Between ten and midnight the United States is politically leaderless—there is no center of information anywhere in the nation except in the New York headquarters of the great broadcasting companies and two wire services. No candidate and no party can afford the investment on election night to match the news-gathering resources of the mass media; and so as every citizen sits in his home watching his TV set or listening to his radio, he is the equal of any other in knowledge. There is nothing that can be done in these hours, for no one can longer direct the great strike for America’s power; the polls have closed. Good or bad, whatever the decision, America will accept the decision—and cut down any man who goes against it, even though for millions the decision runs contrary to their own votes. The general vote is an expression of national will, the only substitute for violence and blood. Its decision is to be defended as one defends civilization itself.
There is nothing like this American expression of will in England or France, India or Russia. Only one other major nation in modern history has tried to elect its leader directly by mass, free, popular vote. This was the Weiman Republic of Germany, which modeled its unitary vote for national leaders on the American practice. Out of its experiment with the system it got Hitler. Americans have had Lincoln, Wilson and two Roosevelts. Nothing can be done when the voting returns are flooding in; the White House and its power will move to one or another of the two candidates, and all will know about it in the morning. But for these hours history stops.Between ten P.M. and midnight the United States is politically leaderless because ________.
| A．the president has been murdered |
| B．the general strike for power has ended |
| C．the government has resigned |
| D．the general vote is being held |
“The great strike for America’s power” in Paragraph 1 refers to ________.
| A．the strike of the government members |
| B．the great vote |
| C．the election campaign |
| D．the strike of the government employees |
The author believes that the decision at the polls will ________.
| A．lead to a civil war | B．result in a general strike |
| C．cause violence and blood | D．be defended by all Americans |
Without the general vote, the author implies ________.
| A．there would be a civil war | B．there would be a general strike |
| C．there would be an election campaign | D．there would be a fierce debate |
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| A．Item 1 | B．Item 3 | C．Item 4 | D．Item 6 |
One of the unique characteristics of Item 3 is that _____.
| A．it can be washed repeatedly |
| B．it is made of 100% organic cotton |
| C．it is mainly made of bamboo |
| D．it is comfortable and user-friendly |
The underlined word "properties" in the passage can most probably be replaced by"______" .
| A．belongings | B．characteristics | C．materials | D．surroundings |
The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago. Now, twitter, e-mail, blogs and QQ chat offer approaches to communication— but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various important functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute (致敬), entertaining, or simply introducing someone.
Persuading is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December, 2009, persuasive words from activities encouraged them to take former action.
Inspirational speeches deal with emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people’ s hearts. Last year, during the fighting in Iraq, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
Some speeches spread knowledge and deepen understanding. When the H1N1 flu was announced, the disease scared many people. Informtive speechs from World Health Organization (WTO) officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take necessary preventive measures.
Sad events are never easy to deal with but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna’s speech about Michael Jackson after his death showed the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It’s not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be helpful in the course of our own life. You may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform others about an area of great importance. On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family gathering or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we’re born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech.The underlined word “recociling” in paragraph 3 can best be replaced by “________”
| A．considering | B．questioning | C．accepting | D．settling |
The passage mentions the H1N1 flu to show the function of _______
| A．persuasive speeches | B．informative speeches |
| C．inspirational speeches | D．introductive speech |
The 7th paragraph mainly tells us that public speaking ______.
| A．is important in world forums |
| B．can help us make more friends |
| C．matters more in one’s life |
| D．is helpful in our daily life |
What would the writer probably talk about following the last paragraph?
| A．How the speech came into being |
| B．Why the public speaking is imporatant. |
| C．How you can perfect your speech |
| D．Why Obama often makes speeches |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．Tips of great speeches | B．The history of the speech |
| C．Functions of the speech | D．The language of the speech |
DIY sailor Owen Warboys has finally launched his homemade boat — after spending nearly 30 years building it in his mum’s garden.
Owen, 66, a retired engineer from Hordle, New Milton, Hants, first started work on the 40ft—long boat in 1982 because he could not afford to buy his own. He told mum Edith that it would only take five years but after suffering “a few problems” it lasted nearly three decades.
When he finally finished, he was left with the head-scratching task of getting the 18-tonne boat out of the back garden. After some time he found a way. A huge crane (起重机) was brought in to carefully raise it 40ft in the air over his mother’s house and onto a lorry. It was then driven to the seaside and, to Owen’s delight, it floated and showed no signs of leaking when lowered into the water.
Now, 28 years after he first started, Owen is at last preparing to set sail in his beloved boat, Wight Dolphin, with his long-suffering wife Anne. Owen said, “I am so relieved that it’s finished. There were times when I thought it would never end but I’m the sort of person who likes to finish something once I’ve started.”
