While all my classmates seen to be crazy about a one-way ticket to Mars(火星), I’d rather say Mars is totally unsuitable for human existence. People won’t have enough food supplies there, and the terrible environment would make it impossible for them to live a long life. Besides, the journey won’t be safe. Can anybody explain to me just why people would go to Mars, never to return?
Steve Minear, UK
Here are the things you can think of: the desire to explore a foreign and unique environment, the excitement of being the first humans to open up a new world, the expectation of fame and glory…For scientists there is another reason. Their observations and research will probably lead to great scientific achievements.
Donal Trollop, Canada
There are already too many people on the Earth. I think that sometime before the end of the century, there will be a human colony(殖民地)on Mars. It will happen when people finally realize that tow-way trips to the red planet Mars are unnecessary. Most of the danger of space Flight is in the launches(发射) and landings. Cutting the trip home would therefore reduce the danger of accidents, save a lot of money, and open the way to building an everlasting human settlement on another world.
Enough supplies can be sent on ahead. And every two years more supplies and more people will needs, and Mars is far more pleasant than the other planets in the outer space.
Paul Davies. USA
The main purpose of Steve Minear’s writing is .
| A．to report his classmates’ discussion | B．to invite an answer to his question |
| C．to explain the natural state of Mars | D．to show his agreement on going to Mars |
Which of the following best states Donal Trollop’s idea?
| A．There is a plan to send humans to Mars. |
| B．There are many reasons for going to Mars. |
| C．Scientists become famous by doing research on Mars. |
| D．It is possible to build an Earth-like environment on Mars. |
Paul Davies points out that .
| A．humans need only a one-way ticket to Mars. |
| B．two-way trips to Mars will be made safe soon |
| C．it is easy to reduce the danger and cost of flights to Mars |
| D．it is cheap to build an everlasting human settlement on Mars |
What does Paul Davies think of human existence on Mars?
| A．Humans will have to bring all they need from the Earth. |
| B．Humans will find Mars totally unsuitable for living. |
| C．Humans can produce everything they need. |
| D．Humans can live longer in the colony on Mars |
My heart was pounding faster while the drums were beating. It was my third year in the running. “And our winner…Miss Red Cliff 2008 is Number 183!”
I stood there, frozen. My mom brought me back to reality: “That’s you, Mariah!” As I walked to the speaker, the former Miss Red Cliff took the crown(花冠) from her head, and placed it on mine. My family surrounded me, taking pictures and congratulating me. Then my family and I danced around the arena(竞技场) with our heads held high. People came up to shake my hand and gave me flowers, kisses and hugs. Finally, with determination I had reached my goal—to travel on the pow-wow(a meeting of native Americans) trail in honor of my community.
Before I became Miss Red Cliff, I had to get to know someone well before I became sociable, but later I wasn’t like that anymore. That year I traveled to many pow-wows in Michigan, Canada and many other places. People told me that I was a respectful and responsible young lady. I felt very confident that I was doing a good job.
Being Miss Red Cliff was one of the best times in my teenage years. I hope one day I will watch my daughters or granddaughters dance behind the flag holders as they hold the Miss Red Cliff title.
| A．She couldn’t believe the fact that she had won the Miss Red Cliff title. |
| B．She didn’t remember her number. |
| C．She didn’t like the former Miss Red Cliff. |
| D．She thought someone had made a mistake. |
| A．represent her community to attend the pow-wows |
| B．dance around the arena with her families and friends |
| C．receive flowers, kisses and hugs from people |
| D．sing an honor song with the crown on the head |
| A．She loved to travel around. |
| B．She felt proud to be Miss Red Cliff 2008. |
| C．She was a sociable and responsible young lady. |
| D．She had tried to win this competition for years. |
| A．Mariah couldn’t believe it when she failed in the competition. |
| B．Mariah hoped to see more people in her family become Miss Red Cliffs. |
| C．Mariah’s success was all due to her families’ caring and encouragement. |
| D．It was a rewarding and unforgettable experience to become Miss Red Cliff. |
Teachers at American colleges and universities have many different teaching methods. Some teachers give homework and check the work every day, and students in their classes have to take many exams. Some teachers give only writing tasks. Some teachers always follow a course outline and usually use the textbook, while others send students to the library for tasks.
The atmosphere in some classrooms is very formal. Students call their teachers Professor Smith, Mrs. Jones and so on. Other classrooms have an informal atmosphere. Students and teachers discuss their ideas together. Teachers dress informally, and students call them by their first names. American teachers are different in their teaching styles.
At most American colleges and universities, libraries and learning centers can be used by students at any time. They can often use tape recorders, video machines and computers. They can buy books, notebooks and other things at campus stores. There are also services to students. They can get advice on their problems from their teachers. Colleges and universities usually offer facilities to students. Some schools have swimming pools and tennis courts. Most have fast food restaurants.
| A．never give their students any homework |
| B．give classes in the library |
| C．only ask their students to do some writing tasks |
| D．only give their students writing exams |
| A．students call their teachers Professor Smith, Mrs. Jones and so on |
| B．students exchange their ideas with their teachers |
| C．students have to take many exams |
| D．teachers wear business clothes |
| A．swimming pools |
| B．fast food restaurants |
| C．tennis courts |
| D．basketball courts |
| A．Teaching methods. |
| B．Teaching styles. |
| C．College facilities. |
| D．University dining rooms. |
About the year 1900, a dark-haired boy named Charlie Chaplin was often seen waiting outside the back entrances of London theatres. He looked thin and hurry. He was hoping to get work in show business. He could sing and dance, and above all, he knew how to make people laugh. But he couldn’t get work and therefore wandered about the city streets. Sometimes he was sent away to a home for children who had no parents.
