1 When Laura reached school-going age the discussions about moving became more urgent. Her father did not want the children to go to school with the village children and for once her mother agreed with him. Not because, as he said, they ought to have a better education than they could get at Lark Rise; but because she feared they would tear their clothes and catch cold and get dirty heads going a mile and a half to and from the school in the village. So empty cottages in the market town were examined and often it seemed that the next week or the next month they would be leaving Lark Rise for ever; but again each time something would happen to prevent the removal, and gradually a new idea came up. To gain time, their father would teach the two eldest children to read and write, so that, if asked by the School Attendance Office, their mother could say they were leaving the small village shortly, and in the meantime, were being taught at home. So their father brought home two copies of Mavor's First Reader and taught them the alphabet; but just as Laura was beginning on words of one syllable, he was sent away to work on a distant job, only coming home at weekends. Laura, left at the c-a-t s-i-t-s on the m-a-t's stage, then had to carry her book round after her mother as she went about her housework, asking, “Please, Mother, what does h-o-u-s-e spell?” or “W-a-l-k, Mother, what is that?” Often when her mother was too busy or too tired to attend to her, she would sit and fix her eyes on a page that might as well have been printed in Hebrew for all she could make of it , frowning and studying the print as though she would make out the meaning by force of concentration. After weeks of this, there came a day when, quite suddenly, as it seemed to her, the printed characters took on a meaning. There were still many words, even in the first page of that simple book , she could not understand; but she could jump those and yet make sense of the whole.“I'm reading! I'm reading!”she cried aloud. “Oh, Mother! Oh, Edmund! I'm reading ! ” 1．Laura's father didn't want his children to go to school at Lark Rise because ____. A．it was too far away B．they couldn't learn enough C．their hair would become dirty D．they would ruin their clothes 2．The children's father decided to teach them to read and write so that they ____. had an excuse not to have to move B．had a reason for not attending school C. could write to the School Attendance Office D．would be educated before they left the village 3．The underlined part “left at the c-a-t s-i-t-s on the m-a-t' stage” suggests that ____. A．Laura was working hard and learning quickly B．her father had no time to teach her C．her mother was too busy to attend to her D．Laura knew little about how to read and write 4．From the passage we can infer that ____made Laura stare at a page in her book. A．her lack of concentration B．her inability to understand C．her need to understand Hebrew D．her determination to understand 5．Laura finally discovered she could read when she ____. A．understood the main idea B．understood all the words in her book C．recognized the printed characters D．jumped the first pages of her book 答案 1．B 2．B 3．D 4．D 5．A 2 In 1826, a Frenchman named Niepce needed pictures for his business. But he was not a good artist. So he invented a very simple camera. He put it in a window of his house and took a picture of his yard. That was the first photograph. The next important date in the history of photography was 1837. That year, Daguerre, another French, took a picture of his studio. He used a new kind of camera and a different process. In his pictures, you could see everything very clearly, even the smallest details. This kind of photograph was called a daguerreotype. Soon, other people began to use Daguerre's process. Travelers brought back daguerreotypes from all around the world. People photographed famous buildings, cities and mountains. In about 1840, the process was improved. Then photographers could take pictures of people and moving things. The process was not simple. The photographers had to carry lots of films and processing equipment. But this did not stop the photographers, especially in the United States. After 1840s daguerreotype artists were popular in most cities. Mathew Brady was a well-known American photographer. He took many pictures of famous people. The pictures were unusual because they were very life-like and full of personality. Brady was also the first person to take pictures of a war. His 1862 Civil War pictures showed dead soldiers and ruined cities. They made the war seem more real and more terrible. In the 1880s, new inventions began to change photography. Photographers could buy films ready-made in rolls. So they did not have to make the film themselves. Also, they did not have to process the film immediately. They could bring it back to their studios and develop it later, meaning that they did not have to carry lots of equipment. And finally, the invention of the small handheld camera made photography less expensive. With the small camera, anyone could be a photographer. People began to use cameras just for fun. They took pictures of their families, friends and favorite places. They called these pictures “snapshot”. Photographs became very popular in newspapers in the 1890s,Soon magazines and books also used documentary photographs. These pictures showed true events and people. They were much more real than drawing. Photography also turned into a form of art by the end of the 19th century. Some photographs were not just copies of the real world. They showed ideas and feelings, like other art forms. 1．The passage is mainly about ____. A．the invention of cameras B．a kind of new art----photography C．the development of photography D．the important dates in the history of photography 2．The first pictures of a war were taken by ____. A．a French photographer in the 1840s B．an American photographer in the 1860s C．a German reporter in the 1880s D．a French artist in the 1890s 3． The invention of small cameras made it possible for ____. A．anyone to be a photographer B．people to use daguerreotypes C． the rich to afford to take pictures D．people to buy films ready-made in rolls 4．Photography can also be an art form because artists can ____. A．take anything they like B．keep a record of real life C．take photos of the famous D．show ideas and feelings in pictures 5．According to the passage, which of the followings shows the correct order? a．Photographs became popular in newspapers. b．Photographers carried processing equipment while taking pictures. c．The invention of small handheld cameras made photography easier. d．Daguerre invented a kind of photograph called daguerreotype. e．Brady took pictures of famous people. A．e, a, d, b, c B．d, b, e, c, a C．b, e, c, a, d D．d, c, e, a, b 答案 1．C 2．B 3．A 4．D 5．