大学英语试题(2阅读理解)

Passage 1

Before you go to another country it is a great help if you know the language and some of the customs of the country.

When people meet each other for the first time in Britain, they say ―How do you do?‖ and shake hands. Usually they do not shake hands when they just meet or say goodbye. But they shake hands after they haven’t met for a long time or when they will be away from each other for a long time.

Last year a group of German students went to England for a holiday. Their teacher told them that the English people hardly shake hands. So when they met their English friends at the station, they kept their hands behind their backs, the English students had learned that the Germans shake hands as often as possible, so they put their hands in front and got ready to shake hands with them. It make both of them laugh. 1. It is very helpful if you know the language and some of the customs of the country. A. T

B. F

2. English people usually shake hands when they meet every time. A. T B. F

3. Usually English people don’t shake hands when they just meet or say goodbye. A. T B. F 4. English people like shaking hands very much. A. T B. F 5. This story is about languages and customs. A. T B. F Passage 2

In the United States, it is not customary to telephone someone very early in the morning. If you telephone him early in the day, while he is shaving or having breakfast, the time of the call shows that the matter is very important and requires immediate attention. The same meaning is attached（附予) to telephone calls made after 11:00 pm. If someone receives a call during sleeping hours, he assumes it’s a matter of life or death. The time chosen for the call communicates its importance. In social life, time plays a very important part. In the U. S. A. guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation to a dinner party is extended only three or four days before the party date. But it is not true in all countries. In other areas of the world, it may be considered foolish to make an appointment too far in advance because plans which are made for a date more than a week away tend to be forgotten. The meaning of time differs in different parts of the world. Thus, misunderstandings arise between people from different cultures that treat time differently. Promptness is valued highly in American life, for example. If people are not prompt, they

may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible. In the U.S. no one would think of keeping a business associate（伙伴）waiting for an hour, it would be too impolite. A person who is 5 minutes late, will say a few words of explanation, though perhaps he will not complete the sentence. 6. What is the main idea of this passage?

B. The role of time in social life over the world.

7. What does it mean in the passage if you call someone during his or her sleeping hours?

B. A matter of life or death.

8. Which of the following time is proper if you want to make an appointment with your friend?

B. At 4:00 pm.

9. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

D. Promptness is valued highly in American life.

10. From the passage we can safely infer that ______________.

B. the meaning of time differs in different parts of the world

Passage 3

When a man is taller and stronger than other men, he is sometimes called a giant. Many people think of Chamberlain as a giant. He is so tall that he has a special, extra-long bed to sleep in and a special car with enough space for his long legs. During his playing days, Wilt was paid about $200 000 a year. That was what the president of the United States earned for being president. At that time, it was more than any other athlete in the entire history of sports had ever been paid.

Wilt played for the Los Angeles Lakers team. He helped to make it the best team in the Western Division of the National Basketball Association, which is a group of the very finest professional teams in the world. Wilt owns a beautiful apartment building in Los Angeles and another one in New York. He owns racehorses (赛马). He wears fine clothes. He owns an English Bentley car.

When Wilt was just seven years old, he took a job. He did not tell his mother or father, but one day his mother found out. She looked out into the street and saw Wilt lifting crates for a milkman. Mrs. Chamberlain told the milkman that Wilt was only seven. She said he shouldn’t be lifting those heavy milk crates. ―I thought he was twelve‖, said the milkman.

11. According to the passage, people called Wilt Chamberlain a giant. A. T

B. F

12 Wilt Chamberlain played for the Seattle Seahawks. A. T

B. F

13. The president of the United States earned as much money doing his job each year as Wilt earned playing basketball.

A. T B. F

14. Wilt Chamberlain could be such a famous basketball player only because he played for the finest professional team. A. T

B. F

15. According to the passage, the word ―honesty‖ best describes Wilt’s desire to work when he was seven. A. T

B. F

Passage 4

There are three kinds of goals: short-term, medium-range and long-term goals.

Short-term goals are those that usually deal with current activities, which we can apply on a daily basis. Such goals can be achieved in a week or less, or two weeks, or possibly, months. It should be remembered that just as a building is no stronger than its foundation. Long-term goals cannot amount to very much without the achievement of solid short-term goals. Upon completing our short-term goals, we should date the occasion and then add new short-term goals that will build on those that have been completed.

The intermediate goals build on the foundation of the short-term goals. They might deal with just one term of school or the entire school year, or they could even extend for several years. Any time you move a step at a time, you should never allow yourself to become discouraged or overwhelmed. As you complete each step, you will enforce the belief in your ability to grow and succeed. And as your list of completion dates grow, your motivation and desire will increase.

Long-term goals may be related to our dreams of the future. They might cover five years or more. Life is not a static (静止的) thing. We should never allow a long-term goal to limit us or our course of action. 16. Our long-term goals mean a lot . B. if we complete the short-term goals

17. New short-term goals are built upon . D. the goals that have been completed

18. When we complete each step of our goals, . C. we should build up confidence of success 19. What is the main idea of this passage? C. Different kinds of goals in life.

20. Which of the following statements is wrong according to the passage?

C. Life is a static thing, thus we should never allow a long-term goal to limit us or our course of action. Passage 5

Gladys Holm was a secretary (秘书). She worked in an office all her life. Gladys earned (挣) about $ 15,000 a year. She died when she was 86 years old. And she left a big surprise – $ 18 million! She gave the

money to a children’s hospital.

Gladys Holm never got married or had any children. But she always liked children, and she wanted to help them. When her friend’s daughter was ill in hospital, Gladys brought her a teddy bear. After that, she visited the hospital many times. Every time she visited, she brought teddy bears for those children. After that, people started to call Gladys the ―Teddy Bear Lady‖.

Gladys always gave toys and presents to her friends and family but no one knew she had a lot of money. She lived in a small house outside Chicago. Everyone was very surprised when they learned she was a millionaire. A family friend said, ―She always gave us nice presents and things, but we didn’t know she was rich.

How did Gladys get so much money? She asked her boss how to earn more money, and she listened to what he said. She bought the stocks (股票) that he told her to buy, and she got very rich. Before she died, she talked to her friends about ―giving something to the children’s hospital‖. No one knew that the ―something‖ was $ 18 million!

21. Gladys Holm often visited the hospital and gave children teddy bears because she had a lot of teddy bears. A. T

B. F

22. People started to call Gladys the ―Teddy Bear Lady‖ after she died. A. T

B. F

23. Everyone was surprised that Gladys had so much money. A. T

B. F

24. Gladys did what the boss told her to do, so she got rich. A. T

B. F

25. When Gladys Holm became a millionaire, she stopped working. A. T

B. F

Passage 6

Britain and France are separated by the English Channel, a body of water that can be crossed in as few as 20 minutes. But the cultures of the two countries sometimes seem to be miles apart.

