fresno, California 93706 AmToy Corporation Suite 15 TransAm Building San Francisco, California 94115 November 20, 2008 Dear Sirs, As a concerned parent, I am writing to protest your recent advertisement for Electro-Robo seen in local media is California. Specifically, I am referring to newspaper and magazine ads(attached to this letter)published the week of November 15. Children respond to your type of advertising in an immature way; that is, they are unable to understand how expensive some toys are for middle-class parents. Further, you product is violent in nature. Youth advertisement gives children the impression that it's fine to have "two guns and laser eyes." You also suggest that children need your toy to protect them "when you go outside." This is not a healthy attitude for children to have. I hope you will stop advertising your product in such a way that may harm our children. Sincerely yours, (Mrs.) Alma Hernandez President, Parents for Non-violent Toys Enc. |
It's here! Ready for You, Now! It's Electro-Robo! Every boy dreams of being in control of a robot, and AmToy can make your dream come true! Electro-Roho is the world's first fully automatic robot with radio control. Standing 80 centimeters tall, Electro-Robo is like a friend at home. He can walk, talk, and even shake your hand! He has two guns and laser eyes to help you defend yourself when you go outside with him. Every boy needs Electro-Robo! Ask your Mom and Dad to buy Electro-Robo for your birthday or for Christmas, which is coming up soon. Imagine that you are in control of your friend for life, Electro-Robo! Available at all toy stores and department stores NOW! |
1. |
What is the purpose of the letter?
|
2. |
Why does the writer of the letter that Electro-Robo is violent?
|
3. |
What dose "Enc." at the end of the letter mean?
|
4. |
Electro-Robo can do all the following EXCEPT.
|
The surprising experiment I am about to describe proves that air is all around you and that it presses down upon you. Air pressure is a powerful force. When you swim underwater, you can feel water pushing down on your body. The air all around you does the same. However, your body is so used to it that you do not notice this. The pressure is caused by a layer of air called the atmosphere. This layer surrounds the Earth, extending to about five kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
The following experiment is an easy one that you can do at home. But make sure that you are supervised, because you will need to use matches. Now for the experiment!
What you need
•A hard-boiled egg without the shell
•A bottle with a neck slightly smaller than the egg
•A piece of paper
•A match
Method
1) Check that the egg will sit firmly on the neck of the bottle.
2) Tear the paper into strips and put the strips into the bottle.
3) Light the paper by dropping a burning match into the bottle.
4) Quickly sit the egg on the neck of the bottle.
Result
Astonishingly, the egg will be sucked into the bottle. Your friends will be amazed when you show them the experiment. But be careful when you handle matches.
Why it happened
As the paper burns, it needs oxygen and uses up the oxygen (air) in the bottle. The egg acts as a seal in the neck of the bottle, so no more air can get inside. This reduces the air pressure inside the bottle. The air pressure must equalize, so more air from outside must enter the bottle. The outside air pressure against the egg and then the egg is pushed into the bottle! This proves that air is all around and that it is pressing down on it.
Why is there the need to take care when you are doing the experiment?
A.The bottle could break. |
B.You need to light the paper with a match. |
C.The egg needs to be shelled. |
D.The egg has to be perfectly placed on the neck of the bottle. |
In the experiment, the burning inside the bottle can___.
A.equalize the air pressure inside and outside |
B.make a seal in the neck of the bottle |
C.finish up the oxygen inside the bottle |
D.produce more oxygen inside the bottle |
How did the egg put into the bottle?
A.The oxygen inside the bottle sucked the egg in. |
B.It became saft without the shell. |
C.The neck of the bottle was wide enough. |
D.The outside air pressure forced it into the bottle. |
The experiment is carried cut to prove ______.
A.water pushes on your body when you swim underwater. |
B.the earth is surrounded by a layer of air called the atmosphere. |
C.the pressure of air around us has a powerful force. |
D.the air pressure is not equalized around us. |
Outside her shabby cottage, old Mrs. Tailor was hanging out laundry on a wire line, unaware that some children lay hidden in the leaves of a nearby tree watching her every move. They were determined to find out if she really was a witch.
They watched as she took a broomstick to clean the dirt from her stone steps. But, much to their disappointment, she did not mount the broomstick and take flight. Suddenly, the old lady’s work was interrupted by the cackling of her hen—a signal that an egg had been laid in the warm nest on top of the haystack.