B 3 Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships. One strength of the human condition is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful conditions. Social support makes up of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties. Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily problems. People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties. Studies over types of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, show that the presence of social support helps people defend themselves against illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely. Social support cushions stress in a number of ways. First, friends, relatives and co-workers may let us know that they value us. Our self-respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others in spite of our faults and difficulties. Second, other people often provide us with informational support. They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them. Third, we typically find social companionship supportive. Taking part in free-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting us from our worries and troubles. Finally, other people may give us instrumental support – money aid, material resources, and needed services--that reduces stress by helping us resolve and deal with our problems. 1. Interpersonal relationships are important because they can ____________. A. make people live more easily B. smooth away daily problems B. deal with life changes D. cure types of illnesses 　　 2. The researches show that people’s physical and mental health ________. A. lies in the social medical care systems which support them B. has much to do with the amount of support they get from others C. depends on their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles D. is related to their courage for dealing with major life changes 3. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “cushions”? 　A. takes place of B. makes up of 　C. lessens the effect of D. gets rid of 4. Helping a sick neighbor with some repair work in spare time is an example of _ . 　A. instrumental support B. informational support 　C. social companionship D. the strengthening of self-respect 5. What is the subject discussed in the text? 　A. Interpersonal relationships. B. Kinds of social support. 　C. Ways to deal with stress. D. Effects of stressful condition. 答案 1 –5 ABCCA 4 A film was at the Circle Five Ranch to film a Marlboro commercial. This is in 1868, before they prohibited cigarette ads from American television. Darrell Winfield was watching the crew set up the equipment. The scene included an actor crossing a river on horseback, but when the time came to shoot, the man was too drunk to ride. Someone from the crews saw Winfield and asked him if he would ride the horse for 50. “Hell, ” said Winfield, “for 50 bucks, I'll jump that damn horse over the moon!” To people in many countries, Winfield is just a familiar but nameless face, a simple cowboy with an advertising message about a connection between the West and a brand of cigarettes. Few people know that he is advertising message about a connection between the West and a brand of cigarettes. Few people know that he is 55, a family man who’s been married to the same woman for 37 years and has 5 children and 7 grandchildren. Most surprisingly, he’s a real, working cowboy who raises horses in his ranch in Wyoming. One of the most striking things about the Marlboro Man is that success hasn’t changed him much. He says that complete strangers sometimes come up to him and say, “I’ve met you. know you from somewhere. ”Whenever it happens, he says that he gets embarrassed. 1．Which of the following statements is true? A. Cigarette ads were prohibited in America. B. Cigarette ads are prohibited on television in America. C. Marlboro commercial was prohibited on television. D. Marlboro commercial was produced on television. 2．What does the word“prohibited”in the first paragraph mean? A. broadcast　 B. forbidden C. produced　　　　　D. provided 3．When they filmed the ad, ________. A. Winfield was too drunk. B. The actor in the ad was too drunk. C. Winfield was setting up the equipmet. D. Winfield was riding a horse. 4．From the passage, we know that Winfield was ________. A. an ordinary man B. a superstar C. an actor D. a rich man 5．When people recognized Winfield, he felt________. A. excited　　　 B. happy C. interested　　　　　D. uncomfortable 答案 1—5 B B BA D　 5 Dr Wiseman started “the laugh lab” project in September 2001. It is the largest study of humour. Participants are invited to log on to the laugh lab website, give a few personal details, tell their favourite jokes and judge the jokes told by other people. 　　The project will last for a year, and the organizers hope to finally discover the worlds funniest joke. But there is also a serious purpose. The researches want to know what people from different nations and cultures find funny. And they want to find out the differences between the male and female sense of humour. The idea is that if we want to understand each other, we have to find out what makes us laugh. 　　This is a subject that has long interested psychologists and philosophers. Most of the time, people are not completely honest. We do things that society expects us to and say things that help us get what we want. But laughing cannot be controlled. When we laugh, we tell the truth about ourselves. 　　By December 2001 over 10, 000 jokes had been submitted. This gave the scientists enough evidence to make early conclusions. It seems that men and women do have different senses of humour, for instance. 　　“Our findings show the major differences in the ways in which males and females use humour, ”　said Dr.　Wiseman. “Males use humour to appear superior to others, while women are more skilled in languages and prefer word play. ” 　　Researchers also found that there really is such a thing as a national sense of humour. the British enjoy what is usually called “toilet humour”. But the French like their jokes short and sharp: “You’re a high priced lawyer. Will you answer two questions for 500?” “Yes. What’s the second question?” 　　The Germans are famous for not having a sense of humour. But the survey found that German participants were more likely to find submitted jokes funny than any other nationality. Perhaps that proves the point. Is this joke funny? I don’t know, but lets say yes, just to be safe. 　　Dr Wiseman and his workmates also submitted jokes created by computer. But none of those who took part in the survey found any of them amusing. Perhaps this is relief. Computers already seem like they can do everything. At least they should leave the funny stuff to us. 　　1．Scientist started“ the laugh lab” project________ 　　A. to find the funniest joke in European countries 　　B. to know what funny people are from different nations and cultures 　　C. to find out the differences between the male and female sense of humour 　　D. to get more personal details about participants 　　2．We can infer from the passage that________. 　　