Last Thursday Britain and France celebrated the l00th anniversary (周年纪念) of the signing of a friendship agreement called the Entente Cordiality. The agreement marked a new beginning for the countries following centuries of wars and love-hate partnership.

But their relationship has been ups and downs over the past century. Just last year, there were fierce disagreements over the Iraq war—which British Prime Minister Tony Blair supported despite French President Jacques Chirac speaking out against it. This discomfort is expressed in Blair and Chirac’s body

language at international meetings. While the French leader often greets German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with a hug (拥抱), Blair just receives a handshake. However, some political experts say the war in Iraq could in fact have helped ties.

The history of divisions may well be because of the very different ways in which the two sides see the world. But this doesn’t stop 12 million Britons taking holidays in France each year. However, only 3 million French come in the opposite direction. Surveys (调查) show that most French people feel closer to the Germans than they do to the British. And the research carried out in Britain has found that only a third of the population believes the French can be trusted. Perhaps this bad feeling comes because the British dislike France’s close relationship with Germany, or because the French are not happy with Britain’s close links with the US.

Whatever the answer is, as both sides celebrate 100 years of ―doubtful friendship‖, they are at 1east able to make jokes about each other. Here’s one: What’s the best thing about Britain’s relationship with France? The English Channel.

26. For centuries，the relationship between Britain and France is .

D. a mixture of love and hate

27. The war in Iraq does to the relationship between France and Britain.

D. both good and harm

28. The British are not so friendly to and the French are not so friendly to .

A. Germany; America

29. are more interested in having holidays in .

D. British people ... France 20. What does the last sentence mean?

C. France and Britain are near neighbors, and this will help balance the relationship between them.

Passage 7

Language is always changing. In a society where life continues year after year with few changes, the languages do not change either. The earliest known languages had difficult grammar but a small, limited vocabulary. Over the century, the grammar changed, and the vocabulary grew. For example, the English and Spanish people who came to America during the sixteenth century gave names to all the new plants and animals they found. In this way, hundreds of new words were introduced into English and Spanish vocabularies. Today life is changing very fast, and language is changing fast too.

There are several major language families in the world. Some scientists say there are nine main families, but other scientists divided them differently. The languages in each family are connected, and scientists think that they came from the same parent language. About 3% of the people in the world speak languages

that are not in these major families.

6. The early language had many words and easy grammar.

A. T

B. F 7. In the next few hundred years we can expect language to change a great deal.

A. T

B. F 8. This article shows that language changes with changes in society.

A. T

B. F

9. From this article we can know that language will become easier and easier.

A. T

B. F

10. The first English and Spanish people arrived in America more than 400-500 years ago.

A. T

B. F

Passage 8

When John and Victoria Falls arrived in New York City for one-year stay, they did not bring very many things with them. They had planned either to live in a furnished apartment or to buy used furniture. But they soon learned about a new system that more and more people are using. The renting of home furnishings (bed, tables, dishes, and so on) has become one of America’s fastest growing businesses.

What kinds of people rent their home furnishings instead of buying them? People who are international business or government officials, foreign students, airline workers, young married couples—people whose job or business may force them to move frequently from one city to another. They save a lot of trouble and the cost of moving their furniture each time. They simply rent new furniture when they reach their new homes. Young people with little money do not want to buy cheap furniture that they may soon dislike. They prefer to wait until they have enough money to buy furniture they really like. Meanwhile, they find they can rent better quality furniture than they could afford to buy.

One family, who now have a large, beautiful home of their own, liked their rented furniture so much that they decided to keep renting it instead of buying new things. But usually people don’t like to tell others about it. The idea of renting home furnishings is still quite new, and they are not sure what their neighbors might think.

11. Which of the following has become one of America’s fastest growing businesses? D. Renting home furnishings.

12. Why do some people prefer to rent furniture? C. Because it saves them much trouble and money. 13. What can you infer from the passage?

B. Renting furniture is not popular in the couple’s home town.

14. Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage? B. A New Way of Getting Home Furnishings.

15. Young people liked renting home furniture in that D. They don’t have much money and don’t want to buy the cheap furniture.

Passage 9

Most dog owners feel that their dogs are their best friends. Almost everyone likes dogs because they try hard to please their owners. One of my favorite stories is about a dog that wanted his owner to please him.

One of my friends has a large German shepherd named Jack. These dogs are often very intelligent. Every Sunday afternoon, my friend takes Jack for a walk in the park. Jack likes these long walks very much. One Sunday afternoon, a young man came to visit my friend. He stayed a long time, and he talked and talked. So it was time for my friend to take Jack for his walk, but the visitor didn’t leave. Jack became very worried about his walk in the park. He walked around the room several times and then sat down directly in front of the visitor and looked at him. But the visitor paid no attention. He continued talking. Finally, Jack couldn’t stand it any longer. He went out the room and came back a few minutes later. He sat down again in front of the visitor, but this time he held the man’s hat in his mouth.

German shepherds aren’t the only intelligent dogs. Another intelligent dog is a Seeing Eye dog. This is a special dog, which helps blind people walk along the streets and do many other things. We call these dogs Seeing Eye dogs because they are the ―eyes‖ of the blind people and they help them to ―see‖. Seeing Eye dogs generally go to special schools for several years to learn to help blind people. 6. Like many other dogs, Jack tried to please its owner master.

A. T

B. F 7. Jack came to sit in front of the visitor in order to invite him for a walk.

A. T

B. F 8. ―Finally, Jack couldn’t stand it any longer‖ means that Jack could no longer put up with the visitor.

A. T

B. F 9. Seeing Eye dogs help and see for blind people.

A. T

B. F 10. Famous Dogs in Germany would be the most suitable for this passage.

A. T

B. F Passage 10

By definition, heroes and heroines are men and women distinguished by uncommon courage, achievements, and self-sacrifice made most for the benefits of others-they are people against whom we measure others. They are men and women recognized for shaping our nation’s consciousness and

development as well as the lives of those who admire them. Yet, some people say that ours is an age where true heroes and heroines are hard to come by, where the very idea of heroism is something beyond us – an artifact of the past. Some maintain that because the Cold War is over and because America is at peace, our age is essentially an unheroic one. Furthermore, the overall crime rate is down, poverty has been eased by a strong and growing economy, and advances continue to be made in medical science.