At first he persuaded his mum to let him do it in her garden and started taking in sheets of steel and pieces of wood. “My mother was happy for me to build it at her house but only bacause I told her it would only take five years.”Why did Owen decide to make his own boat by himself?
| A．He wanted to kill time after his retirement |
| B．He wished to set a new world record |
| C．He didn’t have enough money to buy a boat |
| D．He had a hobby of making things by hand |
What problem did Owen face when he finished his boat?
| A．It leaked when lowered into the water |
| B．It couldn’t be sent onto a truck |
| C．He couldn’t afford to hire a crane. |
| D．He didn’t know how to move it out. |
Which of the following is TRUE about the boat ?
| A．It was built by Owen and his supportive wife |
| B．It was in good condition after being put in the sea |
| C．Owen’s mother was relieved to see it was finished |
| D．Owen and his wife will sail around the world in it |
We can infer from the passage that _____.
| A．the boat will enter a race competition |
| B．Owen retired early in order to make his boat |
| C．Owen’s wife gave the boat the name of Wight Dolphin |
| D．It took 23 more years to finish the boat than expected |
BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhuanet)--- A new hotel concept has been realized in a village in Northern Sweden, which aims to make the simple treehouse become a world-class destination for travellers. The Treehotel, located in a place called Harads, will consist of four rooms when it opens on July 17th: the Cabin, the Blue Cone, the Nest, and the Mirrorcube.
Two additional rooms are scheduled to open in October. The long term vision(想象) is even more expansive. “Our goal in five years is to have 24 rooms from 24 different architects,” says Treehotel co-founder Kent Lindvall.
The first six rooms were designed by five different architects. The Mirrorcube which stands four meters high and four meters wide, and the walls of which are made with a mirrored glass, has drawn widespread attention as it will beattached to a single tree. “It’s an interesting building. You can’t find anything else like this in the world today. It’s unique(独特的),” says Lindvall. “Everything will reflect in it---the trees, the birds, the clouds and the sun in the forest. So it could hardly be seen in the forest. This is untouched forest and we want to keep it the same way.”
Lindvall says the Treehotel’s vision proves a powerful draw, with enquiries(询问) coming in from far and wide. “I think what’s exciting here is that we’re just 60 km below the Arctic Circle. It means there’s a good possibility to have the northern lights in the winter and of course to have the midnight sun in the summer.”
The motto of the Treehotel is “Feel Free in a Tree” and expense will cost up to about $555.50 for two guests in the Cube, which is designed to hold up to four guests. The underlined word “expansive” probably means _____.
| A．costing a lot of money |
| B．covering a large area |
| C．requiring knowledge and skills |
| D．increasing suddenly and rapidly |
According to the passage, the Mirrorcube is a unique building because _____.
| A．everything can reflect in it |
| B．it’s large with plenty of space |
| C．there is a large mirror wall in it |
| D．it has limited effect on local wildlife |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．The Treehotel is ideally situated to enjoy the natural wonders. |
| B．The Treehotel is a great base to explore the many local places of interest. |
| C．Travellers can have a relaxed holiday at a reasonable price in the Treehotel. |
| D．The six rooms of the Treehotel was separately designed by 6 different architects. |
The Homeless World Cup is an international football event, where teams made up entirely of people who are homeless compete. The event has been held annually since 2003.
It was at the end of 2001 that Mel Young, a famous expert in the media inDustry, came up with the idea of the Homeless World Cup. 18 months later the first event took place in Austria. It was such a success that people decided to do more.
There are some interesting and special rules of the event. For example, players(male or female at least 16 years old) must have been homeless at some time after the previous year’s World Cup or make their main living income by selling newspapers in the street or be asylum（政治避难） seekers . Anyone can take part, regardless of his or her abilities. There are at most 4 players per team to compete in the field. Games are 14 minutes long.
In 2007, 48 nations, 500 players took a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their countries for true spirit and glory in Copenhagen, Denmark. The winner in 2007 was Scotland. The 2008 Homeless World Cup took place in Melbourne, Australia. And in 2009 it was held in Milan. The latest Homeless World Cup was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in September 2010. Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup takes place Augustfollowed by the México City 2012 Homeless World Cup.
The success of the competition has been in two aspects—to attract the world’s attention to the problems of homelessness and also to help participants live a better life.
According to a survey by the Homeless World Cup Organization after 2006 Homeless World Cup, 92% of the players had a new motivation for life, 93 players successfully got rid of their dependency on drugs and alcohol, 44% improved their housing situation and 72% continued to play football.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
| A．The first Homeless World Cup took place in 2003. |
| B．The Homeless World Cup was held every other year. |
| C．The host country of the 9th Homeless World Cup was Australia. |
| D．Anyone who is homeless can take part in the Homeless World Cup. |
The aim of the Homeless World Cup is to _____.
| A．promote the cause of football |
| B．help the homeless live a better life |
| C．draw attention to those living in poverty |
| D．call on homeless people to unite and compete for honor |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
| A．Most players moved out of poverty. |
| B．Homeless players became professional footballers. |
| C．93% of the players were independent of drugs and alcohol. |
| D．The Homeless World Cup helped homeless people change their lives. |
What would be the best title for this passage?
| A．To End Homelessness. | B．Football For Everyone. |
| C．Hope For The Homeless. | D．Beating Homelessness Through Football. |