A. most of the people all over he world are completely honest 　　B. psychologists and philosophers take interest in the “laugh lab” project 　　C. ordinary people are not interested in “the laugh lab” project at all 　　D. people tell the ruth about themselves only when they laugh 　　3．What is the main idea of the 4th and 5th paragraph? 　　A. Man and woman have different senses of humour. 　　B. male and female have similar senses of humour. 　　C. About 10, 000 jokes have been submitted from September 2001 to December 2001. 　　D. Scientists have collected enough evidence to make conclusions. 　　4．The writer gave the examples of the British, the French and the Germans________. 　　A. to show thane French people have a better sense of humour 　　B. to prove the British people have a sense of “toilet humour” 　　C. to show people from different nations have different senses of humour 　　D. to prove that the Germans have no sense of humour 　　5．Which statement is true according to the passage? 　　A. The jokes by computer are less funny than those by humans. 　　B. The Germans cannot find the submitted jokes amusing. 　　C. Males are better at word play compared with women. D. Females like to use humour to show that they are superior. 答案 1—5 CBACA 6 Rome -Doctors and medical groups around the world last weekend reacted with strong opposition to the news that an Italian specialist is on the brink of cloning the first human baby. 　　Dr. Severino Antinori, who is the head of a hospital in Rome, has been referred to in an Arab newspaper as claiming that one of his patients is eight weeks pregnant with a cloned baby. 　　Antinori refused to comment on the reports, but in March 2001 he said he hoped to produce a cloned embryo for implantation within two years. So far seven different kinds of mammals have already successfully cloned, including sheep, cats and most recently rabbits. 　　Doctors showed their doubt and were strongly opposed although they admit that human cloning would finally come true unless there was a world wide ban on the practice. 　　Professor Rudolf Jaenisch of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: “I find it astonishing that people do this where the result can be foretold that it will not be a normal baby. It is using humans as guinea pigs. It makes people feel sick. ”But Ronald Green, director of the Ethics institute at Darmouth College in the US, said it is unlikely that an eight-week-old pregnancy would lead to a birth. 　　So far all cloned animals have suffered from some different serious disorders, many of them dying soon after their births . 　　Doctors are opposed to human cloning because they are worried about the welfare of the cloned child if there is one. 　　“There are no benefits of cloned human beings, just harm, ”said Dr. Michael Wilks of the UK. 　1．What do the underlined words “on the brink of” in the first paragraph mean most probably? 　　A. on the side of B. on the point of 　　C. in search of D. in favour of 　2．What is the doctors’ general attitude to cloning of humans according to the passage? 　　A. They are against it. B. They support it. 　　C. They welcome it. D. They pay no attention to it. 　3．What does the underlined word “ban ”in the third paragraph mean most probably? 　　A. order that forbids cloning B. suggestion to carrying on cloning 　　C. anger at cloning D. cheer for cloning 　4．Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? 　　A. Dcotor Severino Antinori is strongly oppsed to cloning human beings. 　　B. Up to now, seven kinds of animals have been cloned, including sheep, cats, humans and rabbits. 　　C. Professor Rudolf Jaenisch is carrying on an experiment on cloning an eight- week -old embryo. 　　D. Ronald Green doubts about the future successful birth of the so -called cloned embryo. 　5．Which is the best title for the passage? 　　A. The Success of Cloning Humans B. The Anger at Cloning Humans C. Failure of Cloning Humans D. First Cloned Human? 答案 1—5 BAADD 7 The specific factors that encourage migration of high--level manpower vary, but the most widespread cause in all countries is economic. In Japan, in Thailand, and in Singapore the current stage of development in the economy as a whole and in university capacity is such that job opportunities for graduates in the field of their choice are relatively more plentiful than they are in Korea and the Philippines. Traditional culture factors -- in Japan and Thailand, for example -- support the economic factors accounting for relative absence of migration. Political factors tend to add to the economic push to migrate. And what might be called "a general way of doing business", involving the so--called corruption present in one degree or another in so many countries appears to exert a special influence in encouraging migration from the Philippines as well as from Korea. For a few at the highest professional level, laboratory or other research facilities and the presence of respected people overseas represent drawing power. The economic factors referred to here are not limited to -- and, in fact, often do not involve-- the personal economic dement of salary. Of course, this is important, and for a few migrants, perhaps all important. But the factors discussed here related to the general economic level of the country, which can support proper activities to an extent that will provide reasonable opportunities for trained people to use their hard won training. 1. The topic of the passage is A. the reasons for the loss of talent through migration B. the factors that encourage the migration of high level manpower are different C. the relationship among the economic, cultural and political factors of the migration of high--level manpower D. the comparison of the number of migrants in the countries concerned 2. Which are the most popular factors to encourage the migration of high--level man- power? A. The economic factors. B. The cultural factors. C. The political factors. D. The better research conditions. 3. According to the passage, it is comparatively easier for a university graduate to get a satisfactory job in A. America B. Japan C. Korea D. Japan, the Philippines than Singapore 4. Which of the following statements is NOT true? A. The graduates in Thailand have comparatively more job opportunities than those in Korea B. Japan has also a relatively high rate of migration of high level manpower. C. The political factors may encourage the migration of high--level manpower. D. Some people of talent migrate to seek better research conditions. 5. The economic factors A. have a lot to do with the personal salary B. are perhaps all important to a few migrants C. concern the current stage of economic development of the country as a whole D. refer to the reasonable job opportunities in the country Answer: 1—5 AABBC 8 Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships. One strength of the human condition is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful conditions. Social support makes up of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties . Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily problems. People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties. Studies over types of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, show that the presence of social support helps people defend themselves against illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely. Social support cushions stress in a number of ways. First, friends, relatives and co-workers may let us know that they value us. Our self-respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others in spite of our faults and difficulties. Second, other people often provide us with informational support. They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them. Third, we typically find social companionship supportive. Taking part in free-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting us from our worries and troubles. Finally, other people may give us instrumental support--money aid, material resources, and needed services--that reduces stress by helping us resolve and deal with our problems. 1. Interpersonal relationships are important because they can ____________. A. make people live more easily B. smooth away daily problems B. deal with life changes D. cure types of illnesses 　　 2. The researches show that people’s physical and mental health ________. A. lies in the social medical care systems which support them B. has much to do with the amount of support they get from others C. depends on their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles D. is related to their courage for dealing with major life changes 3. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “cushions”? A. takes place of B. makes up of C. lessens the effect of D. gets rid of 4. Helping a sick neighbor with some repair work in spare time is an example of _ . A. instrumental support B. informational support C. social companionship D. the strengthening of self-respect 5. What is the subject discussed in the text? A. Interpersonal relationships. B. Kinds of social support. C. How to deal with stress. D. Effects of stressful condition. Answer: 1—5 ABCCA 9 Mr Iban’s class went on a special trip to the National Museum of Art in Washington DC. There they saw a famous painting by a Spanish artist named Pablo Picasso. The painting shows a circus family in France and is called “family of Saltimbanques”. Saltibanques is a French word meaning performers.  In the painting, a grandfather, a father and three children are standing outdoor on a bare, brown hill. The mother, wearing a straw hat with flowers, is seated alone in one corner, looking sadly off into space. The tallest boy wears circus costumes in soft tones of blue and red. The father and grandfather are dressed like clowns. The grandfather wears a red, pointed fool’s cap and has a white ruffle around his neck. But there are no happy faces in sight, and everyone in the family looks very serious. “Why aren’t the performers smiling the way clowns are supposed to?” Justin asked. “Does anyone have any idea about that?” Mr Iban said. Lonie waved his hand. “Maybe the circus family is sad because they don’t have an audience to show off for more.” “Or they might feel bad because people didn’t clap when their act was over,” Tom said. “I have an idea,” Cassie said, pointing to the grandfather, “See that bundle on his back? I guess the clown family has to move on to the next town, and they’re sorry to go.” “ Perhaps Piccaso didn’t ask them to have a special expression while he was painting them,” Mr Iban suggested. “I think,” said Jane, “ they just wanted to be themselves without any pretended smiles.” “Yes, that must e it,” Justin agreed. “ They just need to relax after all the clowning around.” 1. The person in the painting who is farthest from others is _________. A. the girl B. the mother C. the father D. the grandfather 2. Which of these was Not one of the students’ ideas? A. The family must move on. B. The family needs to relax. C. The family has no place to live. D. The family misses having an audience. 3. From what the passage tells, the teacher’s opinion was that Picasso probably wanted the family to _______. A. look happy B. look natural C. be positioned outdoors D. perform circus acts 4. Which of these most probably would have happened if Mr Iban had immediately answered Justin’s question? A. The students would have learned more about the artist’s life. B. Justin would have asked the other students the same question. C. Justin would not have had an opinion about the picture. D. The students would not have thought as much about the picture. 5. Which of these would be the best title of the passage? A. “Clowning Around with Art” B. “Viewing a Famous painting” C. “Famous family-Portrait Painting” D. “Family Performing at the Circus” answer: 1—5 BCBDB 10 Chinese basketball players have never been so close to the NBA before but questions remain about how they will adjust to life in the NBA if they go. Wang Zhizhi, the 2.16-metre center for the Bayi Rockets who was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks two years ago, has finally received permission from authorities to travel to Dallas to play for the rest of the NBA season after he finishes playing in the Chinese Basketball Association’s finals on March 25th.If he has no problems with his visa, Wang will be the NBAs first Asian player. Wang was chosen by the Mavericks in the second round of the 1999 draft but the Rockets, an army-run club, refused to let him go. After negotiations between the Rockets and NBA representatives, the decision was made to allow Wang the chance to try his hand at American basketball, but only for a period of short time. He has to be back to play in the Ninth National Games in November in Guangzhou. Another center who has attracted attention from the NBA is Yao Ming, the 2.25-meter star who has led to the Shanghai Sharks into the finals fight with the Rockets this year. The 20-year-old’s NBA dreams might be harder to realize. Yao is the center of the Sharks and the club’s manager Bei Genyuan has said that he would allow Yao to go only at a proper time, for a proper team and under proper conditions. Yao hasn’t been chosen yet and it is unlikely that he will be any time soon. People in the Shark’s front office earlier told members of the press that “it is not proper for Yao to attend the draft this year”because he has to represent Shanghai in the Ninth National Games. Even if Wang and Yao make it to the promised land of basketball at last, analysts on both sides of the Pacific have said the NBA road will be a long one for both of them. Besides needing to work on their upper body strength, Wang and Yao will also have to adapt to the speed, techniques and above all, culture of the NBA. 1. Yao Ming has attracted attention from NBA because____. A. he is 2.25 metres tall, who is the tallest basketball player in China B. he is the center of the Shanghai Sharks and has led Sharks into the final fight with the Rockets C. he is regarded as the best basketball player in China D. he is thought highly of in the international world  2.Yao Ming can play for NBA if ____. A. there is no problem with his visa B.NBA agrees to supply favorable conditions for him C.time and conditions are proper D.NBA can pay a large sum of money for Sharks  3.The underlined phrase“try his hand”in the passage probably means ____. A.