Cultural icons are hard to define, but we know them when we see them. They are people who manage to go beyond celebrity (明星), who are legendary, who somehow manage to become mythic. But what makes some figures icons and others mere celebrities? That’s hard to answer. In part, their lives have the quality of a story to tell. For instance, the beautiful young Diana Spencer who at 19 married a prince, renounced marriage and the throne, and died at the moment she found true love. Good looks certainly help. So does a special indefinable charm, with the help of the media. But nothing confirms an icon more than a tragic death-such as Martin Luther King，Jr. John F. Kennedy, and Princess Diana. 11. The passage mainly deals with __________. C. heroes and icons

12. Heroes and heroines are usually _________. D. all of the above

13. Which of the following statements is wrong? D. Heroes and heroines can only emerge in war times.

14. Beautiful young Diana Spencer found her genuine love ________. C. just before her death

15. What is more likely to set an icon’s status? B. Tragic and early death.

Passage 11

―Dreams may be more important than sleep. We all need to dream,‖ some scientists say.

Dreams take up about one quarter of our sleeping time. People have several dreams each night. Dreams are like short films. They are usually in colour. Some dreams are like old films. They come to us over and over again. That may be because the dreamer is worrying about something. Dreaming may be a way of trying to find an answer.

Some people get new ideas about their work from dreams. They may have been thinking about their work all day. These thoughts can carry over into dreams.

Sometimes we wake up with a good feeling from a dream. But often we can’t remember the dream. Dreams can disappear quickly from memory.

Too much dreaming can be harmful. The more we sleep, the longer we dream. The mind is hard at work

when we dream. That is why we may have a long sleep and still wake up tired. 6. It may be less important to sleep than to dream.

A. T

B. F 7. Dreams and films are usually very long.

A. T

B. F 8. Some people often dream about their work because they may be thinking about their work all day.

A. T

B. F 9. The main idea of the story is people like to sleep.

A. T

B. F 10. Dreams are always good for our health.

A. T

B. F

Passage12

Paper is one of the most important products ever invented by man. Wide spread use of written language would not have been possible without some cheap and practical material to write on. The invention of paper meant that more people could be educated because more books could be printed and distributed. Together with the printing press, paper provided an extremely important way to communicate knowledge.

How much paper do you use every year? Probably you cannot answer that question quickly. In 1900 the world’s use of paper was about one kilogram for each person a year. Now some countries use as much as 50 kilograms of paper for each person a year. Countries like the United States, England and Sweden use more paper than other countries.

Paper, like many other things that we use today, was first made in China. In Egypt and the West, paper was not very commonly used before the year 1400. The Egyptians wrote on a kind of material made of a water plant. Europeans used parchment for many hundreds of years. Parchment was very strong; it was made from the skin of certain young animals. We have learnt of the most important facts of European history from records that were kept on parchment. 11. What’s the meaning for the word ―parchment‖?

B. A kind of paper made from the skin of certain young animals. 12. Which of the following is not mentioned about the invention of paper? A. More jobs could be provided than before. 13. When did the Egyptians begin to use paper widely? A. Around 1400.

14. Which of the following countries uses more paper for each person a year? B. Sweden.

15. What is the main idea of this short talk?

C. The invention of paper is of great significance to man.

Passage 13

Americans with small families own a small car or a large one. If both parents are working, they usually have two cars. When the family is large, one of the cars is sold and they will buy a van.

A small car can hold four persons and a large car can hold six persons but it is very crowded. A van hold seven persons easily, so a family of three children could ask their grandparents to go on a holiday travel. They could all travel together.

Mr. Hagen and his wife had a third child last year. This made them sell a second car and buy a van. There are seven seats in the van, and the sixth and seventh seats are used to put other things, for a family of five must carry many suitcases when they travel. When they arrive at their grandparents’ home, the suitcases are brought into the room and the two seats can then carry the grandparents.

Americans call vans motor homes. A motor home is always used for holidays. When a family is traveling to the mountains or to the seaside, they can live in their motor home for a few days or weeks. All the members of a big family can enjoy a happier life when they are traveling together. That is why motor homes have become very popular. In America there are many parks for motor homes. 6. From the passage, a van is also called a motor home.

A. T

B. F 7. Before Mr. Hagen and his wife bought a van, they sold their old house.

A. T

B. F 8. A motor home is usually owned by a family with more than two children.

A. T

B. F 9. Americans usually use motor homes to drive their children to school every day.

A. T

B. F 10. Motor homes have become popular because they can let families have a happier life when they go out for their holidays.

A. T

B. F Passage 14

Laws have been written to govern the use of American National Flag, and to ensure proper respect for the flag. Custom has also governed the common practice in regard to its use. All the armed services have precise regulations on how to display the national flag. This may vary somewhat from the general rules. The national flag should be raised and lowered by hand. Do not raise the flag while it is folded. Unfold the flag first, and then hoist it quickly to the top of the flagpole. Lower it slowly and with dignity. Place no objects

on or over the flag. Do not use the flag as part of a costume or athletic uniform. Do not print it upon cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins or boxes. A federal law provides that the trademark cannot be registered if it comprises the flag, or badges of the US. When the flag is used to unveil a statue or monument, it shouldn’t serve as a covering of the object to be unveiled. If it is displayed on such occasions, do not allow the flag to fall to the ground, but let it be carried high up in the air to form a feature of the ceremony. Take every precaution to prevent the flag from soiled. It should not be allowed to touch the ground or floor, nor to brush against objects.

11. How do Americans ensure proper respect for the national flag? A. By making laws.

12. What is the regulation regarding the raising of the American National Flag? B. It should be raised quickly by hand.

13. How should the American National Flag be displayed at an unveiling ceremony? D. It should be carried high up in the air.

14. What do we learn about the use of the American National Flag? C. There are precise regulations and customs to be followed. 15. What is Americans’ attitude towards their National Flag?

B. Respect.

Passage 15

Tom arrived at the bus station quite early for a Paris bus. The bus for Paris would not leave until five to twelve. He saw a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were standing in line, others were walking around. There was a group of schoolgirls. Their teacher was trying to keep them in line. Tom looked around but there was no place for him to sit.

He walked into the station cafe. He looked up at the clock there. It was only twenty to twelve. He found a seat and sat down before a large mirror on the wall. Just then, Mike, one of Tom’s workmates came in and sat with Tom.

―What time is your bus?‖ asked Mike. ―There’s plenty of time yet,‖ answered Tom. ―Well, I’ll get you some more tea then,‖ said Mike.

They talked while drinking. Then Tom looked at the clock again. ―Oh! It’s going backward!‖ he cried. ―A few minutes ago it was twenty to twelve and now it’s half past eleven.‖

―You’re looking at the clock in the mirror.‖ said Mike. Tom was so sad. The next bus was not to leave for another hour. Since then Tom has never liked mirrors.