The old broomstick was put aside as she hobbled off towards the haystack followed by Sooty, a black cat she had rescued from a fox trap some time back. With only three legs, it was hard for Sooty to keep up with the old lady. The cat provided proof—the children were sure that only a witch could own a black cat with three legs.
There, standing on a wooden box, was Mrs. Tailor, stretching out to gather her precious egg. Taking the egg in one of her hands, she began to climb down when, without warning, the box broke and the old lady fell.
“We have to got and help her,” whispered Amy.
“What if it is a trick?” replied Ben.
“Don’t be silly, Ben. If she were a witch, she would have turned us into frogs already,” reasoned Meg. “Come on Amy, let’s go.” The girls climbed down the tree and ran all the way to the haystack.
Approaching carefully, they could see a wound on the old lady’s face. She had knocked her head on a stone and her ankle was definitely broken. “Go and get Dad,” Amy yelled to her brother. “Tell him about the accident.”
The boys did not need another excuse to leave. They ran as fast as they could for help, hoping that Mrs. Tailor would not wake and turn the girls into frogs.
. Why were the children hiding in the tree?
A.They wanted to watch Mrs. Tailor do her housework closely. |
B.They were playing a hide-and-seek game |
C.They wanted to find out if the rumors about Mrs. Tailor were true |
D.They were pretending to be spies |
. Mrs. Tailor stopped sweeping when____
A.her front steps were clean | B.she noticed the children in the tree |
C.she was ready to take a flight | D.she heard the hen cackling |
. Ben did not rush in help Mrs. Tailor because_____
A.he thought that she could be tricking them |
B.he knew that they could not have been in the tree |
C.he did not see the old lady fall down |
D.he was afraid of the three-legged cat |
. Which of these old sayings best suits the story’s lesson for us?
A.Make hay while the sun shines. |
B.Never judge a book by its cover. |
C.People in glasshouses should not throw stones. |
D.A bird in the hands worth two in the bush. |
Grandpa Nybakken loved life—especially when he could play a trick on somebody. At those times, his large Norwegian frame shook with laughter while he pretended innocent surprise, exclaiming, “Oh, forevermore!” But on a cold Saturday in downtown Chicago, Grandpa felt that God played a trick on him, and grandpa wasn’t laughing.
Grandpa worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some boxes for the clothes his church was sending to an orphanage abroad. On his way home, he reached into his shirt pocket to find his glasses, but they were gone. He remembered putting them there that morning, so he drove back to the church. His search proved fruitless.
Suddenly, he realized what happened. The glasses had slipped out of his pocket unnoticed and fallen into one of the boxes, which he had nailed shut. His brand new glasses were heading for China!
The Great Depression was at its height, and Grandpa had six children. He had spent twenty dollars for those glasses that very morning.
“It’s not fair,” he told God as he drove home in frustration. “I’ve been very faithful in giving of my time and money to your work, and now this.”
Several months later, the director of the orphanage was on vacation in the United States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him, so he came to speak on Sunday night at my grandfather’s small church in Chicago. Grandpa and his family sat in their usual seats among the small congregation(教堂会众).
“But most of all,” he said, “I must thank you for the glasses you sent last year.”
“Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses. Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so my co-workers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your boxes arrived. When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses lying on the top.” After a long pause, he continued, “Folks, when I tried on the glasses, it was as though they had been custom-made just for me! I want to thank you for being a part of that!”
The people listened, happy for the amazing glasses. But the director surely must have confused their church with another, they thought, there were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas.
But sitting quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary way.
( ) 56. Which of the following is NOT true about Grandpa Nybakken according to the passage?
A. He was an outgoing man and held an active attitude towards life.
B. He had a large family to support.
C. He was a carpenter working in the church.
D. He was a loyal Christian.
( ) 57. Grandpa spent much of his time and money in church mainly to ________.
A. help the priest do some religious work
B. help those people in need
C. make some woodwork for the church
D. seek some help from God
( ) 58. The people in the church but Grandpa felt confused at what the director said because ________.