初试身手 B.碰碰运气 C.成为一员 D.为其效劳 4.NBA chose Wang Zhizhi so that ____. A. it can show NBA need talents B. Wang Zhizhi can have a bright future C. its whole level will be improved D. it can make Wang Zhizhi world-famous  5.When Wang Zhizhi plays in NBA, he will have to adapt to many things of NBA except____. A. rules of basketball B. the speed C. culture D. techniques Answer: 1—5: BCA?CA 1. Questions 01-05 are based on the following passage: The concept of culture has been defined many times, and although no definition has achieved universal acceptance, most of the definitions include three central ideas: that culture is passed n from generation to generation, that a culture represents a ready-made prescription for living and for making day-to-day decisions, and, finally, that the components of a culture are accepted by those in the culture as good, and true, and not to be questioned. The eminent anthropologist George Murdock has listed seventy-three items that characterize every known culture, past and present. The list begins with Age-grading and Athletic sports, runs to Weaning and Weather Control, and includes on the way such items as Calendar, Firemaking, Property Rights, and Toolmaking. I would submit that even the most extreme advocate of a culture of poverty viewpoint would readily acknowledge that, with respect to almost all of these items, every American, beyond the first generation immigrant, regardless of race or class, is a member of a common culture. We all share pretty much the same sports. Maybe poor kids don’t know how to play polo, and rich kids don’t spend time with stickball, but we all know baseball, and football, and basketball. Despite some misguided efforts to raise minor dialects to the status of separate tongues, we all, in fact, share the same language. There may be differences in diction and usage, but it would be ridiculous to say that all Americans don’t speak English. We have the calendar, the law, and large numbers of other cultural items in common. It may well be true that on a few of the seventy-three items there are minor variations between classes, but these kinds of things are really slight variations on a common theme. There are other items that show variability, not in relation to class, but in relation to religion and ethnic background-funeral customs and cooking, for example. But if there is one place in America where the melting pot is a reality, it is on the kitchen stove; in the course of one month, half the readers of this sentence have probably eaten pizza, hot pastrami, and chow mein. Specific differences that might be identified a signs of separate cultural identity are relatively insignificant within the general unity of American life; they are cultural commas and semicolons in the paragraphs and pages of American life. 01. According to the author’s definition of culture, ____ . A. a culture should be accepted and maintained universally B. a culture should be free from falsehood and evils C. the items of a culture should be taken for granted by people D. the items of a culture should be accepted by well-educated people 02. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? A. Baseball, football and basketball are popular sports in America. B. Pizza, hot pastrami, and chow mein are popular diet in America. C. There is no variation in using the American calendar. D. There is no variation in using the American language. 03. It can be inferred that all the following will most probably be included in the seventy-three items except ____. A. heir and heritage B. childrearing practices C. dream patterns D. table manners 04. By saying that "they are cultural commas and semicolons..." the author means that commas and semicolons ____. A. can be interpreted as subculture of American life B. can be identified as various ways of American life C. stand for work and rest in American life D. are preferred in writing the stories concerning American life 05. The author’s main purpose in writing this passage is to ____. A. prove that different people have different definitions of culture B. inform that variations exist as far as a culture is concerned C. indicate that culture is closely connected with social classes D. show that the idea that the poor constitute a separate culture is an absurdity 2. Questions 06-10 are based on the following passage: It is 3A.M. Everything on the university campus seems ghostlike in the quiet, misty darkness - everything except the computer center. Here, twenty students rumpled and bleary- eyed, sit transfixed at their consoles, tapping away on the terminal keys. With eyes glued to the video screen, they tap on for hours. For the rest of the world, it might be the middle of the night, but here time does not exist. This is a world unto itself. These young computer "hackers" are pursuing a kind of compulsion, a drive so consuming it overshadows nearly every other part of their lives and forms the focal point of their existence. They are compulsive computer programmers. Some of these students have been at the console for thirty hours or more without a break for meals or sleep. Some have fallen asleep on sofas and lounge chairs in the computer center, trying to catch a few winks but loathe to get too far away from their beloved machines. Most of these students don’t have to be at the computer center in the middle of the night. They aren’t working on assignments. They are there because they want to be - they are irresistibly drawn there. And they are not alone. There are hackers at computer centers all across the country. In their extreme form, they focus on nothing else. They flunk out of school and lose contact with friends; they might have difficulty finding jobs, choosing instead to wander from one computer center to another. They may even forgo personal hygiene. "I remember one hacker. We literally had to carry him off his chair to feed him and put him to sleep. We really feared for his health," says a computer science professor at MIT. Computer science teachers are now more aware of the implications of this hacker phenomenon and are on the lookout for potential hackers and cases of computer addiction that are already severe. They know that the case of the hackers is not just the story of one person’s relationship with a machine. It is the story of a society’s relationship to the so-called thinking machines, which are becoming almost ubiquitous. 