6. Tom went into the station cafe because Mike asked him to have a cup of tea.

A. T B. F 7. It was half past twelve in fact when Tom looked at the clock in the mirror?

A. T

B. F 8. From the story we know that when we look at a clock in a mirror, we will find it’s going slower.

A. T

B. F 9. Tom looked at the clock in the mirror only once.

A. T

B. F 10. Tom arrived in Paris on time.

A. T

B. F

Passage 16

It has been reported that in colleges across the United States, the daytime serial drama known as the soap opera has suddenly become ―in‖. Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., college television lounges are filled with soap opera fans who can’t wait to see the next episode in the lives of their favorite characters.

Actually, soaps are more than a college favorite; they’re a youth favorite. When school is out, high-school students are in front of their TV sets. One young working woman admitted that she turned down a higher paying job rather than give up watching her favorite serials. During the 1960’s, it was uncommon for young people to watch soap operas. The mood of the sixties was very different from now. It was a time of seriousness, and talk was about social issues of great importance.

Now, seriousness has been replaced by fun. Young people want to be happy. It may seem strange that they should turn to soap opera, which is known for showing trouble in people’s lives. But soap opera is enjoyment. Young people can identify with the soap opera character, who, like the college-age viewer, is looking for happy love, and probably not finding it. And soap opera gives young people a chance to feel close to people without having to bear any responsibility for their problems. 11. What is soap opera? C. The daytime serial dramas on TV.

12. What can be the best title of the passage? C. Soap opera fans.

13. Which is not the reason why the soap opera suddenly becomes ―in‖ according to the passage？ D. Because the young people have to bear the responsibilities for their troubles. 14. What can we learn from the passage？

C. Young viewers have turned themselves from the seriousness of sixties to enjoyment now. 15. What message does the author want to convey to us？

B. The people’s favorites to drama works change along with the times.

Passage 17

Long, long ago there was a very foolish thief. Do you know what he did one day? When he wanted to steal the bell on his neighbor’s door, he walked up to the door, took hold of the bell and pulled hard. The bell made a very loud noise. The thief was afraid and went home.

Then he sat down to think, ―I must do something about the noise,‖ he said. He thought and thought. At last he had an idea. ―Ah, I’ll put some cotton in my ears. Then I won’t be able to hear the noise.‖ The next day he went to the door of his neighbor, and took hold of the bell. This time he pulled even harder. The bell rang loudly, but the thief did not hear anything. With another hard pull he got the bell out. Just then the neighbor came running out.

―Steal my bell? I’ll teach you a lesson,‖ the angry man shouted. And he hit the thief on the nose. The foolish thief did not know how the neighbor found out he was stealing the bell. ―Why did he come out just then?‖ he wondered.

6. The thief was trying to get a door with a bell on it.

A. T

B. F 7. The thief put some cotton in his ears. He thought it would be safe for him to steal the doorbell.

A. T

B. F 8. The neighbor ran out just because he knew his doorbell was being stolen.

A. T

B. F 9. The neighbor hit the thief to punish him for stealing.

A. T

B. F 10. The thief thought the neighbor couldn’t hear the noise the bell made.

A. T

B. F Passage 18

How men first learnt to invent words is unknown; in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thought and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to present those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, we call words.

The power of words, then, lies in their associations – the things they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something increases.

Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately or they will make our speech silly and vulgar. 11. The origin of language is ___________. D. a problem not yet solved

12. What is true about words? C. They are simply sounds.

13. The real power of words lies in their _____________.

D. representative function

14. By ―association‖ the author means __________.

B. a joining of ideas in the mind

15. Which of the following statements about the real poet is NOT true? A. He is no more than a master of words.

Passage 19

Computers are useful machines. They can help people a lot in their everyday life. For example, they can help people save much time, and they can help people work out many problems they can’t do easily. Our country asks everyone to learn to use computers except the old people.

Today more and more families own computers. Parents buy computers for their children. They hope computers can help them improve their studies in school. Yet many of the children use computers to play games, to watch video or to sing Karaoke, instead of studying. So many teachers and parents complain that computers can not help children to study but make them fall behind. So computers are locked by parents in the boxes.

In some other countries, even some scientists hate computers. They say computers let millions of people lose their jobs or bring them a lot of trouble. Will computers really bring trouble to people or can they bring people happiness? It will be decided by people themselves. 6. The computer is a useful machine because it can help us a lot.

A. T

B. F 7. Many teachers and parents complain that computers make the students and children fall behind.

A. T

B. F 8. In this passage we know computers bring us happiness only.

A. T

B. F 9. Many of the children use computers to play games, to watch video or to sing Karaoke.

A. T

B. F

10. The last sentence of this passage means computers are strange machines.

A. T B. F Passage 20

Many people who work in London prefer to live outside it, and to go in to their offices or schools every day by train, car or bus, even though this means they have to get up early in the morning and reach home late in the evening.

One advantage of living outside London is that houses are cheaper. Even a small flat in London without a garden costs quite a lot to rent. With the same money, one can get a little house in the country with a garden of one’s own.

Then, in the country one can really get away from the noise and hurry of busy working lives. Even though one has to get up earlier and spend more time in trains or buses, one can sleep better at night and during weekends and on summer evenings, one can enjoy the fresh, clean air of the country. If one likes gardens, one can spend one’s free time digging, planting, watering and doing the hundred and one other jobs which are needed in a garden. Then, when the flowers and vegetables come up, one has got the reward together with those who have shared the secret of Nature.

Some people, however, take no interest in country things: for them, happiness lies in the town with its cinemas and theatres, beautiful shops and busy streets, dance-halls and restaurants. Such people would feel that their life was not worth living if they had to live it outside London. An occasional walk in one of the parks and a fortnight’s (two weeks) visit to the sea every summer is all the country they want: the rest they are quite prepared to leave to those who are glad to get away from London every night. 11. Which of the following statements is NOT true? B. All the people who work in London prefer to live in the country.

12. With the same money needed for __________, one can buy a little house with a garden in the country. C. renting a small flat without a garden

13. When the garden is in blossom, the one __________ has been rewarded. B. having spent time working in the garden

14. People who think happiness lies in the city life would feel that _________ if they had to live outside London.

A. their life was meaningless

15. The underlined phrase get away from in the 3rd paragraph refers to ___________. C. escape from

Passage 21

Clowns（小丑）like to make people laugh. They paint their faces and put on funny noses. Sometimes they put on a sad face but most of the time they put on a happy face. They also wear funny clothes.

Most clowns work in circuses. They do all kinds of silly things to make the audience laugh. They run jump, fall down, turn sometimes they shout and sing. Clowns are funny men and occasionally, women too! A circus is not a circus without clowns!