A. Grandpa didn’t tell the director that he was the owner of the glasses
B. the director wanted to return the glasses even though he liked it
C. the director could not get such glasses in their own country
D. the glasses were not included in the donation list
( ) 59. Who does “the Master Carpenter” in the last paragraph probably refer to?
A. Grandpa’s master. B. One of Grandpa’s friends.
C. God. D. Grandpa’s co-worker.
( ) 60. Which can be the best title of the passage?
A. Grandfather’s life B. The Helpful Donation
C. The Perfect Mistake D. An Impressive Speech
More than 10 years ago, it was difficult to buy a tasty pineapple (菠萝). The fruits that made it to the UK were green on the outside and, more often than not, hard with an unpleasant taste within. Then in 1966, the Del Monte Gold pineapple produced in Hawaii first hit our shelves.
The new type of pineapple looked more yellowy-gold than green. It was slightly softer on the outside and had a lot of juice inside. But the most important thing about this new type of pineapple was that it was twice as sweet as the hit-and-miss pineapples we had known. In no time, the Del Monte Gold took the market by storm, rapidly becoming the world’s best-selling pineapple variety, and delivering natural levels of sweetness in the mouth, up until then only found in tinned pineapple.
In nutrition (营养) it was all good news too. This nice tasting pineapple contained four times more vitamin C(维生素C) than the old green variety. Nutritionists said that it was not only full of vitamins, but also good against some diseases. People were understandably eager to be able to buy this wonderful fruit. The new type of pineapple was selling fast, and the Del Monte Gold pineapple rapidly became a fixture in the shopping basket of the healthy eater.
Seeing the growing market for its winning pineapple, Del Monte tried to keep market to itself. But other fruit companies developed similar pineapples. Del Monte turned to law for help, but failed. Those companies argued successfully that Del Monte’s attempts to keep the golden pineapple for itself were just a way to knock them out the market.
介绍一种产于夏威夷的可口的、营养丰富的菠萝。
60. We learn from the text that the new type at pineapple is __________.
A. green outside and sweet inside
B. good-looking outside and soft inside
C. yellowy-gold outside and hard inside
D. a little soft outside and sweet inside
61. Why was the new type of pineapple selling well?
A. It was rich in nutrition and tasted nice.
B. It was less sweet and good for health.
C. It was developed by Del Monte.
D. It was used as medicine.
62. The underlined word “fixture” in Paragraph 3 probably refers to something _________.
A. that people enjoy eating B. that is always present
C. that is difficult to get D. that people use as a gift
63. We learn from the last paragraph that Del Monte _________.
A. slowed other companies to develop pineapples
B. succeeded in keeping the pineapple for itself
C. tried hard to control the pineapple market
D. planned to help the other companies
Last week my youngest son and I visited my father at his new home in Tucson, Arizona. He moved there a few years ago, and I was eager to see his new place and meet his friends.
My earliest memories of my father are a tall, handsome, successful man devoted to his work and his family, but uncomfortable with his children. As a child I loved him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A’s and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as “successful” as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.
On the first day of my visit, we went out with one of my father’s friends for lunch at an outdoor café. We walked along that afternoon, did some shopping, ate on the street table, and laughed over my son’s funny facial expressions. Gone was my father’s critical (挑剔的) air and strict rules. Who was this person I knew as my father, who seemed so friendly and interesting to be around? What had held him back before?
The next day dad pulled out his childhood pictures and told me quite a few stories about his own childhood. Although our times together became easier over the years, I never felt closer to him at that moment. After so many years, I’m at last seeing another side of my father. And in so doing, I’m delighted with my new friend. My dad, in his new home in Arizona, is back to me from where he was.
56. Why did the author feel bitter about her father as a young adult?
A. He was silent most of the time.
B. He was too proud of himself.
C. He did not love his children.
D. He expected too much of her.
57. When the author went out with her father on weekend, she would feel .
A. nervous B. sorry C. tired D. safe
58. What does the author think of her father after her visit to Tucson?
A. More critical. B. More talkative
C. Gentle and friendly. D. Strict and hard-working.
59. The underlined words “my new friend” in the last paragraph refer to .
A. the author’s son B. the author’s father
C. the friend of the author’s father D. the café owner
We have met the enemy, and he is ours. We bought him at a pet shop. When monkey-pox, a disease usually found in the African rain forest, suddenly turns up in children in the American Midwest, it’s hard not to wonder if the disease that comes from foreign animals is homing in on human beings. “Most of the infections (感染) we think of as human infections started in other animals,” says Stephen Morse, director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness at Columbia University.