06. We can learn from the passage that those at the computer center in the middle of the night are ____. A. students working on a program B. students using computers to amuse themselves C. hard-working computer science majors D. students deeply fascinated by the computer 07. Which of the following is NOT true of those young computer "hackers"? A. Most of them are top students majoring in computer programming. B. For them, computer programming is the sole purpose for their life. C. They can stay with the computer at the center for nearly three days on end. D. Their "love" for the computer is so deep that they want to be near their machines even when they sleep. 08. It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that ____. A. the "hacker" phenomenon exists only at university computer centers B. university computer centers are open to almost everyone C. university computer centers are expecting outstanding programmers out of the "hackers" D. the "hacker" phenomenon is partly attributable to the deficiency of the computer centers 09. The author’s attitude towards the "hacker" phenomenon can be described as ____. A. affirmative B. contemptuous C. anxious D. disgusted 10. Which of the following may be a most appropriate title for the passage? A. The Charm of Computer Science B. A New Type of Electronic Toys C. Compulsive Computer Programmers D. Computer Addicts 3 Questions 11-15 are based on the following passage: Every profession or trade, every art, and every science has its technical vocabulary. Different occupations, however, differ widely in the character of their special vocabularies. In trades and handicrafts, and other vocations, like farming and fishery, that have occupied great numbers of men from remote times, the technical vocabulary, is very old. It consists largely of native words, or of borrowed words that have worked themselves into the very fibre of our language. Hence, though highly technical in many particulars, these vocabularies are more familiar in sound, and more generally understood, than most other technicalities. The special dialects of law, medicine, divinity, and philosophy have also, in their older strata, become pretty familiar to cultivated persons and have contributed much to the popular vocabulary. Yet every vocation still possesses a large body of technical terms that remain essentially foreign, even to educated speech. And the proportion has been much increased in the last fifty years, particularly in the various departments of natural and political science and in the mechanic arts. Here new terms are coined with the greatest freedom, and abandoned with indifference when they have served their turn. Most of the new coinages are confined to special discussions, and seldom get into general literature or conversation. Yet no profession is nowadays, as all professions once were, a close guild. The lawyer, the physician, the man of science, the divine, associated freely with his fellow-creatures, and does not meet them in a merely professional way. Furthermore, what is called "popular science" makes everybody acquainted with modern views and recent discoveries. Any important experiment, though made in a remote or provincial laboratory, is at once reported in the newspapers, and everybody is soon talking about it - as in the case of the Roentgen rays and wireless telegraphy. Thus our common speech is always taking up new technical terms and making them commonplace. 11. Special words used in technical discussion ____. A. never last long B. are considered artificial language speech C. should be confined to scientific fields D. may become part of common speech 12. It is true that ____. A. an educated person would be expected to know most technical terms B. everyone is interested in scientific findings C. the average man often uses in his own vocabulary what was once technical language not meant for him D. various professions and occupations often interchange their dialects and jargons 13. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of technical terms in the terminology of A. farming B. sports C. government D. fishery 14. The writer of the article was, no doubt ____. A. a linguist B. an essayist C. a scientist D. an attorney 15. The author’s main purpose in the passage is to ____. A. describe a phenomenon B. be entertaining C. argue a belief D. propose a solution 5. Questions 16-20 are based on the following passage: In the days immediately following hurricane Andrew’s deadly visit to South Florida, Allstate Insurance hastily dispatched more than 2,000 extra claim adjusters to the devastated area to assist the 200 stationed there. Many of the reserves arrived in convoys of motor homes. Others flew in from as far away as Alaska and California. Since the storm had knocked out telephone lines, Allstate rushed to set up its own communications system. Allatate expects to pay out 1.2 billion to cover more than 121,000 damage claims as a result of Andrew. All told, U.S. property and casualty insurers have been hit with more than 8 billion in Andrew-related claims, making the hurricane the most costly single calamity to strike the industry since the San Francisco earthquake and fire in 1906 (cost: 6 billion, after inflation). With claims continuing to pour in, Andrew threatens to take a painful toll on the already battered property-casualty insurance industry and its 100 million policy-holders. The final bill, analysts predict, is likely to top 10 billion. While most w ell-capitalized insurers are expected to weather the storm, less anchored firms are in danger of being blown away, leaving U.S. consumers stuck with the tab. Says Sean Mooney, senior researcher at the Insurance Information Institute: "It will take years before the industry digs itself out from the wreckage left by Andrew. Some [companies] will be buried by it." Hurricane Andrew is the latest in a string of mishaps to plague the American insurance industry this year. In April an overflowing Chicago River flooded the city’s downtown district, costing insurers 300 million in claims. A month later, Los Angeles was rocked by the worst civilian riot in the U.S. since the Civil War. The insurance toll: 1 billion. Then came a series of major hailstorms in Texas, Florida an Kansas. They cost insurers a combined 700 million. And two weeks after Andrew, another lethal hurricane, Iniki, smashed into Hawaii, causing 1.4 billion in damages. In all, property and casualty insurers have paid out a record 13 billion in claims so far this year, far surpassing the previous high of 7.6 billion in 1989, the year of Hurricane Hugo and California’s Bay Area earthquake. Just as in that year, when those catastrophes were followed by substantial increases in insurance premiums, insurers are already lobbying for rate relief. 