Children especially enjoy watching clowns. A clown named cookie often visits hospitals to entertain sick children as well as older people. Sick people need to laugh. It helps them to get better faster.

There is an old saying: ―Laughter is good medicine.‖ 6. Clowns make people laugh by making fun of the audience.

A. T

B. F 7. Clowns are mostly female.

A. T

B. F 8. The sentence ―A circus is not a circus without clowns‖ means a circus will not be of much fun if it has no clowns.

A. T

B. F 9. Clowns are a great favorite with children.

A. T

B. F 10. The best interpretation of the old saying ―Laughter is good medicine‖ is that laughter helps sick people get better faster.

A. T

B. F Passage 22

Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are excessively concerned with their own appearance and actions. Worrisome thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: what kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?

It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must negatively affect people. A person’s conception of himself or herself is reflected in the way he or she behaves, and the way a person behaves affects other people’s reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a profound effect on all areas of their lives.

Shy people, having low self-esteem, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need reassurance that they are doing ―the right thing.‖ Shy people are very sensitive to criticism; they feel it confirms their feelings of inferiority. They also find it difficult to be pleased by compliment with a statement

like this one, ―You’re just saying that to make me feel good. I know it’s not true.‖ It is clear that while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.

Can shyness be completely eliminated, or at least reduced？Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determined and patient efforts in building self-confidence. Since shyness goes hand in hand with a lack of self-esteem, it is important for people to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths.

Each one of us is a unique, worthwhile individual, interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our full potential. Let’s not allow shyness to block our chances for a rich and fulfilling life.

11. What does the author try to prove by citing ―what kind of impression am I making?‖ (Para. 1)

B. People’s shyness made them care too much about their appearance and actions. 12. According to the writer, self-awareness is ____________.

A. a good quality

13. When being praised, shy people feel that it is ____________,

B. unreal

14. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

C. Shyness can block our chances for a rich life.

15. It can be inferred from the passage that shy people ___________.

B. should understand themselves in the right way

Passage 23

Homesick is a compound word (复合词) made up of ―home‖ and ―sick‖. You know what each word means on its own，of course. But think about what the words mean when they are used together. ―Homesick‖ means ―longing for home, unhappy away from home‖. In other words, it means sick for home.

Now think for a minute about the word ―seasick‖. If you change the word ―home‖ in the definition to the word ―sea‖, would the definition fit ―seasick‖? Does seasick mean ―longing for sea; unhappy away from sea‖? It means something quite different. Seasick means ―sick because of the sea‖. When you are homesick, the only place you want to be is at home. When you are seasick, the last place you want to be is at sea.

Have you ever heard of a person being heartsick? Heartsick does not mean that something is wrong with a person's heart. It means ―terribly disappointed and sad‖. People are heartsick when they are hurt down deep inside, or when they feel as if their hearts are broken.

And so, when you are carsick，you are ―made sick by the movement of a car on the road‖. You are sick because of the car, not sick for it. You can see, then, that not all compound words are what they seem at first glance. But, on the other hand, we have such compound words as ―handshake‖, ―handstand‖, and ―handbag‖. You may want to write

definitions for them.

6. The word ―seasick‖ means ―to want to go to the sea very much.

A. T

B. F 7. When we say a person is heartsick, we mean that there’s something wrong with his heart.

A. T

B. F 8. ―The last place you want to be‖ is where you want to be least.

A. T

B. F 9. The definitions of ―handbag‖ and ―handshake‖ are easy to know.

A. T

B. F 10. The writer wanted to tell us that not all the compound words mean what they seem to be.

A. T

B. F Passage 24

The French Revolution broke out in 1789. At the time France was in a crisis. The government was badly run and people’s lives were miserable. King Louis XIV tried to control the national parliament and raise more taxes. But his effort failed. He ordered his troops to Versailles. The people thought that Louis intended to put down the Revolution by force. On July 14, 1789, they stormed and took the Bastille, where political prisoners were kept. Ever since that day, July 14 has been the French National Day. Louis tried to flee the country in 1792 to get support from Austria and Prussia. However, he was caught and put in prison. In September 1792, the monarchy was abolished. In the same year, Louis was executed（处死）. A few months later his wife, Marie also had her head cut off. The Revolution of France had frightened the other kings of Europe. Armies from Austria and Prussia began to march against France. The French raised republican armies to defend the nation. The Revolution went through a period of terror. Thousands of people lost their lives. In the end, power passed to Napoleon Bonaparte. 11. What’s this passage about? C. The French Revolution. 12. Which did not happen in 1789?

B. The national economy was developing rapidly. 13. Where were the political prisoners kept? D. In Bastille.

14. What does the underlined word ―abolished‖ mean? D. Ended.

15. What was NOT the effect of the Revolution? D. The king tried to control the national parliament.

Passage 25

―Cool‖ is a word with many meanings. Its old meaning is used to express a temperature that is a little bit cold. As the world has changed, the word has had many different meaning.

―Cool‖ can be used to express feelings of interest in almost anything. When you see a famous car in the street, maybe you will say, ―It's cool.‖ You may think, ―He's so cool, ‖ when you see your favourite footballer.

We all maximize (扩大) the meaning of ―cool‖. You can use it instead of many words such as ―new‖ or ―surprising‖. Here's an interesting story we can use to show the way the word is used. A teacher asked her students to write about the waterfall they had visited. On one student's paper was just the one sentence, ―It's so cool.‖ Maybe he thought it was the best way to show what he saw and felt.

But the story also shows a scarcity (缺乏) of words. Without ―cool‖, some people have no words to show the same meaning. So it is quite important to keep some credibility (可信性). Can you think of many other words that make your life as colourful as the word ―cool‖? I can. And I think they are also very cool. 6. We know that the word ―cool‖ has had many different meanings.

A. T

B. F 7. In paragraph one of the passage, the word ―express‖ means ―feel‖.

A. T

B. F 8. If you are angry about something, you may say, ―It’s cool.‖

A. T

B. F 9. The writer takes an example to show he is worried about the way the word is used.

A. T

B. F 10. In the passage, the writer suggests that the word ―cool‖ may not be as cool as it seems.

A. T

B. F Passage 26

A characteristic of American culture that has become almost a tradition is to respect the self-made man – the man who has risen to the top through his own efforts, usually beginning by working with his hands. While the leader in business or industry or the college professor occupies a higher social position and commands greater respect in the community than the common laborer or even the skilled factory worker, he may take pains to point out that his father started life in America as a farmer or laborer of some sort.