It’s not just that we’re going to where the animals are; we’re also bringing them closer to us. Popular foreign pets have brought a whole new disease to this country. A strange illness killed Isaksen’s pets, and she now thinks that keeping foreign pets is a bad idea. “I don’t think it’s fair to have them as pets when we have such a limited knowledge of them,” says Isaksen.
“Laws allowing these animals to be brought in from deep forest areas without stricter control need changing,” says Peter Schantz. Monkey-pox may be the wake-up call. Researchers believe infected animals may infect their owners. We know very little about these new diseases. A new bug (病毒) may be kind at first. But it may develop into something harmful. Monkey-pox doesn’t look a major infectious disease. But it is not impossible to pass the disease from person to person.
56. We learn from Paragraph 1 that the pet sold at the shop may _________.
A. come from Columbia B. prevent us from being infected
C. enjoy being with children D. suffer from monkey-pox
57. Why did Isaksen advise people not to have foreign pets?
A. They attack human beings. B. We need to study native animals.
C. They can’t live out of the rain forest. D. We do not know much about them yet.
58. What does the phrase “the wake-up call” in Paragraph 3 most probably mean?
A. a new disease B. a clear warning C. a dangerous animal D. a morning call
59. The text suggests that in the future we _______.
A. may have to fight against more new diseases B. may easily get infected by diseases from dogs
C. should not be allowed to have pets D. should stop buying pets from Africa
60. The last paragraph means _________.
A. we should have laws to stop having pets at home
B. wild animals shouldn’t adopted as pets
C. laws should be passed to avoid pets’ diseases spreading
D. people with pets should be stayed at home
Paula Radcliffe, chasing (角逐) a third London marathon title(冠军), says she has became a stronger person after her terrible experience at the 2004 Athens Games.
Radcliffe, who failed to complete the Olympic marathon and the 10,000m last August, said: "Athens made me a stronger person and it made me care less about criticism (批评)"
"In the past I wanted to please everyone, but now I am going to listen even more to the people around me."
She didn't care about criticism made at the weekend by Liz McColgan, who felt Radcliffe should have rested and let her body recover after her failure in Athens.
"Liz is someone I look up to but she hasn't spoken to me since last year and if she really cared for me, I'm sure she would have contacted (联系) me."
Instead Radcliffe won the New York City marathon just 11 weeks after Athens.
"In New York I wasn't in my best state but I did know I was good enough to win the race. "
Radcliffe insisted her only goal in Sunday's race would be winning a third title and not chasing world records.
However, Radcliffe has not ruled out(排除) in the future chasing her "final" world record time and questioned sayings that marathon runners have the ability in their career to produce only four or five world-class times.
"I don't think that -- although I can't put a number on it," said. Radcliffe. "That changes from person to person."
Radcliffe is sure she can better her winning London 2003 performance at some point in the future. Following a successful three-month training period in the United States, the 31-year-old will chase a third title on Sunday after her first victory in 2002 and again 12 months later.
Radcliffe clocked a time of 2:18:56 in her first 42.2-kilometre race three years ago.
Afterwards she set a "mixed course" mark of 2:17:18 five months later in Chicago before lowering that to a time of 2:15:25 in the 2003 London event.
63. Radcliffe's failure in Athens made her ________.
A. develop respect for Liz B. love people around her more
C. rest for five months D. face criticism calmly
64. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Radcliffe broke the world record in the New York City marathon.