16. According to the passage, "Allstate Insurance" most likely refers to ____. A. one of the property and casualty insurers in the U.S. B. the only insurance company responsible for the damage claims by Andrew C. the insurance industry as a whole D. the biggest insurance company in the U.S. 17. As is stated in the second paragraph, the result of Hurricane Andrew is likely to ____. A. lead to inflation throughout the U.S. B. make the largest insurers suffer the most C. put the industry in Sough Florida out of action D. cause insurers with insufficient funds to go bankrupt 18. Using context clues, we may infer that "stuck with the tab" most probably means ____. A. "caught in the hurricane" B. "exposed to natural disasters" C. "trapped in financial difficulties" D. &q uot;extremely vulnerable to further damages" 19. The end of the passage implies that, to compensate for their huge loss, the insurers will ____. A. resort to a very big increase in insurance premiums B. ask for subsidies from the federal government C. reduce their insurance coverage thereafter D. require a higher interest rate from the bank 20. The main purpose of the passage is to ____. A. show the severe damages and heavy losses caused by Hurricane Andrew B. suggest that U.S. insurers are virtually unable to cover the damage claims any more C. tell about the difficult situation faced by the insurers throughout the U.S. D. prove that disasters tend to cause ever worsening devastation as time goes on Answer: 1—5 CDCAD 6—10 DABCD 11—15 DCCAA 16—20 ADCAC Passage 1 It was once thought that air pollution affected only the area immediately around large cities with factories and/or heavy automobile traffic. Today, we know that although these are the areas with the worst air pollution, the problem is literally worldwide. On several occasions over the past decade, a heavy cloud of of air pollution has covered the entire eastern half of the United States and led to health warnings even in rural areas away from any major concentration of manufacturing and automobile traffic. In fact, the very climate of the entire earth may be affected by air pollution. Some scientists feel that the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the air resulting from the burning of fossil fuels (coal and oil) is creating a “greenhouse effect" - holding in heat reflected from the earth and raising the world s average temperature. If this view is correct and the world s temperature is raised only a few degrees, much of the polar ice cap will melt and cities such as New York, Boston, Miami, and New Orleans will be under water. Another view, less widely held, is that increasing particulate matter in the atmosphere is blocking sumlight and lowering the earth s temperature-a result that would be equally disastrous. A drop of just a few degrees could create something close to new ice age and would make agriculture difficult or impossible in many of our top farming areas. At present we do not know for sure that either of these conditions will hapen (though one recent government report prepared by experts in the field concluded that the greenhouse effect is very likely). Perhaps, if we are very lucky, the two tendencies will offset each other and the world s temperature will stay about the same as it is now. 1. As pointed out at the beginning of the passage, people used to think that air pollution . A. caused widespread damage in the countryside B. affected the entire eastern half of the United States C. had damaging effects on health D. existed merely in urban and industrial areas 2. As far as the greenhouse effect is concerned, the author A. shares the same view with the scientists B. is uncertain of its occurrence C. rejects it as being ungrounded D. thinks that it will destroy the world soon 3. The word “offset"(Line 6, Para. 2) could best be replaced by . A. slip into B. make up for C. set up D. catch up with 4. It can be inferred from the passage that . A. raising the world s temperature only a few degrees would not do much harm to life on earth B. lowering the world s temperature merely a few degrees would lead many major farming areas to disaster C. almost no temperature variations have occurred over the past decade D. the world s temperature will remain constant in the years to come 5. This passage is primarily concerned with . A. the greenhouse effect B. the burning of fossil fuels C. the potential effect of air pollution D. the likelihood of a new ice age Passage 2 In previous generations, young people were under their parents control; now the teenage children of the West s richest generation were ready for something to get excited about. The Beatles simply put a spark to a fuse that was waiting to be lit. Everything changed, and what changed for the Beatles was their lives and their working habits, in the midst of the hysterical following the band attracted. Because of the demand of the fans to see them perform, they played bigger and bigger venues (meeting places), especially in America. But John, Paul, George and Ringo became increasingly unhappy that, because of the screaming of their fans, neither the band nor the audience could hear the music. Creatively frustrated and tired of the pressures of life under siege from their fans, they retired from playing concerts in 1966 and decided to concentrate on recording. It was from this point that the brilliance of the Beatles really began to reveal itself: they would record over their career some 200 songs. Never before nor since has any recording and writing group even developed and yet remained the same in the way the Beatles did. Their songs never lost their universal appeal thanks to the warmth and timelessness of their melodies and lyrics. John and Paul were powerful singers with distinctive styles. It became apparent that, despite the fact that the songwriting credits were always equally attributed to them, Paul and John wrote and sang their own songs. George also contributed two or three of his own compositions to each of the Beatles eleven albums. Even Ringo wrote and sang the occasional song. 6. Which of the following is NOT true about the Beatles according to the passage? A. They made the young people of their time very excited. B. They attracted a large following wherever they played. C. They were always pleased with their popularity. D. No other pop music group had ever played to bigger audience than they did. 7. It can be inferred from the passage that . A. John and Paul were more talented and made greater contribution to the success of the band B. John and Paul sang their won songs because they didn’t like each other s style C. George and Ringo never composed or sang their own songs D. The Beatles maintained so much popularity with their works that no other recording or writing group could compare 8. It is implied in the third paragraph that . A. the Beatles had no appetite for fame B. the audience were unhappy about the sound effect C. pop musicians get easily tired as they are under great pressures of life D. the screaming of the fans prevented the Beatles from performing happily and creatively 9. The Beatles outstanding qualities were really shown when . A. they concentrated on recording and composition B. they