This attitude toward manual (体力的) labor is now still seen in many aspects of American life. One is invited to dinner at a home that is not only comfortably but even luxuriously (豪华地) furnished and in which there is every evidence of the fact that the family has been able to afford foreign travel, expensive hobbies, and college education for the children; yet the hostess probably will cook the dinner herself, will

serve it herself and will wash dishes afterward, furthermore the dinner will not consist merely of something quickly and easily assembled from contents of various cans and a cake or a pie bought at the nearby bakery. On the contrary，the hostess usually takes pride in careful preparation of special dishes. A professional may talk about washing the car, digging in his flowerbeds, painting the house. His wife may even help with these things, just as he often helps her with the dishwashing. The son who is away at college may wait on table and wash dishes for his living, or during the summer he may work with a construction gang on a highway in order to pay for his education.

11. From paragraph 1, we know that in America .

A. people tend to have a high opinion of the self-made man

12. According to the passage, the hostess cooks dinner herself mainly because . B. she takes pride in what she can do herself

13. The expression ―wait on table‖ in the second paragraph means ― ‖.

D. serve customers in a restaurant

14. The author’s attitude towards manual (体力的) labor is . A. positive

15. Which of the following may serve as the best title of the passage? B. American Attitude toward Manual Labor.

Passage 27

Mr. Brown was going away for a week. Before he left, he said to his son, ―if anyone asks for me, you can tell him that your father has been out for doing something, and will be back in a week, then be sure to ask him to sit down for a cup of tea.‖

―OK, Dad,‖ said his son. But he was afraid his son couldn’t remember this, he wrote these words down on a piece of paper and gave it to him. His son put it into his small pocket, took it out and looked at it every now and then.

Four days passed, but no one came to see his father. The boy thought that there was no man to come and that the piece of paper was of no more use for him, so he burnt it that evening.

The next afternoon, someone knocked at the door. The boy opened it. A man was standing at the door and said, ―Where is your father?‖ The boy put his hand into his pocket at once and looked for the piece of paper. He could not find it. He suddenly remembered he had burnt it, so he shouted, ―No more.‖

The man was very surprised. He asked, ―No more? I met your father last week. When did it happen?‖ ―Burnt yesterday evening.‖

6. Mr. Brown told his son that he would be back in a month.

A. T

B. F 7. Mr. Brown wrote the words down on a piece of paper.

A. T

B. F 8. A man came to visit the boy’s father on the fourth day.

A. T

B. F 9. The man was very surprised because he thought the child’s father was dead.

A. T

B. F 10. The piece of paper was burnt.

A. T

B. F Passage 28

Places to stay in Britain are as varied as the places you visit. Whatever your budget is the choice—from basic barn to small hotel, from tiny cottage to grand castle—is all part of fun.

Hostels

Cheap, good-value hostels are aimed at all types of like–minded travelers, who prefer value over luxury and you don’t have to be young or single to use them. Britain’s independent hostels and backpackers hostels also offer a great welcome. Facilities and prices vary, especially in rural areas, where some hostels are a little more than a bunkhouse (临时住房) while others are remarkably comfortable–almost like bargain hotels.

Youth Hotels

Founded many years ago to ―help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside‖, the Youth Hotels Association is still going strong in the 21st century. The network of 230 hotels is a perfect gateway for exploring Britain’s towns and countryside.

B & Bs

The B&B (bed and breakfast) is a great British institution. In essence you get a room in somebody’s house, and small B & Bs may only have one guest room, so you’ll really feel like part of the family. Larger B & Bs may have four or five rooms and more facilities, but just as warm as a welcome.

In country areas your B&B might be in a village or an isolated farm surrounded by fields. Prices reflect facilities: and usually run from around ￡12 to ￡20 per person. City B & Bs charge about ￡25 to ￡30 per person, although they’re often cheaper as you go further out to the suburbs.

Pubs & Inns

As well as selling drinks and meals, Britain’s pubs and inns sometimes offer B & B, particularly in country areas. Staying a night or two can be great fun and puts you at the heart of the local community.

Rates range from around ￡15 to ￡25 per person. Pubs are more likely to have single rooms. 11. In this passage the author mainly ___________. A. tells us where to stay while visiting Britain 12. __________ are mainly built for young visitors.

B. Youth Hotels

13. If you travel alone and want to know better about family life in Britain. You’d better stay in ___________. D. B & Bs

14. If you are interested in traveling with your friends but only with limited means, where is the better place for you to stay? C. Hostels

15. Which of the following is NOT true according to the last part of the passage? B. All pubs and inns offer visitors bed and breakfast.

Passage 29

In the United States, many people try to save time. In many families, both the husband and wife work full-time, so their free time is very important to them. They look for quick and convenient ways to do their shopping and other things they want to do.

Many years ago, people had to go to the fish market to buy fish, to the butcher for meat and chicken, to fruit market for fresh fruit, and to the bakery for bread and rolls. Now most people go to just one place. They can buy fruit, bread, meat, fresh vegetables, frozen foods, and beer at the local supermarket. They can also buy things for house, such as pots and pans, brooms and buckets (桶). They can even buy socks and stockings, shoes, mitten (手套), and sunglasses at supermarkets.

When Americans eat out, they often go to fast-food restaurants. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are always ready. People order their meals at the counter and wait for their food just a few seconds or minutes. Then they carry the food to a table, eat it, and throw their trash (垃圾) away. It takes only 20 minutes or so to eat a meal at a fast-food restaurant. Supermarkets and fast-food restaurants are therefore very important to people in the United States. They are quick and convenient, and that’s what people want when they are always looking for ways to save time.

6. According to the passage, free time is important because many people work full-time.

A. T

B. F 7. Many Americans go to fast-food restaurants because they have to cook and wash the dishes.

A. T

B. F 8. People don’t have to shop at fish markets, butcher shops, fruit markets and bakeries because they can buy all of those things at just one place.

A. T

B. F 9. Fast-food restaurants are convenient because breakfast, lunch and dinner are nice there.

A. T B. F 10. The reading is about supermarket.

A. T

B. F Passage 30

Sixteen-year-old Maria was waiting in line at the airport in Santo Domingo. She was leaving her native country to join her sister in the United States. She spoke English very well. Though she was very happy she could go abroad, she was feeling sad at leaving her family and friends. As she was thinking all about this, she suddenly heard the airline employee asking her to pick up her luggage and put it on the scales(称). Maria pulled and pulled. The bag was too heavy and she just couldn’t lift it up. The man behind her got very impatient. He, too, was waiting to check in his luggage.

―What’s wrong with this girl?‖ He said. ―Why doesn’t she hurry up?‖ He moved forward and placed his bag on the counter, hoping to check in first. He was in a hurry to get a good seat.