B. Radcliffe didn't fully recover before the New York City marathon.
C. Radcliffe won her first marathon title in the New York City marathon.
D. Radcliffe had a 3-month training before the New York City marathon.
65. By saying "I can't put a number on it," Radcliffe means she's not sure _____ .
A. if she has the ability to set a new world record
B. if she can win another race though she has won many times
C. how many times a marathon runner can set the world record
D. if she has the ability to produce four or five world-class times
66. According to the text, Radcliffe has won ____ London marathon title(s).
A. four B. three C. two D. one
67. What can we learn from Radcliffe's story?
A. Practice makes perfect. B. Well begun is half done.
C. A friend in need is a friend indeed. D. Where there is a will there is a way.
Paul Zindel’s death on March 27,2003 ended the brilliant life of a famous writer. Not only did Paul Zindel win a Pulitzer Prize as well as an Obie Prize for his 1970 play The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, but be was one of the earliest writers in the field of contemporary(当代的) literature for young adults(成人). The Pigman, published in 1968, is still one of the most well-known and widely-taught novels in the genre. The American Library Association has named it one of the 100 Best of the Best Books for Young Adults published between 1967 and 1992, and Zindel’s autobiography, The Pigman and Me, was among the 100 Best of the Best Books published for teenagers during the last part of the twentieth century. Six of Zindel’s books, in fact, have been voted the Best Books for Young Adults, and most of his recent horror books-such as The Doom Stone and Rats-have been chosen as Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Clearly, he was a writer who knew how to interest contemporary children. Recognizing that, the American Library Association in 2002 honored Paul Zindel with the Margaret A. Edwards Prize for his lifetime achievements, and later that same year he was presented with the ALAN Prize for his contributions to Young Adult Literature. With his passing, young readers, teachers, and librarians have lost a great friend.
56.Which of Paul Zindel’s books was the most popular with young adults in the 20th century?
A.The Pigman. B.The Doom Stone.
C.The Pigman and Me. D.The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.
57.Why was Paul Zindel honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Prize?
A.His books were widely read by children.
B.His books were interesting and helpful to adults.
C.He made great contributions to contemporary literature.
D.He wrote a number of horror books for young adults.
58.When did Paul Zindel win the ALAN Prize?
A.In 2002. B.In 2003.
C.Between 1967 and 1992. D.Between 2002 and 2003.
59.Choose the correct statements from the following according to the passage.
a.The Pigman and Me was one of the Best Books for teenagers.
b.Zindel was one of the earliest writers who wrote for adults only.
c.The Doom Stone and Rats are not popular with young adults.
d.Zindel was given four prizes for literature before he died.
e.At least eight of Zindel’s books were very popular in his times.
A.c, d, e B.a, b, c C.a, b, d D.a, d, e
When Lew Alcindor was 13, and obviously still growing, a group of schools began offering him scholarships(奖学金). The Alcindors decided to send their only child to Power Memorial Academy, a small school on Manhattan’s West Side.
At Power. Alcindor came under the control of Coach Jack Donohue, a strict young man who already gained his fame as one of the best coaches in the city. Donohue brought Alcindor along slowly. As a first-year student, the boy was not able to do much but wave his long skinny arms and shoot a basket now and then. But by the second year, when he was 15 years old and nearly 7 feet tall, Alcindor was quick and skillful enough to make the high school All American team and to lead Power to an undefeated season.
From then on be simply got better. Some rival coaches(对方教练)used to take their teams quickly away from the floor before Power warmed up so that their players would not see him any sooner than they had to. Wearing size 16D shoes and sucking a lollipop(棒棒糖), Alcindor would loosen up by starting his leaping lay-ups(擦板球). Then he would casually shoot the ball with either hand, to the delight of the fans.
When reporters and photographers began to follow Alcindor closely, Donohue protected his boy firmly. He simply ordered Lew to talk to no member of the press, and this suited Lew fine. He was not comfortable talking to grownups, perhaps because he towered over them. Discouraged photographers began following him in secret as though he were an easily-frightened giraffe. “People want you not for yourself,” Donohue warned him, “but because you’re a basketball player. Don’t forget that.”
57. Many schools offered Alcindor scholarships because_______.
A. he was young B. he was hardworking
C. he was tall for his age D. he was skillful at playing basketball
58. Which of the following best describes Donohue as a young coach?
A. serious, popular and slow B. tall, skillful and successful
C. kind, powerful and undefeated D. well-known, strict and experienced
59. Why did some rival coaches take their teams away from the floor before Power warmed up?
A. Their teams refused to play Power. B. Their teams feared to see Alcindor.
C. Their teams would lose courage. D. Their teams would lose interest.
60. What does the last paragraph mainly discuss?
A. How Donohue protected Alcindor from the press.
B. How Alcindor disliked meeting reporters.
C. Why the press followed Alcindor closely. D. Why the public wanted Alcindor badly.
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