played on the American continent C. they played their own lyrics and melodies on the stage D. they sang on the stage pop songs they wrote themselves 10. What can we learn about the Beatles music? A. It was fine example of music for simple sing along songs. B. Its appeal was not limited to any particular time or group of people. C. It was simple in form but rich in meaning. D. It reached a height which other pop music groups had never reached for their lyrics and melodies. Passage 3 The classic Neanderthals(尼安德特人), who lived between about 70,000 and 30,000 years ago, shared a number of special characteristics. Like any biological population, Neanderthals also showed variation in the degree to which those characteristics were powerfully built, short and stocky, with the lower parts of their arms and legs short in relation to the upper parts, as in modern peoples who live in cold environments. Neanderthal skulls were distinctive, housing brains even larger on average than those of modern humans, a feature that may have had more to do with their large, heavy bodies than with superior intelligence. Seen from behind, Neanderthal skulls look almost spherical, but from the side they are long and flattened, often with a bulging back. The Neanderthal face, dominated by a projecting and full nose, differed clearly from the faces of other hominids, the middle parts appear to be pulled forward (or the sides pulled back), resulting in a rather streamlined face shape. This peculiarity may have been related to the greater importance (in cultural activities as well as food processing) of the front teeth, which are large and part of a row of teeth that lies well forward in the head; it may reflect a reduction in importance of certain jaw muscles operating at the sides of the face, or it may reflect an adaptation to cold. Whether it results from any or all of these three factors or from other, undiscovered causes, this midfacial projection is so characteristic that it unfailingly identifies a Neanderthal to the trained eye. Neanderthal teeth are much more difficult to characterize: the front teeth are large, with strong roots, but the back teeth may be relatively small. This feature may have been an adaptation to cope with heavy tooth wear. 11. What does the passage mainly discuss? A. The eating habits of the Neanderthals B. A comparison of various prehistoric populations C. The physical characteristics of the Neanderthals D. The effect of climate on human development 12. The author describes the Neanderthal as being all of the following EXCEPT A. short B. swift C. strong D. stocky 13. Where in the passage does the author specifically stress the contrast between the Neanderthal face and that of other biologically related populations? A. Lines 1—4 B. Lines 6—10 C. Lines 11—12 D. Lines 20—23 14. Which of the following explanations is NOT cited as a possible explanation of the Neanderthal s streamlined face shape? A. Some jaw muscles had limited use. B. The facial features were well adapted to the cold. C. The front teeth were particularly important. D. The nose was set far back in the skull. 15. In line 23, the author uses the expression “heavy tooth wear” to imply that the Neanderthals A. had unusually heavy teeth B. used their teeth extensively C. regularly pulled out their teeth D. used teeth for ornamentation Passage 4 Much attention is presently being given to what is termed “functional illiteracy”. This should not be confused with the problem of illiteracy, that is, the inability to read and write. Current United Nations (UNESCO) figures indicate that 99 percent of all Americans are literate, the same figure assigned to nations such as Britain, Germany. Functional illiteracy, by contrast, is concerned with how much difficulty people have in actually using and writing skills in everyday situations. This might be interpreted, for example, as the relative ability to understand federal income tax forms, or printed instructions, or how well someone can write a letter of complaint, or apply in writing for a job. There are no agreed upon definitions of what functional illiteracy is and, in practice, definitions vary widely. For many years, reading tests have been used throughout the country which define reading ability by grade level. “Tenthgrade reading level” for instance, would be the average reading score of all pupils who have completed ten years of school. There are, of course, many different reading tests and types of tests. One definition of functional illiteracy holds that anyone is “illiterate” who reads at less that an eighth grade level. Another common definition uses a twelfth grade level (the last year of high school in the U.S.). There seems to be general agreement that at least one tenth of all Americans are functionally illiterate in English to some degree. It is also hardly surprising that those nations which (like the U.S.) have paid most attention to this concept, and which have nationwide testing, have found the greatest problems. As one educator humorously put it, “Reading tests cause illiteracy”. Canada, for example, which also has a large non-English speaking immigrant population, has recently found that many of her citizens, too, are functionally illiterate. The attention given to this problem, therefore, reflects the fact that in North America schools as well as pupils are continually tested. 16. What does “illiteracy” mean? A. Ability to read and write. B. Ability to appreciate literature. C. Lack of interest in literature. D. Inability to read and write. 17. Which of the following is most probably functionally illiterate? A. One who reaches tenth grade reading level. B. One who reaches eighth grade reading level. C. One who reaches twelfth grade reading level. D. Not known yet. 18. It can be learned from the passage that . A. Canada and the U.S. have functionally illiterate population because they hardly paid any attention to the problem B. functional illiteracy may have been caused at least in part by unsuccessful design of reading tests C. non English speaking immigrant population constitute the majority of all the functionally illiterate D. it is impractical to determine what functional illiteracy really is as different situations set different requirements 19. It can be inferred that . A. over onetenth of American population have difficulty in using and writing skills in everyday situations B. in North America nationwide tests are given to test pupils functional literacy C. Canadians are generally at a higher level of functional literacy than Americans are D. teaching of English reading and writing has turned out to be a failure in Canada and the U.S. 20. This passage was written mainly to . A. analyze different definitions of functional illiteracy B. discuss the reasons for functional illiteracy C. compare ways to get rid of illiteracy D. introduce the problem of functional illiteracy Answer: 1—5 DBBBC 6—10 CDDAB 11-15 CBCDB 16—20 DDDAD