Maria was very angry, but she was very polite. And in her best English she said, ―Why are you so upset? There are enough seats for everyone on the plane. If you are in such a hurry, why can’t you give me a hand with my luggage?’’

The man was surprised to hear Maria speak English. He quickly picked up her luggage and stepped back. Everyone was looking at him with disapproval. 11. Maria’s story happened . D. when she arrived at the airport

12. You believe that the work of the airline employee mentioned in the story is to _________ at the airport. C. check people’s luggage

13. ―Why are you so upset?‖ Maria said to the man. She wanted to tell him that he should not be . C. unhappy

14. ―Everyone was looking at him with disapproval.‖ This sentence means that the people around felt . D. sorry for the man’s manners

15. The author mentioned Maria’s age at the beginning of the story in order to show that .

A. she was young but behaved properly

Passage 31

On Christmas Eve ─ the night before Christmas Day ─ children all over Britain put a stocking at the end of their beds before they go to sleep. Their parents usually tell them that Father Christmas will come during the night.

Father Christmas is very kind and hearted. He gets to the top of each house and climbs down the chimney into the fireplace. He fills each of the stockings with Christmas presents.

Of course, Father Christmas isn’t real. In Jim and Kate’s house, ―Father Christmas‖ is really Mr. Green. Mr. Green doesn’t climb down the chimney. He waits until the children are asleep. Then he quietly goes into their bedrooms and fills their stockings with small presents. When they were very young, Mr. Green sometimes wore a red coat. But he doesn’t do that now. The children are no longer young, and they know who ―Father Christmas‖ really is. But they still put their stockings at the end of their beds. 6. Christmas Eve is the night of Christmas Day.

A. T

B. F 7. Father Christmas often puts presents under children’s beds.

A. T

B. F 8. When the children were very young, they didn’t know who Father Christmas was.

A. T

B. F 9. When the children are older, they know that Father Christmas is real.

A. T

B. F 10. Father Christmas comes into the house through the window.

A. T

B. F Passage32

Community service is an important component of education here at our university. We encourage all students to volunteer for at least one community activity before they graduate. A new community program called ―One On One’’ helps elementary students who’ve fallen behind. Your education majors might be especially interested in it because it offers the opportunity to do some teaching, that is, tutoring in math and English.

You’d have to volunteer two hours a week for one semester. You can choose to help a child with math, English, or both. Half-hour lessons are fine, so you could do a half hour of each subject two days a week. Professor Dodge will act as a mentor to the tutors—he’ll be available to help you with lesson plans or to offer suggestions for activities. He has office hours every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. You can sign up for the program with him and begin the tutoring next week.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy this community service … and you’ll gain valuable experience at the same time. It looks good on your resume, too, showing that you’ve had experience with children and that you care about your community. If you’d like to sign up, or if you have any questions, stop by Professor Dodge’s office this week.

11. What is the purpose of the talk?

B. To interest students in a new community program. 12. What is the purpose of the program that the speaker describes?

C. To offer tutorials to elementary school students. 13. What does Professor Dodge do?

A. He advises students to participate in certain program. 14. What should students who are interested in the tutorials do?

D. Talk to Professor Dodge.

15. Whom do you think the speaker addresses to?

B. Students.

Passage 33

Now satellites are helping to forecast the weather. They are in space, and they can reach any part of the world. The satellites take pictures of the atmosphere, because this is where the weather forms. They send these pictures to the weather stations. So meteorologists（气象学家）can see the weather of any part of the world. From the pictures, the scientists can often say how the weather will change.

Today, nearly five hundred weather stations in sixty countries receive satellite pictures. When they receive new pictures, the meteorologists compare them with earlier ones. Perhaps they may find that the clouds have changed during the last few hours. This may mean that the weather on the ground may soon change, too. In their next weather forecast, the meteorologists can say this.

So the weather satellites are a great help to the meteorologists. Before satellites were invented, the scientists could forecast the weather for about 24 or 48 hours. Now they can make good forecasts for three or five days. Soon, perhaps, they may be able to forecast the weather for a week or more ahead. 6. Satellites travel in space. A. T

B. F

7. We use the weather satellites to take pictures of the atmosphere because the weather forms there. A. T

B. F

8. Meteorologists forecast the weather before they received satellite pictures. A. T

B. F

9. Maybe we’ll soon be able to forecast the weather for seven days or even longer. A. T

B. F

10. The main idea of this passage is that satellites are now used in receiving pictures of the atmosphere. A. T

B. F

Passage 34

What makes a person a scientist? Does he have ways or tools of learning that are different from those of

others? The answer is ―no‖. It is not the tools a scientist uses but how he uses these tools that makes him a scientist. You will probably agree that knowing how to investigate, how to discover information, is important to everyone. The scientists, however, goes one step further, he must be sure that he has a reasonable answer to his questions and that his answer can be confirmed by other persons. He also works to fit the answers he gets to many questions into a large set of ideas about how the world works.

The scientist’s knowledge must be exact. There is no room for half right. He must be as nearly right as the conditions permit. What works under one set of conditions at one time must work under the same conditions at other times. If the conditions are different, any changes the scientist observes in a demonstration must be explained by the changes in the conditions. This is one reason that investigations are important in science. Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, arrived at this theory through mathematics. The accuracy of his mathematics was later tested through investigations, Einstein’s ideas were shown to be correct. A scientist uses many tools for measurements. Then the measurements are used to make mathematical calculations that may test his investigations. 11. What makes a scientist according to the passage? B. The way he uses his tools.

12. ―The scientist, however, goes one step further ...‖. The author says this to show _________. C. the difference between scientists and ordinary people 13. A sound scientific theory should be one that _____________.

A. works not only under one set of conditions at one time, but also under the same conditions at other times

14. The author quotes the case of Albert Einstein to illustrate __________. C. that the investigations are important in science 15. What is the main idea of the passage?

D. Exactness and ways of using tools are the keys to the making of a scientist.

Passage 35

In almost every big university in the United States, football is a favorite sport. American football is different. Players sometimes kick the ball, but they also throw the ball and run with it. They try to take it to the other end of the field. They have four chances to move the ball ten yards. They can carry it or they can throw it. If they move the ball ten yards, they can try to move it another ten yards. If they move it to the end of the field, they receive six points.

It is difficult to move the ball. Eleven men on the other team try to stop the man with the ball. If he does not move the ball ten yards, his team kicks the ball to the other team. Each university wants its own team to win. Many thousands of people come to watch. They all shout for their favorite team.