But twenty years later, this same Chaplin became the greatest, best-known, and best-loved comedian (喜剧演员) in the world. Any regular visitor to the cinema, must have seen some of Charlie Chaplin’s films. People everywhere have sat and laughed at them until the tears ran down their faces. Even people who don’t understand English can enjoy his films, because they are mostly silent. It isn’t what he says that makes us laugh. His comedy doesn’t depend upon (依靠) words or language. It depends upon little actions which mean the thing to people all over the word. Acting out without words, of common human situations plays an important part in the dances and plays in many countries. It’s a kind of the world language.
Chaplin lived most of his life in America and died in Switzerland on Christmas Day 1977, at the age of eighty-eight. There was sadness all over the world at the news of his death.Chaplin was born _________.
| A．in 1990 | B．in Switzerland |
| C．in 1889 | D．in America |
Why was Chaplin often seen waiting outside London theatre?
| A．Because he needed a job in show business. |
| B．Because he needed food to eat. |
| C．Because he hoped to sing and dance in theatre. |
| D．Because he hoped to have a home. |
Twenty years later, Chaplin became the best __________.
| A．singer | B．dancer |
| C．actor | D．comedian |
What does Chaplin comedy(喜剧) depend on?
| A．words and language |
| B．music and dance |
| C．story and background |
| D．action, a kind of the world language |
Which is true?
| A．Chaplin was an American |
| B．Chaplin’s comedy was dull. |
| C．Chaplin was a dumb. (哑巴) |
| D．People in the world were very sad to hear that Chaplin died. |
In general (一般来说) people talk about two groups of colours: warm colours and cool colours. Scientists think that there are also two groups of people: people who prefer warm colours and people who prefer cool colours.
The warm colours are red, orange and yellow. Where there are warm colours and a lot of light, people usually want to be active. People think that red example is exciting sociable (善交际的) people, those who like to be with others like red. The cool colours are green, blue and purple. These colours unlike warm colours, are relaxing. Where there are cool colours, people are usually quiet. People who like to spend time alone often prefer blue.
Red may be exciting but one scientist says that time seems to pass more slow in a room with warm colours than in a room with cool colours. He suggested that a warm colour such as red or orange, is a good colour for a living room or a restaurant.
People who are relaxing or eating don’t want time to pass quickly. Cool colours are better for offices of factories as the people who work there want time to pass quickly. Scientist don’t know why people think some colours are warm and other colours are cool.
However, almost everyone agree that warm colours remind (使想起) people of warm days and cool colours remind them of cool days. Because in the north the sun is low during winter, the sunlight appears quite blue. Because the sun higher during summer, the hot summer sunlight appears yellow.When people talk about two groups of people, they mean those that ________.
| A．like warm colours and like cool colours |
| B．are yellow, red and yellow |
| C．are warm colours and cool colours |
| D．are green, blue and purple |
The people who like warm colours _________.
| A．are very hard to get on with others |
| B．are very easy to get on with others |
| C．like to stay at home by themselves |
| D．don’t like to be with others |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．Time seems to pass more slowly in a room with warm colours than in a room with cool colours. |
| B．The persons who are relaxing don’t want time to pass slowly. |
| C．Maybe warm colors make people think of warm days. |
| D．The writer thinks cool colours are good for offices of factories. |
Why do some people like warm colours and others like cool colours?
| A．Because the people who like warm colours are active. |
| B．Because the people who like cool colours prefer staying at home alone. |
| C．Because warm colours are nice and cool colours are not nice. |
| D．The writer doesn’t tell us the reason. |
Which is the best title?
| A．Two groups of colours | B．Cool colours |
| C．Warm colours | D．Colours and people |
We were going to play against a team from a country school.
They didn’t come until the last minute. They looked worse than we had thought. They were wearing dirty blue trousers and looked like farm boys.
We sat down for a rest. We felt that we didn’t need any practice against a team like that.
The game began. One of us got the ball and he shot a long pass to our forward （前锋）. From out of nowhere a boy in an old T-shirt stopped the ball and with beautiful style （姿势）he shot and got two points. Then another two points in a minute. Soon the game was all over. We were beaten by the country team.
After that, we thought a lot. We certainly learned that even though your team is very good, you can’t look down upon the others and still need to do you best. And the most important lesson we learned was: One can’t judge (判断) a person or a team only by their clothes.The team from the country were in old clothes so the writer’s team _______.
| A．looked down upon them |
| B．couldn’t win |
| C．didn’t like the city boy |
| D．were afraid of them |
The country team arrived so late that _________.
| A．nobody saw them |
| B．the writer’s team were angry |
| C．they had no time to warm up |
| D．they looked worse |
The team from the country won because _________.
| A．they were in old clothes |
| B．they didn’t practice before the game |
| C．they practiced before the game |
| D．the team was better than the writer’s |
From the text, we can guess the writer’s team is _________.
| A．a basketball from a country school |
| B．a football team from a school in the city |
| C．a basketball team from a school in the city |
| D．a football team from the country |
The writer’s team learned a lot from the game. They got to know how to ______.
| A．do better from then on |
| B．fight against the country boys |
| C．play against a weak team |
| D．judge a man or a team by clothes |