Young men and women come on the field to help the people shout more. They dance and jump while they shout. Each team plays ten or eleven games each season. The season begins in September and ends in November. If a team is very good, it may play another game after the season ends. The best teams play again on January 1, the first day of the New Year. Many people go to see these games and many others watch them on TV.

6. The passage talks about American football. A. T

B. F

7. We can catch the football in both American football and Chinese football. A. T

B. F

8. It is difficult to move the ball because many men on the other team try not to let the ball come near. A. T

B. F

9. If they are the best teams, the teams will play on January 1. A. T

B. F

10. The season begins in November and ends in September. A. T

B. F

Passage 36

In ancient time the most important examinations were spoken, not written. In the schools of ancient Greece and Rome, testing usually consisted of saying poetry aloud or giving speeches.

In the European universities of the Middle Ages, students who were working for advanced degrees had to discuss questions in their field of study with people who had made a special study of the subject. This custom exists today as part of the process of testing candidates for the doctor’s degree.

Generally, however, modern examinations are written. The written examination, where all students are tested on the same questions, was probably not known until the nineteenth century. Perhaps it came into existence with the great increase in population and the development of modern industry. A room full of candidates for a state examination, timed exactly by electric clocks and carefully watched over by managers, resembles a group of workers at an automobile factory. Certainly, during examinations teachers and students are expected to act like machines.

11. In the Middle Ages students ___________. C. never wrote exams

12. The main idea of paragraph 3 is ___________. D. examinations are now written and timed

13. The word ―degree‖ in paragraph 2 means __________. B. academic title

14. Modern industry must have developed ___________. B. around the 19th century

15. It may be concluded that testing __________. C. has changed since the Middle Ages

Passage 37

Social customs differ from country to country. Does a man walk on the left or the right of a woman in your country? Or doesn’t it matter? What about table manners? Should you use both hands when you are eating? Should you leave one in your lap, or on the table?

The Americans and the British not only speak the same language but also share a large number of social customs. For example, in both America and England people shake hands when they meet each other for the first time. Also, most Englishmen will open a door for a woman or offer their seat to a woman, and so will most Americans. Promptness (迅速) is important both in England and in America. That is, if a dinner invitation is for 7 o’clock, the dinner guest either arrives close to that time or calls up to explain his delay.

The important thing to remember about social customs is not to do anything that might make other people feel uncomfortable – especially if they are your guests. There is an old story about a man who gave a formal dinner party. When the food was served, one of the guests started to eat his peas with a knife. The other guests were amused or shocked, but the host calmly picked up his knife and began eating in the same way. It would have been bad manners to make his guest feel foolish or uncomfortable. 6. If one is to be late for the dinner, he should telephone to explain his being late. A. T

B. F

7. ―It would have been bad manners to make his guest feel foolish or uncomfortable.‖ ―Bad manners‖ means ―dishonest‖. A. T

B. F

8. According to the text, the best host makes his guests feel excited. A. T

B. F

9. The author of this article may agree with the host who picked up his knife and began eating in the same way. A. T

B. F

10. This passage mainly tells us something about social customs and behavior. A. T

B. F

Passage 38

When you take a walk in any of the cities in the West, you often see a lot of people walking dogs. It is still true that a dog is the most useful and faithful animal in the world. But the reasons why people keep a

dog have changed.

In the old days, people used to train dogs to protect themselves against attacks by other beasts. And later, they came to realize that the dog was not only useful for protection but willing to obey his master. For example, when people used dogs for hunting, the dogs would not eat what was caught without permission. But now, people in the city need not protect themselves against attacks of an animal.

Why do they keep dogs, then? Some people keep dogs to protect themselves from robbery, but the most important reason is for companionship. For a child, a dog is his best friend when he has no friends to play with. For young couples, a dog is their child when they have no children. For old couples, a dog is also their child when their real children have grown up. So the main reason why people keep dogs has changed from protection to friendship.

11. It is true that a dog is ___________. D. both A and B

12. According to the passage, what were dogs trained for in the past? A. For protection against other animals. 13. Why were dogs used for hunting?

D. Because they always obeyed their masters.

14. What is the most important reason for people in the city to keep dogs now? A. For companionship.

15. What is the main idea of the passage? D. The dog is a useful and friendly animal.

Passage 39

Our family is trying to decide where to go for our vacation this summer. Our son, Tom, wants to go to Yellow Stone Park again to see the bears. We did that last summer and what an experience it was! When we got there, we put up our tent and went to explore. As we returned, we heard our daughter Susie cry out and then we saw a bear enter our camp. Tom wanted his father to chase him away. His father said, ―No, it’s dangerous to chase a bear, and don’t let him chase you!‖ Susie said, ―What shall we do? Maybe we ought to climb a tree.‖ Tom said, ―No, we’ve got to get him out of there. He might go to sleep in our tent.‖ ―Maybe we could make him leave if we put some honey outside for him to eat.‖ Susie suggested. Then I said, ―How are you going to get the honey? It’s in the tent.‖

We watched the bear enter the tent and heard him upset everything inside. ―It’s foolish for us to try to catch him,‖ said my husband, ―Leave him alone and wait for him to come out.‖ We waited, but the bear stayed inside. We had to sleep in the car.

6. Tom wants to go to Yellow Stone Park to see tigers.

A. T B. F

7. The family is trying to decide where to go for their vacation this summer. A. T

B. F

8. Susie saw the bear first. A. T

B. F

9. They put some honey outside for the bear to eat when they saw a bear enter their tent. A. T

B. F

10. The bear entered the tent and turned things upside down. A. T

B. F

Passage 40

If you are like most people, your intelligence varies from season to season. You are probably a lot sharper in the spring than you are at any other time of a year. A noted scientist, Ellsworth Huntington, concluded from other men’s work and his own among people in different climates that climate and temperature have a definite effect on our mental abilities.

He found that cool weather is much more favorable for creative thinking than the summer heat. This does not mean that all people are less intelligent in the summer than they are during the rest of the year. It does mean, however, that the mental abilities of large numbers of people tend to be lowest in the summer.

Spring appears to be the best period of the year for thinking. One reason may be that in the spring man’s mental abilities are affected by the same factors that bring about great changes in all nature.

Fall is the next-best season, then winter. As for summer, it seems to be a good time to take a long vacation from thinking. 11. Who is Ellsworth Huntington? C. A noted scientist.

12. Most people’s intelligence _______________. A. is more or less affected by the seasons 13. Huntington found that ______________.

A. cool weather is much more favorable for creative thinking than the summer heat 14. Spring is the best season for thinking because ___________. D. spring increases the vitality (生命力) of every living thing on earth 15. What conclusion did Huntington come to?

C. Climate and temperature have a definite effect on our mental abilities.